Windows 8 and the dreaded couldn't create a new partition

Hi all,

        Something must be wrong with me, as I am posting more than normal on my blog!.  This time its about Windows 8.  I have rebuilt my PC over the last few evenings and been running into the error:

"We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one.  For more information, see the Setup log files."

 

This error hits after you enter the CD key (I must have entered mine about 30 times trying to get around this issue), when you try to assign the partition that you wish to install windows 8 on.  I have 3 hard drives in my PC and I have tried all numerical combinations of disks, plus unplugged all USB ports (I didnt have any devices in my PC during install), removed all SD ports (I didnt have anything in them anyway) and removed anything else that was not screwed on.  Still the same error.

I finally fixed it by following this process (IMPORTANT: These steps assume that you have not got any data on any of your HDDs that you care about!!!):

 

Reboot the PC with the Win 8 CD in and select repair

Head over to the advanced tools option

once in the command prompt run Diskpart

Type LIST DISK

Type SELECT DISK <whatever disk number you have> 

Type CLEAN

Type CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY

Type ACTIVE

Type FORMAT FS=NTFS QUICK

Type ASSIGN

perform the above for any other hdds present, but dont make any other drive active of course.

Now reboot and start in the installation over again.  you should be good to go :)

 

I hope this helps you