Microsoft KB Archive/925481

= Error message when you try to install Windows Vista on a computer that has uninitialized hard disks: &quot;This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk&quot; =

Article ID: 925481

Article Last Modified on 1/10/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Ultimate

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to install Microsoft Windows Vista, you may receive the following warning message:

This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure that the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu.

This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:
 * The computer has two or more uninitialized hard disks.
 * You started the computer by using Windows Vista installation media.

This error message may also indicate that the BIOS of the computer does not support starting the operating system from the selected disk.

When you click Next to continue with the Setup program, you receive the following error message:

Windows cannot find a system volume that meets requirements for installation.

Additionally, the Setupact.log file may contain an entry that resembles the following:

2006-08-08 16:21:11, Info DumpDiskInformation: Disk has no apparent ARC path



CAUSE
This problem occurs because Windows Vista cannot distinguish between ambiguous hard disks.

In versions of Microsoft Windows Setup that are earlier than Windows Vista Setup, hard disks are marked with distinct values to distinguish them. However, this method of distinguishing hard disks is no longer supported because of the potential for data corruption on hard disks.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
 * 1) Create one or more partitions on all the hard disks that are not initialized.
 * 2) Restart the computer.
 * 3) Install Windows Vista.

Keywords: kbsetup kberrmsg kbtshoot kbexpertisebeginner kbprb KB925481

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