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Level 1

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Error installing windows 7 on partition with Bootcamp.

I'm having issues when I try and istall Windows 7 using bootcamp on my Macbook Pro 15' Retina Late-2013.

I am able to create the USB Key with Windows 64-bit and Support files from apple with no issues. For this, I'm using a ScanDisk Extreme 32Gb USB 3.0.

So after creating the Key/Install Drive for Windows and the computer boots using the Flashdrive for installing windows, I get until the following step:

I am able to "Format" the Bootcamp partition (Parition 4) but when I try and select the partition for installing Windows, I get this:

I tried doing this mutiple times, earasing the bootcamp installation and starting over, re-downloading the files. I even tried to use an other Win7 ISO files from before Win7 SP1 but with no luck. I did also try to "Delete" the partition and then create a "New" partition from the unallocated space but that didn't work.

Any advice?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jan 26, 2014 6:36 AM

25 replies

clovisOSX Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2014 12:08 PM in response to Number88

sudo fdisk /dev/disk0:

Disk: /dev/disk0 geometry: 60821/255/63 [977105060 sectors]

Signature: 0xAA55

Starting Ending

#: id cyl hd sec - cyl hd sec [ start - size]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

1: EE 1023 254 63 - 1023 254 63 [ 1 - 977105059] <Unknown ID>

2: 00 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 [ 0 - 0] unused

3: 00 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 [ 0 - 0] unused

4: 00 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 [ 0 - 0] unused

sudo gpt -r -vv show disk0:

gpt show: disk0: mediasize=500277790720; sectorsize=512; blocks=977105060

gpt show: disk0: PMBR at sector 0

gpt show: disk0: Pri GPT at sector 1

gpt show: disk0: Sec GPT at sector 977105059

start size index contents

0 1 PMBR

1 1 Pri GPT header

2 32 Pri GPT table

34 6

40 409600 1 GPT part - C12A7328-F81F-11D2-BA4B-00A0C93EC93B

409640 975425848 2 GPT part - 48465300-0000-11AA-AA11-00306543ECAC

975835488 1269536 3 GPT part - 426F6F74-0000-11AA-AA11-00306543ECAC

977105024 3

977105027 32 Sec GPT table

977105059 1 Sec GPT header

When I boot from the Bootcamp USB, I get to the Windows Menu where it asks you to install windows? After I try to install it once and fail. After rebooting and holding "option" and manually selecting the USB, I get to the Windows install screen but after pressing "install", the installer asks me to load drivers and what not.

Hope this helps.

Number88

Level 3

800 points

Jan 29, 2014 12:13 PM in response to clovisOSX

Thanks, so your Bootcamp partition is now gone? So Disk Utility currently shows Macintosh HD using all the Disk?

I meant what is showing in the actual Alt + boot menu?

ie Macintosh HD, Recovery HD, Windows USB, EFI Boot USB?

clovisOSX Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2014 12:17 PM in response to Number88

Yes. Those 4 when the drive is plugged in.

and Yes, I have no partitions. Mac is using the entire harddrive.

Number88

Level 3

800 points

Jan 29, 2014 12:20 PM in response to clovisOSX

Interesting. And Bootcamp Assistant created the USB?

clovisOSX Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2014 12:22 PM in response to Number88

Yes. I'm trying it again in a few minutes so I'll tell you what exactly shows up.

clovisOSX Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 30, 2014 10:33 AM in response to clovisOSX

Okay. So, I got it to work. FINALY. Not thanks to apple support.

Here's what I did (it's pretty simple):

1. I booted Mac in Recovery Mode (Ctrl+R).

2. Opened disk utility.

2.a Repaired and Verified both my Macintosh HD and it's Defualt Partition.

2.b. Keep doing that until it comes up green for eavery part.

3. Rebooted and Opened bootcamp assistant:

3.a. Create the drive using a Windows 7 SP1 64bit ONLY iso file.

Note: I used a diffrent flashdrive this time, previously, I had tried with a USB 3.0 Sandisk but this time, I used a SanDisk USB 2.0 flashdrive.

3.b Partitioned the harddrive using bootcamp and restarted.

4. Booted onto the Bootcamp Drive.

5. Started the installation and when I get to the select a drive page:

5.a. Format the Bootcamp Drive

5.b. Install.

Note: I tried this over and over and it didn't work until I followed these precise steps.

Good Luck!

Thanks to those who helped out. 🙂

Number88

Level 3

800 points

Jan 30, 2014 11:03 AM in response to clovisOSX

So the disk (or partition) needed verifying/repairing, it seems.

I would have thought Apple would have suggested that and saved you some time 😁

I'll remember that myself!

Thanks for the update and glad to hear you're sorted 😎

clovisOSX Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 30, 2014 11:37 AM in response to Number88

It could have something to do with the flashdrive as well. Not sure. I did tweak a few other minor things. So it could be one of them, or it could be all of them. I had tried fixing the harddrive from system utilitites but you gotta do it from Recovery Mode.

Jan 30, 2014 2:43 PM in response to clovisOSX

Thanks for the info and effort. As a techno-dolt, I was hoping the answer would be "hold down control and shift together for 5 seconds."

Feb 3, 2014 1:37 PM in response to clovisOSX

Worked! Went through Recovery, repaired the hd, and everything went like a charm.

Ta very much!

Error installing windows 7 on partition with Bootcamp.