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skipsizemore Author

Level 1

4 points

Can't install Windows 8 x64 on late 2013 MBP with1TB SSD

Just got my new MBP and I'm trying to install Windows 8 using Bootcamp. I've tried using the DVD (with the thumb drive bootstrapper created by Bootcamp) and also an image written to the thumb drive by Bootcamp. In both cases, the install seems to go fine -- files copied, files "readied" (whatever that means) and so forth, all the way to 100%. Right after this step, though, the installation quits with the popup error message:

"Windows could not update the computer's boot configuration. Installation cannot proceed."

The installation quits right there, and tells me "The installation was canceled" and "Any changes to your computer won't be saved." Then it reboots.

I have tried repairing the installation using a Windows 8 repair disk, and I've tried (using the command prompt from the repair disk) to fix the MBR. Nothing works.

My best guess is that the x64 drivers for this model are not working properly, but I really have no idea. Searching the 'net has yielded nothing helpful. I suppose I'll have to bring it in to the Genius Bar, but I'd really rather save that couple of hours if I can avoid it.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9), Late 2013, 2.6 GHz, 1TB SSD

Posted on Oct 23, 2013 9:24 PM

120 replies

skipsizemore Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 3, 2013 9:21 AM in response to classified11

I have never seen Windows say that it has to be installed on a GPT, although I have seen the opposite error. I expect that if you use the Windows Installer advanced options to re-create the partition and format it, it will make what it needs.

As for getting the EFI boot option, it showed up for me every time. I created the USB boot disk by using the Disk Utilities in OS X to first create an image of my Windows 8 DVD, then using Bootcamp to create the bootable USB. I disconnected the DVD drive and booted with the USB stick in the right-hand port, and it offered me EFI as an option.

Nov 3, 2013 2:15 PM in response to skipsizemore

I finally got Windows 8 to install on my new Retina MacBook Pro (15", 750M graphics).

What hadn't worked for me: going through the Boot Camp Setup Assistant, setting up a partition then using a Windows 8 Pro DVD to go into the installer. I tried installing to the Boot Camp partition, I tried deleting that partition and letting Windows re-create it; nothing worked

What finally worked for me: I used Disk Utility to create a disk image of the Windows 8 Pro DVD and to convert the .dmg to an ISO. I then used the Boot Camp Setup Assistant to copy that ISO (along with the Boot Camp Windows-side stuff) to a USB flash drive. It rebooted from the flash drive and installed Windows with no problem. I think it was even in EFI mode, because the Windows modals were almost too tiny to read.

Once Windows 8 was installed, I upgraded to 8.1 on the Windows Store. It's all worked fine!

It's really weird that the various solutions work for some people but not others. I think this is some deep, weird, strange problem that's affected by some factors no one's guessed at yet.

jarvil

Level 1

15 points

Nov 3, 2013 5:59 PM in response to skipsizemore

skipsizemore wrote:

5. Using the Windows Advanced partition options, create a new partition in the empty space. Windows will also create a small (128 MB or so) partition alongside it.

I hope that this will work for the rest of you!

Where are you seeig the Windows Advanced partition option? How are you getting to this pre-installation?

skipsizemore Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 3, 2013 6:19 PM in response to jarvil

Hi, jarvil, I am talking about the Advanced options that are available when Windows asks where you want to install it. If I recall correctly, you'll see a list of partitions, and below that an "Advanced" link. Clicking that will let you remove the Bootcamp partition, re-create it, and format it. I'm fuzzy on the details, but I do remember that these were the steps I followed, and that I needed to get to the advanced options.

DYKWIA

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2013 12:56 AM in response to skipsizemore

I eventually got 8.1 installed by installing Windows 7, upgrading to 8.0, then upgrading to 8.1

Almost a day wasted 🙂

Nov 5, 2013 6:17 PM in response to DYKWIA

I can't even get to the screen asking about partitions. Once the very first screen pops up after booting off of the thumb drive, my keyboard and mouse do not work. Plugging in a usb mouse doens't work either (mouse doesn't even get power).

Any ideas?

Nvius

Level 1

0 points

Nov 5, 2013 6:55 PM in response to legaleye300

I had a similar issue once I had Windows installed and prompted me to Personalize/Set Up Windows. The issue was that I was using a USB 3.0 stick for my bootable device. Switching to a USB 2.0 stick solved my problem. Did not have a problem using my mouse/keyboard for the partitions, but I have a feeling this solution might work for you.

Nov 5, 2013 6:58 PM in response to Nvius

My USB stick is USB 2.0, not 3.0...

Nov 6, 2013 4:58 AM in response to Orphaned Gland

I'm not even getting that far... When booting from Windows on usb, keyboard/mouse don't work when asking what language I want to install (very first screen when setup begins).

peter.y

Level 1

0 points

Nov 7, 2013 11:23 AM in response to skipsizemore

After formatting the new partition in the windows setup stage, it wont let me proceed saying that it can't install the content onto this partition...? any chance you have a solution for this as well?

skipsizemore Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 7, 2013 11:27 AM in response to peter.y

Hi, peter.y, did you format the partition after you created it? I believe that I had to explicitly tell Windows to format it after it was created. If that doesn't solve your problem then you should post the exact error message you see -- someone has seen it before, I am sure.

peter.y

Level 1

0 points

Nov 7, 2013 12:18 PM in response to skipsizemore

I've got it to go pass that stage, and it was installing went smoothly until the finishing up stage, where it comes up with the error messages saying... "windows could not update the computer's boot configuration. installation cannot proceed"..!@#$#&*@(

Number88

Level 3

806 points

Nov 7, 2013 10:54 PM in response to ynot729

That sounds like you booted Windows in EFI mode.

cportela

Level 1

8 points

Nov 8, 2013 1:19 PM in response to skipsizemore

Thank you for sharing your solution. I followed your instructions to the letter but when it came to completing the installation Windows would give me an error. I forgot exactly what it was but something about "unable to write to disk or to partition table" or something along those lines. Essentially I had to insert a new item (3a) into your original recipe:

3. Use Disk Utility in OS X to create empty space of the size I want my Windows partition to be.

3a. Use Disk Utility to create a FAT partition that takes up all of the space left on the disk.

4. Reboot the machine to the USB drive.

During installation Windows created the 128MB partition all on its own and left the rest for Windows.

My MBP comes with a 1TB SSD and I suspect this is why I had to do this... but I am only speculating.

BTW, I was installing Windows 8.1 Pro.

Thanks!

Nov 9, 2013 1:08 AM in response to skipsizemore

The only way you can install windows7,8 to late 2013 MBPR use USB 3.0 device.i think the problem happen from USB 3.0 Port against the bootcamp drivers problem.The 4th intel CPU or CHIP default USB 3.0 at begining,so the MBPR always happened windows installation default UBS 2.0.

Can't install Windows 8 x64 on late 2013 MBP with1TB SSD