Bootcamp Windows 7 install with no Superdrive - Working Method

Question

Level 1

0 points

Bootcamp Windows 7 install with no Superdrive - Working Method

After lots of experimenting to get Windows 7 installed on my 2011 MBP with no Superdrive, I've finally found a solution.

Normally reserved for Macbook Airs, it's possible to enable the "Create Windows 7 Install Disk" option in Boot Camp Assistant 4 by following this method:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread/3410900?answerId=17365855022#17365855022

This will allow usb creation to work, but without proper firmware version on your machine, you will reboot to a black screen that says "No bootable device found" when trying to use bootcamp assistant.

All of the workarounds that worked in 10.6 seem to be broken in 10.7. I tried:

-4 different USB media, as some reported certain USB media will work.

-mounting a VMware image of a windows 7 install, but VMDKMounter and MacFuse are broken in 10.7

-using winclone to restore a previous bootcamp image from my old MBP, which only got me to BSOD

-using my windows image to format a partition, which returns invalid argument errors in disk utility

I didn't try rEFIt, as I read lots of reports of its incompatibilities with Lion, and disk corruption.

The solution that finally worked was to create a 5gb FAT partition on my internal hard drive, and copy all of the files from the Bootcamp USB windows install.

Upon reboot, since it was still attempting the windows install, it found the partition, booted and worked flawlessly. This might also work by simply copying the files from your Windows 7 image, but I think there may be a little trickery done in Boot Camp Assistant to make sure the EFI recognizes it properly.

I've only tried this on my system, but after 2 days of messing around to get this working, I wanted to post my results as I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation.

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Feb 26, 2012 7:39 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Aug 4, 2012 6:19 PM in response to Agent O

This is the solution that i used. After a month of searching, it pains me that it was so simple. Mind, i run 10.6.8 on MacBook6,1. This may not work on Lion. I would hope that it wouldthough..

http://www.andrewsavory.com/blog/2011/2156

Cheers!

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 28, 2012 2:23 PM in response to Agent O

My situation:

Early 2008 Macbook Pro.

OS X lion

My super drive is worn out, and no longer reads iso. disks.

I want to install Windows 7 Bootcamp using the method of making a 5gb FAT partition on internal drive.

My only issue is that im using bootcamp 4.0.3 and it has no usb option to be "Un-greyed".

I am wondering if you could lend me some insight on the matter.

Thanks for everything.

Reply

Answer 3

Agent O Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 28, 2012 3:08 PM in response to Andrew..Joseph..97

Andrew, the method still works to make the USB option available.

I had to do this again recently, and I'm on lion now.

Something I noticed, though is that you cannot boot from FAT partitions any more. It only seems to work from NTFS. I have Paragon NTFS, but there are free NTFS drivers for OSX as well.

Also, (I think this is a windows issue) be careful of the order of your paritions.

I had it set up as: |--------------OSX-----------------||Install||---Win7---|

Everything went fine until I deleted the install partition. Windows would only boot to a black screen with the error "BOOTMGR is missing"

I remember a while back reading something about windows putting boot files on the first recognized partition on the drive. Just make sure the install partition is after your other partitions, or on another drive.

Reply

Answer 4

Oct 30, 2012 1:41 PM in response to Agent O

Ok thanks for pointing out that i need to use NTFS instead of FAT.. And the order of partitions..

I----------OSX----------I I------Windows----I I---Install---I

My only issue now.. ( atleast i think it is my only issue )

Im a noob at this, so please dont get mad.

But as i understand, you are using the information in this link

http://discussions.apple.com/thread/3410900?answerId=17365855022#17365855022

to bypass (Or Un-grey) the "create a usb" option.

Now my only issue is that there is no "create a usb" option, i have

"download the latest windows support software from apple"

And

"install Windows 7"

I stuck... ive tried remote disk, rEFIt, installing from usb, installing from dvd.

Dont know where else to go.

Once again, thanks for your help.

Reply

Answer 5

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Oct 30, 2012 2:55 PM in response to Agent O

It is not a Windows issue. It IS a Apple Mac issue for not allowing a Windows install from anything else then a Built In Superdrive. Windows can be installed on any PC from DVD disc, USB thumb or any drive connected to the system in any way with the Win Install files on it. Only on a Macbook Pro, None Retina, do you need to have the superdrive installed INSIDE the system.

How do I say this, Apple S$%Ks.

Reply

Answer 6

Agent O Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 30, 2012 3:06 PM in response to Shootist007

Shootist, Apple has no control over how Microsoft codes their installers.

They're based on archaic BIOS technology, and don't understand EFI properly. That's why you can't just install from USB in the first place.

Andrew, here's a guide to using Parallels to copy the install info:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=13897359&postcount=96

It looks like a lot of steps, but it's actually pretty easy, and also helps get around needing NTFS drivers.

Reply

Answer 7

May 23, 2013 6:57 AM in response to Agent O

Hi! I have been in the same boat as you trying to figure this out. But now I am having a total newbie moment, how do I create the 5gb FAT partition on my harddrive?

Reply

Answer 8

Agent O Author

Level 1

0 points

May 23, 2013 11:59 PM in response to bradmarch1

Partition it in Disk Utility (Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility) If you're unfamiliar with it, be very careful. Partitioning can delete your data. Make a backup of anything on the drive before partitioning.

Reply

Answer 9

IanGPro

Level 1

0 points

May 29, 2013 5:12 PM in response to Agent O

which files do i put on the 5gb partition? the files inside my iso file?

Reply

Answer 10

May 29, 2013 6:40 PM in response to Agent O

Okay, tried this. It did not work! This mac refuses to recognize bootable devices, period. I am convinced. I'ved tried USB, disc, and now this separate partition. Nothing takes.

I am on an iMac 21.5 inch, mid 2010 upgraded to Mountain Lion 10.8.3

Reply

Answer 11

Agent O Author

Level 1

0 points

May 30, 2013 3:19 PM in response to bradmarch1

I was lucky enough to have a winclone backup to use after I upgraded to Mountain Lion, but I assume the boot process is the same.

You could also try formatting the partition as NTFS. I vaguely remember needing to use NTFS at some point to have the option to boot the partition. You'll need 3rd party NTFS drivers or you can use BootCamp assistant, but that has minimums well above 5gb.

It may also be important to use the USB install, not files straight from an ISO. If you can't get the bootcamp USB setup working, you may be able to use Parallels/VMWare to create a windows USB installer in windows.

Reply