Windows install fails when more than 4 HDD's.


  1. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #1

    Windows install fails when more than 4 HDD's.


    Hi there.

    Trying a Windows install on a Server box with 4 HDD's installed. This server also allows boot from a Micro SD card. I've got a 64GB micro SD card loaded as well.

    Fails when trying to create any partition on any of the HDD's. Works if I temporarily remove one HDD or take out the 64GB internal micro SD card.

    I Get a message "Windows cannot create partition on selected Disk" - even when totally empty. It doesn't matter if GPT or MBR disks either.

    Seems that if you want to install a non server version of Windows (i.e Windows 10 Pro for example) 4 HDD's is the limit (a micro SD card counts as an HDD).

    If I install Esxi on the SD card then no prob creating Windows VM's without removing HDD's.

    I think after w10 is installed you can add more HDD's.

    Cheers
    jimbo
    Last edited by jimbo45; 22 Jan 2016 at 07:32.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hi folks.

    I surely can't be the only one around here with a machine that has more than 4 HDD's. How did you install Windows without temporarily removing one of the HDD's. Note this is a BIOS MBR machine not a UEFI one - however apart from the boot HDD which is an SSD in my case all the rest can operate as GPT HDD's without a problem.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 72
    Windows 10 Home x64 v1511, many others virtualized
       #3

    I have similar experience, a few months ago I had to disconnect the rest 5 disks to be able to install Windows 10. I found an installation logfile somewhere on X: (virtual filesystem used only during installation, it is necessary to push Shift+F10, run Notepad from command prompt, select File-Open and then find the log) which said something like "the selected disk is not the primary boot device", I do not remember the exact sentence. IMO the problem is not number of disks (even it is possible too) but disk sequence, because for some reason it is presented differently in BIOS and in Windows - Windows installation probably wants to use the very first disk. If you have the target disk for Windows 10 connected to add-on SATA controller card instead of motherboard (same as I have), you probably have the only one option - to disconnect all other disks temporarily.
      My Computer


 

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