mixed_merch

Q: "No Bootable device.." error when Trying to re-install Windows 7 using Boot camp on a late 2013 iMac after Yosemite ruined previously working Windows 7 partion

After loosing a substantial amount of data after the Yosemite "upgrade" I decided to go with the Nuke and pave option and start all over again. After many hours it is still not working.

 

I'm using the same method (Bootcamp Assistant) as the previously sucessful Windows 7 install that Yosemite ruined.

 

Details:

- I keep getting the "No Bootable device..." error on reboot to re-install Windows 7 on a late 2013 iMac (with no optical drives) running Yosemite.

- I'm using the EXACT same usb stick as the previously successful Windows 7 install.

- W7 ISO is the same too

 

All the typical stuff has been tried:

- Zapped the PRAM

- Mac OSX is startup disk

- Used Disk Utility to Verify & Repair HD and Wininstall USB - Nothing wrong

- Went through the Bootcamp process atleast 13 times

 

What else can I do?

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013), OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Dec 13, 2014 8:51 PM

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Q: "No Bootable device.." error when Trying to re-install Windows 7 using Boot camp on a late 2013 iMac after Yosemite ruined previou ... more

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  • by Florian V.,

    Florian V. Florian V. Dec 15, 2014 4:50 AM in response to mixed_merch
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    Dec 15, 2014 4:50 AM in response to mixed_merch

    I had the same problem, you must exit all other USB device from the USB Port...just leave Mouse, Keyboard and the Windows Boot Stick or HDD with the Windows ISO Image in and restart your mac...

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Dec 15, 2014 3:20 PM in response to mixed_merch
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    Dec 15, 2014 3:20 PM in response to mixed_merch

    To add to what is suggesting, do not connect the USB via any hubs or USB slot in the Keyboard. It needs to be directly connected to the back of the iMac. No other external storage should be connected to the Mac.

  • by mixed_merch,

    mixed_merch mixed_merch Dec 17, 2014 5:43 PM in response to Loner T
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    Dec 17, 2014 5:43 PM in response to Loner T

    I forgot to mention in my original post that yes, the USB stick "Wininstall", USB keyboard and USB mouse are the ONLY devices connected when I restart. And Yes, I still get the "No Bootable Device..." error. Again, these are all the exact same devices used in the original, semi-probablematic install of W7 partion the first time.

     

    FWIW - I can tell when another USB device is connected because when booting up the Windows partition I don't get the "No Bootable Device..." error - I just get a black screen that does nothing and requires a hard restart.

  • by Loner T,Solvedanswer

    Loner T Loner T Dec 18, 2014 12:00 AM in response to mixed_merch
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    Dec 18, 2014 12:00 AM in response to mixed_merch

    1. What was the semi-problematic part of the previous install?

    2. Please see - Keyboard/trackpad inoperative, black screen, or alert messages when installing Windows 7 - Apple Support

    3. The black screen with a blinking cursor at the top left corner requires Windows Startup Repair using bootrec.exe. Please see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392

  • by mixed_merch,

    mixed_merch mixed_merch Dec 19, 2014 10:33 PM in response to Loner T
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    Dec 19, 2014 10:33 PM in response to Loner T

    Ah-ha!

    It was #2 Keyboard/trackpad inoperative, black screen, or alert messages when installing Windows 7 - Apple Support that appeared to solved the issue.

     

    The semi-problematic part the first time was getting past the "No Bootable Device..." error just like this second time. But I must have got lucky that first time with the USB port/WinInstall USB stick combo.

     

    What I suspect is that using the USB port furthest left if facing the screen (or closest to power cord if looking at the back of the machine) on the iMac does the trick.

     

    Thanks Loner T !

  • by Bowtiejones,

    Bowtiejones Bowtiejones Dec 30, 2014 2:12 AM in response to mixed_merch
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    Dec 30, 2014 2:12 AM in response to mixed_merch

    I have a similar problem. Very similar, which is why I'm not starting a new thread.  After upgrading my early 2011 13inch MBP (major difference between my and the op's problem, as I have nothing to plug into the usb ports; my keyboard, monitor, and trackpad are permanent) to Yosemite, my Windows 7 stopped booting. It'd worked without any  problem whatsoever for almost three years.

     

    My computer is early 2011 13 inch MBP, 1tb toshiba hdd, 8gb ram. I don't know if that info is relevant, but there it is.

     

    I was traveling for work at the time, and accessing the internet on a hotel network, and when everything corrupted, I panicked, thinking that the Windows side picked up a virus or something. I nuked the whole thing. Full-on no recoverable data possible zeroed it out. I didn't think there'd be a problem, and wasn't worried about data loss since I didn't have anything but some old photos that I hadn't moved into google drive yet.  I barely remember my college days anyway. A few photos won't help that.

     

    Using my phone, I found out that many people had problems with Yosemite, and my long in the tooth laptop would have problems running it anyway. Fine; I'll just stop upgrading at Mavericks.

     

    When I got home, I got out my old Snow Leopard install disk, reinstalled mac os, upgraded to Mavericks, updated all of my software, and started installing my copy of Windows 7 home premium. This is where it gets weird: intead of using the blank cd's that I used 3 years ago for the driver installation, I was required to use a usb drive. Didn't even have the option for cd. So I went out and bought a usb drive, downloaded the bootcamp5.1.5621 zip file, extracted it and put it on the drive.

     

    The installation went fine. Boom, there's windows. Click on the usb setup icon. Boom, there's all the stuff. I can use Windows 7 no problem. Surf the internet. Install the game I want to play, etc. Everything works until I go back over to mac os, or shut the computer down.

     

    After setting up windows and then heading over to mac to do some work, or if i shut down the computer, I cannot get back into windows. I get the no bootable device nonsense.

     

    If I try holding down option, or command r, I can see Windows there. If I click on it, I get the black screen with a blinking cursor.

     

    I've tried five times. Removing windows, reinstalling it. Same story every time. I haven't payed attention to what usb port I put the thumb drive into, so I'll try again, using the one closest to the back.

     

    Driving me bananas.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Dec 30, 2014 7:40 AM in response to Bowtiejones
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    Dec 30, 2014 7:40 AM in response to Bowtiejones

    There are two different methods of installing Windows, MBR or EFI. Do you recall what method you have used?

  • by Bowtiejones,

    Bowtiejones Bowtiejones Dec 30, 2014 1:10 PM in response to Loner T
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    Dec 30, 2014 1:10 PM in response to Loner T

    I don't know. I just inserted the install dvd and it went from there. How do I check?

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Dec 30, 2014 5:21 PM in response to Bowtiejones
    Level 7 (24,002 points)
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    Dec 30, 2014 5:21 PM in response to Bowtiejones

    Can you post the output of sudo fdisk /dev/disk0 from Terminal?