Q: Please help! Bootcamp boots to black screen with blinking cursor

HI I have a macbook4,1

I am trying to install windows 7 onto my mac. The partitioning goes fine, but then it reboots. All I get is a black screen with a blinking cursor. I have installed windows 7 to this mac before, using the same procedure as before. All my usb devices are removed and have used usb devices and I know the installation disc works, as well as my cd drive.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Apr 14, 2015 11:35 AM

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Q: Please help! Bootcamp boots to black screen with blinking cursor

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by Loner T,

Loner T Apr 14, 2015 1:31 PM in response to jdogboy
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Apr 14, 2015 1:31 PM in response to jdogboy

From How to identify MacBook models - Apple Support, is this what you have?

MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008) MacBook4,1 MB402xx/B 13.3"/D2.1G/2x512/120/SD-DL

From System requirements to install Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp - Apple Support , your specific model is not mentioned, but the Early 2008 model supports W7 32-bit only.
MacBook

Mac model Windows 8
64-bit Windows 7
64-bit Windows 7
32-bit Windows Vista
64-bit Windows Vista
32-bit Windows XP
32-bit
MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008) - - 4 - DVD DVD

Please see Boot Camp: Windows installation boots to black screen with blinking cursor - Apple Support on one method to install Windows.
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by jdogboy,

jdogboy Apr 14, 2015 4:36 PM in response to Loner T
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Apr 14, 2015 4:36 PM in response to Loner T

Yes the Late 2008 is what I have. Also, I will mention that even on previous times I have gotten this error and got past it, but anything I had used before doesn't work.
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by jdogboy,

jdogboy Apr 14, 2015 6:24 PM in response to Loner T
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Apr 14, 2015 6:24 PM in response to Loner T

I also have followed the instructions on everything of what apple says
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by Loner T,

Loner T Apr 14, 2015 7:10 PM in response to jdogboy
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Apr 14, 2015 7:10 PM in response to jdogboy

Does the Alt/Option and selecting the CD/DVD after power-cycle not start the Windows Installer?
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by jdogboy,

jdogboy Apr 14, 2015 7:19 PM in response to Loner T
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Apr 14, 2015 7:19 PM in response to Loner T

No. It just gives me the black screen and blinking cursor.
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by Loner T,

Loner T Apr 14, 2015 7:28 PM in response to jdogboy
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Apr 14, 2015 7:28 PM in response to jdogboy

The black screen indicates two possible issues,

1. The installer does not have a GPU driver for Mac, or,
2. The USB device with BC drivers is corrupted. When was the last time this device was used?
3. Disconnect your USB. Power cycle your Mac and select the CD/DVD with the Windows Installer. Are you able to select the existing partition, format it and install Windows?
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by jdogboy,

jdogboy Apr 14, 2015 7:30 PM in response to Loner T
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Apr 14, 2015 7:30 PM in response to Loner T

I am not using a usb, I am using an install disk
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by jdogboy,

jdogboy Apr 14, 2015 7:34 PM in response to jdogboy
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Apr 14, 2015 7:34 PM in response to jdogboy

I have also used this install disk before;
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by Loner T,

Loner T Apr 14, 2015 7:36 PM in response to jdogboy
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Apr 14, 2015 7:36 PM in response to jdogboy

Disconnect all external devices, power cycle your Mac with the CD/DVD inserted, and select the Windows icon. What do you get?

If it is a partial install/failed install, can you reset SMC - Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support and start over.
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by jdogboy,

jdogboy Apr 14, 2015 7:51 PM in response to Loner T
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Apr 14, 2015 7:51 PM in response to Loner T

Nope, still black screen with cursor. Just to be clear, I can't get to the install screen
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by Loner T,

Loner T Apr 14, 2015 7:54 PM in response to jdogboy
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Apr 14, 2015 7:54 PM in response to jdogboy

Is the DVD a 32-bit or 64-bit DVD?
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by jdogboy,

jdogboy Apr 14, 2015 7:56 PM in response to Loner T
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Apr 14, 2015 7:56 PM in response to Loner T

64-bit
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by Loner T,

Loner T Apr 14, 2015 8:05 PM in response to jdogboy
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Apr 14, 2015 8:05 PM in response to jdogboy

You cannot install 64-bit W7 on a 32-bit processor. In the chart I posted, you can only install W7 32-bit.

Can you run the following highlighted command in OS X Terminal and post the output?

sysctl hw.cpu64bit_capable

hw.cpu64bit_capable: 1
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by jdogboy,

jdogboy Apr 14, 2015 8:07 PM in response to Loner T
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Apr 14, 2015 8:07 PM in response to Loner T

I get hw.cpu64bit_capable: 1
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