Windows 7 won't boot from DVD

Question

Level 1

5 points

Windows 7 won't boot from DVD

Hey all,

I just bought Windows 7 Home Premium and I'm trying to install it using Boot Camp on my late 2008 MBP running on Snow Leopard. I managed to do a 32 GB bootcamp partition then I inserted the Windows 7 DVD and click on Start Installation, the computer restarts, the screen goes black but the computer just hangs. Nothing else happens. I waited once for 45 minutes with same result. I expected a Windows installation screen to come up. I've restarted the computer, pressed on alt, chose the windows option but it just goest into a black screen. I've also zapped the pram but the problem persists.

Help!!!

Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Oct 27, 2009 8:03 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 30, 2009 2:54 PM in response to alahad

I have the same issue. I have tried Windows 7 Ultimate in both 32bit and 64bit disks. I have also tried an RC disk however no joy. I had Windows 7 RC running for the last few months without problems too however that was an upgrade installation from Vista x64. I am at a loss - going VM on Fusion 3 until I can resolve it.

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Answer 2

mpuck972

Level 1

20 points

Oct 30, 2009 5:09 PM in response to alahad

I would bet you guys are getting the video card driver issue that lot's of other people have had. If you're bored and want to have some fun, give this a shot:

http://geekswithblogs.net/ajames/archive/2009/08/12/take-an-imac-and-windows-7-r tm-ndash-and-have.aspx

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Answer 3

absmes

Level 1

32 points

Nov 19, 2009 5:33 AM in response to alahad

I am having a similar issue attempting to install Windows 7 Enterprise x64 edition on a 24" iMac (purchased August 2008) and running Snow Leopard (10.6.2). I had previously used Boot Camp to install XP and used the dual boot configuration for about a year with no issues. Because I wanted a smaller Windows partition than I had used for the XP install, I used Boot Camp Assistant to delete the Windows parition and create a new one. After creating the partition and clicking the 'Start Installation' button (with the Windows 7 DVD in the drive), the iMac reboots to a grey screen (same as when booting into OS X but without the Apple logo). The drive spins up for a few seconds as if attempting to read the DVD and then ejects it and boots into OS X.

I am an MSDN subscriber and am using a a DVD burned from an ISO image downloaded from MSDN. I know that the Super Drive is able to read the DVD because if I insert it while running OS X, I can view the files in Finder. I also know that it is bootable because I have used it to boot a Windows-based PC and install Windows 7.

I am currently attemtping this install using a wireless (RF not Bluetooth) Logitech keyboard and mouse, so the the only other thing that I plan to try is using a wired keyboard and mouse during the install process. I had read on another forum that this could be an issue.

Anyone with similar issues/suggestions?

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Answer 4

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Nov 19, 2009 6:00 AM in response to absmes

Tip #1: re-burn the ISO at reduced speed if burning it in Mac OS with Disk Utility to have it work properly.

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Answer 5

absmes

Level 1

32 points

Nov 19, 2009 6:11 PM in response to The hatter

Thanks for the suggestion. I actually burned the DVD from a Windows 7 VM (in fact burned two different ones). As I indicated, it will boot a PC, but not the iMac.

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Answer 6

absmes

Level 1

32 points

Nov 23, 2009 2:38 PM in response to absmes

I was finally able to get my iMac to boot from the DVD. I had to hold down the 'Alt' key while booting in order to display the startup menu and then select the Windows DVD. I'm still not sure why this is the case since (I believe) the Start Intallation button within BootCamp is intended to re-boot the Mac from the inserted DVD. But in any case, it worked.

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