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Win 10 won't boot after install (retina iMac, 3tb fusion drive)

I have spent a frustrating day trying to install win 10 on my 2014 retina iMac (3tb fusion drive)

No problems with boot camp and the install from usb key (64bit Windows 10) but the first time that Windows fires up after the install it crashes with the message "Your PC ran into a problem.... Critical process died" and continues in a loop booting to this problem until I option boot to OSX.

Tried the install process a number of times from scratch and from a different iso but get the same issue?

Wondering if it might be an issue with the fusion drive config?

many thanks

Alex

iMac with Retina 5K display, iOS 9.2

Posted on Jan 10, 2016 3:51 PM

54 replies

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jan 13, 2016 4:56 AM in response to Alex Cord

Please look at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/home .

Alex Cord Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2016 6:04 AM in response to Loner T

I do have an iOS for 7?

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jan 13, 2016 6:30 AM in response to Alex Cord

You should be able to use it as a test, since your Mac supports it. Please see Install Windows 7 and earlier on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support .

Alex Cord Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2016 10:48 AM in response to Loner T

Downloaded fresh Win 7 64 bit ISO from Microsoft. Ran bootcamp and installed Win7 ISO to USB. Downloaded the Bootcamp 5 files and installed on route of USB boot drive.....

Now can't get passed the Win 7 language selector!! Arghhhhhh!

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jan 13, 2016 12:48 PM in response to Alex Cord

The W7 installer built by BCA has BC6 drivers. The BC6 drivers do not work for W7. From the W7 link I posted, you will have to download the BC5 driver packages and replace $WinPEDriver$, Bootcamp folder and AutoUnattend.xml from BC5 download onto the corresponding BC6 folders.

Alex Cord Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2016 1:00 PM in response to Loner T

Yeah, I copied $WinPEDriver$, AutoUnattend.xml and BootCamp to the root of the USB folder and then booted from that drive! This is crazy! :-)

Alex Cord Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2016 1:03 PM in response to Alex Cord

There weren't any "replace", just place

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jan 13, 2016 1:18 PM in response to Alex Cord

The BCA-created USB Installer should have had the original 6.x versions. Is the USB installer created by BCA or is it downloaded from Microsoft?

Alex Cord Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2016 1:23 PM in response to Loner T

Created by BCA using Microsoft ISO, then copied BCA5 files onto drive.

Seems like quite a common issue but seems to fixed by undoing BCA partitioning which obviously we haven't done as we partitioned using your commands. Drives formatting the bootcamp partition to both fat and expat but no difference. Also with not ethernet, SMC reset and NVRAM reset before install.

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jan 13, 2016 1:32 PM in response to Alex Cord

What is the Product Version in Bootcamp.xml?

Alex Cord Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2016 1:38 PM in response to Loner T

5.1.5769

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jan 13, 2016 2:01 PM in response to Alex Cord

During W10 installation, the same USB worked and you could select language, etc. With W7, it does not work, which may indicate that it is a USB3.

Alex Cord Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2016 2:02 PM in response to Loner T

OK will try with usb2

Alex Cord Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2016 2:37 PM in response to Loner T

Tried with a USB 2 key, built Win7 boot, copied BCA 5 files, rest SMC, reset NVRAM, tried install..... still the same, got stuck on language selection.

I have to say that I am getting a bit cheesed off with Apple saying that this Mac is compatible with Windows considering the efforts and 20+ hours that I have now spent (let alone your advice which is much appreciated)

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Jan 13, 2016 3:01 PM in response to Alex Cord

Do you have access to a wired keyboard/mouse you can test the installation with?

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Win 10 won't boot after install (retina iMac, 3tb fusion drive)