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

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!

I tried a fresh 8.1 installation using the ISO download but it didn't work for me. 

What I did was to run the setup program from the DVD I created from the ISO. I chose the option to keep nothing during the installation (no apps, settings or personal files). I used the generic 8.1 key to proceed. Then on the first restart I ran into the same error :-\

Could you outline the steps you took for the installation to work? Your help will be much appreciated.

I was finally able to install Windows 8.1 Pro and then Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center.

I too had the “unable to create a ramdisk” error on an old Dell PC.

The Windows 8 Pro on the PC was upgraded from Windows 7 originally around 12/2012. Windows

Media Center Pack was later added.

This is how I did it:

1. Find your original Windows 8 Pro Product Key. (Make sure it is NOT the

Windows Media Center Pack upgrade Product Key.)

I was able to find my original e-mail from Microsoft with the key.

2. You will also need a generic Windows 8.1 Pro Product Key.

The one I found online is:

XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

I found references to the generic Product key here:

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/47480-windows-8-1-generic-keys

http://superuser.com/questions/661261/windows-8-1-fresh-install-with-windows-8-licence

3. Download the official Winodws 8.1 ISO using your Windows 8 Product Key by

following direction here:

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57608376-285/how-to-download-the-official-microsoft-windows-8.1-iso/

Following direction I was able to make a DVD with the ISO file.

4. Run the setup file on the ISO DVD or USB Flash Drive which you installed

the ISO on.

5. The program will ask you for a Product Key. This is where you will enter the generic Windows 8.1 Pro key I listed above.  If you try to enter your own Windows 8 Pro Product Key here the installation process will not accept it at this point.
6. Go through the very lengthy installation process.
7. After installation, your copy of Windows 8.1 Pro will not be activated.

You can now activate with your original Windows 8 Pro Product Key.

Go into Control Panel -> System, then click on the Windows Activation link.

I had problem with this step because the field to enter the key was

originally blanked out even though I was logged in as an Administrator. I

had to change the User Account Control Settings to a lower level. Not

sure if this was the issue but afterward the enter Product Key field was

functioning and I was able to enter my original Windows 8 Pro Product Key.

Just make sure you change back your User Account Settings.

8. After installation my system is now listed as Windows 8.1 Pro and fully activated.

The problem is now I was unable to find Windows Media Center.

I really don't use the Media Center but I wanted to see if I can install it.

I was able to use the WIndows 8 Media Center Product Key I had back in 12/2012 and clicked Add

Features to Windows 8.1 Pro.  Now my Windows Edition says Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center. Make sure you use a Media Center Product Key that has been validated and used before.

Hope this works for others.

I had been desperately trying to upgrade from Windows 8 Pro with Media Center to 8.1 on my machine (a 4YO DIY Box with the Core 2 Quad 6600 and XFX nForce 780i 3-way SLI chipset, and NVIDIA 9800 GTX, 4 GB RAM). Used the above post from CC6000 to install after NUKING my C: drive (a 128GB Crucial 2.5 SSD; my data is on separate 1 TB HDD drives in the box).  I had tried updating all my drivers and firmware, but kept getting the BSOD with the RAMDRIVE issue on the first reboot. A total clean install worked perfectly.  In the end, had I just tried this up front, it would have saved hours.  I'm actually happy that I have a clean system disk (I formatted on install), and everything nicely organized.  In my view, this isn't an upgrade, it's a new OS.  OK, so I have to install all my apps, but it's not that hard. I have them on my data disk saved as mountable iso files.  I have all the serial numbers saved as well.  So my advice is give up, download the iso file, using the generic code, install a fresh 8.1 system, activate using your legal windows 8 serial number, and you will be happy your hardware still works, like I am. It's very nice. Good luck!

I had the same error but managed to find a resolution in the end.

I have nvidia chipset and graphics and kept getting the 0xc0000017 error code just as everyone else described.

The solution for me was to make a fresh 8.1 install from the downloaded ISO image as described elsewhere in this thread. However, I was able to use the windows 8 upgrade key to activate windows.

So the conclusion should be that this is not an issue between hardware and windows 8.1

This is a chipset Driver for Harddrive Controller. After uninstall, Windows use the MS Standard Driver.