2013 MacPro Windows 10 Installation Partition Problem (BootCamp)

Question

Level 1

0 points

2013 MacPro Windows 10 Installation Partition Problem (BootCamp)

Greetings,

I've been having some challenges installing a Windows 10 via Boot Camp. As far as my system goes, please see the enclosed screenshot of my MacPro system. My hard drive is SSD.

The roadblock happens after the "Format", when I click on the Next button, I got this error:

"We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one. For more information see the Setup log file" (please see the attached image).

I've been googling since yesterday and trying to apply some solutions out there to my problems to no avail (part of it because I'm not a computer savvy and don't know if their problems are the same as mine), but here are a few things I tried:

01. Unplugging the thunderbolt, including the external enclosure that houses 4 external drive and my computer screen.

02. Resetting the SMC

03. Resetting the NVRAM

Any help and directions on where I should go to solve this mystery is greatly appreciated!

Mac Pro (Late 2013), OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Jan 14, 2016 10:04 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Godzira Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 14, 2016 10:07 AM in response to Godzira

Oh just to add one more, the only few things connected to my MacPro are:

- USB Flash drive (I'm installing via USB (Windows Single Language iso was downloaded from Microsoft))

- Apple USB keyboard

- Logitech mouse receiver.

I did at one point only use a keyboard, still to no avail.

Thank you

Reply

Answer 2

arturs.c

Level 1

0 points

Jan 14, 2016 10:14 AM in response to Godzira

same problem for me today...

Reply

Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jan 14, 2016 10:15 AM in response to Godzira

You should disconnect all external disks and storage, before you start installing Windows.

Please also see Boot Camp: "We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one" alert during Windows 8 install - Apple Support .

Reply

Answer 4

Godzira Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 14, 2016 11:11 AM in response to Loner T

Hi Loner T,

Thanks much for the prompt respond. Yes I have done all the above plus some other things I mentioned in my post, including resetting SMC and NVRAM.

Reply

Answer 5

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jan 14, 2016 2:52 PM in response to Godzira

Run the SMC/NVRAM reset with all storage disconnected, including any USB drives. Since you have OSXRESERVED, there should be no other external storage connected. You should just have keyboard/mouse/display and your MP. Disconnect any network connections you have when you see the first installer screen, before you choose a partition.

Reply

Answer 6

Godzira Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 14, 2016 4:10 PM in response to Loner T

Loner,

I will give this another try. I did reset SMC and NVRAM with all external storage disconnected but I noticed I still had my USB stick that contains Windows ISO connected to MacPro. I will disconnect all and hopefully this fixes it.

Reply

Answer 7

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jan 14, 2016 4:39 PM in response to Godzira

If you had the USB connected, my recommendation is to copy the ISO file from the USB to your Documents folder, disconnect the USB, run SMC/NVRAM Reset and try to boot from the OSXRESERVED partition using Alt/Option key. If that does not work, use BCA and remove the partition, and start the BCA again, but use the ISO in your Documents folder when prompted, not the ISO file from the USB.

Reply

Answer 8

Godzira Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 14, 2016 6:59 PM in response to Loner T

Greetings Loner T,

Thank you so much for your advice, the last suggestion works like a charm. Instead of using a USB stick, I followed your direction and moved the ISO file to my Document folder. Prior to that I did run SMC and NVRAM reset. I only had my keyboard and mouse USBs connected, and Windows installed just fine!

The Realtek audio crashed, but I managed to find a solution here, so everything is working great now and I am responding from Windows 10.

Thank you again for your respond, suggestion and advice. Yes I have backed up everything 🙂 I learnt the hard way a few years ago 🙂

Have a great one!!

Reply

Answer 9

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jan 14, 2016 7:13 PM in response to Godzira

Very 😎. Please create a Windows System Restore point, if you have not already done so.

Reply