Cannot install windows 8 because the disk is in MBR partition. Need help.

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Cannot install windows 8 because the disk is in MBR partition. Need help.

I am on a MacBook Pro 13" Early 2011. I am trying to install Windows 8(OEM) using bootcamp witht a USB. I made the USB bootable from the Windows Usb tool, and made the Bootcamp partition through bootcamp. I hold down the option key at startup and select the usb. It starts the setup, everything is fine untill I select advance option to install and select the BOOTCAMP partition. It says you need a GUID partition table to install but I have MBR. I have checked in disk utility and the partition map scheme is GUID partition table. Do i have to format the whole drive to fix this? That really isn't a problem. Also, FYI, this mac recently had its logic board replaced by apple. Could that have anything to do with it?

I have been stuck on the problem for days and it is getting really frustrating. Any help is appriciated. Thank you.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 22, 2013 6:48 PM

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Answer 1

steve359

Level 6

17,187 points

Jul 22, 2013 6:50 PM in response to Noor440

Bootcamp partitions must be "internal", not USB/external.

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Answer 2

Noor440 Author

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Jul 22, 2013 6:53 PM in response to steve359

Wait I don't understand, you're saying I am getting this error because I am using a usb?

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Answer 3

steve359

Level 6

17,187 points

Jul 22, 2013 6:54 PM in response to Noor440

Yes. The Bootcamp partition must be in the internal SATA bus.

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Answer 4

Noor440 Author

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Jul 22, 2013 6:58 PM in response to steve359

The bootcamp partition is on my hard drive, Macintosh HD. The OS is on the usb.

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Answer 5

steve359

Level 6

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Jul 22, 2013 7:09 PM in response to Noor440

I am going o ask this be put into Bootcamp forum, to be under the attention of more Bootcamp folk.

Most Bootcamp installs are on an internal GUID disk, where BCA (Bootcamp Assistant) alters the bootsector in the GUID to have a second partition. But you ONLY use BCA to create this.

My guess (guess is not great, so hope another confirms) is you format the internal disk to GUID to start.

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Answer 6

Noor440 Author

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Jul 22, 2013 8:51 PM in response to steve359

OK thanks for the input, I will post on Bootcamp forum.

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Answer 7

Jul 22, 2013 9:35 PM in response to Noor440

You have the ISO image of the installer on the USB, right?

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Answer 8

Noor440 Author

Level 1

1 points

Jul 22, 2013 9:35 PM in response to stevejobsfan0123

Yes

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Answer 9

Courcoul

Level 6

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Jul 23, 2013 12:19 AM in response to Noor440

I believe the Windows-Installer-on-USB option only works on Retinas and Airs. In other words, on Macs that do not have an optical drive by default. According to what was discussed in other similar threads, it is a firmware issue and meant to be this way.

Can confirm practically. Just hosted a OS X 101 training course for student lab admins and had 20 people on as many iMacs with Mountain Lion 10.8.4. We did BootCamp and VirtualBox with Win7 and Win8, both Enterprise Edition ISOs from our Campus Agreement. Tried with 3 different brands of USB sticks, preparing them with the Official Microsoft USB Burner software. No dice. Heck, we even installed a PC with one, just to confirm the thing worked. But BootCamp didn't, Ended having to burn a bunch of DVDs.

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Answer 10

Noor440 Author

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Jul 23, 2013 12:22 AM in response to Courcoul

Yeah I have tried with many different usb and iso as well. I guess I will just purchase a DVD and burn it. Do you have any suggestion on which software I should use to burn.

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Answer 11

Courcoul

Level 6

18,726 points

Jul 23, 2013 12:28 AM in response to Noor440

Once you have the ISO file, just run Disk Utility, click on the Burn icon in the toolbar, locate and select the file, then pop the blank DVD in the SuperDrive and let'er rip. Make sure you set it to Verify after Burn.

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