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Q: windows 7 on 2013 Mac Pro?

I know you're not supposed to, but has anyone out there done this?

 

The reason I ask is that graphics seems to be very unreliable under Windows 10, looking at many sites selling workstations they all offer downgrade from Win 10 or 8 back to 7 because its the most stable.

 

My MacBook Pro seemed to run PTC creo fine under 7, then when I got a 2013 Mac Pro and it couldn't install anything older than Windows 8.1, I decided to "upgrade" bith to 8.1.  Bad, bad decision, MacBook Pro became incapable of driving the 27" Apple display properly even as the only display (i.e. built in screen switched off), super sluggish refresh etc.

 

Upgrading to 10 and still the same issues. so I'm wondering about going back to 7 if I can...

 

Thanks

 

Stephen

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Apr 14, 2016 6:06 AM

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Q: windows 7 on 2013 Mac Pro?

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  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Apr 14, 2016 10:19 AM in response to SdeS
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    Apr 14, 2016 10:19 AM in response to SdeS

    Your 2013 MP should support W7.

     

    Please see Install Windows 7 and earlier on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support . If you have issues with W7 installation, please post details of error messages.

  • by SdeS,

    SdeS SdeS Apr 14, 2016 11:09 AM in response to Loner T
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    Apr 14, 2016 11:09 AM in response to Loner T

    Thanks for the reply Loner T.

     

    the table at the end of the article lists the Mac Pros you can use Bootcamp to install Windows 7 on, the latest one listed is the 2010 model.

     

    I dI'd try and install W7 when I first got the Mac Pro and got warmings saying it needed Windows 8.1.

     

    II this something you have done yourself on a "new" i.e. 2013 or later Mac Pro?

     

    Thanks.

     

    Stephen.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Apr 14, 2016 11:31 AM in response to SdeS
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    Apr 14, 2016 11:31 AM in response to SdeS

    There are 9 2013 models in that list. I have installed W7 on the cylinder using Mavericks. If you look at OS X versions and builds included with Mac computers - Apple Support , it comes with several flavors of OSX. Was your MP originally shipped/delivered with Mavericks or El Capitan?

  • by SdeS,

    SdeS SdeS Apr 15, 2016 2:02 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (9 points)
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    Apr 15, 2016 2:02 AM in response to Loner T

    Hi Loner T,

     

    I must be being thick, I see just 5 Mac Pro models on that list, from 2006 to 2010. My Mac was originally a Mavericks machine.  However, you've actually done it, so that's pretty convincing.  So, they key question how do the graphics run? I have the AMD Firepro D700 version that seems to really struggle under Win 10.

     

    Many Thanks

     

    Stephen

     

    Mac pro table.jpg

  • by Loner T,Helpful

    Loner T Loner T Apr 15, 2016 5:52 AM in response to SdeS
    Level 7 (23,613 points)
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    Apr 15, 2016 5:52 AM in response to SdeS

    No, you are looking at the correct document. It has been modified in Dec. I did not keep a screen shot of the listing with the 2013 MP.

     

    The Windows drivers for the GPUs are buggy, crash often. BC and WHQL (these have to be manipulated) drivers are very poor. Unless you really must have W7, I suggest W10 and working through the driver issues with AMD and Apple.

  • by SdeS,

    SdeS SdeS Apr 15, 2016 6:02 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 15, 2016 6:02 AM in response to Loner T

    Ah, OK, that explains why I didn't seem them. 

     

    No, the only reason I was thinking W7 was that it works so badly under W10 and W8.1, and as my MBP had worked fine under W7, but then turned to dust under W8.1 I thought perhaps rolling everything back might be the answer. 

     

    From what you say it seems not, so I don't think I have a choice. Blooming annoying.

     

    I already talked to Apple support, they pointed me to Microsoft as the issue, but I agree with you that is more likely to be AMD who might solve.

     

    It does seem mad that Bootcamp with the highest spec graphics Apple do just doesn't function under W10.  But I suppose its a vicious circle, not many people use high end CAD on a bootcamp Mac Pro, so why fix the drivers, so the drivers are rubbish, so no one can use the Bootcamp MacPro for high end CAD etc....

     

    Anyhow, thanks again for your advice. I guess I just buy a Dell that is "certified" by PTC and hope that eventually AMD release some reliable drivers and I can sell it again, but 30 odd crashes in a day makes the Mac Pro just a liability under Bootcamp.

     

    I'll use it's 16GB of graphics for a little light email and web browsing on Bootcamp and see how it holds up.

     

    Cheers

     

    Stephen

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Apr 15, 2016 6:39 AM in response to SdeS
    Level 7 (23,613 points)
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    Apr 15, 2016 6:39 AM in response to SdeS

    If there was enough momentum for Mac users to use High-end CAD tools, the tool writers may be tempted to port it to native OS X, which is in some ways richer than Windows, but that is a business/sales/marketing discussion.

     

    There are enough tools on Mac for post-production work related to Music and Video. It is unlikely some of the CAD tools will have problems on such fast machines.