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

Ok, So I successfully (though definitely not easily or effortlessly) got windows 8.1 installed and on my computer.

I do not know what I did that actually worked this time, but I will explain the steps I took.

1. Ensured all updates were installed (even every optional except for bing)
2. ran msconfig and disabled all non-microsoft programs
3. ran task manager and switched to a selective start and got rid of a lot of stuff that is not system necessary
4. Ran CMD as Admin - type "net stop wuauserv" and enter

                                 - type "net stop bits" and enter

                                 - find c:/windows/softwaredistribution folder and delete contents (not the folder itself)

                                 - go back to CMD and type "net start wuauserv" and enter

                                 - type "net start bits" and enter, then type "exit" and enter.

5. I then checked my device manager and uninstalled any media server that my computer showed.
6. Back to windows store for the update.

The update went through the entire process and instead of a forced restart, I let it do this on its own. (mainly because at this point it was a joke to me)

The system restarted and, praise Jesus, I actually had action on my "HP logo loading screen"

The computer did the motions described by any successful update forum and froze, giving me that taunting circle once more. I forced a power down and powered back up. It said "attempting to save the download" or something. I left this alone for what seemed like an hour, and I looked up and saw the license agreement.

By far the most frustrating thing I've ever dealt with from microsoft. I almost completely lost faith.

I don't even want 8.1 but after 6+ months I couldn't let it win.

Best of luck to you all. Sincerely.

(all commands w/out quotes)

sorry it took me so long to reply

I was in the same boat as most people with the ramdisk error. My Windows 8 Pro was an upgrade from Windows 7 Ultimate (the $40 upgrade) and for some reason after the upgrade my system reserved partition disappeared...

I really didnt want to recreate Windows from a clean install (was waiting till i build my next PC to bother with a clean install) so i decided to try the solution at http://microsofttime2stepup.blogspot.com/ 

After some work, my PC accepted the 8.1 upgrade and it ended an 6 month struggle with this issue

I have a custom built PC that is still using parts from 2008 and older:

asus mobo p5n-d

nvidia 750i SLI chipset 

core 2 quad Q6600

nvidia 8 series graphics card (sorry i dont remember the model of the top of my head)

I didnt exactly follow all of the steps that were in the link that i posted. I didnt want to bother with buying the software the person recommended so I used an linux OS instead for that part.

As for your issue with the SRP being too small, only way i could think of making it bigger would be:

use a software to assign the partition a drive letter, increase the size, and then remove the drive letter

or

delete the SRP and create a new partition. then use the windows 8 recovery disk to recreate the SRP and bootmgr

both of those steps are risky because if you slip up, you wont be able to boot into windows and will get startup errors

Well I do have system reserved partition but I think its too small. Tried extending it using Windows Disk Management, Paragon Disk Software and even the DOS prompt tool with enough un-allocated space but I am unable to increase its size... Can anybody help?

Well... I feel the same way.... still stuck no clue. I think this is irresponsible of Microsoft... I did not expect this from them..... I was reading elsewhere on this forum ( a reply from jlouis32)

http://microsofttime2stepup.blogspot.com/

I am thinking to just create another small partition as suggested but without  all the hassle of re installing windows 8 and other software, perform an upgrade and see if it solves the above error

Yes Im still in the same boat...I tbi k we have been abandoned by Microsoft.