Trying to install Windows 10 Bootcamp using Legacy/BIOS mode with 2012 MacBook Pro

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Level 1

8 points

Trying to install Windows 10 Bootcamp using Legacy/BIOS mode with 2012 MacBook Pro

Hi,

I think I found my answer in a thread here, but I am not sure how to do it.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251161550?answerId=252215740022#252215740022

"The W10 SSD should be in the main bay. The macOS SSD can be in the Optical drive bay (optibay). The disk in the Optibay should be disconnected during the installation from disk end, which allows a BIOS installation to complete. When Windows is fully functional, you can connect the Optibay disk. Your 2012 Mac allows a USB Installer to be created using Create+Download options, which can be used after the Optibay disk is disconnected temporarily."

Could someone please show or tell me directions where to go to disconnect the disk in Optibay from disk end? Does the post mean I just use Boot Camp Manager to install the partition while it is disconnected? I would appreciate it if someone can be clear since I am not familiar with messing around with computer stuff.

I am using a mid 2012 MacBook Pro like the OP in the thread I linked. I am happy to answer any questions if it helps.

Thank you.

MacBook

Posted on Nov 5, 2020 9:11 PM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Nov 6, 2020 9:57 AM in response to lima004

Look at step 16 in https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing+MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2012+Dual+Hard+Drive/13787. Do not disconnect the SATA cable from the Logic Board, unless you have to.

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Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Nov 7, 2020 6:42 AM in response to lima004

Can you post the output of

diskutil list

before we go further?

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Nov 8, 2020 4:34 PM in response to lima004

Can you try and find a SanDis/Sony/Lexar USB2 and test?

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Answer 4

lima004 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 7, 2020 12:49 AM in response to Loner T

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately after re-reading the initial post, I realised I was very confused and had thought the partition created by Bootcamp Manager would act in the same way as an SSD.

Is there any way I can install W10 in legacy/BIOS mode with creating the partition in BC Assistant instead of using the SSD? Can I maybe downgrade my OS to one where the BC Assistant supports a two-disk 2012 MBP?

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Answer 5

lima004 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 7, 2020 1:08 PM in response to Loner T

No problem.

diskutil list

/dev/disk0 (internal, physical):

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *500.1 GB disk0

1: EFI EFI 209.7 MB disk0s1

2: Apple_APFS Container disk1 192.0 GB disk0s2

3: Microsoft Basic Data BOOTCAMP 307.9 GB disk0s3

/dev/disk1 (synthesized):

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: APFS Container Scheme - +192.0 GB disk1

Physical Store disk0s2

1: APFS Volume Macintosh HD - Data 148.4 GB disk1s1

2: APFS Volume Preboot 24.3 MB disk1s2

3: APFS Volume Recovery 525.0 MB disk1s3

4: APFS Volume VM 2.1 GB disk1s4

5: APFS Volume Macintosh HD 11.0 GB disk1s5

/dev/disk2 (external, physical):

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: FDisk_partition_scheme *15.5 GB disk2

1: Windows_NTFS WinInstall 15.5 GB disk2s1

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Answer 6

lima004 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 7, 2020 5:15 PM in response to Loner T

Yea, I initially did not understand much of the initial post and thought the process could be replicated when creating a W10 partition on the first disk. Sorry about that.

Is a second internal physical disk necessary to get W10 Bootcamp running on this Macbook Pro through Legacy/BIOS mode?

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Answer 7

lima004 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 7, 2020 6:19 PM in response to Loner T

Yes. When I boot from USB after the BC Assistant process, I have the Windows and EFI Boot icons. Pressing the Windows icon shows a message of "No Bootable Device Found - Insert Boot Disk and Press Any Key". Pressing the EFI Boot icon can install W10 but does not see the built-in Audio devices as you know.

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Answer 8

lima004 Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2020 3:06 PM in response to Loner T

I did not notice any difference between how the devices performed. The Windows installer was created on both devices and let me install W10 with EFI boot successfully except for the Audio. On both, choosing Windows boot instead of EFI boot gives the same error of "No Bootable Device Found - Insert Boot Disk and Press Any Key".

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