Need Optical Drive To Install Windows 7 With Lion?

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Need Optical Drive To Install Windows 7 With Lion?

The latest support article regarding Boot Camp 4.0 states that only Windows 7 can be used for new installs using OS X Lion. Further on, the article states a "compatible external optical drive" must also be used. They don't mention exactly what compatible means or the general requirements of the optical drive. I was thinking of purchasing a new Mac Mini but I would also need to have something more for Windows 7 to run. Who could I ask about this "compatible external optical drive"?

Posted on Aug 1, 2011 5:49 PM

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Answer 1

The hatter

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Aug 1, 2011 6:00 PM in response to georose

Flash drives are mentoned in 4.0 FAQ

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4818

so seem a DVD is not mandatory.

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Answer 2

georose Author

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Aug 1, 2011 6:13 PM in response to The hatter

The Apple support advisories are vague about "compatible external optical drive" and "some computers" when refering to the USB "ISO" file installs. Maybe an Apple Store might help? Huh? How about a list of drives and computers? Maybe no one really knows! If someone reads the support article a year from now, I guess it would be better to be vague since new hardware might arrive. But really, the support article raises additional questions that need to be addressed.

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Answer 3

The hatter

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Aug 2, 2011 5:22 AM in response to georose

In the past some store employees (aka "Genius") were clueless about Windows and Boot Camp.

Learn by doing is still what most of us do.

I did not find the article vague.

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Answer 4

georose Author

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Aug 2, 2011 9:32 AM in response to The hatter

Very good point. I sometimes forget how much useful advice I have received by reading this forum. Everything from better trackpad drivers to avoiding pitfalls. I guess I will have to be more patient and wait for the information about the new Mac Mini to start flowing. I will not spend my money on something until I can expect a relatively painless and frugal adoption. BTW - Thanks for the "heads up" about the support articles. At least they indicate that Apple is trying to make users aware of some issues.

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Answer 5

The hatter

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60,990 points

Aug 2, 2011 10:22 AM in response to georose

Windows on Mac is never going to be 100%, close, and for many, the hardware today 2011 is powerful enough to use VirtualBox and whatever guest OS.

Some more items.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20086465-263/boot-camp-4-requires-windows-7 -or-later/

Boot Camp 4.0, OS X Lion: Frequently asked question

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4818

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/boot_camp_install-setup_10.7.pdf

create a Windows support software (drivers) CD or USB storage media

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

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Answer 6

Jul 3, 2013 5:46 PM in response to The hatter

I was wondering about "bootcamp compatible external optical drives" also. I have an older iMac 2009 version, with a Superdrive installed, running Bootcamp just fine. I was thinking of removing the Superdrive, and installing an OWC SSD, and getting an external Blu-Ray writer as my external CD-ROM. If I do that, will I be able to install Bootcamp later if something happens and I need to re-install it on the internal HD?

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Answer 7

Jul 3, 2013 6:26 PM in response to georose

I don't have tons of expereince with this, but I have a bit. So far I have seen that if your Mac shipped with an internal Optical Drive, then, Boot Camp seems to expect that to be used to install Windows. If you remove teh optical drive to install a second internal mass storage device (HDD or SSD) then there is a good chance that Boot Camp will not install Windows, or at least not very easily.

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Answer 8

Jul 4, 2013 5:09 AM in response to GeekBoy.from.Illinois

That's probably the case. With the current iMacs shipping with NO Superdrive, I was hoping that somewhere in the bootcamp s/w that Apple might have done away with the requirement for an Apple drive, and thus I could get that SSD drive where the Superdrive is sitting now.

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