Problems installing Win 8.1 on OS X 10.9

Question

Problems installing Win 8.1 on OS X 10.9

I have a new MBA 11inch with 10.9 updated to 10.9.2 since yesterday.

I tried to install Win 8.1., started Bootcamp assistent, downloaded the drivers, partitioned and went on.

It was weird OS X launched and not windows setup. The bootcamp partition ist visible in OS X.

I started the bootloaded manually and selected the windows DVD. In the setup I have the problem that windows says that it cannot be installed because the partition is GPT and has to be NTFS.

I'm afraid a bit to partition to NTFS with the windows setup because I fear it will mess up the OS X bootloader.

Does someone have a suggestion?

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Mar 18, 2014 4:33 AM

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Answer 1

tug-

Level 3

685 points

Mar 18, 2014 6:06 AM in response to Jorge_el_presidente

the easiest option here would be to start over, something has gone wrong with your initial attemp. any attemp to format into NTFS could render your hdd un bootable wich would mean a complete re installation of osx.

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Answer 2

Mar 18, 2014 6:11 AM in response to tug-

ok thank you!

what exactly do you mean with "start over"? what process should I repeat?

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Answer 3

tug-

Level 3

685 points

Mar 18, 2014 6:33 AM in response to Jorge_el_presidente

to simply run bootcamp again from the begining. bootcamp will erase the first attempt and start again with a fresh install.

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Answer 4

Mar 18, 2014 7:00 AM in response to tug-

I'm Sorry, but it makes no difference. It's the same error that the partitio is GPT...

Do you have any other idea?

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Answer 5

Mar 18, 2014 7:12 AM in response to Jorge_el_presidente

You are likely not following the Boot Camp instructions located here: http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

As already suggested, start again. Start Boot Camp Assistant and select the option to remove Windows/Boot Camp and return the drive to a single partition. Then run Boot Camp Assistant, select the menu option to print, then read, then follow the instructions.During the process after you will be presented with a menu item to format the Boot Camp partition, do so.

Back up your drive before you restart the process in case something goes wrong. You don't want to lose your OSX data.

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Answer 6

tug-

Level 3

685 points

Mar 18, 2014 7:22 AM in response to Jorge_el_presidente

yes, but this will erase your bootcamp partition completely, which will not affect your mac at all so not to be concerned there. if you are happy to do this, this is what to do;

1) open disc utility and select your hdd (the long branded name, not the short name) click on "partition" then highlight the bootcamp partition by clicking on it.

2) click the minus sign then click apply.

3) there will now be a thin divider line where the partition was, drag this down to the bottom, click apply.

4) now restart, proceed again with bootcamp assistant with a fresh install.

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Answer 7

Mar 18, 2014 7:30 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

I think you misunderstood me:

As I said it makes no difference:

- I started the Bootcamp assistent again

- I erased the Win Partition and merged it with the Mac partition

- I partitioned again

And it's the same result. Again and again.

The Bootcamp partition is GPT and for this reason Win cannot be installed. When I try to format it new in the Win setup there comes the Windows Wait-symbol and it disappears after some seconds but the partition is not formated.

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Answer 8

tug-

Level 3

685 points

Mar 18, 2014 7:42 AM in response to Jorge_el_presidente

when this happens are you at the page that asks which drive you would like to install windows on?

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Answer 9

Mar 18, 2014 8:04 AM in response to tug-

yes the GPT thing is in the win setup where you have to select a harddisk or partition.

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Answer 10

Mar 18, 2014 8:38 AM in response to Jorge_el_presidente

See page 6 of the instructions. Is this where you are formatting the Boot Camp partition?

http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1636/en_US/boot_camp_install-setup_ 10.8.pdf

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Answer 11

Mar 18, 2014 8:51 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

Yes. if i go on format i get the waiting symbol but cannot click on next (or new or extend) because these icons are inactive.

wheni quit the installtion I see in OSX that the partition ist formatted in NTFS

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Answer 12

tug-

Level 3

685 points

Mar 18, 2014 10:29 AM in response to Jorge_el_presidente

check here to see if you have the most up to date bootcamp version, only the newer versions will support win 8.1

http://support.apple.com/downloads/#macoscomponents

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Answer 13

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Mar 18, 2014 11:40 AM in response to Jorge_el_presidente

Why don't you just start from scratch, reinstall OSX and go from there? You should be done in 2 hours vs spending hours trying to fix your partition/format issue.

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Answer 14

tug-

Level 3

685 points

Mar 18, 2014 11:54 AM in response to turbostar

why would the o p want to reinstall osx when the problem obviously lies in a bootcamp install? he mentions no other problem in his set up!

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Answer 15

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Mar 18, 2014 12:51 PM in response to tug-

Because he will be up and running in 2 hours.

It's the difference between trying to understand what went wrong vs fix it.

If he, you are in the former camp that's fine, my POV comes from being firmly in the latter. I'd much rather be up and running again in 2 hours vs waiting (so far +4 hours and counting as of his last post ...) for a solution.

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