Installing Windows server 2019 (trial version)

Atom · Nov 14, 2023

I have a PC running Windows11. I want to try Windows server 2019 because I think one application I'm running has problems on Windows 11. The reason I think this is because when it is running on a dedicated server running Windows server 2019 I do not experience the problems. I can't just run on the server, so I need to try it on my PC to see if it works. I have installed a new ssd (m.2 nvme installed on a pcie card) to test the Windows server. The drive works fine, but when I try to install the Windows server on it I get this message: Windows couldn't create a partition or locate an existing one. Searching for how to deal with always leads to some instructions to start DiskPart and perform a number of steps. I have not been able to make this work, so I'm wondering if there is no a simpler way to make this happen. I am installing the Windows server from a thumb drive. This is the disk I'm trying to use.

jimbo45 · Nov 14, 2023

Atom said:
I have a PC running Windows11. I want to try Windows server 2019 because I think one application I'm running has problems on Windows 11. The reason I think this is because when it is running on a dedicated server running Windows server 2019 I do not experience the problems. I can't just run on the server, so I need to try it on my PC to see if it works. I have installed a new ssd (m.2 nvme installed on a pcie card) to test the Windows server. The drive works fine, but when I try to install the Windows server on it I get this message: Windows couldn't create a partition or locate an existing one. Searching for how to deal with always leads to some instructions to start DiskPart and perform a number of steps. I have not been able to make this work, so I'm wondering if there is no a simpler way to make this happen. I am installing the Windows server from a thumb drive. This is the disk I'm trying to use.
View attachment 77681

I suggest you try the windows 2022 LTSC server -- it's a FREE 180 day trial. Choose the standard desktop version when you install or install via Dism.exe /Apply-Image, The index should be 2 for the standard desktop edition.

Test first as a VM too if you need to.

Cheers
jimbo

Atom · Nov 14, 2023

jimbo45 said:
I suggest you try the windows 2022 LTSC server -- it's a FREE 180 day trial. Choose the standard desktop version when you install or install via Dism.exe /Apply-Image, The index should be 2 for the standard desktop edition.

Test first as a VM too if you need to.

Cheers
jimbo

I would rather use the 2019 since I am already using that on the dedicated server without issue. I don't want to introduce another variable. Plus, I already created the installation USB. Is there any reason to think this would change the installation problem I'm having?

POLYSIUS · Nov 14, 2023

You use the old partition style.

In the attachment you find the right one for a 128 GB (C:)-Partition.
Copy it to the USB and excecute it.
X:>DiskPart /s E:\Par.txt
if E: is your USB-disk

Atom · Nov 14, 2023

POLYSIUS said:
You use the old partition style.

In the attachment you find the right one for a 128 GB (C:)-Partition.
Copy it to the USB and excecute it.
X:>DiskPart /s E:\Par.txt
if E: is your USB-disk

Trying to make sure I understand.
After copying Par.txt to my usb, then
from a command prompt I should enter DiskPart /s E:\Par.txt?

After which I can run the installation setup. Is that it?

FreeBooter · Nov 14, 2023

Because you have not included full error message i'm guessing you see error "Windows cannot be installed to this disk".

This guide aims to fix the error "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI system, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks."

POLYSIUS · Nov 14, 2023

You have to find out your correct USB-Drive letter first.
Then replace E: with your USB letter.
When you have finished click exit and then next
There you find the new partitions.

Atom · Nov 14, 2023

FreeBooter said:
Because you have not included full error message i'm guessing you see error "Windows cannot be installed to this disk".

This guide aims to fix the error "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI system, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks."

The full error message was this (in my OP): Windows couldn't create a partition or locate an existing one

POLYSIUS · Nov 14, 2023

@FreeBooter
see the screenshot from #1 and you see that it is a GPT-disk

Atom · Nov 14, 2023

POLYSIUS said:
@FreeBooter
see the screenshot from #1 and you see that it is a GPT-disk

??? Is or is not?

POLYSIUS · Nov 14, 2023

What are you waiting for? Go ahead with the command I posted in #4

Atom · Nov 14, 2023

POLYSIUS said:
What are you waiting for? Go ahead with the command I posted in #4

I'm using the computer right now. I have to wait until the markets close today.

Atom · Nov 14, 2023

POLYSIUS said:
What are you waiting for? Go ahead with the command I posted in #4

The usb drive is E:, but then E: is used in assigning a letter to a partition on disk 0.
I assume it should be a different letter?

Code:

You use the old partition style.


In the attachment you find the right one for a 128 GB (C:)-Partition.
Copy it to the USB and excecute it.
X:>DiskPart /s E:\Par.txt
if E: is your USB-disk


select disk 0
clean
convert gpt
rem == 1. System partition =========================
create partition EFI size=260
format quick fs=fat32 label="System"
assign letter="S"
rem == 2. Microsoft Reserved (MSR) partition =======
create partition msr size=16
rem == 3. Windows partition 128 GB ====================
create partition primary size=131072
format quick fs=ntfs label="Windows"
assign letter="W"
rem === 4. Recovery partition ======================
create partition primary size=1000
format quick fs=ntfs label="Recovery"
assign letter="R"
set id="de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac"
gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001
rem === 5. Data partition ======================
create partition primary
format quick fs=ntfs label="Data"
assign letter="E"
list volume
exit