MissSpyderGST

Q: Problems with formatting USB flash drive for boot camp. Help!

I formatted a 16 GB flash drive to Master Boost Record and it's only have one partition, and it's under the FAT32. It has 16.04 GB of free space and my Windows 7 ISO will take up 16.02 GB. Every time I drag it into the partition I made, it says the fine is too big. So i decided to use my 1TB external hard drive, and even though when I format it the same exact way, and it has 1 TB of space it still says it doesn't have enough free space. What gives?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), Model ID 11,2 (21.5" mid 2010)

Posted on Jun 2, 2015 4:27 PM

Close

Q: Problems with formatting USB flash drive for boot camp. Help!

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Page 1 Next
  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jun 2, 2015 4:36 PM in response to MissSpyderGST
    Level 10 (271,482 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 2, 2015 4:36 PM in response to MissSpyderGST

    Fat32 has a limit of 2GBs for a single file. The ISO you are trying to copy is larger than 2 GBs. That's why you can't copy it either to the flash drive or your backup drive.

  • by MissSpyderGST,

    MissSpyderGST MissSpyderGST Jun 2, 2015 4:38 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 2, 2015 4:38 PM in response to Kappy

    So how do I make the ISO for Boot Camp to install Windows 7 then? I've got everything else done right, except for this.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jun 2, 2015 4:59 PM in response to MissSpyderGST
    Level 10 (271,482 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 2, 2015 4:59 PM in response to MissSpyderGST

    You need to modify the ISO to a normal bootable installer disc. See the following: How to install Windows using Boot Camp.

  • by MissSpyderGST,

    MissSpyderGST MissSpyderGST Jun 2, 2015 5:16 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 2, 2015 5:16 PM in response to Kappy

    So I basically need to use a CD-R instead a USB? I'm lost. I've been using the link you sent me, and followed it to a T. The biggest thing is when you load up Boot Camp, I don't have all three options on the checklist. I only have two. Basically, with these three options:

    -Create a Windows 7 or later installer disc

    -Download the latest Windows support software from Apple

    -Install Windows 7 or later version

     

    I don't have the first option listed on mine. And in that article it states I need all three options, which I'm sure is what I need, since I've tried doing it with only the last two options, and Windows 7 never installed properly.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jun 2, 2015 5:25 PM in response to MissSpyderGST
    Level 10 (271,482 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 2, 2015 5:25 PM in response to MissSpyderGST

    What you have would be dictated by your Mac model and the version of OS X you have installed. See this: Boot Camp- System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jun 2, 2015 5:58 PM in response to MissSpyderGST
    Level 7 (24,409 points)
    Safari
    Jun 2, 2015 5:58 PM in response to MissSpyderGST

    For most Macs with built-in Optical drives (except a couple of 2011/2012 models), there option to create a USB Installer is not available.

     

    1. Burn your ISO to a DVD - Disk Utility (Yosemite): Burn a disk image to a CD or DVD . Your ISO should be about 3-4GB in size. If you have a 16GB ISO, it is too big.

    2. Run BCA and click on both available options. Insert a USB2 flash drive, if needed.

    3. Partition your internal disk and install Windows.

    4. Install BC Drivers from the link that Kappy provided, if necessary.

  • by MissSpyderGST,

    MissSpyderGST MissSpyderGST Jun 3, 2015 6:17 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 3, 2015 6:17 AM in response to Loner T

    I will try what your saying. This particular Mac had the same Windows 7 on it once before, so I know it can handle it. I deleted the Windows partition because there were some corrupt files and I didn't know how to fix them. I'm trying to learn how to do everything on my own, as I'm sure you can tell lol. I'll give that a try and let you know how it goes.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jun 3, 2015 10:00 AM in response to MissSpyderGST
    Level 7 (24,409 points)
    Safari
    Jun 3, 2015 10:00 AM in response to MissSpyderGST

    Please post back if you run into any issues.

  • by MissSpyderGST,

    MissSpyderGST MissSpyderGST Jun 3, 2015 3:43 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 3, 2015 3:43 PM in response to Loner T

    Still not working right. I got the ISO to 3.22 GB though. This is what I've been doing, exactly:

    -Pop in my Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

    -Create the ISO, change out the extension from .cdr to .iso

    -Format USB flash drive to the FAT32 file system, under Master Boot Record (I only make one partition in it)

    -Open BCA, select the two options I have available.

    -Follow the prompts and at one point, it tells me to insert my Windows DVD before it can continue, so I do that, while the flash drive is plugged up (it won't let me continue through unless I have the flash drive plugged up and the Windows 7 disc inserted).

    -Installing Windows the correct way (Selecting the Boot Camp Partition, formatting it, and then applying the install).

     

    Then here's what happens next- I Finish the installation, once the computer restarts, it turns blank and stays blank. It won't allow me to go through the set-up process.

    This is why I'm completely lost. I follow the instructions as the computer tells me and the BCA support page tells me, yet I'm running into this issue?

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jun 3, 2015 5:08 PM in response to MissSpyderGST
    Level 7 (24,409 points)
    Safari
    Jun 3, 2015 5:08 PM in response to MissSpyderGST

    Please verify that your USB is a USB2 flash disk, not a USB3 flash disk.

  • by MissSpyderGST,

    MissSpyderGST MissSpyderGST Jun 3, 2015 5:15 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 3, 2015 5:15 PM in response to Loner T

    How do I find out which one it is? I know its older. It is my husband's from before we got together almost 6 years ago... it doesnt say on the actual USB which one it is. Can I check it by viewing the info on it through the iMac by clicking it and select "more Info"?

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jun 3, 2015 5:29 PM in response to MissSpyderGST
    Level 7 (24,409 points)
    Safari
    Jun 3, 2015 5:29 PM in response to MissSpyderGST

    It should be USB2, but you can verify using

     

    Bootcamp-Wininstall-USB.png

  • by MissSpyderGST,

    MissSpyderGST MissSpyderGST Jun 3, 2015 5:36 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 3, 2015 5:36 PM in response to Loner T

    This is what mine looks like, so I'm assuming it's the wrong kind of USB flash drive.Screen Shot 2015-06-03 at 8.34.55 PM.png

  • by MissSpyderGST,

    MissSpyderGST MissSpyderGST Jun 3, 2015 5:41 PM in response to MissSpyderGST
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 3, 2015 5:41 PM in response to MissSpyderGST

    Just to let you know, I had an issue with the USB ports on the Windows side when I had it, and I could never get it fixed, and it caused many problems... Maybe my USB port/s are corrupt? Because it shows up on my desktop that it's plugged in, but I can't get any info like what you did with yours. And it is plugged in. This is becoming more and more stressful. I'm so sorry if your getting annoyed with me. The Mac was given to me by my parents, who are avid gamers, mostly MMORPGs and this computer was constantly on, and went through many power surges. So I'm not even sure if the computer is worth it, unless I get a pro to look at it.

Page 1 Next