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Level 1

8 points

Bootcamp no device drivers found (Windows 7 64-bit)

Hello,

I am desperately trying to install Windows 7 64-bit on my mid-2011 MacBook Pro, on a 100g partition made by Bootcamp.

My Macbook is using the latest Mavericks update OSX.

I am using a Windows 7 .iso trial downloaded from Microsoft DigitalRiver and am using the Bootcamp 5.1.5621, as advised by Apple staff on this website.os

I have an official and working Microsoft Windows activation code with which to activate the trial, once installed.

However, first of all, Bootcamp 5.1 fails to recognize the .iso file. So I burned the .iso to a DVD. I have downloaded the latest Bootcamp Windows Support drivers (as said, 5.1.5621) onto a fully functional and accessible USB drive, which is MS-DOS FAT formatted and inserted in the USB port the whole time.

Now Bootcamp detects Windows 7 on the DVD and starts the installation procedure. Macbook resets, Windows starts installing.

And then, after selecting language and OK'ing 'Install', I get the dreaded Windows Explorer screen informing me that 'No device driver has been found'. In the directories on the USB, I flip through all the files but no .exe or other executables are encountered.

As far as I can see, I'm doing everything by the book. So why isn't the book working?

Looking forward to your advice.

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011), OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), Windows 7 64-bit / Bootcamp Support

Posted on Oct 13, 2014 4:48 PM

34 replies

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Oct 18, 2014 11:16 AM in response to kajleers

Did BA automatically check the "Download drivers" checkbox? 😕

kajleers Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 18, 2014 12:14 PM in response to Loner T

Nope, but can't hurt to get the right stuff done.

It did have the checkbox 'Remove Windows 7 partition' marked. Might interest you to know that BA not once consulted the DVD in the drive.

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Oct 18, 2014 1:08 PM in response to kajleers

You have a partial BC installation, that is why Remove Windows is showing up.

Please remove it using Bootcamp Assistant.

If you can, since you already have the drivers, if you check all three boxes, it should be relatively quick to try and execute a "full" clean install without having to use the Alt keys.

kajleers Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 18, 2014 2:09 PM in response to Loner T

It does not work, period. I have worked with all kinds computers for 25 years and never in my whole life have I experienced this.

I have: removed the partition using BA.

Restarted the MBP just to be sure.

- Started BA. Made a partition for 100gig.

- Started BA.

- Interruption message: BA says USB somehow has a boot sector, it will remove that in order for it to run. No 'cancel', only 'OK' button available. I click.

- Partition made.

- BA reboots computer.

- I do not press *anything*, just let the whole thing run its course.

- Black screen. Upper left underscore flashes for 3 seconds.

- Black screen

- Screen flashes: new black screen. 'Windows is loading files.' White bar at bottom fills from left to right.

- New black screen. Small green bar at bottom, below that 'Microsoft Corporation'.

- Blue Windows screen.

- 'Starting up...'

- This time, no 'Install now' button appears.

- Screen flashes. And boom, I'm right back at the screenshots I gave you before.

Same problem. Leaving USB and DVD while doing what needs to be done in BA doesn't work.

You mentioned THREE BA checkboxes in your post? I only get to see two: one is download files to be put on USB, the other is Install Windows 7.

Any ideas? Cuz I've run out of them.

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Oct 18, 2014 2:22 PM in response to kajleers

1. If the Bootcamp volume is visible and mounted on the OSX side and may be already NTFS, please look for files like the following. (I ran this find in the /Volumes/BOOTCAMP volume).

The first one I would suggest you look at is ./Windows/Panther/setupact.log.

find . -name setupact.log -print

./Windows/Logs/DPX/setupact.log

./Windows/Panther/setupact.log

./Windows/Panther/UnattendGC/setupact.log

./Windows/setupact.log

./Windows/System32/sysprep/Panther/IE/setupact.log

2. Can you check for any pending firmware updates on the Crucial 512G SSD?

kajleers Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 18, 2014 2:45 PM in response to Loner T

There doesn't seem to be anything on the Bootcamp volume. It's appears to be completely empty. Windows evidently hasn't written anything to the SSD; it never got to that point.

Oh and yes: the checkbox to download drivers was automatically marked when I started BA.

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Oct 18, 2014 3:17 PM in response to kajleers

This image prompts a very silly question...

http://i.imgur.com/iudIKzz.jpg

Are you using an external USB Optical drive or the built-in Optical drive? My suspicion is that you are using an external Optical drive.

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Oct 18, 2014 9:28 PM in response to kajleers

Please look at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2755139.

kajleers Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 19, 2014 2:22 AM in response to Loner T

No, I'm not. I'm using my internal superdrive.

Rudegar

Level 10

170,862 points

Oct 19, 2014 4:44 AM in response to kajleers

have you tried to manually download the drivers apple has them as zip files on their site so one needs not use the feature from inside the bootcamp program on OS X

Apple - Support - Downloads

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Oct 19, 2014 7:32 AM in response to kajleers

Did you check the MS link? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2755139.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods, as appropriate for your situation:

Burn the installation DVD at a slower speed.
Use a better quality DVD to create the installation DVD.
Update the BIOS firmware for your DVD drive.
Use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool to create a bootable USB flash drive, and then use the USB flash drive to install Windows.

To troubleshoot this issue, use one of the following methods, as appropriate for your situation:

Run the DVD on a different computer to determine whether the DVD works correctly.
Test your DVD drive by using an official Windows installation DVD.
Attach the ISO file to a virtual machine to check whether it is corrupted.