VglantCtzn

Q: Major difficulties installing Windows 7/8.1

Firstly, I'd like to apologize for my not so perfect English, but nevertheless - here's my cry of help.

 

Recently, I've had a "pleasure" of messing up my already installed Windows on my iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) that has been installed for almost 2-3 years and worked in harmony with Mac OS. Back then, I used a DVD disc to install Windows, so I thought it shouldn't be much of a trouble installing it now on OS X Yosemite (boy, was I wrong).

 

While trying to reinstall Windows for the first time, it couldn't find any drivers on my CD/DVD or USB flash stick, even though my installation DVD was in the optical drive and USB stick with all required drivers was in place. Although, my USB flash drive was formatted FAT32 and after that failed, I've tried formatting it to ExFAT (which both of the options failed). So I thought: "Alright, I'll burn a new DVD with drivers for bootcamp on the DVD itself this time, instead of a flash stick". Same result.

 

I'm sorry, but after 3 days of failed attempts at installing Windows, I might have forgotten other methods I've tried to continue my installation. So I'm just going to list all things that I've tried failed.

 

  • Using bootable USB flash drive with Bootcamp Support Software on it.(EFI boot) (Using Boot Camp Assistant, which wasn't even an option on my iMac, so I had to make some adjustments in terminal and info.plist) *

 

* After successfully performing this method, I was able to choice on which partition I'd like to install Windows. So I choose the one partition, that Boot Camp Assistant created for me. It declined to continue, because the partition wasn't formatted for Windows OS. After formatting Windows partition, I've stumble upon another error which was something about changing my partition from MBR to GPT. I've googled the solution and that is to access Command Prompt and format partition using "diskpart" utility. I went on selection which disk and which partition I wanted to format(which I checked twice, if not more). After converting the already clean partition to GPT space, so I could continue - for some reason, diskpart utility decided wipe out my whole disk clean(including MacOS). Not knowing that you can restore your OS and all your files using Time Machine, I was terrified. After that, I decided not to install anything anymore, simple because I was tired of infinite reading and researching on how to properly do it.

 

  • Using bootable USB flash drive. Only this time, I've made partition as a free space in Disk Utility. *

 

* This method is actually worked out, though not so well. I was able to install Windows 8.1 this time, but it had no sound. No driver, and not a single solution (regarding tweaking some settings in Device Manager or Sound folder in Control Panel) didn't helped at all. And now, I having trouble switching from MacOS to WindowsOS, because for some reason Windows partition is labeled as "EFI boot" and it is asking me to insert a bootable USB installation flash drive to continue.

 

I'm pretty sure, methods mentioned above is not all of the methods, that I've tried. But I think, at this point, I've tried everything there is to try in order to properly install Windows.

 

My main point is that I've decided to test my optical drive both on Mac and Windows and see, how it is able to read information from DVD disc. It was loading files, that was on DVD, very very slowly. Sometimes not even loading them all. It just went on spinning in optical drive, making humming noises and reading sounds. Now, when I think I've understood what was the main problem of failed installation using DVD disc, my questions are:

 

  • What can I do at this point in order to install Windows properly?
  • Is the optical drive really the main reason, that Windows couldn't locate some drivers? Because I remember my first attempt at installing with DVD, I've made it past the partition selection, but my installation stopped at 1-2% giving me the error)
  • How can I fix an optical drive?
  • Is it even possible to fix?

 

Oh, I've also trying to burn a Windows ISO onto my DVD using iMac, which gave me a Medium Write Error at the end of the process.

 

My apologies for the wall of text, but I don't know what to do at this point. I'm leaving outside of US, so there is no official Apple building in which I could ask for replacement or asking to repair my optical drive. I'm pretty sure my warranty is expired by now too.

 

I will answer any question, but please help me fix this problem that I've created myself... Thank you.

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Mar 10, 2015 2:23 PM

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Q: Major difficulties installing Windows 7/8.1

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  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 10, 2015 5:59 PM in response to VglantCtzn
    Level 7 (24,344 points)
    Safari
    Mar 10, 2015 5:59 PM in response to VglantCtzn

    1. Your iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) is not capable of EFI Boot. You found the hard way that drivers do not work, because EFI does not expose the hardware as needed. Macs after Late 2013 are UEFI-compliant and will support EFI boot from W8+. W7 does not have full EFI support either.

    2. Diskpart or any other Storage utility should not be used with Bootcamp. Google is your friend, but it is your enemy too. Diskpart works on whole disks. BCA uses a Hybrid MBR in most cases, and the GPT is mapped 1:1 to the MBR. This means no further partition manipulation is allowed from either side on such a disk. MacPro is an exception. EFI installations do not suffer from this limitation.

    3. A Mac with a built-in Optical drive - iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) - Technical Specifications - which yours is,

    • Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer burning (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

    requires a lot more work to install using a USB, not just modifying Bootcamp info.plist, which leads to black screens, and not bootable device errors.

    4. Medium write error is because you are burning the DVD at a rate higher than it will accept. For example it is a 2x DVD media, being burnt at 4x or 8x.

     

    The simplest, and least error prone method is in the links that pmiles mentions in his post.

  • by VglantCtzn,

    VglantCtzn VglantCtzn Mar 11, 2015 3:47 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2015 3:47 AM in response to Loner T

    I believe that I have already went through all this links while trying to install Windows in multiple ways.

     

    I've also tried:

    1. Burning the DVD at a higher rate using my Windows laptop. Same error with drivers during the installation.

    2. Burning the DVD at a lower rate possible using my Windows laptop (someone on this forums adviced to burn it at a lower rate, so that it could "read" files more properly later on)

    3. Burning the DVD at a lowest rate possible using Disk Utility in the OS X (Medium Write Error)

    4. Burning the DVD at a rate acceptable by the disc itself, which was around 8x or 12x, though the disc had 16x writting speed. (gave me some other error, which I can't remember)

     

    All of this methods didn't work out for me in the end. They all gave me the same error, while installing Windows (couldn't locate drivers or something). I even tried the same methods with and without USB flash drive (with support software on it) inserted.

     

    One thing that I haven't tried yet is burning the DVD with Windows ISO and Bootcamp Support Software on the same disc (the same way I've installed EFI boot Windows using my USB flash drive), because I don't know how to burn the ISO and Support Software at the same time. I'm not sure this method will work, because 3 years ago, I used to install Windows using just one DVD disc with Windows on it, and later inserting DVD with Support Software on it. Should I consider giving this method a try?

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 11, 2015 6:25 AM in response to VglantCtzn
    Level 7 (24,344 points)
    Safari
    Mar 11, 2015 6:25 AM in response to VglantCtzn

    You may already be aware of these.

     

    1. DVD-to-ISO is Boot Camp: Creating an ISO image from a Windows installation DVD - Apple Support.

    2. ISO-to-DVD is Disk Utility 12.x: Burn a disk image to a CD or DVD

     

    Is the USB for BC drivers a USB2 or a USB3? USB3 does not work.

     

    One thing that I haven't tried yet is burning the DVD with Windows ISO and Bootcamp Support Software on the same disc (the same way I've installed EFI boot Windows using my USB flash drive), because I don't know how to burn the ISO and Support Software at the same time. I'm not sure this method will work, because 3 years ago, I used to install Windows using just one DVD disc with Windows on it, and later inserting DVD with Support Software on it. Should I consider giving this method a try?

     

    There are additional files on the BC drivers USB which you may not be able to integrate. For example, AutoUnattend.xml is used to silently install BC drivers. If you have DVD burning issues, this will get worse than better.

  • by VglantCtzn,

    VglantCtzn VglantCtzn Mar 11, 2015 6:28 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2015 6:28 AM in response to Loner T

    Yes, thank you, I'm well aware about these. I tried using 2 different kind of USB (from different companies) both of which was USB 2.0, because prior to uploading drivers to the USB I double checked that USB 3.0 wont work.

  • by VglantCtzn,

    VglantCtzn VglantCtzn Mar 11, 2015 6:53 AM in response to VglantCtzn
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2015 6:53 AM in response to VglantCtzn
    There are additional files on the BC drivers USB which you may not be able to integrate. For example, AutoUnattend.xml is used to silently install BC drivers. If you have DVD burning issues, this will get worse than better.

    So then how was I able to install Windows using my USB, which contained both Windows OS and BC Support Software? And which drivers are missing then, if when I'm using DVD disc with Windows on it, it gives me this error: "No device drivers were found. Please insert CD/DVD or USB flash". This error occurs both with and without USB flash inserted. Even though, when I'm specifically point out the location of the drivers, when it asks for them.

     

    Edit: Just in case, I didn't write it before in this thread. The very first time, that I attempted to install Windows with DVD and USB flash inserted - it didn't asked for any drivers. The installation then stuck at 2% or something, and gave me the error, which I cannot remember now.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 11, 2015 7:53 AM in response to VglantCtzn
    Level 7 (24,344 points)
    Safari
    Mar 11, 2015 7:53 AM in response to VglantCtzn

    VglantCtzn wrote:

     

    So then how was I able to install Windows using my USB, which contained both Windows OS and BC Support Software? And which drivers are missing then, if when I'm using DVD disc with Windows on it, it gives me this error: "No device drivers were found. Please insert CD/DVD or USB flash". This error occurs both with and without USB flash inserted. Even though, when I'm specifically point out the location of the drivers, when it asks for them.

    If you use EFI boot from the USB, it may install, albeit without proper drivers. If the DVD from the Optical drive is not burned correctly, it will give you a missing driver error.

     

     

    Edit: Just in case, I didn't write it before in this thread. The very first time, that I attempted to install Windows with DVD and USB flash inserted - it didn't asked for any drivers. The installation then stuck at 2% or something, and gave me the error, which I cannot remember now.

    This implies that the USB and DVD/Optical drive combination does work. The DVD burned could not be read properly, stopping at 2%.

  • by VglantCtzn,

    VglantCtzn VglantCtzn Mar 11, 2015 8:09 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2015 8:09 AM in response to Loner T
    This implies that the USB and DVD/Optical drive combination does work.

    So, I'm guessing by now, that my optical drive is alive and working, right?

     

    What's the problem with the way my optical drive was reading files from inserted DVD in Windows for a very long time, making chugging noises? Could it be that, when during installation of Windows (using DVD) the optical drive simply couldn't read some of the files from the DVD itself, because of the "malfunctioning optical drive"? (hence the asking for "device drivers" part)

     

    The DVD burned could not be read properly

     

    I've tried burning 4 DVDs (2 from OSX itself and 2 from Windows laptop). I'm pretty sure of myself, that I'm burning DVDs correctly (tho, I might be completely wrong).

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 11, 2015 8:13 AM in response to VglantCtzn
    Level 7 (24,344 points)
    Safari
    Mar 11, 2015 8:13 AM in response to VglantCtzn

    VglantCtzn wrote:

     

    This implies that the USB and DVD/Optical drive combination does work.

    So, I'm guessing by now, that my optical drive is alive and working, right?

     

    What's the problem with the way my optical drive was reading files from inserted DVD in Windows for a very long time, making chugging noises? Could it be that, when during installation of Windows (using DVD) the optical drive simply couldn't read some of the files from the DVD itself, because of the "malfunctioning optical drive"? (hence the asking for "device drivers" part)

    The DVD burned could not be read properly

     

    My suggestion is to verify the ISO and DVD both using M$ FCIV tool. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/841290

     

     

    The DVD burned could not be read properly

     

    I've tried burning 4 DVDs (2 from OSX itself and 2 from Windows laptop). I'm pretty sure of myself, that I'm burning DVDs correctly (tho, I might be completely wrong).

    If the ISO is valid and BCA will let you create a USB (without modifying BC Info.plist), it is a much safer and supported route.

  • by pmiles,

    pmiles pmiles Mar 11, 2015 8:20 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 6 (15,955 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 11, 2015 8:20 AM in response to Loner T

    I know this is a stretch... but have you tried using a retail Windows disc instead of your own homegrown copy?  I never went through all these hoops to install Windows 7 Professional on my system.  It was quite easy actually.

  • by VglantCtzn,

    VglantCtzn VglantCtzn Mar 11, 2015 8:34 AM in response to pmiles
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2015 8:34 AM in response to pmiles
    I know this is a stretch... but have you tried using a retail Windows disc instead of your own homegrown copy?

    Let me be frank, I've never had any retail Windows disc (both physical and ISO versions) in my entire experience with computers. This one disc, that I used to install Windows with 3 years ago worked perfectly back then. (without me even using any USB flash with drivers on it) I had second disc for it with drivers on it and as much as I could remember, I've never ejected Windows disc during the installation, so that I could insert the second disc and it could find "device drivers" to continue. (yet again, I might be completely wrong here). But the idea of ejecting the Windows DVD during this "device drivers" error was terrifying to me. Even if it told me, that "ejecting the Windows disc at this point is safe". I don't even know how to eject the disc during this error manually from iMac. Please, if you have any suggestions and really think that I should eject the DVD during this error - I will do it, if you tell me how. Come to think of it, why it couldn't find any drivers on USB back then is beyond me.

     

    My suggestion is to verify the ISO and DVD both using M$ FCIV tool. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/841290

     

    I will try doing so, thank you.

     

    If the ISO is valid and BCA will let you create a USB (without modifying BC Info.plist), it is a much safer and supported route.

     

    No, I don't have any option of creating a bootable USB in BCA, I had to modify info.plist myself back when I try booting from USB flash.

  • by pmiles,

    pmiles pmiles Mar 11, 2015 8:43 AM in response to VglantCtzn
    Level 6 (15,955 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 11, 2015 8:43 AM in response to VglantCtzn

    I've only ever used a retail disc.  Just offered it as an option. 

  • by VglantCtzn,

    VglantCtzn VglantCtzn Mar 11, 2015 8:47 AM in response to pmiles
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 11, 2015 8:47 AM in response to pmiles
    I've only ever used a retail disc.  Just offered it as an option.

    So, I'm guessing, that the official Windows ISO file from Microsoft site = retail disc? Or is it 2 different things? Sadly, I don't think, I have any option in my country of finding the retail disc, not that I would want to do that, but thank for your suggestion. What do you think about the optical drive itself? Could it be malfunctioning since it couldn't load files from the DVD too fast?

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 11, 2015 9:00 AM in response to VglantCtzn
    Level 7 (24,344 points)
    Safari
    Mar 11, 2015 9:00 AM in response to VglantCtzn
    No, I don't have any option of creating a bootable USB in BCA, I had to modify info.plist myself back when I try booting from USB flash.

    This is a road fraught with pitfalls. BCA uses the Mac Model Identifier to derive the configuration it should use. Models which are supposed to have a built-in Optical Drive are configured to use physical media to boot the installer. This is set in the NVRAM by BCA. User has no control over it. Using a modified version of Info.plist may let you create a USB, but if your Mac does not support booting from a USB, you will end up with a black screen or no boot device errors.

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