Anabelle lau

Q: SUCCESS: Imac 27" Late-2013 Bootcamp to Windows 7

After one grueling day fighting with possibly every Bootcamp-related issue there is, I have finally installed Windows 7 on my brand new shiny iMac 27".


I have these threads to thank:


Boot Camp - Setup was unable to create a new system partition....from Windows install

1 Billion Other Threads on "Downloading Support Software"


Here's the story so far:


The first problem was Bootcamp hanging forever on 'Downloading Support Software'. This could either mean my USB wasn't formatted right, or my connection was slow period (it wasn't). Many threads advised to manually download Bootcamp 5 software instead, but they failed to explain what should I use it for. How am I supposed to run and install this, when Bootcamp Assistant can't even install Windows in the first place? I was an octopus flailing in the dark, with so many questions but so few answers, some which were clearly over-tech for me to implement.


Then, at the stroke of midnight, after combining solutions I read in many threads, I have came up with a single dummy guide which I hope is useful to everyone who's hating Bootcamp right now.

 

Note: This is for iMac 27" Late-2013 (Low end Spec), Yosemite OSX.


Things You Need:


1. BootCamp5.1.5640 (If you're using a different model, refer to table here.)

The idea is to "manually" download the files that Bootcamp Assistant couldn't, which is possibly why it was forever stuck on 'Downloading Support Software'. The manual part, I understood - what nobody explained, was what to do with this file after. So here was what I did:

 

After unzipping all the files into a single folder, I compressed them again into a DMG file, using Disk Utility. (New > Disk Image from Folder)

 

The file is then renamed as 'WindowsSupport.dmg". After this, go to YourMac/Library/Application Support/Bootcamp/ and drop the DMG file there. Make a backup of the Bootcamp files, as you don't want to download it again. (Thank you, Loner T, I see you everywhere, you were my saviour in this one).

 


2. A 8GB USB Stick or Ext Hard Drive


Here's something you should know before installing:

 

Windows 7: A 2.0 USB Flash Drive or HD, 2007 or earlier model. (The reason is because Windows 7 is not compatible with 3.0 USB sticks, which came out post 2008.) 8GB or higher.

 

Windows 8: Any 2.0/3.0 USB Flash Drive or HD, 8GB or higher. (Based on sources).

 

I wish someone had pointed this out to me earlier before I rushed out and bought a Kingston Traveler 3.0 USB. Le sigh. Well, now that you know, you can breathe a little easier knowing that you just saved yourself a potential issue + 4 hours of frustration. In the end, I managed to locate my sister's old HD (I used an old ext HD, 2006 model), deleted everything and will naturally apologize later.

 

1. REMOVE ALL USB/HD except for the one you're gonna install Windows on. Apparently, this is important as it'll avoid some glitch.

 

2. Open up Disk Utility, and erase/format your USB to FAT.

 

3. Open up Bootcamp Assistant, and check all three options. You can never skip 'Downloading Support Software' anyway.

 

4. BA will load, and when it hits 'DSS', it will prompt you for a confirmation to enter password. This will trigger that "WindowsSupport.dmg" file you just placed in the folder (it will disappear, and until now, I have no idea why. But apparently, it works, because for the first time, there was progress.) It sped up my download bar, although I still had to wait a bit. After a long while, it will proceed with SAVING SUPPORT SOFTWARE, and this is where you celebrate.

 

5. Go through the rest of the steps, and Mac will reboot, this time, with Windows Installation.

 

Windows Installation (Windows 7)

 

1. Click Install Windows Now.

2. You have the option of Upgrading Windows or Custom (Advanced) Install. Click Custom Advanced, then format Partition : Bootcamp.

3. This is where you pray : You either proceed with the rest of the installation, OR, you get stuck with 'Unable to create system partition...' Have a look at the thread above for solutions. I didn't run into any problems whatsoever.

 

You should be able to take it from here.

 

Considering that this whole process nearly made me vomit blood, I am so so happy at installing this, I think I may have been channeling my inner geek girl. HOORAY!!!

 

EPILOGUE: I have also successfully installed my PS3 Dual Shock Controller, and now, I'm playing a heck lot of Windows games on my Mac like a happy fangirl. It's ON!

Posted on Mar 18, 2015 12:00 AM

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Q: SUCCESS: Imac 27" Late-2013 Bootcamp to Windows 7

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  • by Anabelle lau,

    Anabelle lau Anabelle lau Mar 17, 2015 11:59 PM in response to Anabelle lau
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    Mar 17, 2015 11:59 PM in response to Anabelle lau

    Deleted reply.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Mar 18, 2015 6:08 AM in response to Anabelle lau
    Level 7 (23,828 points)
    Safari
    Mar 18, 2015 6:08 AM in response to Anabelle lau

    Thank you for posting your success story and a concise guide. Glad to see another happy user.

  • by Aspyluff,

    Aspyluff Aspyluff Feb 7, 2016 8:47 PM in response to Anabelle lau
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Feb 7, 2016 8:47 PM in response to Anabelle lau

    I also have a late 2013 iMac with yosemite and I'm trying to install windows 7. I am having a very hard time getting bootcamp to work for me, and no matter what tutorial or walkthrough I try I keep getting a non-system disk error. I also have a long hang time on downloading support software and really hoped that this post would help but im still at the same problem of the error happening with the non system disk. I made sure to get a usb 2.0 and it is 32gb in space. I  have hit a wall on my attemps and dont know what to do now.

  • by Loner T,Apple recommended

    Loner T Loner T Feb 7, 2016 10:02 PM in response to Aspyluff
    Level 7 (23,828 points)
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    Feb 7, 2016 10:02 PM in response to Aspyluff

    1. Use an wired connection when building the USB installer. Wireless is very slow.

    2. Apart from the USB2 parts, after BCA builds the USB installer, you need to download the drivers appropriate for your Mac model from the link (or Install Windows 7 and earlier on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support ) to a known location. Unzip it, put the $WinPEDriver$, AutoUnattend.xml and Bootcamp folder in the root folder of the USB. The goal is to replace BC6 drivers that El Capitan downloads, with BC5 drivers which support W7. BC6 drivers only support W8.1/W10.

    3. Disconnect all external storage and run SMC/NVRAM reset before you attempt to install W7. You can connect the USB Installer after the SMC/NVRAM reset and use BCA's Install Windows option. If you use the Alt/Option manual method, please ensure you choose the internal windows installation for every reboot that is part of the installation process till you see the Windows account creation screen. There should be at least 4 reboots.

  • by Aspyluff,

    Aspyluff Aspyluff Feb 9, 2016 9:49 AM in response to Loner T
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    Feb 9, 2016 9:49 AM in response to Loner T

    You mention El Cpaitan but I'm still running Yosemite. I just never upgraded. Would that change the process you listed at all?

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Feb 9, 2016 10:46 AM in response to Aspyluff
    Level 7 (23,828 points)
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    Feb 9, 2016 10:46 AM in response to Aspyluff

    After your USB Installer is built, check Bootcamp.xml for Product Version. If it is 6.x, then you can follow the process of the BC5 drivers download via Yosemite and the W7 link and replace files, before you install W7.

  • by Aspyluff,

    Aspyluff Aspyluff Feb 9, 2016 11:10 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (8 points)
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    Feb 9, 2016 11:10 AM in response to Loner T

    I built the USB and the bootcamp.xml is version 5.1.5640 which looks to be the correct version for my late 2013 27 inch iMac according to the table. From there I unplugged the USB stick, ran both resets and then plugged it back in and created the partition. It automatically restarted and had a non-system disk error, so I restarted and held down option on restart and the only two drives to appear are the Macintosh HD and a Recovery-10.10.3 drive. No Windows partition is shown.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Feb 9, 2016 3:14 PM in response to Aspyluff
    Level 7 (23,828 points)
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    Feb 9, 2016 3:14 PM in response to Aspyluff

    Do you have any other external storage (other than the USB Installer) connected to the iMac when installing Windows? Can you verify that your USB is USB2 flash drive?

  • by Aspyluff,

    Aspyluff Aspyluff Feb 9, 2016 7:18 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (8 points)
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    Feb 9, 2016 7:18 PM in response to Loner T

    Nothing is plugged into the iMac except the power cord and my usb, which is a lexmark 32g 2.0 usb that I bought earlier in the week for this very purpose. The only other things hooked up to the imac are the keyboard and mouse which are wireless bluetooth devices.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Feb 10, 2016 5:17 AM in response to Aspyluff
    Level 7 (23,828 points)
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    Feb 10, 2016 5:17 AM in response to Aspyluff

    Run a SMC/NVRAM Reset after you try each of these tests. Connect USB to first USB port, power up iMac and hold Alt/Option key. Do any entries from the USB show up in the Boot Selection screen? Repeat for each USB port in the back of your iMac? It is painful, but eliminates port issues.

     

    I have used Lexar (8GB) and SanDisk Cruzer (8, 16GB) in the past without any issues, but not a 32Gb Lexar specifically.

     

    On the OS X side, for clarification purposes, can you check for USB2 vs USB3?

     

    Bootcamp-Wininstall-USB.png

  • by Aspyluff,

    Aspyluff Aspyluff Feb 14, 2016 10:57 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (8 points)
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    Feb 14, 2016 10:57 AM in response to Loner T

    Screen Shot 2016-02-14 at 1.50.45 PM.png

    This is the information I pulled from my computer with the flash drive I have been using. I'm not sure which part dictates the version of my usb, as I assumed it was under 'Version' but am perplexed at why its listed as 11.00.......... I'm going to run the tests with each slot now and get back to you. sorry for the long response time, i got busy with work the last few days.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Feb 14, 2016 11:01 AM in response to Aspyluff
    Level 7 (23,828 points)
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    Feb 14, 2016 11:01 AM in response to Aspyluff

    This is a USB2 flash drive. The SuperSpeed level is a USB3 drive. Please post back when you try various USB ports.

  • by Aspyluff,

    Aspyluff Aspyluff Feb 14, 2016 11:16 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (8 points)
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    Feb 14, 2016 11:16 AM in response to Loner T

    Okay, do I need to do the tests, take the windows partition off to run the resets and then re-partition, then test the next slot for each one? Because it tries to boot up in windows on every reset and im not sure how to not make it do that while running the resets.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Feb 14, 2016 11:29 AM in response to Aspyluff
    Level 7 (23,828 points)
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    Feb 14, 2016 11:29 AM in response to Aspyluff

    Aspyluff wrote:

     

    Okay, do I need to do the tests, take the windows partition off to run the resets and then re-partition, then test the next slot for each one? Because it tries to boot up in windows on every reset and im not sure how to not make it do that while running the resets.

    If you connect this USB and power up your Mac and hold the Alt/Option key and select either Windows or EFI Boot from the USB, does the Windows Installer start properly? If it does, at what point do you get a non-system disk error?

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