A required dvd/cd drive device driver is missing?

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IanP1978 Author

Level 1

10 points

A required dvd/cd drive device driver is missing?

I am trying to install Boot Camp Win 7 on my late 2012 mac mini. The os x I am running is Mavericks. And for everyone's information, I have no built-in dvd drive. The problem is when I get to the point of installing windows, it gives me the message, "A required dvd/cd drive device driver is missing." And I cannot proceed further. I got my windows 7 iso directly from microsoft, and I have a valid product key. What am I doing wrong? About a year ago, I successfully installed Windows 7 on my mid 2012 Macbook Pro, running Mountain Lion. It has worked with no problem since. I also heard you might have to use a usb 2.0 port, but on my 2012 Macbook Pro, there's only 3.0 ports. So I don't know how it worked correctly on my 2012 Macbook Pro. I am also using boot camp version 5 drivers. Does anyone know a workaround? I really hope there's a solution, this is really driving me crazy!

Thank you!

Posted on May 15, 2020 10:06 PM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 16, 2020 7:19 AM in response to IanP1978

You need a USB2 Flash drive, not a USB3.

You should have three options in your BC Assistant UI

Create+Download creates a USB2 Installer. The Flash drive will be erased and formatted.
Install will partition and start the Windows Installer. You should run a SMC and NVRAM Reset after each failed attempt, before you retry installing Windows.

See Install Windows on your older Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support for reference. This shows the Mojave version, which is closest to your UI.

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Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 18, 2020 8:43 PM in response to IanP1978

I have seen strange issues with Kingston DataTraveler USB flash drives. If you connect the USB to the Mac, and look at About This Mac -> USB -> (Your USB), what is the speed shown for it. If it shows 480Mbps, disconnect all external peripherals (except keyboard/mouse/monitor), reset SMC and NVRAM, and retry the DT USB drive.

If it still does not work, you may have a bad USB flash drive.

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 19, 2020 5:12 AM in response to IanP1978

IanP1978 wrote:

Yes. EXACTLY! I tried it again, and it did say 480 mbps, reset smc and nvram, when starting up into windows installer, it gave me another error, saying it needed the original install disk. You're exactly right, I have a bad flash drive. It worked before, not anymore!

There seems to be a manufacturing issue with these DT models.

Also, how did you know the flash drive was Kingston? The faulty flash drive is a Kingston DT101 G2.

Too many failures for me to avoid recognizing the patterns.

Weird. Oh well my new flash drive is arriving soon, and it is a Sandisk Cruzer 16gb.

The most reliable brands have been SanDisk Cruzer, Lexar and Sony. Please post back once you get the new USB2 and run into any other issues.

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Answer 4

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 22, 2020 8:30 PM in response to IanP1978

Before you return it, from the macOS side, using Terminal, can you post the output of

diskutil list

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Answer 5

IanP1978 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 18, 2020 8:32 PM in response to Loner T

Okay, this is weird. The flash drive I was using worked before installing boot camp on my mid 2012 macbook pro. I looked up my flash drive model and found out it is actually 2.0, not 3.0. That makes sense how it worked on my mid 2012 macbook pro. But since then, it of course doesn't work right on the 2012 Mac Mini. I'm guessing the flash drive became corrupted maybe? But anyways I have a new usb 2.0 flash drive arriving in a few days. I really appreciate your help, and know this will let me install Win 7 boot camp on my 2012 mac mini! This is really weird though!

Thanks again!

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Answer 6

IanP1978 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 18, 2020 10:48 PM in response to Loner T

Yes. EXACTLY! I tried it again, and it did say 480 mbps, reset smc and nvram, when starting up into windows installer, it gave me another error, saying it needed the original install disk. You're exactly right, I have a bad flash drive. It worked before, not anymore! Also, how did you know the flash drive was Kingston? The faulty flash drive is a Kingston DT101 G2. Weird. Oh well my new flash drive is arriving soon, and it is a Sandisk Cruzer 16gb. Hopefully it will work then.

Thanks again Loner T!

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Answer 7

IanP1978 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 16, 2020 11:35 PM in response to Loner T

Ok thanks Loner T! I'll try it. Just ordered a usb 2.0 flash drive. I'll get back to you!

Thanks again!

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Answer 8

IanP1978 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 22, 2020 5:26 PM in response to IanP1978

Figured out the Md5sum, it's: da319b5826162829c436306bebea7f0f

But I can't compare it, can't find the Microsoft site checksum. Hope this helps!

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Answer 9

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 17, 2020 7:16 AM in response to IanP1978

The physical ports on the 2012 Mini will support both USB2 and USB3 disks in macOS. The Windows installer does not have drivers for USB3, hence we need USB2 flash drives. USB2 HDDs do not work either.

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Answer 10

IanP1978 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 22, 2020 3:57 PM in response to Loner T

Hey again,

Just tried my new flash drive to install windows 7 again, and it gave me the same error again, (dvd/cd driver missing). But now I can actually make windows seem to look for the driver by selecting folders in the boot camp install flash drive. Is there a specific file driver I need to find? I feel like I'm almost there getting it installed. What should I do?

Thanks again!

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Answer 11

IanP1978 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 22, 2020 8:19 PM in response to Loner T

Actually, don't worry about helping me anymore, I think there's something wrong with the Mac Mini I bought. I am going to try to return it. But much thanks to you, you've helped me with other things that I appreciate. If boot camp worked on a mid 2012 macbook pro with mountain lion, and it doesn't work with a mac mini with mavericks, I think there's something seriously wrong with the mac. Oh well. I appreciate the help!

Thanks again,

Ian

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Answer 12

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 22, 2020 4:42 PM in response to IanP1978

Are you using a W7 ISO downloaded from Microsoft? If yes, what is the Md5sum of the file?

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Answer 13

IanP1978 Author

Level 1

10 points

May 22, 2020 4:46 PM in response to Loner T

Yes, I'm using a W7 iso from microsoft. How do I find the Md5sum?

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Answer 14

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 22, 2020 7:43 PM in response to IanP1978

Did you download it using a wireless connection? If yes, can you download the same file using a wired connection and compare the MD5sum with what you posted earlier.

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A required dvd/cd drive device driver is missing?

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