Windows 7 will not boot after installation on mac pro

Question

Windows 7 will not boot after installation on mac pro

I have a mac pro 2006, and wish to install windows7 on another internal drive, when I follow bootcamp to the point where it says load installation disc for windows 7, it tries to load, but then I get an empty folder with a question mark in it. So then I tried an install on just an internal hard drive not using bootcamp, this time it seems to do a full installation, but when it tries to restart I get a mac symbol, with a no entry sign, any help please.

Posted on Apr 26, 2015 10:01 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 26, 2015 12:45 PM in response to dave Ballard1

If your second drive has a full installation of Windows, because the NVRAM is set to boot from the OS X Device path, it causes issues, for reboot.

Plug in both drives OS X and Windows after powering down the MP. Run

a. SMC Reset - Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

b. NVRAM Reset - How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

Test.

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Answer 2

Apr 26, 2015 1:13 PM in response to Loner T

Hi, thanks for the help, I tried both methods, resetting the SMC made no difference, i tried the NVRAM, windows tried to start, i got the windows symbol, then grey screen then hangs, so I had to restart. With NVRAM method it mentions changing the battery, so I will try that next, I will keep you updated, thanks again.

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Answer 3

Apr 26, 2015 1:15 PM in response to Loner T

Hi, tried both methods, no joy, I changed the battery, and this time got to the windows symbol and flag, then the mac restarts in OSX, any help please.

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Answer 4

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 26, 2015 1:40 PM in response to dave Ballard1

Can you boot Windows in Safe Mode?

With both disks plugged in to the MP, can you post the output of the following Terminal commands?

diskutil list

diskutil cs list

Based on the output, I can provide additional commands to get more details. If you do get a Windows logo, and then it fails, there may be also an issue with the BCD (Boot Configuration Data), which may need bootrec.exe or Startup Repair.

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Answer 5

Apr 27, 2015 11:46 AM in response to Loner T

I can boot in windows safe mode, but, I cannot restart or finish the installation,

for diskutil list i got

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: FDisk_partition_scheme *500.1 GB disk0

1: Windows_NTFS 500.1 GB disk0s1

/dev/disk1

#: TYPE NAME SIZE IDENTIFIER

0: GUID_partition_scheme *2.0 TB disk1

1: EFI 209.7 MB disk1s1

2: Apple_HFS Hitachi 1000 master 1.7 TB disk1s2

3: Microsoft Basic Data Windows 279.1 GB disk1s3

for diskutil cs list I got

diskutil cs list

diskutil: did not recognize verb "cs"; type "diskutil" for a list

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Answer 6

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 27, 2015 11:50 AM in response to dave Ballard1

1. In Windows Safe Mode, can you repair your Windows Startup?

2. If you are Snow Leopard, diskutil cs list will give you this error. It can be safely ignored.

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Answer 7

Apr 27, 2015 12:03 PM in response to Loner T

let me try and I will get back to you, thanks for the help.

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Answer 8

Apr 27, 2015 12:18 PM in response to Loner T

Hi, I can select safe mode, but it just keeps trying to complete set up, it reaches a point where I get a error messages saying SET UP CANNOT BE COMPLETED IN SAFE MODE RESTART etc, and then back to OSX when it tries to reboot.

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Answer 9

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 27, 2015 12:25 PM in response to dave Ballard1

If you power cycle your MP and hold the Alt key, do you see the Windows disk?

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Answer 10

Apr 27, 2015 12:28 PM in response to Loner T

yes.

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Answer 11

Loner T

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Apr 27, 2015 12:40 PM in response to dave Ballard1

If you select it does Windows come up to finish setup?

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Answer 12

Apr 27, 2015 1:03 PM in response to Loner T

it tries, I get a flash of blue screen then, apple chimes and Im back to mac.So windows, then the symbol, then a dark screen, then a flash of blue then when you think you are going get windows, back to mac.

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Answer 13

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 27, 2015 1:20 PM in response to dave Ballard1

Is your Windows disk in the same bay where the original Windows installation was attempted?

If this is a new installation of Windows, do you want to consider re-installation via BCA from scratch? What is the current version of BC Assistant and OSX?

From System requirements to install Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp - Apple Support, you can only install W7 32-bit. Can you verify if that is what you are attempting to install?

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Answer 14

Apr 27, 2015 1:48 PM in response to Loner T

It is a fresh installation, I have tried installing on a partition, on the same 2tb hardrive, and on a separate 500gb hardrive, neither has been successfully completed.

I am running bootcamp 3.0.4, on snow leopard 10.6.8, on the disc it states windows 7 professional SP 1 32 bit.

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Answer 15

Apr 27, 2015 1:49 PM in response to Loner T

Forgive me I have to sleep now coming off nights thanks for your help, your help is much appreciated, I need windows 7!

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