Bootcamp displays black screen on reboot instead of launching the installer

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Bootcamp displays black screen on reboot instead of launching the installer

I have a Macbook Pro (early 2011) and I replaced the super drive for an SSD drive. When I try to install window 7 with bootcamp 3.0.4 on the second drive it partitions it fine. When I reboot i hold option and select to install windows 7 from the external dvd drive. It changes to a black screen and doesn't start the windows installer. The DVD continues to spin for a minute or two then stops and nothing else happens.

I've google but nothing. The bootcamp FAQ says it supports installing on a second drive so it should be ok. I also reset the PRAM and SCM but it didn't help. Is there any logging or anything that can be checked for boot issues?

Thanks.

MacBook Pro, Windows 7

Posted on Apr 20, 2011 5:59 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 20, 2011 6:03 PM in response to puppybits

If Boot Camp Assistant won’t open because you haven’t updated your firmware or system software Boot Camp requires that you have Mac OS X v10.5 or later, and the latest firmware, installed on your computer. Some computers may require more than one firmware update.

To update your computer’s system software:

1 From the Apple menu, choose Software Update. 2 If an update for Mac OS X appears in the list, select it. 3 Click Install.

To update your computer’s firmware:

1 Go to www.apple.com/support/downloads. 2 Search for the firmware updates for your computer.

For example, search for “Mac mini firmware update.”

Important: Some computers may require more than one firmware update. See docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303880 for the current updates available for your computer.

3 Download all applicable firmware update packages. 4 Open each package and follow the onscreen instructions.

Hope this Helps!

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Answer 2

puppybits Author

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Apr 20, 2011 6:21 PM in response to EpicSkillzMan

Sorry I did check that as well. There are no firmware updates for the 2011 macbook pros. (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1237)

My Firmware version is:

Boot ROM Version: MBP81.0047.B04

SMC Version (system): 1.69f1

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Answer 3

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Apr 21, 2011 5:38 AM in response to puppybits

Obviously 2011.

there may be a tech note just for your system.

http://www.app.com/support/bootcamp

By removing the optical drive you now are trying to use an external unit, like iwth MacBook Air which needs and has a set of drivers - and BCA automatically asks to download and install those to flash drive.

Actually there are some gotchas with a 2nd device. Like some have had to unplug the data to one not being used for Windows.

Also, some issues with the SATA3 connector in MBP 2011, too.

Support for some 3rd party SSDs

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Answer 4

puppybits Author

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Apr 21, 2011 5:54 AM in response to The hatter

Bootcamp downloaded some files that it transfered to a empty USB drive. I had both the USB pendrive with the windows support files and the external DVD drive connected during boot but it did nothing. Looking through the files bootcamp download they look more like drivers to install in windows once it's installed.

Are they other drivers I should be using to enable the windows install to launch?

The SSD drive is a Corsair Performance 3 64GB. OSX is installed on the SSD and the 500 GB HDD that came with the Macbook Pro has a 100 GB Windows Bootcamp partition and a ~390GB HFS partition. OSX runs great on the SSD drive and I've pointed the home directory to the HFS partition on the normal HDD. The external DVD drive is the SuperDrive that came with the Macbook but in an external USB case that came with the MCE Optibay.

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Answer 5

The hatter

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60,990 points

Apr 21, 2011 6:14 AM in response to puppybits

There should be drivers, so that Windows can read from there and actually install those into Windows installer to be able to access the external USB DVD. Otherwise, it may not be able to.

edit: http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp

Yours sounds a bit like the iMac black screen article

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3173

This is tip for MBAir

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4407

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Answer 6

Mac_Win

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25 points

Apr 21, 2011 11:35 AM in response to puppybits

It could be a support issue. Apple is very picky on what SSDs it supports. Did you install an Apple SSD or some other name brand SSD? There may not be any support fw for that particular SSD. Also, that configuration may not be supported (SSD + HDD)...that might be the real issue here.

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Answer 7

The hatter

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60,990 points

Apr 21, 2011 12:25 PM in response to Mac_Win

OS X may lack SSD support for some 3rd party.

Dual SSD and SSD + HDD is supported and found in iMac

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Answer 8

puppybits Author

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Apr 21, 2011 2:42 PM in response to The hatter

The iMac boot files didn't help.

I also got Windows 7 on a USB (via the official MS Window 7 USB install creator) which boots on a PC but not the 2011 Macbook Pro. The USB Drive at least gets me a step farther. It displays and error that no bootable install was found and to insert a bootable drive and press any key to try again. It has a MBR instead of GUID but that should be the right.

I also tried rEFit via external DVD-Rom and USB drive but same issue.

The SSD drive is booting fine to OSX (where it's installed) but it's failing when I try to install Win7 to a partition on the HDD.

I'm at a loss right now. The only other thing I can think of is to unplug the SSD drive, install OSX on the HDD and then try to Bootcamp it.

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Answer 9

gommo

Level 1

14 points

May 6, 2011 5:14 AM in response to puppybits

Just wondering if anyone has had any luck with this issue? I would rather not have to remove my 2nd drive and put my superdrive back in (especially as the drive I would take out is where I want to install bootcamp 🙂 )

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Answer 10

Mac_Win

Level 1

25 points

May 6, 2011 5:28 AM in response to gommo

Try to see if there are any recent sw or firmware updates for ur macosx & system.

Try again

Then if it still fails...

Put it back to it's original hw configuration and see it installs like that.

If it still fails with it's original configuration then return it to apple.

Call up the ssd manufacturer and ask them if they support Bootcamp.

Hope this helps.

Also try connecting an external display to see if it comes up there.

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Answer 11

puppybits Author

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May 6, 2011 5:51 AM in response to gommo

Apple just released a new firmware yesterday. They didn't note any issues with bootcamp in the release notes so I don't know if it will help or not. Tomorrow I will be trying to install again and see the firmware upgrade helped or if installing with just one drive helps. I will post my results once in tue next few days.

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Answer 12

gommo

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May 6, 2011 4:25 PM in response to puppybits

I had already updated the firmware yesterday, but I'll double check

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Answer 13

puppybits Author

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May 8, 2011 7:50 PM in response to gommo

FIXED!

So I finally got it working. I tried switching the drives and disconnecting one while using an external CD-ROM. Nothing. The only way to install was to put the super-drive back inside the macbook with 1 internal hard drive and instal windows.

I was installing on the right HDD drive and not the SSD where OSX was install. I had to get the disk partitioned and setup with boot camp and when I got to the part to restart to boot into windows. I clicked ok, turned the computer off, moved the CD-ROM inside the macbook with the HDD drive, installed windows then swapped the cd-rom for the SSD. It all boots fine now I just would hate to have to reinstall windows again.

Thanks everyone for your advice and help.

PS i marked the wrong answer correct and it wont let me change it so sorry.

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Answer 14

Aug 16, 2011 12:38 AM in response to puppybits

The reason you couldn't get Windows to install from an external USB optical drive is due to a limitation with the Macbook's firmware. I had the same problem with my mid-2010 iMac. As far as I know, only the Macbook Air firmware allows for booting a Windows installation disc from an external USB drive.

Next time try this method, it will save you swapping out the drives:

http://insidethebrackets.blogspot.com/2009/04/install-windows-on-macbook-air-wit h-no.html

This worked on my iMac. There's a bit of danger associated with manually modifying the MBR, but as long as you follow the instructions properly you should be okay.

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