Error Message: "Setup Cannot Create a New Partition" During Text Mode Setup

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This article was previously published under Q242444

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to create a partition in the text mode portion of the Windows 2000 Setup program, the following error message may be displayed:

Setup cannot create a new partition in the space you selected because the maximum number of partitions already

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This problem occurs because you have already created the maximum number of partitions and are attempting to create a new partition.

NOTE: This limitation does not apply to logical drives in an extended partition.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, delete the last partition on the hard drive and combine that space with any unpartitioned space left on the drive to make your new partition.

WARNING: Deleting a partition removes all the data from that partiton. Backup any data you want to keep before deleting the partition from your hard drive.

After deleting that partition, then a new partition can be created using the remainder of the drive.

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Windows 2000.

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MORE INFORMATION

Hard drives are allowed four partitions. These can be either four primary partitions or three primary partitions and one extended partition.

NOTE: The message is located at the bottom of the Setup screen and the remainder of the message is hidden by the status bar.

The entire message is:

Setup cannot create a new partition in the space you selected because the maximum number of partitions already exists on the disk.

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