How to create NTFS partition in Linux to install Windows 7 from USB?

Posted by Michal Stefanow on Super User See other posts from Super User or by Michal Stefanow
Published on 2012-03-08T22:58:04Z Indexed on 2012/09/02 15:42 UTC
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I messed up with my computer and need help.

Generally: install Windows 7 from USB.

Problem: "setup was unable to create a new system partition"

When first attempt to install Windows 7 failed I tried Linux live USB, installed distro to HDD, and erased all the existing partitions. Current state (fdisk -l): [writing from other computer so no copy and paste] /dev/sda1 305GB Linux /dev/sda2 7GB Extended /dev/sda5 7GB Linux Swam / Solaris

To create a new, NTFS partition: fdisk /dev/sda n (for new) p (for primary) 3 (for partintion number) "No free sectors available"

All the HDD was formatted couple of minutes before so there is a lot of free space but how to resize a parition?

I cannot find an option for resizing in man fdisk. Some people say I should use gparted but my distro doesn't not contain this package. And my distro doesn't support wireless drivers so I have serious problems with downloading stuff.

I tried also using cfdisk but any command results in: "cfdisk bad primary partition 1 partition ends in the final partial cylinder"

I tried also removing partition 1 and then creating a new one (so there is no "no free sectors"). I'm receiving a warning: "Re-reading the partition table failed with error 16: Device or resource busy. The kernel still uses the old table. The new table will be used at the next reboot."

After restating: "grub rescue, no known filesystem"

It may indicate that some changes have been made BUT when running Windows 7 installed some another error: "Windows cannot be installed to Disk 0 Partition 1"

More detailed: "Windows cannot be installed to this hard disk space. Windows must be installed to a partition formatted as NTFS."

So formatting drive using Windows 7 installer

BUT this time yet another error: "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the setup log files for more information"

Apparently I cannot access logs (how?) and I am back to drawing board with my live USB (this time showing partition as HPFS/NTFS).

Any suggestions how to install Windows 7? Should I reinstall Linux to HDD, erase existing partitions once again, and use Parted rather than gparted (parted is included in the distro). Or maybe should I create another bootable USB such as PartedMagic to painlessly create partitions?

I just want to install Windows 7 from USB, my laptop is semi-operational and I am ready to receive some help regarding fdisk and creating NTFS partitions.

UPDATE: I did as suggested (removed all the partitions) and tried to install in unallocated space. Tried to create a new partition and format it. Same error: "setup was unable to create a new system partition"

Came to the conclusion it may have something to do with TrueCrypt I have recently installed. Right now trying to FIX MBR (as I haven't got possibility to create rescue disc without optical drive)

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