Windows 8.1 install - unable to create ramdisk - 0xc1900101-0x20017

I was having this same error 0xc1900101-0x20017 with my teen's computer.  A nVidia 680i mobo with the first Intel quad-core chip.  I mention teen since he likes to download risky software.  A good sign of an infected computer is you have various toolbars installed on your system.

I was having some issues with System File Checker (sfc) but got those cleared up.  I uninstalled stuff and ran Defender scans and CCleaner several times.  The system apeeared to be working well and seemed to be virus free but no luck installing W8.1 without same ramdisk error reoccurring.

Solution:  I installed W8 clean from DVD.  Did the Media Center update, and then did the W8.1 update.  I had absolutely no issues with the updates.  The ramdisk error never happened again.

Moral of the story, I had remnants of a virus or malware somewhere that was affecting the update to W8.1.  It wasn't drivers or anything else I found people suggesting to try on various web sites.  You can't really blame your infected computer on Microsoft when you, or someone else using your computer, gives the malware or virus permission to install itself.  In my case, it looks like Microsoft is off the hook since I had an infected computer preventing the W8.1 update from happening.

I tried the installation from the ISO as suggested and I'm happy to report that it worked! It was a clean install so I did have to re-install all my applications. Fortunately for me I did not have much to install. Thanks for the tip Jigjam.

I booted from the DVD to format the system disk (in my case a 128 GB Crucial SSD) as the first part of a Custom (Clean) Install without saving anything from the previous installation of Windows 8. Be sure you have backed up everything before you do this!!

For me, this worked but:

After 24 hours running 8.1, I have found some minor compatibility issues with programs I run (HP Printer Software using HP's Installation file, which is from 2012). Eventually was able to install. This was never a straightforward install even with Windows 7.

CIsco VPN Client I use is also giving some errors in event viewer. The compatibility checker had warned about this before I upgraded. This could be a problem for me if it affects performance, but so far I have been able to VPN to work. I imagine Cisco will update.

Had one random BSOD that went away with a reboot and has not occurred. I don't remember what I was doing, and the event viewer is unrevealing.

Weather channel Modern App kept crashing and had to be reinstalled after running the Modern App Troubleshooter. Now its ok.

So all was not perfect, but things are now settling down.  This again suggests to me that there are subtle incompatibilities to software and hardware that are not easily discovered or handled in advance of an upgrade.  Nevertheless I'm still happy I reformatted my system drive to reload software from scratch. This is a 4yo custom system, was high end in its day, and is perfectly good now running 8.1 (bad for hardware makers that I am happy with the old system). The only thing I'm missing is a touch screen and probably some subtle power and computing efficiencies that are not critical for running Microsoft office. However I have a Logitech touchpad that makes works great with multitouch gestures.

Did you boot from the DVD ?

Thanks! I'll give this a try again tomorrow.