early-2009 iMac Windows 7 Pro 64-bit

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early-2009 iMac Windows 7 Pro 64-bit

I have a 24" early-2009 iMac (2.66 Ghz, Intel based, 8 GB of RAM, 2 TB hard drive, Mountain Lion OSX). Apple's website fails to list my particular iMac in the list of machines that can only run Windows 7 Pro 32-bit so I bought a 64-bit copy (there was another website that I located that listed my iMac as being capable of running both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions). Today I went to load Windows 7 throuh bootcamp, but the instructions for bootcamp state that the 64-bit version can only work on iMacs starting in LATE 2009.

Does anyone know if the version of Windows 7 that I have will work with my iMac? Anyone had any success loading Windows 7 Pro 64-bit through bootcamp on an early-2009 iMac?

Please note that I posted a similar question earlier today, but it wasn't listed under this particular community and figured this was the better place to ask this question. Also, I have reviewed other similar postings but most seem to get into the technical issues of loading Windows 7 through bootcamp, but don't address the issue here of using an early-2009 iMac. If, however, I have overlooked such a posting then please direct me to it because I want to get Windows running so I can run Microsoft Office.

Thanks.

Mac OS X (10.7.4), 8GB Ram, 2 TB HD

Posted on Aug 6, 2012 1:33 PM

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Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Aug 6, 2012 2:07 PM in response to jtmarshall73

There has always been a way to get x64 to install - where there is will there is way. I have 2006 Mac with 64-bit processor (Xeon) but EFI is 32-bit, which would also mean that even if I used 32-bit Windows I would only be able to use a meager 1.9GB RAM! to say I ain't about to and amused at this is an understatement.

http://www.gopulls.com/blog/2009.08.26/install-windows-7-x64-on-a-mac-beat-the-s elect-cd-rom-boot-type-error/

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2372797?threadID=2372797&tstart=0

http://sergiomcfly.blogspot.com/2008/04/select-cd-rom-boot-type-when-installing. html

Some require using your Windows in a VM first.

VirtualBox is free VM

Windows 8 Preview is also free (32/64 versions)

The iMac was really strange. Even the 2008s had Penryn 64-bit processor and Apple had started supporting both MacBook and MacBook Pro 64-bit (they later degraded MacBook to not being supported in late 2008 - really ).

You want Office, and it might run just fine in 32-bit in a VM so another reason to try VirtualBox - I know Excel runs better natively

Macs that work with 64-bit editions of Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows 7

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1846

If you see this:

"Installation error: Boot Camp x64 is unsupported on this computer model."

Means just use control+click and "Troubleshooting Compatibility Mode" and/or use the BOOTCAMP64.msi app directly instead of SETUP or anything else. I know Lion Boot Camp support software is even more agressive at this whole "unsupported" stuff - very odd to say the least.

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