how to install windows 8 using bootcamp with no optical drive

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how to install windows 8 using bootcamp with no optical drive

Hi,

I have a mac book pro 17" late 2011 with Mountain Lion installed.

I have previously installed a windows 7 using bootcamp without an optical drive by creating an install disk as part of boot camp option.

I still don't have an optical drive.

The other day I removed my Windows 7 since I want to try Windows 8 but when I try using boot camp to install windows 8 it is asking for an optical drive and the option to create an install disk is not available anymore.

Any idea on this issue?

Thanks much 🙂

MacBook Pro

Posted on Aug 1, 2012 7:43 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 1, 2012 8:19 PM in response to On!n

On!n,

I was able to install Windows 8 on my MacBook Air with mountain lion. Unfortunately, I uninstalled it because there was some problems (not with the OS). I am trying to figure out how to do it in boot camp. I'm going to the Genius Bar tomorrow to have them try to install the x64 bit version again. I will reply when I get back.

Chris2four

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Answer 2

On!n Author

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Aug 1, 2012 9:01 PM in response to Chris2four

Thanks Chris. Looking forward to your reply. Good Luck !

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Answer 3

On!n Author

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Aug 1, 2012 9:12 PM in response to On!n

I was able to "enable" that option and installing windows 8 using boot camp right now. I'll keep you posted here if I don't encounter any issues.

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Answer 4

dbtwin28

Level 1

9 points

Aug 2, 2012 1:19 AM in response to On!n

How did you "enable" the option? 😕

I'm having the same problem you described in your original post. Aug 1, 2012 9:43 PM

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Answer 5

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Aug 2, 2012 4:25 AM in response to On!n

Windows 8: enable Hyper-V, it really helps.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/03/windows-8-on-a-macbook-air-beautiful-and-kinda -broken/

http://www.windows-now.com/blogs/robert/hyper-v-3-0-confirmed-for-windows-8-clie nt.aspx

http://www.windows8update.com/2011/12/06/enabling-hyper-v-in-windows-8/

http://huguesval.com/blog/2012/02/installing-windows-7-on-a-mac-without-superdri ve-with-virtualbox/

Disable Windows 8’s Adaptive Brightness to Fix Dark Screen Problems

http://www.howtogeek.com/107173/disable-windows-8s-adaptive-brightness-to-fix-da rk-screen-problems/

It should be straight forward and no different, except you are burning an ISO and that always needs to be done at slowest burn speed for any version of Windows.Otherwise it won't work (even if it manages to install it will fail on restart or some other point).

Windows 8 Release Preview

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/default

https://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/?Redirected=true

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Answer 6

On!n Author

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Aug 2, 2012 8:07 AM in response to On!n

this site helped me "enable" that option:

http://www.codez4mac.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=212&t=61921

I was able to restart my mac then I encountered the:

"no bootable device found" error

so I installed reFit then I was able to select the correct boot option.

I continue installing windows 8 but again another error:

I wasn't able to choose my boot camp partition to install Windows 8. It is saying it needs to be formatted which I did and it allowed me to proceed.

After the installer finished copying the necessary files I encountered another error again:

"windows 8 could not update boot configuration"

and the installation just halted 😟

any ideas about this?

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Answer 7

Aug 2, 2012 7:24 PM in response to On!n

Ok everyone. I'm Back from the Genius Bar. They don't know how to do it but we worked together and figured it out. Here's the instuctions. If any errors happen, view the bottom section of this letter.

Step 1: Set up boot camp.

Go to the Launch Pad and select Boot Camp Assistant.
Follow the On screen instructions.
Your Computer should restart.
Turn off your computer.
Turn on your computer (Hold down the Alt/Option key)
(Be sure the MS Windows 8 disc is out of the computer) Insert the disc (SuperDrive or Built-in).
Two little discs should appear.
Select Windows
Wait for it to load.
Enter the prouduct key.
Select Drive x Partition x BOOTCAMP
It should say cannot install on Drive x Partition x
Click Advanced Options/More Options.
Click Format (This will format it as NTFS)
Click Next
DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Errors: Go to apple. They're the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Answer 8

On!n Author

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Aug 2, 2012 10:49 PM in response to Chris2four

Good for you. Congrats.

I still have a problem though:

"windows 8 could not update boot configuration"

installation halted when I received that error.

I restarted my mac tried again now it is giving me a different error:

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

I might format my current Hard Drive and restart the whole process and see what will happen.

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Answer 9

Aug 3, 2012 10:56 AM in response to On!n

hmmmm...

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Answer 10

Aug 3, 2012 10:58 AM in response to Chris2four

try this http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/windo ws-7-the-selected-disk-has-an-mbr-partition/5aee7be1-3038-4290-a283-75806dc1be1f

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Answer 11

Aug 3, 2012 10:58 AM in response to Chris2four

32-bit or 64?

In my case, 64.

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Answer 12

Aug 3, 2012 11:02 AM in response to On!n

contact microsoft if the link I gave you doesn't work.

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Answer 13

Aug 3, 2012 11:05 AM in response to On!n

AH HA!

Boot into apple,

Delete the partition in disk utility,

and retry the instructions I gave you.

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Answer 14

On!n Author

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Aug 3, 2012 11:38 AM in response to Chris2four

I tried that but when I am in the Windows Setup Choosing the partition it is still giving me errors.

What I noticed is that I have 2 other partitition that I don't know how to delete or merge back with the disk.

1. Legacy OS

2. Windows bootx64.efi

3. 120 gig mountain lion

4. 100 gig for boot camp

This is what I have in my disk right now. So I am thinking that even though I format my hard drive I will still have those partition which will not allow me to install Windows 8.

So frustrating but I really appreciate your suggestions.

I'll keep this thread updated.

Thanks.

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Answer 15

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Aug 3, 2012 1:06 PM in response to Chris2four

Disk Utility is not designed to remove Boot Camp partitions, especially if you want to recreate and install Windows again later.

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