Symptoms

An error message "Invalid Partition Table" is received when installing Windows onto a solid state drive (SSD) either manually or using a custom image. A BIOS update resolves this issue, but a working Operating System and a bootable USB Flash drive is required.

Cause

Cause information is not available.

Resolution

An Invalid Partition Table error message is received when installing Windows manually on the SSD or with a custom install image. Update the BIOS to the latest version. If a working Operating System is not available, access to another system, and a bootable USB Flash drive is required. Note: For help with creating a bootable USB memory stick, see the following Article: How to Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive using Dell Diagnostic Deployment Package (DDDP) Download the BIOS on a working computer to a bootable USB drive. On another computer, connect your bootable USB drive to the USB port Go to Dell's drivers home page and get the latest BIOS for your system type. Under the BIOS category, locate the latest version for your system and click Download File. Select the Single-File download option and click Continue. Save the file to your bootable USB drive. Disconnect the bootable USB drive from the USB port and put it in the target system. Install the BIOS from the bootable USB drive on to your system. Connect the bootable USB drive to a USB port on your System. Start or restart your computer. Press F12 on startup to open the Boot Device menu. (You may have to tap F12 several times until you see "Preparing one-time boot menu") Use the Arrow keys to select your USB device from the device list and press Enter. If the BIOS .exe file does not automatically run, you must: Type the command prompt E:\XXXXXXXX.exe. E is the name of the bootable USB drive letter and XXXXXXXX is the name of a file that is saved to the bootable USB drive. For example, you may type: E:\M6700A08.exe Press Enter to run the file and install the BIOS. After the update, your computer restarts, and you can then continue installing your operating system.

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