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"We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one. Form more information, see setup log files"

Ok so back in August 2014 I succuesfully used bootcamp to install Windows 10 Tech preview. It worked great until March of this year when Windows issued an update (Which I had no control over). After this update the R9 4GB graphics card driver stopped working. I contacted Apple/AMD/Microsoft but was unable to fix this problem.

So, I uninstalled Windows 10 through bootcamp and restored the drive to a single partition. I purchased windows 8.1 and downloaded Windows Enterprise edition (as this comes as an ISO file) and started the process again with Bootcamp. Everything works great until I get to the installation of windows.

I did the same as last time (formatted the Bootcamp partition) and tried to continue the installation. I now get the following message:

I have tried a complete reinstall of the system twice (back to factory settings) but still the same issue. I have also tried using Windows 10 Tech preview but still the same issue. (I only have my remote drive with the ISO file connected to the mac and have tried with a USB stick)

Any ideas would be much appreciated! Thanks

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014), iOS 8.3, Core I7 - 16GB RAM - AMD R9 M295X

Posted on Apr 30, 2015 2:58 AM

Best reply

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Posted on Apr 30, 2015 6:25 AM

You have two separate issues...

1. There is no official Apple support for Enterprise versions, From System requirements to install Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp - Apple Support,

Supported versions of Windows
These are the supported versions of Windows(authentic, single, full-installation). Check the tables below to see which of these versions will work with your Mac.

Windows XP: Home Edition or Professional with Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 (Boot Camp 3)
Windows Vista: Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate, Service Pack 1 or later (Boot Camp 3)
Windows 7: Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate (Boot Camp 4 or 5.1)
Windows 8: Windows 8 or 8.1, Windows 8 or 8.1 Pro (Boot Camp 5.1 only)

2. You can use a DVD and create an ISO, if required. Please see How to install Windows using Boot Camp - Apple Support and Boot Camp: Creating an ISO image from a Windows installation DVD - Apple Support.

3. The iMac5K is a UEFI-compliant Mac, so it supports two different methods of installing Windows (Legacy BIOS and EFI). Your disk partitioning is not correct, which may be due to BC Assistant failure. The error message indicates that EFI boot was attempted which behaves differently than BIOS method.

4. Can you post the output of the following Terminal commands?

diskutil list

diskutil cs list

sudo gpt -vv -r show /dev/disk0

sudo fdisk /dev/disk0

The "sudo" commands will prompt for your password, and it will not be echoed back. You may also see a warning about improper use of "sudo" and potential data loss due to "abuse" of the command.

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53 replies

May 7, 2015 11:52 AM in response to Loner T

1. Ive removed Windows through BOOTCAMP so back to one partition again. The entry on scroll down is WININSTALL (16GB Flash Drive)

2. To be honest, Im not too sure the difference between the two. But yes, willing to try anything.

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

May 7, 2015 11:57 AM in response to Jeremy@Creative

You will need to recreate the BC Partition, let the installer fail. Download GPT Fdisk from http://sourceforge.net/projects/gptfdisk/ and then use the following steps.

Use defaults for other questions (like partition codes). The only values that need modifications are the Boot flags and step 10. Accept all other defaults that Gdisk offers.

Sudo gdisk /dev/disk1
P (Print list of parts)
R (Recover)
H (chooses Hybrid)
O (print current Hybrid MBR)
Partitions numbers to be hybridized: 2 3 4
Y (Good for GRUB question)
N (part 2 boot flag)
N (part 3 boot flag)
N (part 4 boot flag make NTFS bootable partition)
O (print current Hybrid MBR)
W (Write the new MBR)
Y (Yes! write the new MBR)
Reboot

Here is sample Q&A for this section. Please notice the Press Enter/Return.

Place EFI GPT (0xEE) partition first in MBR (good for GRUB)? (Y/N): Y

Creating entry for GPT partition #2 (MBR partition #2)

Enter an MBR hex code (default AF): Press Enter/Return

Set the bootable flag? (Y/N): N

Creating entry for GPT partition #3 (MBR partition #3)

Enter an MBR hex code (default AB): Press Enter/Return

Set the bootable flag? (Y/N): N

Creating entry for GPT partition #4 (MBR partition #4)

Enter an MBR hex code (default 07): Press Enter/Return

Set the bootable flag? (Y/N): N

Jun 22, 2015 2:02 AM in response to Jeremy@Creative

Have you resolved your issue? I can explain how you can easily resolve it as I had the same.

1. After when you do all the bits via BOOTCAMP assistant manager from OSX, it reboots automatically and boots Windows setup, just don't proceed at setup at this stage and click cancel and reboot into OSX again.

2. Reboot again normally and via alt option key boot to install windows from your usb drive, at this stage it won't complain you on this message after when you format partition 4: bootcamp.

It seems to be there is an issue with OSX latest bootcamp assistant it doesn't create properly MBR for the first time when you are rebooted, however after rebooting back into OSX it finilizes it properly, I assume the suggestion from Loner T will do the same, but mine should work for you as well.

I was installing Windows 8.1 N Pro version on Imac 5k late 2014 version, also for a future reference never do windows recovery from its troubleshooting, as this functionality won't work when you have rEFit boot loader from OSX.

OS X developers - you should really work under your disk utility as it is rubbish 🙂 and most of the work you should do via gptfdisk utility.

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Jun 22, 2015 5:31 AM in response to Soul Of Universe

DU has many features that GPT Fdisk does not. For example, LVG/LV management or CoreStorage functions. The steps I provided allow a new Hybrid MBR to be derived from an existing GPT. DU could be a lot better than what it is right now. Using both as a complementary set of tools works well, art least when used in a Terminal context.

Sep 22, 2015 5:35 PM in response to Loner T

HI! After much thought and a LOT of research, I have finally suceeded in installing Windows and fixing my BC issue. Yey!!!!!

If you have this issue all you need to do is reset NVRAM. To do this reboot Mac, hold down Control, Option, R and P on the keyboard right after the chime. Keep holding until the Mac reboots and you hear the chime again. After that complete the BCA procedure as normal and voila!

Very happy bunny :-)

Thank you Loner T for you help.