Switching back from Windows 7 to Mac OSX Partition Problem

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Level 1

6 points

Switching back from Windows 7 to Mac OSX Partition Problem

I recently had a 2nd partition created on my Mac Book Pro (Mid 2009 using OSX Mavericks) and had Windows 7 installed. While in OSX partition I changed my system preferences to boot Windows. Now it boots Windows without giving me an option to boot in Mac or Windows. And in Windows I can't find an option to reboot using Mac and therefore cannot get back to System preferences to change my boot partition preference, I have tried to use the method of pressing the option or x key at startup but I do not get any message to select a particular partition. I am hoping that from Windows, there are steps I can take to change the boot priority back to Mac. Would appreciate any guidance to correct this issue.

Thanks

Bob

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), 2nd Partition - Windows 7 Home Basi

Posted on Nov 1, 2014 7:26 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 2, 2014 10:19 AM in response to Bob Crigler

Normally, holding the Option key down right after the startup chime should invoke the Startup Manager, which gives an icon display of bootable partitions across the screen, giving you the chance to pick one, including Mac OS X. If that isn't working, did you use Boot Camp to setup the Windows partition and then install Windows?

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Answer 2

Bob Crigler Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 2, 2014 12:40 PM in response to FatMac-MacPro

Thanks FatMac

I had the Apple store create the Windows partition so am not sure if they used bootcamp. The screen on my laptop does not work soI am using an external monitor and for some reason, it does not display during the booting process. I tried rebooting and holding down the Option key, then tried the arrow keys and hitting error in a blind manner. Finally got it to boot using the OSX partition - hurray! Now I just have to try and figure out what the options look like for a reboot so I I can hit the right keys to get the right reboot that I want. Thanks for your input!

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Answer 3

Nov 2, 2014 1:08 PM in response to Bob Crigler

Bob Crigler wrote:

...Now I just have to try and figure out what the options look like for a reboot so I I can hit the right keys to get the right reboot that I want. Thanks for your input!

I don't do Boot Camp, much preferring to run Windows variations (XP through Windows 10) in virtual machines, but I believe that when Boot Camp is fully installed along with its tools within Windows, there should be a Control Panel in Windows which lets you pick what you want to start up with next, including Mac OS X.

Assuming the Apple store did a standard Boot Camp installation, you can see how Boot Camp is supposed to behave by reading through Apple's Boot Camp guide. Note how to switch between OS's on page 9, if the Windows support software has been installed (and how to do that on page 7 if it hasn't been).

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Answer 4

Jul 14, 2015 4:41 PM in response to FatMac-MacPro

Hi

I installed windows 7 on my Mac book pro (Yosemite )without boot camp ,I think I erased my Mac OS while doing that ,now I'm stuck too windows ,is there any way I can get back my Yosemite ?? Please help

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Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

685,251 points

Jul 15, 2015 10:14 AM in response to Ooshaomoibadan

Do a backup, preferable 2 separate ones on 2 drives. Boot to the Recovery Volume (command - R on a restart or hold down the option/alt key during a restart and select Recovery Volume). Run Disk Utility Verify/Repair and Repair Permissions until you get no errors. Reformat the drive using Disk Utility/Erase Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then click the Option button and select GUID. Then re-install the OS.

OS X Recovery

OS X Recovery (2)

When you reboot, use Setup Assistant to restore your data.

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