Boot Camp hanging before Windows install

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Level 1

8 points

Boot Camp hanging before Windows install

So, I’m working with a stripped down Mac Pro just to help eliminate as may variables as possible:

- 1TB internal that has been erased and verified + installation of a completely unmodified 10.9.3. (downloaded from Apple via Recovery option)

I boot into this fresh system and launch Boot Camp Assistant.

I check both options on page 2. (Download latest and Install Windows)

Boot Camp Assistant downloads from Apple and places latest Windows support software on my flash drive >Windows installDVD is inserted as requested >Assistantre-boots >hangs with grey screen

>wait 30 min.( just in case) >as before, I never get to the Windows setup phase.

shutdown

>reboot w/ option key >select Windows install DVD >seems to hang immediately >wait 30 min.( just in case) >as before, Inever get to the Windows setup phase.

This is the disk report for the 1TB internal:

What to try next?

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3), Mid 2012, 3.33 GHz 6-C24 GB

Posted on Jun 2, 2014 10:56 AM

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Answer 1

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Jun 2, 2014 1:52 PM in response to mristau

is anything at all connected to the machine besides kb, mouse and display? if so, disconnect everything.

the usb key should only be usb2

where is the DVD from? i would dl a fresh w7 sp1 iso and burn another disc unless you have another mac where you can confirm that the disc works

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Answer 2

mristau Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 2, 2014 3:19 PM in response to turbostar

Thanks - Mac Pro is stripped down to:

- keyboard, mouse, display

- 1TB internal that has been erased and verified + installation of a completely unmodified 10.9.3.

- USB Flash is 2.0 / 3.0 compatible that has been formatted MS-DOS(FAT)

- installation CD is Win 8 64Bit English 1pk DSP OEI, item PN: WN7-0040 purchased from Other World Computing.

(Same disc used for initial Windows install Fall 2013)

I’ve previously extracted an ISO from my install CD but same failed result.

I can’t find on Microsoft’s site any downloads that I can use. (They want you to download an installer (Akamai NetSession Interface) that only runs on Windows. If you know of a link, please let me know.

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Answer 3

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Jun 2, 2014 3:45 PM in response to mristau

strange, so you used this same exact disc to install before with no issues?

this is 8.0 pro only

http://getintopc.com/softwares/operating-systems/download-windows-8-pro/

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Answer 4

mristau Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 2, 2014 3:51 PM in response to turbostar

Yes - Same install disk.

I'm downloading from the link you provided and will post results later today.

Thanks

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Answer 5

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Jun 2, 2014 4:54 PM in response to mristau

if you have another mac, see if that disc will option boot or work in that bca, rare but disc could have gone wonky

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Answer 6

mristau Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 2, 2014 7:45 PM in response to turbostar

I downloaded Windows ISO from the link you sent (Thanks) but similar to other results.

(> Windows setup begins >I enter my Windows 8 key >Windows can’t find a drive for installation (even, from within Advanced option,formatting the disk during Windows setup process).

I have an old Mac Pro 2,1 running 10.6.8. Tried installing there and got much further in the Windows setup than any other recent attempt.

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Answer 7

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Jun 2, 2014 7:59 PM in response to mristau

so you got farther, before you had no activity and now with new disc, you get to the drive selection screen?

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Answer 8

mristau Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 3, 2014 11:24 AM in response to turbostar

My Mac Pro 5,1 is now stripped down to:

32GB flash that includes the newly downloaded ISO + the files shown:

+ a 1TB internal drive that has been erased and partitioned so:

When the Windows setup process looks for a drive to install, it cannot find an acceptable drive to continue installation.

When booting my old Mac Pro 2,1 w/ same flash drive and Windows Install DVD I get much further in the Windows setup process but dead end at a text/DOS screen wanting input but keyboard is dead. (I suppose that, without the support drivers installed, Windows sees no keyboard.)

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Answer 9

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Jun 3, 2014 11:38 AM in response to mristau

you're missing a subtle point, your mac pro will only officially install windows if windows is on a physical disc in the optical drive; the usb flash drive is for the support software installed after windows is running

you can try the usb boot camp hack (google) to enable installing windows purely off usb

so you have 2 options

somehow, get a disc to work in that machine, i sent you the iso so you could burn another bootable iso disc (again, google for steps)

successfully use the boot camp hack

UPDATE - the fact that the dvd is recognized in an older mac tells me that your optical drive in your current mac could be the issue

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Answer 10

mristau Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 4, 2014 9:26 AM in response to turbostar

Thanks. I'm away from machine but will test Friday.

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Answer 11

mristau Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 8, 2014 10:29 AM in response to mristau

I guess I'm down to swapping the optical drive from old MP into new MP.

I burned the downloaded .iso to DVD and, for the 100th time stepped through the BCA process while wondering what's wrong with a society (or me) that is willing to jump through infinite hoops of fire to address the deficiencies Apple software. The exact same outcome:

Have a fresh 10.9.5 system in bay 1, a 4GB thumb, and my Windows 8 install disc in optical drive.

Boot Camp "Assistant" progresses through download of Windows Support Software, auto-reboots and remains at white/grey screen. Forever!

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Answer 12

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Jun 8, 2014 11:33 AM in response to mristau

if you have another MP, try the disc boot camp etc on it just to see if it works, if so then you know the optical drive is the issue

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Answer 13

mristau Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 8, 2014 5:18 PM in response to turbostar

Connectors different on the two optical drives that I have...

The A drive is what came with my Mac Pro 5,1. (the possible problem drive)

The B drive is from my older Mac Pro. (the alternative to try)

So, to determine if the new drive is bad, I need a cable adaptor with one side that

plugs into the male end of the A cable (female) and a female that will plug into the B drive.

But not sure how to identify/describe what is needed. Help?

Message was edited by: mristau

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Answer 14

turbostar

Level 4

2,941 points

Jun 8, 2014 5:44 PM in response to mristau

My point is different, try it in the old machine with the working optical before going through the trouble of swapping drives

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Answer 15

mristau Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 9, 2014 10:45 AM in response to turbostar

I understand but

Windows 8 can't install with OS 10.6.8 and Mac Pro 2,1 (with perhaps better optical drive) can't be upgraded to 10.8 or 10.9.

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