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Level 1

14 points

Installation of Windows 7 Professional SP1 failed

Hi everybody,

I just tried to install Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-Bit OEM on my iMac 27" late 2012 running Mac OSX 10.9.2.

I opened Bootcamp assistant, put installation dvd into dvd reader, a USB pen drive in its slot. I selected "Download Windows support software" and "Install Windows 7", then pressed "Continue". Bootcamp downloaded and saved Windows support files, then partitioned my HDD, then rebooted and started to install windows. Here's the issue: it copied and uncompressed windows files, but when tried to install updates, it gave me error "Cannot determine local options offline" (or similar), then "No changes on this computer will be saved - Installation cancelled", and finally "Error 0x8000001". My computer restarted, and tried to boot from DVD or new windows partition: unsuccesfully, cause it couldn't find Bootmgr.

I tried to install windows again, booting form Pen drive, and allowing internet access via wi-fi first of all: i guessed it was an internet access issue, but it gave me same error.

What can I do please?

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Apr 10, 2014 3:25 PM

37 replies

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Apr 13, 2014 9:13 AM in response to Myrddid

If you're getting an error with USB, try a different stick. The DVD thing was a sideshow, you should be installing only with USB.

Also make sure only the USB flash drive is attached, we don't need the external DVD reader at all.

Myrddid Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 13, 2014 9:40 AM in response to Myrddid

No way, it didn't work, I get ever the same error...

About one month ago I installed Win7 Ultimate with the SAME pendrive, so I'm sure it's not its fault... I remember I had to try many times cause I got same error, but then it finally worked...

What can I do more?

Myrddid Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 13, 2014 9:42 AM in response to turbostar

Sorry, I didn't see your reply...

Only USB flash drive was attached, no other stuff...

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Apr 13, 2014 9:52 AM in response to Myrddid

At this point there are 3 likely issues ordered by likelihood

Flash drive (find/buy another usb2 one)

USB port (try a different USB port)

iMac hardware/software issue

The fact that you had this same issue last time before it magically worked leads me to believe either your flash drive or port itself is going wonky

Myrddid Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 13, 2014 9:54 AM in response to turbostar

I just tried another USB flash drive (8 GB, 2.0): no way!!

I tried both pendrives in all four USB slot, but I've got ever same error. 3 o 4 times their icons disappeared from my desktop (and from Finder too), and I had to eject them from Disk Utility...

Could it be useful for you?

Myrddid Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 13, 2014 9:55 AM in response to turbostar

So it seems to be only third option... should I bring my Mac to a Genius?

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Apr 13, 2014 10:05 AM in response to Myrddid

making sure you're not taking any shortcuts, are you doing anything manually or is bca doing EVERYTHING

the 16g usb key (that didn't work) had the ISO from the URL I gave you, right? and you let bca put that ISO on that drive?

if so and no luck, let's do the same thing with the 8gb key. let bca do all 3 options on this key (use a different USB port than with the 16gb key). before you do, use disk utility to reformat the key completely.

if you take the 3rd option, genius bar will clean reinstall OSX which you can do yourself. that would be the next step if your try with this 8gb key doesn't work.

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Apr 13, 2014 10:10 AM in response to Myrddid

if 2 different usb keys are doing this repeatedly on your machine, it now seems like an imac issue. could be simply worn out/loose usb ports so the connection is not stable.

try the 8gb drive since we already started but thinking its going to fail, too.

if you really want to rule out sw, we can do a clean install if you have all your files backed up. like i wrote, genius bar will likely do that unless their hardware test finds the issue first.

Myrddid wrote:

3 o 4 times their icons disappeared from my desktop (and from Finder too), and I had to eject them from Disk Utility...

Could it be useful for you?

Myrddid Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 13, 2014 10:16 AM in response to turbostar

Well, I just take a reservation to Genisu bar for tomorrow morning... I think we can try hardware test of the ports, and if it's ok, I'll try a clean install with your assistance... First of all I have to find a HDD which back up my data to.

Thanks again, I'll keep this post updated, so we can do clean install if it will be necessary...

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Apr 13, 2014 10:23 AM in response to Myrddid

Try a diagnostic yourself see if it finds anything, loose USB ports won't show up though

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509

Myrddid Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 13, 2014 12:28 PM in response to turbostar

Diagnostic done. I've made 2 tests (normal and deep) and both are ok. It seems to me that these tests wouldn't reveal USB ports problems... is this correct? Because if it is so, I'll bring Mac to Genius and see... Are you according to this?

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Apr 13, 2014 1:43 PM in response to Myrddid

Correct, physically loose ports wouldn't be reported

If you can show the Genius Bar the flash drives repeatedly mounting and dismounting, that wil be enough for them

Myrddid Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 13, 2014 1:59 PM in response to turbostar

Ok, I'll go and then report it to you here.

Myrddid Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 14, 2014 2:21 AM in response to turbostar

Here I am. Went to Genius bar, I explained the issue, so they booted iMac from another OS (on their net), tried bootacmp, and... it worked. It's a SW problem, so I have to find a HDD, back up my data, and make a clean install form Recovery partition.

Thanks so much Turbostar, you helped me to find out the problem... May I write you down here when I'm ready to make new installation?

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Apr 14, 2014 3:53 AM in response to Myrddid

glad it got sorted, yes, but do this before you re-install

go to the app store and DL whatever installer you have (mavericks, mt lion, etc)

google [name of OS] clean USB installer for instructions, good to have one laying around so you don't need to DL the OS every time

Installation of Windows 7 Professional SP1 failed