Hi everyone. I want to install windows 7 on my iMac 24'' (mid 2008) but my optical disc drive is broken. I tried to install it with an USB flashdrive, but the system don't recognize it as a bootable device. I have the windows 7 ISO, vmware fusion, refit (i searched on the interet for the solution but i couldn't find any). thanks for help !
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
***Solution That Worked for ME***
I had a similiar problem where I wanted to install windows on a macbook pro (early 2009) that had a broken optical drive, using a bootable windows 7 USB, but the mac wouldn't recognize the USB because it only checks in the optical drive.
Solution:
1. Download the Windows 7 ISO file here: http://www.w7forums.com/threads/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads.12325 /
2. Use Windows 7 USB DVD Download tool (found here http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool to make a bootable windows 7 USB. (this has to be done on an exisiting windows machine, but there are googable solutions to do this process using just a mac)
3. Also transfer a copy of the ISO file to the mac
4. Use Daemon Tools Lite (free, found here: http://www.daemon-tools.cc/products/dtLite) to mount the ISO file thats on your mac. (open daemon tools, click quick mount, click the iso file, very easy!) This tricks bootcamp into thinking that a windows 7 install disk is inserted.
5. Run Boot Camp, I chose to skip downloading the drivers and did that separately here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5634 by cliking on the macbook pro model and then the number in the grid to download the boot camp drivers to a separete usb. Once windows was installed, it was easy to open the USB and run bootcamp settup.
**THE TRICK**
6. When the computer restarts after bootcamp finishes, insert the bootable windows 7 USB into the mac when the screen is black, and then hold down the C key as soon as you hear the mac turning on sound. This command tells the mac to boot from USB.
I did not find any discussions of simply pressing the C key to boot from USB in similiar threads, and people just said that you need the disk if your mac has an optical drive. I finally found this trick out here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1533
The windows installation should now be running, and all thats left now is to choose the Bootcamp partition when it asks, and to click on it, click drive options, click format, and then click next to continue on with the installation.
Hope this helps anybody that had the same problem as me, I did a lot of googling!
Someone please help me out I'm so close...again!! So kunu I followed your instructions perfectly a few months back (right before yosemite was released) and it was amazing how well it worked. But I got a corrupted update from windows along the lines and that messed everything up. But anyway I'm trying to do it again and I keep getting errors after the Windows install completes. Missing critical kernels drivers winload exe. Everything. It won't boot windows. I'm on a MacBook pro late 2009 and I got a hard drive bus bay for an additional hard drive instead of a super drive. I need any help I can get please and thank you!
Kunu thank you so much. You are DA MAN !!! 2
THANKKKK YOUUUUUU
saved me a lot of time.thanx!!
Thank you very match!!! 🙂
Hello VittorioZanetti. I know how to help! First, use your windows 7 iso and install it on vmware fusion. When that is completed, download windows 7 usb dvd download tool from the following link http://wudt.codeplex.com/
Then, if you can, configure shared folders and when windows 7 usb dvd download tool asks for your iso, go through your shared folder and continue. You will need a 4gb or more drive or maybe an 8gb and mount it in your virtual machine. When windows 7 usb download tool asks for your usb, choose the one you mounted in your vm and it will start formatting and copying files. When complete, exit your virtual machine. If you haven't already, configure a windows partition of your hard drive at least 10gb. Now, when it says start installation, go to the apple menu and click force quit and quit bootcamp assistant. Now, for the final part, reboot your computer and before the chime, hold the "C" key on your keyboard until you see another black screen. Then, continue with windows setup! If you need any help, be sure to post again and I will get back to you.
Hi friend, I wonder if the procedure is saying will work for imac with spoiled optical drive or only works for mac without optical disk drive?
Excuse the English, because I'm Brazilian.🙂
cassiobueno_90 wrote:
I wonder if the procedure is saying will work for imac with spoiled optical drive or only works for mac without optical disk drive?
It should work on all Macs.
Loner T, will not be able to test right now to have just started my working hours.
But I spent all week trying different tutorials and any success. My case is also optico driver and broken as I realized that have enough experience on the subject would an aid her in the procedure described above that I will try later once you arrive home from work. It would be possible? Thank you very much!
Yes, please post on this discussion or a new on one Bootcamp and ASC teams can provide assistance.
Ok. Thank you so much again!
Friend, all right ?!
I just do the procedure, again without success. Ends on the same screen as always: "No bootable device - insert boot disk and press any key"
And now what do I do?
Are you using the 'C' or Alt/Option key to boot?
Yes, I tried both ways ..
Please run a SMC Reset and NVRAM Reset and test.
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support
Friend, still not working!
Is there anything I can do?
Bootcamp without Optical disc drive
