jdhiro

Q: Windows 8.1 install fails on new 2013 Retina MacBook

I doubt there are many people out there who can help with this yet.  I was able to pick up my 2013 Haswell Retina MacBook Pro from my local Apple store this morning (yay!), and so far everything has been stellar.  However, I'm unable to install Windows 8.1 via Bootcamp.  I have not tried Windows 8 or 7.

 

I've tried installing both via USB thumb drive, and via DVD on external SuperDrive, with the same results.  I know that 2013 MacBook Airs have to install via UEFI so I've tried that as well.  What I've tried:

 

Booting into UEFI:

- After creating the partition in Bootcamp, I boot holding OPTION

- At the boot selection screen I select "EFI BOOT"

- I go through all the motions, including formatting the BOOTCAMP partition

- After all the files have been copied, I get a message that "Windows cannot update the boot partition and that my progress won't be saved" (not the exact message).

 

Booting via BIOS:

- After creating the partition in Bootcamp, I boot holding OPTION

- At the boot selection screen I pick "WINDOWS"

- When I get to the partition selection/formatting screen it won't let me proceed, when I expand the error message it tells me that partition can't be used because it has a GPT partition table.

 

So, I'm stuck =(  Any ideas?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Oct 23, 2013 8:56 PM

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Q: Windows 8.1 install fails on new 2013 Retina MacBook

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  • by maskedferret,

    maskedferret maskedferret Oct 28, 2013 10:03 AM in response to Stacy Rothwell
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 10:03 AM in response to Stacy Rothwell

    What's the version of the Bootcamp software installed on your USB flash drive?  I believe it is in an XML file in the Bootcamp directory; "5.0.xxxx".

  • by Dragonguard,

    Dragonguard Dragonguard Oct 28, 2013 10:07 AM in response to Stacy Rothwell
    Level 1 (65 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 10:07 AM in response to Stacy Rothwell

    Like I said earlier in this thread, my stock 2.3 GHz model with 750M installed Windows 8.1 without any issues. Then I deleted the Windows partition and wanted to re-install, then it didn't work anymore.

     

    There must be a very strange and random issue.

  • by TabsAZ,

    TabsAZ TabsAZ Oct 28, 2013 10:26 AM in response to jdhiro
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 10:26 AM in response to jdhiro

    Just FYI, Win 8.1 installed OK on my new 13" rMBP but the Intel graphics control panel app crashes when I try to run it. I installed the latest version off Intel's site, but with that the brightness can't be changed - the hotkeys on the keyboard nor the actual software slider work, it stays full bright. Other than that 8.1 appears to work great.

  • by unknownsol0,

    unknownsol0 unknownsol0 Oct 28, 2013 10:41 AM in response to TabsAZ
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 10:41 AM in response to TabsAZ

    Have you tried turning off adaptive brightness in Windows? that fixed my brightness issues!

  • by Stacy Rothwell,

    Stacy Rothwell Stacy Rothwell Oct 28, 2013 12:20 PM in response to maskedferret
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 12:20 PM in response to maskedferret

    I'm not sure how to find the version number,,,,

     

    But I'll tell you one thing.... the batter life under Windows S-U-C-K-S!!!!! 

    I have a full charge, just browsing the internet, and it says I have a total of 1 hour and 8 minutes of battery life left.  The bottom of the machine is hot and the fan whirs up and then dies down a lot.

  • by unknownsol0,

    unknownsol0 unknownsol0 Oct 28, 2013 12:27 PM in response to Stacy Rothwell
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 12:27 PM in response to Stacy Rothwell

    I also get less battery life out of Windows 8.1 vs OSX. Expected, but honestly, mine is not as bad as yours! at some point while I was browsing the internet (chrome) I had 52% Battery life and Windows said 2 hours and 32 minutes remaining! Which seems about right!

  • by chanlee007,

    chanlee007 chanlee007 Oct 28, 2013 1:14 PM in response to Stacy Rothwell
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 1:14 PM in response to Stacy Rothwell

    I believe thats because windows (currently) only recognizes the 750m dgpu instead of the integrated one. At least from what I heard.

  • by critical_error,

    critical_error critical_error Oct 28, 2013 1:35 PM in response to jdhiro
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 1:35 PM in response to jdhiro

    I just installed Windows 8.1 64bit, downloaded via msdn, on my new 15" mbp (2.3ghz, 512ssd, 750m) without any issues!

     

    I'm really surprised as I read through this thread yesterday and didn't give Bootcamp any chance to get Windows installed.

  • by chanlee007,

    chanlee007 chanlee007 Oct 28, 2013 5:21 PM in response to critical_error
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 5:21 PM in response to critical_error

    Hey, glad to hear it ! Would you please tell me what steps you used to achieve that result?

    Thanks!

  • by HunterGuy222,

    HunterGuy222 HunterGuy222 Oct 28, 2013 7:19 PM in response to jdhiro
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 7:19 PM in response to jdhiro

    Got mine working finally. However I have a problem where the `~ key prints out \| instead. Anyone else having this issue?

  • by Sid G,

    Sid G Sid G Oct 28, 2013 8:57 PM in response to jarvil
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 8:57 PM in response to jarvil

    Yes, this is the same error that I've been getting. Tried to install Windows 8 multiple times to no avail. Jumping through some hoops now to see if I can install Windows 7 instead.

  • by Stacy Rothwell,

    Stacy Rothwell Stacy Rothwell Oct 28, 2013 8:57 PM in response to HunterGuy222
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 8:57 PM in response to HunterGuy222

    That is happening on mine as well.  I suspect it's some kind of keyboard mapping issue.

     

    You'll also notice the accent mark (left-leaning apostrophe) displays a backslash

  • by Brian Kendig,

    Brian Kendig Brian Kendig Oct 28, 2013 9:10 PM in response to Sid G
    Level 2 (186 points)
    Windows Software
    Oct 28, 2013 9:10 PM in response to Sid G

    The real problem is that every attempt copies a DVD's worth of files and wears out your SSD a little more.

  • by P.E.D,

    P.E.D P.E.D Oct 28, 2013 9:52 PM in response to jdhiro
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 28, 2013 9:52 PM in response to jdhiro

    The problem is not with new Macbook pro only- It s also with macbook pro in general.This is the solution (well mine)

    --Make sure that have your bootcamp already -either on cd or on a usb key.

    1.Turn on your computer (macbook pro )Keep your finger on the option key (alt) .

    2.Select recovery 10.9 -next select disk utility --then erase the partition that you will use to install windows8/1,       erase the drive by selecting Ms-dos.

    3 It's done erasing the drive -now insert your bootcamp usb key -insert your windows8 /8.1 into the Dvd drive

       (internal or external )It all depends on what macbook pro model you have.

    4 Restart computer by keeping  your finger on Alt key ---Select your windows8's dvd disk.

    5 Press any key to boot up from dvd --Please do it .

    6 When you get to choose  the drive on which you will install windows8 -a error message will appear.

    7 Don t worry just click on load driver -and within 2 minutes you re able now to click on erase.

       It s now done erasing right.

    7 Select the drive you ve just erased and now the installation process is on the way.

    8 Remove the usb key >You ll need when all is said and done.

    Note whenever the computer restarts make sure you don t press any keyboard key-- even if it s asking,

    Just ignore it,

    Let me know if my solution works for you.It did for me ,I have Maveriks installed + windows 8 and 7.

    That s me.

     

    Message was edited by: P.E.D

  • by critical_error,

    critical_error critical_error Oct 29, 2013 4:23 AM in response to chanlee007
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 29, 2013 4:23 AM in response to chanlee007

    I simply created a bootable usb from the iso with Bootcamp (all options checked) and followed the instructions.

    The only thing I had to do at the beginning of the installation process, was to choose the partition created by Bootcamp and click on "Format" (Windows told me, that it can't be installed on this partition because it was not NTFS formatted or something like this). Then I clicked next and went on.

    I didn't do anything special but following the instruction of Bootcamp and the Windows installation.

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