Unable to recognize and create partitions for Ubuntu Installation on Dell Inspiron 15R 5520

Solution 1:

You have two issues. Windows only boots in BIOS mode from MBR(msdos) partitioned drives. It looks like drive was originally gpt. And when you install Windows in BIOS boot mode it does not correctly convert to MBR, but leaves a backup gpt partition table. Windows only boots from gpt drives with UEFI, so if you want to convert to gpt partitioning, you have to reinstall Windows in UEFI boot mode, if your hardware is also UEFI capable.

You can remove backup gpt partition table with fixparts. The Linux will see it as MBR without issue. FixParts is the easiest way to remove the stray GPT data. GPT fdisk (gdisk or sgdisk) can do it, but the procedure's a bit more involved.

http://www.rodsbooks.com/fixparts/

But it also looks like you have used all 4 primary partitions. You have to convert one primary to an extended partition, so you can create as many logical partitions as you want inside the extended. Do not create partitions with Windows as it will convert to dynamic partitions which does not work with Linux at all.

My laptop already has 4 primary partitions: how can I install Ubuntu?

My disk already has 4 primary partitions, how can I install Ubuntu?

Solution 2:

I had a similar problem with Vista and eventually resorted to using Windows own built-in partition manager on the basis that they probably know best about their own file systems.

To find the well-hidden programme type partition in the search box. The latest version has options to swap between MBR and GPT and vice-versa so I think if a simple disc check does not reveal any error then (double)swapping to reinstate the appropriate tables may help.

Forgive me if this is too simple or you have already investigated this potential solution but I have overlooked the obvious many times in my career in computing.

edit:

1. Log in to Windows
2. Click the Start or Windows symbol
3. Type "partition" in the search box (without "")
4. Click on Mini Tool Partition Wizard (Home Edition on mine)
5. When loaded the Operations column has "Convert $1 to $2" option where $1 & $2 = MBR OR GPT depending on your current system OR
6. Click on Disk from top bar
7. The two operations are shown with the available one clickable and the unavailable one greyed
8. Carry on from there

I have not used this on W7 or W8 but as it is a Microsoft provided programme they would offer support to anyone with a registered MS installation.

Solution 3:

I would try, after making a backup of the system :), to use Testdisk and see if it can recover your partitions. It has worked for me in the past with deleted or wrongly formatted partitions. You can install it in the live system.