Failed to format the selected partition (Error: 0x80004005)

I am attempting to install Windows Vista Beta 2 64 bit. I burned my DVD at
1x, without any reported problems. The DVD boots, and I reach the point where
I nominate the partition to format (there are currently no NTFS partitions on
the single SATA disk). I attempt to format it, and I get the error above. Any
clues?

Are you installing the SATA drivers prior to attempting to format? It maybe
that the operating system cannot see the SATA drive. I know SATA drives are
temperamental with Windows XP, so they are probably worse with Vista.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
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"Clothears" <Clothears@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:AF5D7642-423E-4DC7-8B4C-4228823BE73C@microsoft.com...
>I am attempting to install Windows Vista Beta 2 64 bit. I burned my DVD at
> 1x, without any reported problems. The DVD boots, and I reach the point
> where
> I nominate the partition to format (there are currently no NTFS partitions
> on
> the single SATA disk). I attempt to format it, and I get the error above.
> Any
> clues?

i have the same problem, but windows vista can see my SATA, actually it
displays the Name, Total Size and Free Size of my SATA.

regards
alex

"John Barnett MVP" <freelanceit@mvps.org.NOSPAM> wrote in message
news:O7%23c2brnGHA.4340@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Are you installing the SATA drivers prior to attempting to format? It
> maybe that the operating system cannot see the SATA drive. I know SATA
> drives are temperamental with Windows XP, so they are probably worse with
> Vista.
>
> --
> John Barnett MVP
> Associate Expert
> http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
>
> The information in this mail is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
> either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
> reliability or content of this mail. The Author shall not be liable for
> any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of
> the use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
> mail..
>
>
> "Clothears" <Clothears@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:AF5D7642-423E-4DC7-8B4C-4228823BE73C@microsoft.com...
>>I am attempting to install Windows Vista Beta 2 64 bit. I burned my DVD
>>at
>> 1x, without any reported problems. The DVD boots, and I reach the point
>> where
>> I nominate the partition to format (there are currently no NTFS
>> partitions on
>> the single SATA disk). I attempt to format it, and I get the error above.
>> Any
>> clues?
>
>

i also tried an IDE disk and got the same error message.

regards

alex
"John Barnett MVP" <freelanceit@mvps.org.NOSPAM> wrote in message
news:O7%23c2brnGHA.4340@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Are you installing the SATA drivers prior to attempting to format? It
> maybe that the operating system cannot see the SATA drive. I know SATA
> drives are temperamental with Windows XP, so they are probably worse with
> Vista.
>
> --
> John Barnett MVP
> Associate Expert
> http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
>
> The information in this mail is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
> either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
> reliability or content of this mail. The Author shall not be liable for
> any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of
> the use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
> mail..
>
>
> "Clothears" <Clothears@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:AF5D7642-423E-4DC7-8B4C-4228823BE73C@microsoft.com...
>>I am attempting to install Windows Vista Beta 2 64 bit. I burned my DVD
>>at
>> 1x, without any reported problems. The DVD boots, and I reach the point
>> where
>> I nominate the partition to format (there are currently no NTFS
>> partitions on
>> the single SATA disk). I attempt to format it, and I get the error above.
>> Any
>> clues?
>
>

I haven't installed any additional drivers. Since the installer has
accurately read the partition table, what could usefully be additionally
loaded? Searching the Microsoft site for 0x80004005 suggests that it is a
catch-all error code, so it doesn't of itself give much of a clue.

"John Barnett MVP" wrote:

> Are you installing the SATA drivers prior to attempting to format? It maybe
> that the operating system cannot see the SATA drive. I know SATA drives are
> temperamental with Windows XP, so they are probably worse with Vista.
>

I had 3 partitions on my SATA, i deleted one to install RC1 but when i tried
to format it it gave me error "error 0x800424f". this sounds similar. I will
try to reformat the entire drive and let you know if that worked.

"Clothears" wrote:

> I haven't installed any additional drivers. Since the installer has
> accurately read the partition table, what could usefully be additionally
> loaded? Searching the Microsoft site for 0x80004005 suggests that it is a
> catch-all error code, so it doesn't of itself give much of a clue.
>
> "John Barnett MVP" wrote:
>
> > Are you installing the SATA drivers prior to attempting to format? It maybe
> > that the operating system cannot see the SATA drive. I know SATA drives are
> > temperamental with Windows XP, so they are probably worse with Vista.
> >
>

[JamesR404]

Yes, same here. Using a SATA drive. I am able to format other partitions on that drive, that are NTFS, just not the primary that isn't NTFS.... *sigh*.

Same catch all 0x80004005 as you guys.

Any suggestions?

[JamesR404]

OK, decided to format the drive in another windows PC. There I discovered I needed to remove the volume* and add it again before being able to format the problematic partition.

*(which can't be done via windows setup, or well, maybe via the recovery console)

[hu8mypho]

in short if you delete that partition and create a new one, you will be fine. Alternatively you can just install straight to the entire disk and update the size after the fact.