Q: How to install windows 7 64bit on iMac 21,5 mid 2011

Hi to everybody!

I have a iMac 21.5 mid 2011 i7 quad-core 2.80Ghz, 4Gb Ram, AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512 MB osx 10.11.1

I have a little problem.

I need to install on boot camp a version of windows 7 64bit, I've create an USB boot of it, and when i start the app "assistant boot camp", it doesn't work.

i've tried also to create manually a partition and than restart the mac, but it doesn't find the usb drive or a dvd of Windows 7 64 bit.

Some one of you can help me, please?

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1), 2,8 GHz Intel Core i7;4GB DDR3

Posted on Oct 23, 2015 12:55 PM

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Q: How to install windows 7 64bit on iMac 21,5 mid 2011

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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 23, 2015 12:59 PM in response to AedanM
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Oct 23, 2015 12:59 PM in response to AedanM

AedanM wrote:

I need to install on boot camp a version of windows 7 64bit, I've create an USB boot of it, and when i start the app "assistant boot camp", it doesn't work.

How to install Windows using Boot Camp - Apple Support

i've tried also to create manually a partition and than restart the mac, but it doesn't find the usb drive or a dvd of Windows 7 64 bit.

BC Assistant should create the partition. How many options do you see in BCA. Please see https://help.apple.com/bootcamp/assistant/6.0/ .
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by AedanM,

AedanM Oct 27, 2015 7:50 AM in response to Loner T
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Oct 27, 2015 7:50 AM in response to Loner T

i've used bc, but i have an iMac mid 2011 i7 quad core, when I try to install windows 7 64 bit on it, with every mode, BC, manually creating a ntcfs partition, on utility disc, and than restart, it does't work and i can't install Windows 7 64bit
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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 27, 2015 7:58 AM in response to AedanM
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Oct 27, 2015 7:58 AM in response to AedanM

If your iMac has a built-in Optical drive, you will need to use a physical DVD. Do not modify BC Info.plist to create a USB installer, it does not work.
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by AedanM,

AedanM Oct 27, 2015 8:15 AM in response to Loner T
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Oct 27, 2015 8:15 AM in response to Loner T

thanks yes i use it... but every time i try it give me this message... that the dvd is not in the optical driver...
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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 27, 2015 8:28 AM in response to AedanM
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Oct 27, 2015 8:28 AM in response to AedanM

Please insert an Audio CD or DVD-Video and test your Optical drive. It may need cleaning/repair/replacement.
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by AedanM,

AedanM Oct 27, 2015 5:53 PM in response to Loner T
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Oct 27, 2015 5:53 PM in response to Loner T

I also have tried it, but i fail. I've played 3 lp and I've also installed some Au for Logic Pro X, but it won't install windows 7 64 bit at all, I've also tried with an 32bit version of it, and it start to install.

And now i'm wondering if the apple info, it's right or not... the bad thing it's that i need the 64 bit version of Windows 7.

I really don't understand.
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by AedanM,

AedanM Oct 27, 2015 5:54 PM in response to Loner T
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Oct 27, 2015 5:54 PM in response to Loner T

I also have tried it, but i fail. I've played 3 lp and I've also installed some Au for Logic Pro X, but it won't install windows 7 64 bit at all, I've also tried with an 32bit version of it, and it start to install.

And now i'm wondering if the apple info, it's right or not... the bad thing it's that i need the 64 bit version of Windows 7.

I really don't understand.
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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 27, 2015 5:58 PM in response to AedanM
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Oct 27, 2015 5:58 PM in response to AedanM

The same information in English - Install Windows 7 and earlier on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support .

Does your Optical drive work?
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by AedanM,

AedanM Oct 28, 2015 10:01 AM in response to Loner T
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Oct 28, 2015 10:01 AM in response to Loner T

Yes the Optical drive it works, I've use it for install some Au on a Dvd and I've played some Cd jazz for understand if it works, and the optical drive works pretty fine...
i don't know what i have to do...
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by Loner T,

Loner T Oct 28, 2015 10:59 AM in response to AedanM
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Oct 28, 2015 10:59 AM in response to AedanM

1. Insert your W7 64-bit DVD in the Optical drive. Can you see the DVD in Finder and see files on the DVD?
2. Run Applications -> Utilities -> Bootcamp Assistant.
3. Check all available check boxes.
4. Partition you disk when prompted.
5. Follow the on-screen directions.

Please see https://help.apple.com/bootcamp/assistant/6.0/ for details.
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by AedanM,

AedanM Nov 13, 2015 1:57 PM in response to Loner T
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Nov 13, 2015 1:57 PM in response to Loner T

Hi I've tried a lot of time but without successe. every time that i put the dvd with windows 10 or Windows 7 in to the dvd drive and start boot camp assistant, the process will fail, but if i create with utility disk a partition in ExFat and then reboot the iMac and when i turn on the Mac and press the option button, start the process there it tells me this. I desperately need the windows 64 bit on this machine.
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by Loner T,

Loner T Nov 13, 2015 2:16 PM in response to AedanM
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Nov 13, 2015 2:16 PM in response to AedanM

1. What is the failure in BCA when you insert the DVD?
2. On a 2011 Mac, the W7 installation needs a Hybrid MBR to install Windows, it will not install correctly on a GPT-only disk. If you use EFI boot from the DVD, it installs Windows, but some of your devices (GPU and Audio) may not work.
3. The partition should be FAT32, not exFAT. The Installer will re-format it as NTFS as noted in https://help.apple.com/bootcamp/assistant/6.0/ .
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