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User profile for user: TheMonark
TheMonark Author
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Convert flash drive for Windows 8.1 bootcamp installation from mbr to gpt

Trying to run Windows 8.1 pro x64 on my mid 2010 15" macbook pro. Get stuck during bootcamp installation in Windows because my partition table isn't compatible (MBR but needs to be GPT). My hard drive seems to be Logical partitions/volume etc, while my flash drive was formatted into MBR seemingly by bootcamp, or otherwise not altered into the GPT like it maybe should have.

Generally followed this guide http://www.howtogeek.com/186907/how-to-install-windows-on-a-mac-with-boot-camp/


Steps I took:


Had to use terminal/Xcode to edit info.plist from bootcamp to allow flash drive installation through bootcamp on my mac (removed the "pre" method).


With all three bootcamp options selected, managed to partition the drive


When restarted, my computer had black screen with "no bootable device found".


Restarted again, holding alt/option


Flash drive was now available as one of two options (the other being my standard mac drive)


Windows Setup loaded. Selected language/imputed key/select version etc.


Here is the strange part, the division of the disk does not include "bootcamp" anywhere in the title (like it should according to the guide), and is about 10gb smaller than my partition (assume this is a normal result of windows installation/os files etc). When I try to format the partition, it says I can't, and explains that I can't use MBR, need to use GPT.


Attempted to rewrite disk with Shift F10 Diskpart, list disk, etc, but here it shows drive 0, 1, and 2, (rather than drive 0 partition 1,2,3,4, with 4 being my bootcamp I think). This seems to be a method for installing windows on a windows pc, and I didn't go through with it because I didn't want to loose my mac os yet.


I am not proficient with coding/terminal use, and don't know if there is an option to list partitions etc, so I'm stuck. I can backup my mac and potentially change my partition table etc, but I feel like restoring with time machine would then wipe my existing partition. Is there a workaround I could use? Is there a specific sequence of backups/restores that would work? I'm also okay with manually drag and dropping the files I want back onto a clean slate computer if necessary. Or would simply buying and burning a disc with windows save myself the hassle? Please advise.


Sorry for long question, wanted to get info out right away. Can include more if necessary. Thank you all for your time.

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10), mid 2010 15" Nvidia GeForce 330

Posted on Nov 14, 2014 8:59 AM

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User profile for user: Loner T
Loner T
User level: Level 9
59,477 points

Posted on Nov 14, 2014 9:13 AM

Please post the output of following


diskutil list

diskutil cs list

sudo gpt -vv -r show /dev/disk0

sudo fdisk /dev/disk0


You will need to use Terminal and input your password when prompted. You can triple click on each line and Copy (Command+C) and Paste (Command+V) into the terminal window. Remove any personal information that you do not to be seen on the discussions.


Creating a USB is only part of the problem if your built-in Optical drive is not working. The CSM-BIOS layer used still needs to be configured in the Mac Nvram to boot from USB.


If you have W8.1, which has EFI support, you can try that, but your Mac from 2010 is a preUEFI model, as shown in your Bootcamp info.plist.

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User profile for user: Jordan Machin
Jordan Machin
User level: Level 1
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Sep 10, 2015 3:36 PM in response to Loner T

Here's the result :


MacBook-Pro-de-Jordan:~ Jordan$ diskutil list

/dev/disk0

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *500.1 GB disk0

1: EFI EFI 209.7 MB disk0s1

2: Apple_HFS HDD 499.8 GB disk0s2

/dev/disk1

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *250.1 GB disk1

1: EFI EFI 209.7 MB disk1s1

2: Apple_CoreStorage 244.2 GB disk1s2

3: Apple_Boot Recovery HD 650.0 MB disk1s3

/dev/disk2

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: Apple_HFS SSD *243.8 GB disk2

Logical Volume on disk1s2

2C094683-6005-4FB4-832C-793AF83B0AAD

Unencrypted

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User profile for user: Jordan Machin
Jordan Machin
User level: Level 1
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Sep 11, 2015 8:32 AM in response to Jordan Machin

Hey Loner ! I'm back, with a CLEAN Mac, and drives...

Here's my new diskutil list :


/dev/disk0

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *250.1 GB disk0

1: EFI EFI 209.7 MB disk0s1

2: Apple_HFS SSD 249.2 GB disk0s2

3: Apple_Boot Recovery HD 650.0 MB disk0s4

/dev/disk1

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *500.1 GB disk1

1: EFI EFI 209.7 MB disk1s1

2: Apple_HFS HDD 499.8 GB disk1s2

However, I tried to reinstall windows 7 and I have the same message at the selection of my partition : "Windows can't install on this disk. This disk is on MBR partition etc etc etc...."

And I don't know why, I can't create a partition with bootcamp now. bootcamp says me that : http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/534840Capturedcran20150911162914.png (in english, more or less : the installation drive is not found : Insert the windows installation disk"

So I created my own partition with disk utilities on my SSD, and like I said, I have the "MBR GPT" problem...

Thx for your answer

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User profile for user: Loner T
Loner T
User level: Level 9
59,477 points

Sep 11, 2015 9:11 AM in response to Jordan Machin

You have two separate issues.


1. You have two disks. A Mac has a single physical disk or a Fusion drive, and you have neither. You may have to disconnect the disk which will not be used for Windows from the SATA bus, but you will need something to boot from. It can be OSX or the Windows Installer, you will choose.

2. If you manually create a partition using Disk Utility, you also need to create an MBR if your Mac is prior to Late 2013 Mac models.


Your image shows that BCA will use your entire HDD for Windows. Is that what you want? You can always create a Fusion drive with an SSD/HDD which will force Windows on HDD.

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User profile for user: Jordan Machin
Jordan Machin
User level: Level 1
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Sep 11, 2015 9:32 AM in response to Loner T

I prefer the solution 2.


But I don't want to install windows on my HDD, but in my SSD. So if I understand good, I can merge my SSD and my HDD ? How ?


Right now I don't have any bootcamp partition or a simply partition like you can see. I just have my SSD and my HDD. You have to know that my Yosemite is installed on my SSD, and I use my HDD for my files ! (film, music etc...). AND... My user account is on the HDD, and not on my SSD ! I made this trick to preserve the space of my SSD.... example : my desktop is on my HDD and not my SSD... Only the Application files is on my SSD...


I hope you understand my english ahah

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User profile for user: Loner T
Loner T
User level: Level 9
59,477 points

Sep 11, 2015 10:23 AM in response to Jordan Machin

1. What year/model is your Mac?

2. Create a new Administrative account which has the home directory on the SSD, so you can log in to the Mac after step 2. This account can be deleted in step 6.

3. Disconnect your HDD from the Mac's SATA bus. You do not need it.

4. Install Bootcamp/Windows on the SSD using Bootcamp Assistant. There is no need for manual partitioning.

5. Re-connect the HDD to the SATA bus, and re-test OSX and Windows.

6. Delete the temporary account in step 2.

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User profile for user: Jordan Machin
Jordan Machin
User level: Level 1
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Sep 11, 2015 12:58 PM in response to Loner T

Sorry for the late. This is complicated for me to disconnect my HDD to the SATA bus... for one reason : a screw is damaged !! it was a mess to install my SSD instead of the super drive.... That's why I prefer your second solution... You said "you also need to create an MBR if your Mac is prior to Late 2013 Mac models", so, how can I do that please ?


My mac is a MacBook Pro earlier 2011 (MacBookPro8,1)

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User profile for user: Loner T
Loner T
User level: Level 9
59,477 points

Sep 11, 2015 1:12 PM in response to Jordan Machin

1. There are two ends (terminals) to the SATA cable, Logic Board end and Disk end. You do not need to disconnect the Logic board end, just disconnect the HDD end. I assume your SSD is in the main disk bay.

2. If you still have the Optical drive, it may be the fastest way to install Windows using a DVD, and then reconnecting the HDD.

3. Your Mac does not support a USB installer. It will cause Audio and GPU drivers to not work properly, if you use a USB and an EFI Boot method on your Mac.

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User profile for user: Jordan Machin
Jordan Machin
User level: Level 1
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Sep 11, 2015 1:25 PM in response to Loner T

The damaged screw isn't IN my Mac but just UNDER the back, if you know what I mean.....

So I can't open my Mac anymore, I have to change the screw in an Apple Store if I want to...


But, are you telling me that the only way to install Windows 7 on a MacBook Pro earlier 2011 without any bug is with the SuperDrive ? I can't believe it, I work hard since 3 days to find a solution, for nothing ?

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User profile for user: Loner T
Loner T
User level: Level 9
59,477 points

Sep 11, 2015 1:55 PM in response to Jordan Machin

1. You can try the manual method. Partition your SSD and add a FAT partition. Post the output of the following commands.

sudo gpt -vv -r show /dev/disk0

sudo fdisk /dev/disk0

2. Do not use EFI Boot from the USB, otherwise your sound and GPU will not work.

3. Modifying Bootcamp info.plist leads to black screens, so it may or may not work.

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Convert flash drive for Windows 8.1 bootcamp installation from mbr to gpt

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