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Level 1

8 points

No Bootable Device Error when trying to bootcamp!

Hey guys I have been trying to bootcamp on and off for the past month or so now. Anyway I downloaded a windows 7 x32 bit iso from Microsoft's website. I then used Burn to burn it to a disc by doing: Copy> Dragging the image in> Mount and then right clicking on the image on the desktop and clicking burn to disc. Not bootcamp itself worked fine, a bit slow, but i managed to make a 100gb partition. Now whenever I try to boot into windows, I get the dreadfull "No bootable device - insert a bootable device and press any key"

I know the .iso is valid because i succesfully made a Parallels V<M with it, but parallels is too slow for skyrim.

I think its also important to note that I have using an external optical drive, since my dad got gum in it XD.

Anyways help is VERY MUCH appreciated! If you need anymore info, just ask.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Dec 10, 2012 1:06 PM

17 replies

Jan 3, 2013 8:42 PM in response to 空気読めない

Plausible explanation of why installing from any external disk (USB or DVD or otherwise) may not be reliable:

http://refit.sourceforge.net/help/usb_disk.html

Jan 4, 2013 10:05 AM in response to Mac-Monster

Fixed. Hope this works for you.

Solution

Try installing Windows 7 from an older (but popular) USB key. Borrow a friend's if you don't have one. Try to get one made before your Mac shipped.

Info

Older Mac firmware may not have support for newer external drives. Firmware loads after hardware sanity checks, but before booting the OS, and therefore if it doesn't have good support for your external drive, it won't be able to continue the chain of execution into OS/installer boot. Older Macs may not be able to detect as blessed/bootable and load the file system from a newer (or otherwise unsupported) external drive.

Example

The 2010 Mac Book Air would not boot the "WININSTALL" disk of the Windows 7 installer created by Boot Camp Assistant on my newer Lexar USB key, but the 2012 Air had no problem. Switching to an older USB key solved the problem on the 2010 Air.

No Bootable Device Error when trying to bootcamp!