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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 12, 2015 12:19 PM in response to Chris, Phillips

I have a iMac 5k, I have had Windows 7 installed using bootcamp on this machine on two different occasions. Each time it was a huge nightmare getting the windows installer to format the bootcamp partition correctly. I know exactly what you are talking about regardless of the same canned response you are getting from a few on this forum. It will format "occasionally" correct. I can tell you that even the techs at the local apple store run into the very issue both you and I have had. So no you are not crazy, and it is an issue. I wish I could give you the solution but even apple was unable to explain the randomness of it. It would be nice to have a true solution other than the famous "page 6 and 7 " reference, but no one as of yet, including apple has found it.

Good luck

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Dec 12, 2015 12:58 PM in response to Dominojoe1

Depending on the year of the 5K, W7 is not supported on 2015 models. Fusion drives are problematic and El Capitan compounds such problems.

Dec 12, 2015 2:19 PM in response to Loner T

It is one of the first 5k's. Windows 7 has been in it twice. But I can see that if 5k doesn't support win 7 then that's where the issue is happening? so may your saying it is just random that it will load it?

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Dec 12, 2015 3:39 PM in response to Dominojoe1

Check your model in Identify the model of your iMac - Apple Support . A 2014 model will run W7. 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.

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.

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Dec 15, 2015 7:28 AM in response to Chris, Phillips

Start a new discussion when you attempt the installation and any specific issues can be addressed.

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

59,471 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...

Nov 22, 2016 2:27 PM in response to unobstreperous

Thank you for this. Perfect answer and quite right that it's not necessarily as straight forward as many have suggested.

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

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Dec 13, 2016 4:47 PM in response to Yankeemon

Yankeemon wrote:

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

Please see your new discussion for further help. 😉

Dec 13, 2016 10:38 PM in response to Yankeemon

The steps are:

– check whether the Windows version you have is compatible with the generation of mac you wish to install W unto, here: System requirements to install Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support

– if the answer is no, you must stop; if yes:

– run Bootcamp assistant and do what is displayed on screen, have a flash drive prepared tor the drivers;

– install windows as indicated on screen, and let it finish, there are 3 restarts, I guess;

– when in W., run the Apple drivers previously prepared by B.C., a new restart.

– windows is up and running.

Jun 20, 2017 8:55 AM in response to mephisto8

I too facing the same problem! Please helm me with this if had your problem solved..thank you!

rotolo

Level 1

4 points

Jul 25, 2017 4:51 AM in response to TILB

Simple answer: Disconnect your external hard drives. That fixes the problem.

You still have to select BOOTCAMP partition and format before you can install.

Bootcamp partition not ntfs