Windows 8 – We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one

Ran into this error when installing Win 8.1u1 on a new low-end laptop via USB key...

The complete error was:

We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one. For more information, see the Setup log files

This article - http://blogs.technet.com/b/asiasupp/archive/2012/03/06/error-quot-we-couldn-t-create-a-new-partition-or-locate-an-existing-one-for-more-information-see-the-setup-log-files-quot-when-you-try-to-install-windows-8-cp.aspx

suggests simply using diskpart - but that didn't work for me.

I was about to use a DVD for the install....(which would have meant trying to find a DVD.... for which I would need a tardis in order to go to when DVD's were actually used) - when I simply unplugged the usb key, refresh, error...., plug the usb key back in, refresh - all good.

Now that's some absolute whackiness.....