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

Anonymous
2013-10-18T03:27:57+00:00

When I attempt to install Windows 8.1 on my machine from the Windows Store, on boot I receive a blue screen. The error message indicates that the system was unable to create a ramdisk and shows error number 0xc1900101.

On reboot, it restores my original installation and provides the following error code: 0xc1900101-0x20017.

In reading some other topics, it seems drivers may need to be updated, but as far as I know I am up-to-date. Is there a way to identify which driver had a failure?

Also, on other threads with this code, I see no mention of a "ramdisk". Is that a unique problem?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Edit: Let me note my system has no ramdisk software installed whatsoever.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

89 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-11-06T03:11:51+00:00

    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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-05T14:25:20+00:00

    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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-05T09:00:06+00:00

    Did you boot from the DVD ?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-05T07:12:29+00:00

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

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2013-11-05T06:54:16+00:00

    First, I made sure the firmware was up to date on my SSD (which I use for my system disk). Of course, all else backed up. Second I booted to the ISO, selected Custom Install without saving anything, and then (I believe this is the key) I chose to format the SSD when choosing its volume to install the system. By eliminating all traces of previous installations, I suspect I was able to eliminate whatever conflicts were showing up.  Things ran smoothly after that. Again, my suspicion is that the system has to be completely wiped before installing in machines like ours where nothing else works.  I was prepared to go back to 8 if necessary as I even had a custom refresh saved just in case. Fortunately I succeeded and did not need to reload 8. Good luck!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments