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"Windows could not retrieve information about the disks on this computer."
"Windows could not retrieve information about the disks on this computer."
- I have Windows XP x64 installed on my HD Maxtor Sata II 250GB, and when I boot the DVD in the restart of the OS, after you click Install Now, it shows this error. How do I solve this problem?
- Edited byKevin HauMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 4:47 PMremove RC
- Moved byKevin HauMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 4:45 PM (From:Hardware and drivers)
- Moved byMarilyn-Support EngineerMSFT, ModeratorWednesday, October 07, 2009 1:15 AM (From:Getting Ready for Windows 7)
3 people got this answerI do too
Answers
- You need to enable the virtual disk service before performing the upgrade if you hit this error.
1. Click Start / Run and type SERVICES.MSC
2. Look for the Virtual Disk Service
3. Right click it and choose "Properties"
4. Make sure the Startup Type is Automatic, then click the Start button.
5. Reboot and try the upgrade again.
I hope this helps.
If you find that my answer was what you were looking for, please remember to click the "mark as answer" box below!- Marked As Answer byKevin HauMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 4:41 PM
- This can be due to a service not being started in Windows when you try the upgrade.
Please try this solution and let me know if it works:
1. Open Services.msc
2. Search for the service “Virtual Disk”
3. Right Click on the service and make it Automatic.
4. Start the Service
5. Start the Upgrade again.
Thanks!
If you find that my answer was what you were looking for, please remember to click the "mark as answer" box below!- Marked As Answer byKevin HauMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 4:25 PM
- Marked As Answer byBillFillMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 7:26 PM
All Replies
- So I'm trying to install Windows 7 RC as an upgrade from Vista 32-bit and I boot from disk. It starts the install and tells me to take the disk out and restart the computer normally. I put the disk back in when I'm at the desktop and when I try to install, it says "Windows could not retrieve information about the disks on this computer." Then it cancels the installation. Am I doing something wrong?
- Moved byMike - Support EngineerMSFT, ModeratorFriday, October 02, 2009 7:06 PMMove to correct category. (From:Getting Ready for Windows 7)
- Merged byKevin HauMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 4:49 PMsame issue
Hello Beburos,
Thank you for posting. What type of hard disk controllers does your motherboard use? Are they SATA or IDE? The install failure that you are describing is usually caused by driver problems with either the motherboard chipsets or the hard disk controllers. I would contact either your OEM or motherboard manufacturer and obtain the most current chipset and controller drivers. Get the drivers updated and them try the upgrade again. Let us know if this resolved your problem.
Thanks,
Jack
Jack
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.- Marked As Answer byChris - Support Engineer Thursday, June 04, 2009 6:52 AM
Hello Papibakigrafo,
Thank you for posting. This is usually a result of chipset drivers. Some users have had success streaming the chipset drivers into the setup DVD. Here is a link to the TechNet forums where you can find more information about driver issues:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/category/w7itpro?ITPID=sprblog
Thanks,
Jack
Jack
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.- Marked As Answer byChris - Support Engineer Tuesday, June 02, 2009 8:09 AM
- Unmarked As Answer byKevin HauMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 4:46 PM
- This sounds like a driver issue where Windows can not find any hard drives the system will boot to. There is an option to load drivers at the section where you choose where to install Windows (after choosing custom/advanced install). If Windows is displaying an error in setup before this point, this is a bug that needs to be fixed in the setup process.
- I downloaded and started the upgrade program, but it keeps giving me the same error message and quits. "Windows could not retrieve information about the disks on this computer." I already checked with the Upgrade Advisor program and it told me I could upgrade my Vista except for a few necessary updates for software that I use right now.
After I saw the message, I also checked the compatibility of my hard drive Hitachi HTS541612J9SA00 ATA on Microsoft website, and it says it is compatible. I have no idea what to do.- Merged byKevin HauMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 4:49 PMsame issue
Ideas:
- Programs you are having problems with
- Error messages
- Recent changes you made to your computer
- What you have already tried to fix the problem
Remember - This is a public forum so never post private information such as email or phone numbers!
- Merged byKevin HauMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 4:50 PMsame issue
- I would suspect you need to find a firmware upgrade to flash your BIOS with a newer version.Rating posts helps other usersMark L. Ferguson MS-MVP
- I am having this same problem, but I have no idea what firmware is or what BIOS is. Where would one find an upgrade to said things?Thank you!
I am having this same problem, but I have no idea what firmware is or what BIOS is. Where would one find an upgrade to said things?
Thank you!
It would be best for you to seek local help with BIOS problems. Lacking the understanding you need to avoid damage to your system, you will need informed help local to you. If you take the steps necessary to upgrade your BIOS, it must be done correctly. Failure to do that could render your system unbootable, and unrecoverable.
There may well be good advice available on the website of your system maker for doing it, but you have to be able to follow that advice.Rating posts helps other usersMark L. Ferguson MS-MVP- Marked As Answer byRonnie VernonMVP, ModeratorFriday, October 23, 2009 11:50 AM
Hi Rodders69,
Welcome to Microsoft Windows 7 Forums.
-
· Are you doing a custom installation or an upgrade installation?
I would suggest you to contact the manufacturer for upgrading the motherboard with the latest drivers.
Referred from the link : http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproinstall/thread/fd9d76ca-3339-435b-91e0-77498ff0fcfa
Diana
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.-
- I was trying to run mine from Vista itself and discovered the same error until I turned on the Virtual Disk service. Maybe you need to bundle this service with your install disk somehow or try running a custom install starting in windows with that service turned on (if this service even exists in XP). Good luck.
- Proposed As Answer byMohan - Microsoft SupportModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 3:49 PM
- I have tried to upgrade windows 7 to 2 of my laptops which have Vista, and it starts and then I get a message saying "WINDOWS COULD NOT RETRIEVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DISKS ON THIS COMPUTER?" DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
- Merged byKevin HauMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 4:43 PMsame issue
- This can be due to a service not being started in Windows when you try the upgrade.
Please try this solution and let me know if it works:
1. Open Services.msc
2. Search for the service “Virtual Disk”
3. Right Click on the service and make it Automatic.
4. Start the Service
5. Start the Upgrade again.
Thanks!
If you find that my answer was what you were looking for, please remember to click the "mark as answer" box below!- Marked As Answer byKevin HauMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 4:25 PM
- Marked As Answer byBillFillMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 7:26 PM
- You need to enable the virtual disk service before performing the upgrade if you hit this error.
1. Click Start / Run and type SERVICES.MSC
2. Look for the Virtual Disk Service
3. Right click it and choose "Properties"
4. Make sure the Startup Type is Automatic, then click the Start button.
5. Reboot and try the upgrade again.
I hope this helps.
If you find that my answer was what you were looking for, please remember to click the "mark as answer" box below!- Marked As Answer byKevin HauMSFT, ModeratorSaturday, October 24, 2009 4:41 PM
- That worked!!!!! Thank you SO much. I was about to pull my hair out.
- I am having the same error attempting a clean install of windows 7 Pro 64bit on my desktop.I am not performing an in operating system upgrade as i want to install the 64bit version, but only have 32bit vista installed. I also want to change the partitioning setup of the main drive. However when ever i try to use the install disc, immediately after clicking install now, i get this error and it brings me back to the install now menu.
- Mine was disabled and I restarted it as you suggested, but I still get the same error. What else would you recommend that I try? I was so excited for Windows 7 - now I'm *THIS* close to throwing my PC out a window and buying a mac!
- Hi!
I have the same error: "WINDOWS COULD NOT RETRIEVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DISKS ON THIS COMPUTER"
I've tried the above steps, but when I get to
1. Click Start / Run and type SERVICES.MSC
2. Look for the Virtual Disk Service
3. Right click it and choose "Properties"
4. Make sure the Startup Type is Automatic, then click the Start button. ----- My Start button is grayed out and even when I restart my computer, the status is always stuck at "starting".
5. Reboot and try the upgrade again.
I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium...
Thanks for you help!!!
- Hi Diana,I have been trying to upgrade my HP G6000 Vista Ser Pack 2 laptop running at 32 bit using an AMD 64X2 double core processor at 1.7GHz. The Windows 7 upgrade software asks me to "run setup" then it says "install" then it saya "copying temp files" then it says "set up is starting" then before it asks me what type of installation I require it states that "Windows could not retrieve information about the disks on this computer." I have on, viewing this web-site, changed the virtual disk setting to "automatic" I have also checked using HP health check to see that the Bios and other software is the latest, which it is, but the reply stays the same. Any further help would be very welcome.
- I followed your instructions and I still receive the same error message
"Windows could not retrieve information about the disks on this computer."
any other recommendations.
horatiotdh - This magic has worked for me..I am so happy...thanks a lot guys!!LOL
- hey i have the same problem when i just bought windows about the disks problem tried to find "Virtual Disk” didnt have it on my copy of vista any help
