Bootable external HDD for Windows Install

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mazsi1911 Author

Level 1

8 points

Bootable external HDD for Windows Install

Hello,

So basically I dont have an optical drive to install windows, I have downloaded the .iso file from MSDN, its windows 7 Home Premium x64.

How can I install it? I have an option in boot camp assistant to make my External HDD a windows install capable drive, I have ticked it and it just doesnt work, it copied all the files it need, but when i try to boot from it, it doesnt show up.

How could I install windows ? I have only this external HD connected via USB.

MacBook Pro (17-inch Late 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Feb 9, 2013 1:22 AM

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Answer 1

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Feb 9, 2013 1:26 AM in response to mazsi1911

If you have a Late 2011 MacBook Pro, you should have an optical drive included on your Mac. Am I correct?

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Answer 2

mazsi1911 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 9, 2013 1:43 AM in response to mende1

Should yes, but since its dead from day of purchase i just throwed it out and put in a another hdd.

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Answer 3

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Feb 9, 2013 1:45 AM in response to mazsi1911

The option to install Windows from a USB drive is only compatible with Macs without a built-in SuperDrive, and your Mac has got one, so you can't use it.

In your case, you should get an external optical drive and install Windows using it, so you have to burn the ISO onto a DVD

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Answer 4

mazsi1911 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 9, 2013 4:17 AM in response to mende1

Yeah, I've gone into bootcamp contents and hacked it a litte, so it does the job. But my mac wont boot from it.

I tried to partition it with windows, then copy the iso's contents but doesnt helped.

I dont want to buy an external just to use it once, I heard that windows 7 can be installed from USB drives, so its better to solve the problem than just spend money because something doesnt work.

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Answer 5

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Feb 9, 2013 4:28 AM in response to mazsi1911

The problem is that the option to install Windows from a USB drive is also controlled by firmware. Unfortunately, the only solution is to buy an external optical drive.

Another option you have is to install Parallels, VMware Fusion or VirtualBox, and install Windows onto a virtual machine

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Answer 6

mazsi1911 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 9, 2013 6:55 AM in response to mende1

So there must be a hack of the firmware? I know in computer world everything is possible, if you want it.

If windows does support USB flash drive install, and I try rEFIT somehow I will get it work.

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Answer 7

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Feb 9, 2013 6:59 AM in response to mazsi1911

As the Mac firmware is closed, it's impossible to release a modified EFI version to allow the USB drive installation. You may make your MacBook Pro useless doing this. Also, rEFIt has got serious compatibility issues with OS X Lion and Mountain Lion, so you shouldn't use it

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