Windows 7 start up loop after boot camp 4.0 from high sierra is installed

A dual-Core Intel CPU is not the same as a dual-GPU (nVidia and Intel integrated GPU) Mac. Please clarify.

From Install Windows 7 on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support,

• For a 13-in single-GPU (MacBook Pro 7,1), Boot Camp Support Software 4.0.4033 are the correct drivers, and do not need nVidia drivers.

• For a 15/17-inch dual-GPU Mac, Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5621 are the correct drivers. Are you using a different driver set? OP title says 4.0 drivers.

System Requirements shows

Post Date: Feb 11, 2014

File Size: 924.9 MB

System Requirements 

• MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Mid 2011)
• MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Mid 2012)
• MacBook Pro (15-inch & 17-inch, Mid 2010) 
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, & 15-inch, Early 2011)
• MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch,15-inch & 17-inch Late 2011) 
• MacBook Pro (13-inch & 15-inch, Mid 2012) 
• MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012) 
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012) 
• MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch and 15-inch, Early 2013)
• Mac Pro (Early 2009) 
• Mac Pro (Mid 2010) 
• Mac Pro (Mid 2012)
• Mac mini (Mid 2011) 
• Mac mini (Late 2012) 
• iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010) 
• iMac (21.5-inch & 27-inch, Mid 2011) 
• iMac (21.5-inch & 27-inch, Late 2012)
• iMac (21.5-inch) Early 2013
• Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1, 64 bit

Is this a dual-GPU 2010 Mac? If yes, you will need to install the nVidia drivers instead of the BC-provided drivers.

belectone wrote:

During the automatic Windows updates, nvidia drivers automatically install.

Your MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010) - Technical Specifications has a Nvidia G320m. Do not allow Windows Update to give you bad drivers. Try the 341.98 driver.

All control panel options provided on nvidia panel are for display purposes. I have no backlit keyboard, f key control or sound. Apple support instructions say to then run startup file from the Boot Camp folder located in Programs Files of the Flash drive. After install completes I get the boot loader icon on the tool bar. I then get back light, F key control and sound. If I choose to restart later everything works perfect until I restart.

Do not restart here. Open Windows Device Manager. Check for any unknown devices and the version of the GPU driver. Stay in Windows till we can diagnose the issue.

During the next restart is when the boot loop occurs. I can start up in MAC OS with no problem. Anytime I try to choose the partition with the windows drive, it will loop cycle. Neither safe mode or repair works. Alt/option will take me to drive select and f8 will take me into Windows options but the only thing that works is to restore.

The restart causes new drivers to be loaded, which are the most likely culprit. There is a Bootcamp.xml file, which lists every driver installed.

belectone wrote:

Same thing as always. I was not able to restore to the location with the boot camp installed either. I have restored to a previous location.

What do you mean by a previous 'location'? There is only one C: drive to restore the restore point to.

Should I load boot camp? Load the new Nvidia driver?

Keep a copy of the 341.98 driver on a USB2 Flash drive. Do not connect to any network during or after installation of W7. Install BC drivers and the Nvidia driver and test.

Can you download and install 341.98, but do not reboot?

If W7 and W10 work with WHQL drivers, and you just need Keyboard/Mouse/DVD functionality for the Apple devices, I suggest you install only the the necessary drivers from the BC Driver package. Do not install any other drivers. There are known issues with MacHALDriver.sys in W10.

It looks like 327.82. Right-click on on the Nvidia adapter in Windows Device Manager, and choose Properties, and post a screen shot. There is a tool called Snipping Tool, which should let you post screen shots, without having to take photos, which can be very large in file size.

Disconnect all external storage, peripherals, except the Power Adapter, and reboot. Let us see what happens.

What is the driver version for the nVidia GPU? You do not seem to have any missing devices.

Is your W7 installer a W7 SP1 installer or the non-SP1?

Has any of your Mac hardware been modified/updated/replaced?

Do you have AppleHFS.sys and AppleMNT.sys in C: ?

If you are running the install and BC drivers, without any network connection, then the updates are coming from the BC drivers package. On the USB with BC drivers, look at Bootcamp.xml for list of drivers.

Your HDD is not the issue, if you have installed W7 in the past on the same HDD. We need to check Bootcamp.XML on your BC drivers USB. I have a 2010 Mini, on which I can try to install W7, which has the same GPU as your model. The last time I did it on a 15-in MBP, with dual-GPU, I did not run into any issues.