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Dan Smithson Author

Level 1

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Partitioning in Bootcamp using Mountain Lion

When trying to download Mountain Lion, I was given an error message that stated that there was a conflict with Bootcamp. I went to Disk Utilities and Erased Bootcamp, hoping that would solve the problem and was correct. However, now that Mountain Lion is downloaded, I have Bootcamp as a slot appearing like my Harddrive, but there's no information. When I try and partition again to download Windows 7, I'm given an error message "The startup disk must be formatted as a single Mac OS Extended (Journaled) volume or already partitioned by Boot Camp Assistant for installing Windows."

How do I do this?

Posted on Nov 18, 2012 7:40 AM

67 replies

Dan Smithson Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 11, 2012 10:21 AM in response to Dan Smithson

It's also giving me a note saying I need to reboot from the recovery system which isn't showing any longer when I hold down Option. This being an OS that was downloaded I don't have a disc to reboot from.

Csound1

Level 9

59,979 points

Dec 11, 2012 10:23 AM in response to Dan Smithson

I have no idea what you have done, you should have used CCC to clone your internal (including recovery partition) to the external drive you just bought, but it does not seem that happened.

What did you do?

Dan Smithson Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 11, 2012 10:23 AM in response to Dan Smithson

I forgot about CCC - I'm using it now. However, it's saying that the Lacie isn't one recommended for Intel Macs, so not sure if I have to partition it first, then try.

Dan Smithson Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 11, 2012 10:23 AM in response to Dan Smithson

CCC did mention that the external needs to be partitioned, so.

Csound1

Level 9

59,979 points

Dec 11, 2012 10:26 AM in response to Dan Smithson

Dan Smithson wrote:

I forgot about CCC - I'm using it now. However, it's saying that the Lacie isn't one recommended for Intel Macs, so not sure if I have to partition it first, then try.

Yup, LaCie's are patchy, I never use them but if you can partition and format for Mac it should be OK (but it may not boot in which case send it back and order a replecement from OWC

Can you still boot from the internal drive?

Dan Smithson Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 11, 2012 10:31 AM in response to Csound1

I can, yes. Wish I would've known the right questions to ask when I bought it, but oh well. Cloning now.

Csound1

Level 9

59,979 points

Dec 11, 2012 10:34 AM in response to Dan Smithson

Dan Smithson wrote:

I can, yes. Wish I would've known the right questions to ask when I bought it, but oh well. Cloning now.

Don't buy trouble, it may work, we'll see.

Dan Smithson Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 11, 2012 2:44 PM in response to Csound1

It did work, I was able to boot from it. I cloned the external, then booted to it, erased the main and used CCC to clone from the external. Once I booted back to the main I tried using Bootcamp and it started to download the Windows support software, but it seemed to lock there without anything being downloaded. It also didn't give the option to partition before that. Not sure what's up now.

Csound1

Level 9

59,979 points

Dec 11, 2012 4:20 PM in response to Dan Smithson

Run disk repair (boot from the clone)

Dan Smithson Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 12, 2012 3:57 AM in response to Csound1

I Verified and Repaired from the external, then booted back to the main and get stuck at the "Downloading Windows support software..." in Bootcamp Assistant. So I was thinking about downloading a clean version of the new OS to the external and try recloning using CCC from the external instead of doing it from the main. Wondering if there's something on the main that's only copying a glitch to the external and then back again. There's been no progress in downloading at all, so.

Csound1

Level 9

59,979 points

Dec 12, 2012 11:16 AM in response to Dan Smithson

Dan Smithson wrote:

I Verified and Repaired from the external, then booted back to the main and get stuck at the "Downloading Windows support software..." in Bootcamp Assistant. So I was thinking about downloading a clean version of the new OS to the external and try recloning using CCC from the external instead of doing it from the main. Wondering if there's something on the main that's only copying a glitch to the external and then back again. There's been no progress in downloading at all, so.

The download problems have nothing to do with your OS, do not do as you suggested. Carry on and install Windows without the support software, you can get it later (but it will take time, and may fail regularly)

Dan Smithson Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 13, 2012 1:48 AM in response to Csound1

Bootcamp Assistant never does the partitioning step before that though, so how would I get to that step otherwise?

Csound1

Level 9

59,979 points

Dec 13, 2012 8:46 AM in response to Dan Smithson

Dan, unless you start giving up the information you are receiving how can I help

"Bootcamp Assistant never does the partitioning step before that though"

What does that mean, does BC go out for lunch? does the machine sut off or is there an error message, and if so could you share it please.

Dan Smithson Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 13, 2012 2:46 PM in response to Csound1

I start up Bootcamp Assistant in Applications, Click to continue and the option to download Windows support software or you state that you already have it on another disk. After clicking continue, it goes to the Downloading page, I see a barber shop look to the progress bar, then nothing happens after that. It's like the downloading part just doesn't happen. I get no error message or anything... I'm never given the option to partition, though the explanation prior to that states that the sequence of events would be that the partitioning part is after downloading the support software.

Csound1

Level 9

59,979 points

Dec 14, 2012 12:17 PM in response to Dan Smithson

OK, with you now, the Support software download is notoriously unreliable, many attempts are not uncommon, very slow download speeds are also frequent. Be patient with it. It can take hours so wait until it finishes, or fails with an error.

You can try going to System Preferences>Network>Advanced>Proxies, uncheck everything in the protocol box and try with and without Passive Mode checked (below the protocol box)

Partitioning in Bootcamp using Mountain Lion