Err Msg: ERROR: Setup Was Unable to Install the Boot Loader

 Last reviewed: September 11, 1997
Article ID: Q173694
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release versions 2, 2.1

SYMPTOMS

When you start Windows NT Setup, you may receive either of the following error messages:

  • ERROR: Setup was unable to install the Boot Loader
  • ERROR: The partition you have chosen is not recognized by Windows NT

CAUSE

Windows NT Setup does not support the FAT32 file system included with Windows 95 OEM Service Release versions 2 and 2.1 (OSR2).

RESOLUTION

To install Windows NT 4.0, make sure the partition on the hard disk is either formatted with the FAT16 or NTFS file system, or not formatted.

MORE INFORMATION

The FAT32 file system is a new file system option included with OSR2. OSR2 provides support for logical drives larger than 2 gigabytes (GB). Enabling large disk support using the FAT32 file system is not supported by MS-DOS, the retail version of Windows 95, or Windows NT.

NOTE: Windows NT Setup does not create or delete partitions. Before deleting a partition, back up your data.

For more information about the FAT32 file system or troubleshooting Windows NT 4.0 Setup, see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID : Q126690
   TITLE      : Windows NT 4.0 Setup Troubleshooting Guide

   ARTICLE-ID : Q156428
   TITLE      : FAT32 File System Not Supported by Windows NT

   ARTICLE-ID : Q154997
   TITLE      : Description of FAT32 File System

   ARTICLE-ID : Q151414
   TITLE      : Win95 Partition Types Not Recognized by Windows NT

Additional query words: 4.00
Keywords : ntfilesys NTSrv NTWkst prodnt kberrmsg kbsetup
Version : WINDOWS:95; WINNT:4.0
Platform : WINDOWS winnt

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: September 11, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.