Windows 7 installation freezes at "Completing installation"

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Windows 7 installation freezes at "Completing installation"

Hi.

I removed my Windows partition on my macbook pro 2010, and decided to do the installation all over again.

I use the bootcamp assistant and make a new Windows partition, then I insert my Windows 7cd (for mac) and the installation Begins.

It then continues the installation and restarts the computer twice, until it reaches the the last step of the installaton "Completing installation". Here it continues for about 2 minutes before it freezes completely.

The only thing to do then, is to turn off my macbook, start up in I OS, and start all over again

I really hope someone is able to help me with this issue.

Macbook pro 13'', Windows 7

Posted on Jul 23, 2015 12:20 AM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Jul 23, 2015 7:01 AM in response to mtedk

Can you remove Windows and run the following...

1. Run Disk Utility Repair Disk.

2. Run two reset procedures...

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

How to Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

3. Try Windows installation again.

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Answer 2

mtedk Author

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Jul 24, 2015 1:52 AM in response to Loner T

Hi.

Thanks for the reply, however it didn't Work.

I did your mentioned steps, but the same thing happened Again, I get stuck on the "Completing installation" part.

Are there anyone else WHO might have an idea?

I'm desperate, so if something Works, then I'll do it?

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Jul 24, 2015 8:08 AM in response to mtedk

1. Back up OSX using Time Machine - Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac - Apple Support.

2. Boot into Internet Recovery - OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support.

3. Erase your internal drive and restore from the TM backup in Step 1 - OS X Yosemite: Recover your entire system.

Please be aware that TM does not backup Bootcamp partitions.

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Answer 4

mtedk Author

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Jul 25, 2015 12:23 AM in response to Loner T

I did this yesterday, but when I tried to install windows 7 32 bit through boot camp assistant afterwards, it still got stuck on "Completing installation" :/

I can't figure out, what's wrong?

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Answer 5

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Jul 25, 2015 6:57 AM in response to mtedk

The Installation is not able to create/update the BCD.

1. What is the exact year/model of your Mac? Please do not post the serial number of your Mac.

2. Can you test with W7 64-bit?

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Answer 6

mtedk Author

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Jul 25, 2015 10:09 AM in response to Loner T

1. It's a mid 2010 Macbook pro. I installed Windows 7 32 bit on it when I bought it back in 2011 with no problems at all.

2. I do not have a copy of windows 7 64 bit, so I'll have to buy it to test it.

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Answer 7

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Jul 25, 2015 10:33 AM in response to mtedk

Newer version of BCA may not allow W7 32-bit. What is your current version of BCA?

From System requirements to install Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support, it may depend on the exact model and BCA version, as noted below.

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)

You can also try a Disk utility Repair, in case there are issues with it. Please ensure you remove all external storage to avoid issues.

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Answer 8

mtedk Author

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Jul 25, 2015 11:51 AM in response to Loner T

That was excatly my thought as well, that the reason could be the current version of BCA.

My current version of BCA is 5.1.4 (500).

I would really like to test the following two options, but are they possible, and can you guide me?

1. Downgrade BCA to a previous version that suppors Win 7 32 bit (perhaps the version that originally was on my macbook pro back in 2011)

2. Reset my macbook to factory settings, and install snow leopard on it.

Is it possible to do this?

I really appreciate your help.

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Answer 9

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Jul 25, 2015 11:57 AM in response to mtedk

Yes, you will need the 'Grey' disks. Please back up OSX to TM (or any other tool of your choice).

Downgrade to SL and update it all the way to the last release of SL (10.6.8) and then try BCA that came from the SL version. Note the version of BCA you get from the original restore and the version you get from SL-10.6.8.

If you have applied any recent EFI updates, you may not be able to downgrade to SL, but you can try Mountain Lion or Mavericks.

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Answer 10

mtedk Author

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Jul 25, 2015 11:59 AM in response to Loner T

Just to be completely sure.

After backing up all my stuff, should I then just insert the original disk and then restart my mac, and will it then automatically boot from the dvd drive, or are there more steps, that I should do, to downgrade to SL?

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Answer 11

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Jul 25, 2015 12:08 PM in response to mtedk

You will need to use the 'C' key to boot from the Grey disk, and then erase your internal disk and restore. Once restored, run Software Update to get to 10.6.8.

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Answer 12

mtedk Author

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Jul 27, 2015 12:18 AM in response to Loner T

Thank you a lot for your help.

I reinstalled Snow Leopard from the disc and updated it to 10.6.8. After that, the Windows installation ran without any problems.

It must have been either my BCA version or the fact that OS had created a recovery HDD after my update to Yosemite, which caused the problem.

The only problem that I have now, is that Windows freezes at start-up, unless the installation-disc in the drive. but I guess that's a problem for a Windows support community 🙂

Once Again, thanks a lot for your help.

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