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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

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120 replies

Oct 6, 2014 4:16 AM in response to skipsizemore

ok first want to say THANK you!!! I have spent almost a week frustrated by this issue. My solution was AGAIN slightly different. !



(Copied from initial post):



"...

1. Use Bootcamp to create EFI-bootable USB drive with the Windows ISO file. 2. Uninstall any previous installations of Bootcamp, restoring the partition table to one big Apple partition.

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

4. Reboot the machine to the USB drive

..."



(here is where my experience may help some users. My MacPro early 2011 w/ hybrid SSD 1TB would show black screen reading "add boot disk then hit any key...(which one is the any key??)" My solution of course holding option/alt key when booting (*** soon as you hear the startup 'PING' and before the first grey screen) then selection "efi boot" THEN I did not partition/delete/ do anything at the screen that shows all partitions, you should have a blank unpartitioned space (that you set up in part 3). Select the "unpartitioned space" and then simply click next! GAAAAH finally...then continue with your install. Oh and I used windows 8.1 Pro from 123MyIT.com.



I hope this helps some of you out there! This was a ridiculous waste of time.

Nov 30, 2014 11:43 AM in response to skipsizemore

I had the same issue and called Apple. This is what they did to fix the problem. I have Macbook Pro 15" OS X Yosemite, and was trying to install Windows 8.1 pro. I could get to "finalizing" in the process of installing Windows, and it failed with an error message "Windows could not update the computer's boot configuration. Installation cannot proceed."


1. Unplug the power code. Shut down the computer.

2. Press shift Control-Option keys and power button at the same time. (I think they did part of this--Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) - Apple Support)

3. Turn off your mac again. Then turn on your mac and immediately press and hold the option-command-P-R keys. Continue holding the keys down till your mac restarts, and hear the start up sound for the second time. (I think they did this--OS X Mavericks: Reset your computer’s PRAM)

4. Open disk utility. Choose Mac HD on the left, and run "verify disk", run it for the second Mac HD on the list (indented under Mac HD on the top) as well. (Here, there seemed no problem on my HD, so I didn't run "repair disk" but you might have to do it if your disk has a problem)

5. Also run "repair disk permissions" on both Mac HD. Restart your computer.

6. Plug the power code in, and go through all the installation process again. The error message didn't show up and I was able to install Windows 8.1 pro.

Jan 4, 2015 5:02 PM in response to skipsizemore

Guys


I have tried every variation in this thread and its not working for my new Macbook Pro retina.


What can I do? I am very stressed out and have waste now 2 days of my life which I wont get back.


Please help me.


I have also tried holding options + cmd + r + p, tried verifying and repairing disk all partitions in Disk Utils, still not working.


BOOTCAMP is very poorly developed software.

Jan 18, 2015 2:16 PM in response to skipsizemore

I Had this problem on my 2013 Mac Pro, attempting to install Winders 8.1.


I found doing a PRAM reset fixed it.


AFter the the failed install, reboot holding down the Alt/Option key, the Command key, and the 'P' and 'R' keys All at the same time. You should hear two tart up chimes within ten or fifteen seconds of each other.


Boot out into the Mac OS if it doesn't automatically do so. Open the Bootcamp app, and remove the windows partition. Re-Start your Mac.


Start-up again within the Mac OS, and once again load the Bootcamp app. Un-tick the option to create a USB installer and the option to download the required windows software - you should already have this on a USB stick, but if you don't, you will need to follow these steps.


As the option for 'creating' a partition is still ticked, and making sure you have the USB with the windows OS and Bootcamp software plugged in to your computer, click next. The computer will restart and start installing Windows.


FInally, you need to make sure no thunderbolt accessories are plugged into your computer. This doesn't need to actually happen until after you are asked to enter a serial number, so if your keyboard is running off a Thunderbolt hub, disconnect it after entering the serial but before clicking next (Making sure you still have a working mouse!).

Feb 2, 2015 9:46 AM in response to skipsizemore

I have spent 3 days trying to get my 2011 MBP to get Windows 8.1 install and failed with all methods.


I then came across this post:


The ultimate way to install Windows 8.x in (U)EFI mode on Apple systems


By doing download and performing the GPT fdisk tasks, this made the original instructions in this thread work for me (I didnt have to assign a drive letter as it says)

Mar 30, 2015 6:34 PM in response to skipsizemore

Thanks buddy. You really helped. Your advice aligns with a Youtube vid, but they use bootcamp (then delete the 'BOOTCAMP' at installation time) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPRAJVw6n8c


Just amazes me that we give Apple 1000s of dollars and they're too lazy to get their **** together and plebs like me have to rely on awesome individuals like you to get the thing running.

Apr 26, 2015 9:53 AM in response to skipsizemore

This wouldn't work for me initially. Tried lots of suggestions in this thread. The important bit turned out to be the PRAM reset. Then OP's solution worked just fine.

Jun 29, 2015 11:28 AM in response to skipsizemore

Woop,woop. I was very MacGrumpy today as I'd installed win7 via bootcamp no problems, but since removing it (via Boot Camp Assistant) It'd had the litany of partition woes (JUST USED Gparted Live USB to kill that after hours wasted with OS X Disk Futility, but was getting nowhere with 8.1 via std Bootcamp.


You saved me a grand as I had got the lump hammer out prior to finding this post. BCA should come with a warning that it will only work once, and then if you are lucky 🙂

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

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