My iMac can't boot Windows 7 From USB while my Macbook Pro can do it

Question

Level 1

25 points

My iMac can't boot Windows 7 From USB while my Macbook Pro can do it

I install Windows 7 64 bit and rEFIt into a USB hard disk and hope to boot from my iMac 27" (2010 Mid). However, it shows that no boot deivce is found.

If I plug the SAME disk to my Macbook Pro 17" (2009 Mid), it can boot Windows 7 without any problem.

I tried with Linux and get same result, iMac says no boot device while my Macbook Pro can boot it without problem.

I tried experiment for weeks and still can't get iMac work.

I think it is very abnormal and I wonder if someone can tell me how to fix it or any directory to solve this problem.

Posted on Nov 5, 2011 9:42 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Eric Ross

Level 6

11,807 points

Nov 5, 2011 10:03 PM in response to JJ.HK

Are you using the same version of Mac OS X on both computers, Take a look at this link http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1948

Reply

Answer 2

JJ.HK Author

Level 1

25 points

Nov 5, 2011 11:26 PM in response to Eric Ross

My iMac runs snow leopard and my MacBook pro runs Lion. Both of them are updated with latest updated. I just get one external USB hard disk with Windows 7 32 bit installed and magically, my iMac can boot it from rEFIt. However, I don't know what makes it works. I tried to make same configuration, software and steps on other USB hard disks for hundreds times but I can repeat it again. All other attempt can make USB hard disk boot on MacBook Pro but not iMac only.

Reply

Answer 3

JJ.HK Author

Level 1

25 points

Nov 5, 2011 11:28 PM in response to JJ.HK

I mean I can't make other USB hard disk work on iMac and only one USB hard disk work but reason is unknown.

Reply