Level 1

60 points

Bootcamp partition not ntfs

I've tried reading around and people simply point links to unanswered questions and manuals. (I downloaded the manuals, followed the steps and they dont talk about the issue.)

I would appreciate any help with this. Thank you!.

I, bought an iMac last week (lion installed), bought a new copy of windows 7 home today. 100% up to date of Software Updates.

I open bootcamp assistent, created my DVD for drivers and hit continue.

Bootcamp does its thing and clicks over to load windows (where my problem starts)

my,

Disk 0 Partition 4: BOOTCAMP

"/!\ Windows cannot be installed to this hard disk space" (see above line) "Windows must be installed to a partition formatted as NTFS."

I printed a copy of the install guide and followed it from the very first attempt.

Step 1

Check for updates (DONE)

Step 2

Prepare for Mac for Windows (DONE)

Step 3

Install windows (I'm trying but cant because the partition is not NTFS)

Also, I cant eject the install disc to try and see if the driver or anything is on the seperate disc i made.

Step 4 Install the windows support software (cant because I cant install windows)

The first time I tried this, I figured I had to format the Bootcamp partition so I did, windows wouldnt expand files after 30 minutes so I closed it out and got a black screen and blinking bar... finally after unplugging for a while got back to OSX and cleared bootcamp back to original, restarted and tried again. Same issue. (windows cannot be installed... must be... NTFS)

Is my issue the formatting? is that a step that is not listed in the process? I'd rather not brick my mac again. took me 6 hours to load all my FCS and Adobe Suite + misc software. I'd rather not do that again.

sorry, I have been dealing with this for a few hours and a little frustrated. Any help appreciated.

Thanks!

Posted on Jan 1, 2012 1:38 PM

75 replies

Dec 15, 2015 6:33 AM in response to Loner T

Those were definitely the types of answers I was looking for when I was dealing with my issue a few weeks ago. Loner T did a great job replying to our questions with actual information pertaining to our issue.

It's just really frustrating when dealing with these issues and people hit you with the RTFM garbage. I do agree that most people don't actually read documentation but there are a few out there that do read it before coming to a forum to make a post. So please, unless it is absolutely buried in posts, do not repeat your answer on a forum. It is not going to be applicable to everybody in every situation.

Thanks again Loner T, I appreciate it.

bellgm

Level 1

0 points

Dec 21, 2015 9:11 AM in response to Loner T

For any of those with a fusion drive who had the can't install error, after many hours of frustration, this finally worked for me:

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/307408-cant-install-windows-with-bootcamp -fusion-drive/

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 21, 2015 9:34 AM in response to bellgm

bellgm wrote:

For any of those with a fusion drive who had the can't install error, after many hours of frustration, this finally worked for me:

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/307408-cant-install-windows-with-bootcamp -fusion-drive/

This is why I wrote...

If W7 has issues during installation, in most cases a SMC/NVRAM reset will correct it. 2015 models will only support EFI which were shipped with El Capitan. W7 is not a good EFI OS, with too many bugs in that area. W8+ and W10 are much better.

😉

Mar 22, 2016 12:55 PM in response to TILB

i was also trying different things like reformatting the disk out of the windows installer "command prompt" - i also started boot camp installation several times...

FINALLY I FOUND A SOLUTION FOR ME

Instead of using a USB-DRIVE I burned a bootable DVD using Disk Utility & the Windows 10 ISO file - this way i could format Drive0 Partition4 (created by boot camp assistant) and pass the "Select partition" screen... now waiting for the windows installation to finish but it looks very promising...

Dec 13, 2016 4:29 PM in response to unobstreperous

I also have this problem, but even after I format, it still won't work. The error after formatting says

Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPTT disks.

Help would be great since I really want to use the windows OS

Feb 11, 2017 7:00 PM in response to TILB

First of all do not try and do any of this terminal and disk0 stuff. It is simple and hidden! When on the windows install page. If the error "only accepts GPT" pops up. Simply click shift+f10 type in "List Disk"(Case sensitive!!!!!!)-select the disk you are going to use. For me Disk0 , type in "Select Disk 0"

Then type in "Clean"- 1 more step!!!!! Type in Convert GPT. Then cancel out go back in to the page select the disk you chose select format and done and only one disk should be there. And then press next and voila your all set!!!!!!!!

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 11, 2017 7:11 PM in response to SEAGULL03

SEAGULL03 wrote:

First of all do not try and do any of this terminal and disk0 stuff. It is simple and hidden! When on the windows install page. If the error "only accepts GPT" pops up. Simply click shift+f10 type in "List Disk"(Case sensitive!!!!!!)-select the disk you are going to use. For me Disk0 , type in "Select Disk 0"

Then type in "Clean"- 1 more step!!!!! Type in Convert GPT. Then cancel out go back in to the page select the disk you chose select format and done and only one disk should be there. And then press next and voila your all set!!!!!!!!

... and a clean...

clean

clean [all]

Removes any and all partition or volume formatting from the disk with focus. On master boot record (MBR) disks, only the MBR partitioning information and hidden sector information are overwritten. On GUID partition table (GPT) disks, the GPT partitioning information, including the Protective MBR, is overwritten; there is no hidden sector information.

all

Specifies that each and every sector on the disk is zeroed, which completely deletes all data contained on the disk.

This includes losing OS X, if present, on the chosen disk, correct?

Jun 20, 2017 9:13 AM in response to Sarath_96

Start your own thread providing details of your system and your issue. Tacking onto a 5 year old thread and providing no details about your issue will not result in you receiving the best possible help.

May 28, 2015 9:13 AM in response to Loner T

Here is the new discussion I made: Bootcamp Windows 8.1 Partition Problem

I haven't tried the two downloads you suggested yet. Thanks!

Jan 1, 2012 9:29 PM in response to Cattus Thraex

How to format it NTFS is covered in the Boot Camp Install Setup. The one for Mac OS 10.7 is on page 6 and 7 with screen shots.

Dhamphir

Level 1

0 points

Jun 16, 2013 5:48 PM in response to TILB

You need to re-format that partition by the Windows installation disc. (Not by MacOS)

mquillen

Level 1

5 points

Sep 4, 2013 8:24 AM in response to TILB

Despite all the (unhelpful) cries of RTFM, the solution might be to unplug any USB devices besides one for installing Windows. I think that is what solved my problem like what you described.

Oct 14, 2013 10:21 PM in response to Justin Schier

Thank you! This is exactly the information I needed. It's not clear that you need to click "Format" to proceed. Many thanks!

May 9, 2014 4:24 PM in response to unobstreperous

THIS!

Thanks for this solution. It worked for me. And this is after years of giving up on BootCamp and then finally not being lazy enough to search for an answer.

anashed

Level 1

4 points

Mar 26, 2015 1:24 PM in response to Justin Schier

Thank you, worked well now

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Bootcamp partition not ntfs