windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria

[Ian R]

Hi

I am currently running XP Pro and I've purchased the Ultimate retail
upgrade.

I wish to dual boot between XP and Vista so I want to do a clean install of
Vista.

I have read that when starting the upgrade process with XP, Vista will
rename my current install to Windows.old so dual booting would not be
possible.

I presumed that choosing a clean install to another partition would keep my
existing XP system intact so I could dual boot just like I did years ago
when I first upgraded from Windows 2000 to XP Pro.

Is it correct that starting Vista within XP and choosing a clean install to
a new partition would still rename my existing XP install?

I then read an article which said the way to preserve my existing XP system
is to boot from my Vista disc, choose clean install on another partition and
NOT enter my product key the first time around. Once completed I could then
do an in place upgrade of that Vista with my product key. Is this really
the only way?

So I began the process of installing without the product key. But after
selecting the partition I want to install to (which is an empty 30Gb
partition on a new drive intended for Vista only) I then got the error
message "windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria".

What???? How come??

How can I resolve this?

I dont know if this error has come up just because I havent put the product
key in or if theres another reason.

Its really important I can dual boot as I have a few programs which I
already know have issues running under Vista.

Thanks for your time and any info.

Ian

 

[Guest]

Hello Ian.

from what gather your wanting to dual boot, Vista 64 and xp!

Vista 64 is looking for a fat that it will work on, i would install a second
hard drive and install vista on that drive. and leave your other drive for xp.

Search for all your drivers for your hardware before you install vista. and
store them on a usb drive so you can install drivers when ready,

you can use your bios to select your boot Drive at any time after vista is
installed. i did this with my system and i can boot vista or xp with the f
10 key on startup.

good luck

 

[Don]

Hi

I am currently running XP Pro and I've purchased the Ultimate retail
upgrade.

I wish to dual boot between XP and Vista so I want to do a clean install of
Vista.

For up to 30 days you *can* dual-boot using an upgrade version because
the installer doesn't know what version you bought until you enter your
product key. But once you finally activate Vista with your upgrade key
it will inactivate your XP -- per the terms of the upgrade license.

I have read that when starting the upgrade process with XP, Vista will
rename my current install to Windows.old so dual booting would not be
possible.

That happens only if you install your upgrade on top of your existing
XP partition. That's what you must do if you enter an upgrade key at
the beginning.

So I began the process of installing without the product key. But after
selecting the partition I want to install to (which is an empty 30Gb
partition on a new drive intended for Vista only) I then got the error
message "windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria".

Just a guess: is your new partition an extended partition, or primary?
I seem to recall that you need at least a small primary partition which
can be marked 'active' so the boot code can be installed (and found)
there. Then you can install the remainder of Windows in an extended
partition if you want.

 

[Ian R]

Hello Ian.

from what gather your wanting to dual boot, Vista 64 and xp!

Vista 64 is looking for a fat that it will work on, i would install a
second
hard drive and install vista on that drive. and leave your other drive for
xp.

Search for all your drivers for your hardware before you install vista.
and
store them on a usb drive so you can install drivers when ready,

you can use your bios to select your boot Drive at any time after vista is
installed. i did this with my system and i can boot vista or xp with the
f
10 key on startup.

good luck

Thanks for your reply loaderopp

However I should have clearly stated that I wish to install the 32bit OS.

Getting drivers for 32bit Vista is bad enough without even thinking about
64bit.

I have no interest in 64bit until it becomes the norm and drivers are easily
available.

What good is an OS with limited applications and devices which can work on
it?

Cheers

Ian

 

[Ian R]

For up to 30 days you *can* dual-boot using an upgrade version because
the installer doesn't know what version you bought until you enter your
product key. But once you finally activate Vista with your upgrade key
it will inactivate your XP -- per the terms of the upgrade license.


That happens only if you install your upgrade on top of your existing
XP partition. That's what you must do if you enter an upgrade key at
the beginning.


Just a guess: is your new partition an extended partition, or primary?
I seem to recall that you need at least a small primary partition which
can be marked 'active' so the boot code can be installed (and found)
there. Then you can install the remainder of Windows in an extended
partition if you want.

Hi Don

Thanks for your reply.

I think you have identified the problem.

The drive I intend to load Vista onto is a logical drive within an extended
partition. So I can go and fix that and see if it'll work from there. I had
presumed it would load what it needs to on my existing C drive and install
the rest to my preferred partition. But I've just remembered that the Vista
partition will then become my C drive. So it all makes sense that it needs
to be a primary drive.

Its bemusing to see how MS still don't create software which can provide
more informative error messages. How difficult can it be for it to say it
needs a primary partition? Rather than the cryptic "windows is unable to
find a system volume that meets its criteria." A classic example of
designed by engineers for engineers rather than end users.

I am very alarmed by what you have said regarding the dual boot for 30 days
only. When you say inactivate XP do you just mean my XP key will not be
reusable but I can still dual boot? Or are you saying that I will no longer
be able to dual boot and run XP at all? Surely not?? I used to dual boot
Win2K Pro and XP without a problem so why not XP/Vista.

If that's true then I've just paid £250 to kill my perfectly working XP
system and lose the use of all my expensive applications which do not run
correctly or at all under Vista. Wow sounds really great to me.

So how else can I create a dual boot system apart from buying a second PC?

Cheers

Ian

 

[Don]

I am very alarmed by what you have said regarding the dual boot for 30 days
only. When you say inactivate XP do you just mean my XP key will not be
reusable but I can still dual boot? Or are you saying that I will no longer
be able to dual boot and run XP at all? Surely not?? I used to dual boot
Win2K Pro and XP without a problem so why not XP/Vista.

If that's true then I've just paid £250 to kill my perfectly working XP
system and lose the use of all my expensive applications which do not run
correctly or at all under Vista. Wow sounds really great to me.

So how else can I create a dual boot system apart from buying a second PC?

The key word here is 'upgrade'. If you buy an 'upgrade' version you are
only entitled to use the upgraded system after you install. The simple
but more expensive alternative is to buy the 'full' version of Vista
which won't care if you are still using your XP (because you paid for
both and therefore you are entitled to use both). An 'upgrade' version
is sold at a discount -- that's the all-important difference!

 

[Ian R]

The key word here is 'upgrade'. If you buy an 'upgrade' version you are
only entitled to use the upgraded system after you install. The simple
but more expensive alternative is to buy the 'full' version of Vista
which won't care if you are still using your XP (because you paid for
both and therefore you are entitled to use both). An 'upgrade' version
is sold at a discount -- that's the all-important difference!

Thanks Don

OK so I understand this is the upgrade and technically I shouldn't use XP.

But my question is will it actually STOP XP from running?

Years ago I used my XP Pro upgrade disc to do a clean install upgrade from
Win 2K and I could dual boot no problem for several months.

When I bought a new HDD (original had died) I reinstalled XP Pro upgrade
(didn't bother with the dual booting) and had to phone MS as I had exceeded
the number of activations.

I explained I'd bought a new HDD and they gave me a new key no problem.

So I don't see why this should be any different.

If XP is incapacitated I think buying a second copy of XP would be cheaper
than the difference between Vista Ultimate Upgrade and Vista Ultimate Full.

....MS's way of how to win friends? I think not.. If this is how they're
treating their paying customers? At this rate MS are sure going to piss off
a lot of loyal users. And Linux or Mac will start to become a lot more
interesting to long time PC users.

OK I'm off the soap box now.

Cheers

Ian

 

[Richard Urban]

Many people have, in the past, used an upgrade disk to install a clean -
stand alone - operating system. This was against the Microsoft EULA then,
and it is now. The difference is that now Microsoft enforces the fact and
doesn't allow you to do it any longer.

It happened because people weren't honest.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User

 

[Don]

Ian R wrote:
[...]

OK so I understand this is the upgrade and technically I shouldn't use XP.

But my question is will it actually STOP XP from running?

The correct answer is 'I don't know' but that's what I've read from
other posters in this group who seem confident that XP will not be
useable *after* you activate Vista with your upgrade key at the end of
your 30-day trial period. I don't know any more than that.

If XP is incapacitated I think buying a second copy of XP would be cheaper
than the difference between Vista Ultimate Upgrade and Vista Ultimate Full.

Very clever. I'd never have thought of that. And it's perfectly legal
*if* you can find XP at a good price. Of course you'd need to buy the
full version of XP, not the upgrade version ;o)

 

[Ian R]

Thanks for replying Richard.

Yes I understand its the usual minority spoiling it for the majority.

Forgive me if I seem a bit slow in getting this but does it mean that my XP
will definitely NOT function? That I will not be able to dual boot and run
XP?

If that is the case can you confirm that the full version will allow me to
dual boot and not cripple XP?

If so I don't relish the rangle I'm going to have with PC World when I take
back my opened upgrade pack and ask for it to be exchanged for the full
version.

Given that most companies state they don't take back opened software I don't
know where I stand.

And it makes me think that the EULA should be printed on the outside of the
packing. I would then be able to read it and agree to it or not before I
have opened it and attempt to install it before I discover the implications
and limitations of the upgrade version.

And how come no one else is mentioning that XP becomes unusable in this
scenario?

Thanks for your time.

Ian

 

[Guest]

I am still running my xp on the other drive and my vista was an upgrade
version. and i will continue to use it untill microsoft has everything in
vista perfect, i have not had any trouble with vista but i do have a couple
programs that will not run so i still use Xp once in a while!!

 

[andy]

Why don't you upgrade from Windows 2000?

Thanks for replying Richard.

Yes I understand its the usual minority spoiling it for the majority.

Forgive me if I seem a bit slow in getting this but does it mean that my XP
will definitely NOT function? That I will not be able to dual boot and run
XP?

If that is the case can you confirm that the full version will allow me to
dual boot and not cripple XP?

If so I don't relish the rangle I'm going to have with PC World when I take
back my opened upgrade pack and ask for it to be exchanged for the full
version.

Given that most companies state they don't take back opened software I don't
know where I stand.

And it makes me think that the EULA should be printed on the outside of the
packing. I would then be able to read it and agree to it or not before I
have opened it and attempt to install it before I discover the implications
and limitations of the upgrade version.

And how come no one else is mentioning that XP becomes unusable in this
scenario?

Thanks for your time.

Ian