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StoB14 Author

Level 1

6 points

Bootable volume on USB flash drive in boot camp

Hello,

I am trying to put Windows 7 on my MacBook Pro, and I just got a new USB drive for the Apple windows support software. When I choose the size of what I want to give to the new windows side, and I get a error message saying I can not continue because boot camp assistant needs to disable a "bootable volume" in order to continue. I have the windows 7 disc in my possession so. Can someone please explain what this is and how I can fix this issue? I really need to have windows on my Mac here pretty soon. Thanks!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Sep 10, 2014 5:27 PM

31 replies

StoB14 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 13, 2014 5:15 AM in response to Loner T

So I tried it again and I got the same error messages. When I first open Boot Camp Assistant and I supposed to have all the boxes checked?

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Sep 13, 2014 5:26 AM in response to StoB14

1. Does your Mac have an Optical Drive? If yes, there may be a different option. (Your DU screen shots show a Hitachi DVD).

2. Do you have another USB stick which is about 1GB?

a. If your Mac can install Windows from DVD, the only thing on the USB are Bootcamp drivers. These drivers can be loaded when Windows installation is complete.

b. The drivers can be loaded from the Apple website from the windows side using a browser.

c. If you click on cancel (rather than continue), what happens?

d. Is your disk, before Windows installation is started, a single-partition disk?

StoB14 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 13, 2014 8:18 AM in response to Loner T

Yes we have a optical drive. Yes I have a usb stick. If I click cancel nothing happens it just goes back to where I can choose what size I want to make the new side, and Yes the only side we have right now is the Mac side.

StoB14 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 13, 2014 8:19 AM in response to Loner T

Also, how can I install using just the DVD?

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Sep 13, 2014 8:20 AM in response to StoB14

1. Please skip the USB steps completely.

2. Install Windows without a USB, using just a DVD. Once the installation completes, you can download Windows drivers form the Apple website and install them to complete the Windows side.

StoB14 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 13, 2014 8:21 AM in response to Loner T

Okay, le me try that, thanks!

StoB14 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 13, 2014 8:28 AM in response to Loner T

I got the same error.....it says there was a error when partitioning the disk. (same as second screenshot above)

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Sep 13, 2014 9:21 AM in response to StoB14

The issue seems to be related to your hard disk being fragmented.

1. Can you run a TM backup and completely backup your OSX side?

3. You also need to make sure your MBP supports Local Recovery and Internet Recovery. Please see Computers that can be upgraded to use OS X Internet Recovery. If your MBP does not support either, you will need to locate the "Grey" restore disks, and restore from your full TM backup.

2. If you have a full backup, using OS X: About OS X Recovery , you can restore the full backup (which will also erase your internal disk) and allow Bootcamp to have enough contiguous space to be able to partition the disk.

StoB14 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 13, 2014 12:29 PM in response to Loner T

Okay thanks, I will get back to you later.

StoB14 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 15, 2014 4:18 AM in response to Loner T

I got windows installed, and everything was working fine until I went to put the bootcamp drivers that I had downloaded earlier the flash drive earlier.....when I click on the set up driver in the bootcamp folder, I get a error saying: The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows your running. But I bought a Home Premium 32 bit disk, because thats what I was told to get, so why isn't it working?????

Thanks!

Csound1

Level 9

59,979 points

Sep 15, 2014 4:26 AM in response to StoB14

StoB14 wrote:

I got windows installed, and everything was working fine until I went to put the bootcamp drivers that I had downloaded earlier the flash drive earlier.....when I click on the set up driver in the bootcamp folder, I get a error saying: The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows your running. But I bought a Home Premium 32 bit disk, because thats what I was told to get, so why isn't it working?????

Thanks!

You have the wrong drivers:

Go here: Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems, read it and then download the correct drivers for your Mac and the version of Windows you are using.

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Sep 15, 2014 4:32 AM in response to StoB14

You are trying to install 64-bit drivers on a 32-bit OS.

StoB14 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 15, 2014 7:36 AM in response to Loner T

Thanks guys!!! Thats what I thought but wasn't sure where to download them.

StoB14 Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 19, 2014 4:18 AM in response to StoB14

Everything seems to be working fine but I have one last question.....since I haven't used bootcamp in years, is there a way now that I can go to the windows side while in on the Mac side without shutting off the computer? I know you can in windows, but I'm not sure with the Mac side.

Csound1

Level 9

59,979 points

Sep 19, 2014 4:21 AM in response to StoB14

A reboot is required to go from one OS to the other, which way does not matter.

Bootable volume on USB flash drive in boot camp