10.8.5 Mountain Lion BootCamp Windows 7

Question

Level 1

8 points

10.8.5 Mountain Lion BootCamp Windows 7

I recently replaced the hard disk in my iMac (Early 2013 21.5"). Reloaded Mac OS 10.8.5, and now I am trying to install Windows 7 with BootCamp.

However, Windows 7 refuses to install from the USB drive that BootCamp Assistant created. If I install manually from my Windows 7 DVD and then try to run Boot Camp "setup.exe" in Windows 7 I am greeted with a message that this version of BootCamp won't work on this computer.

I was able to install the old BootCamp drivers I saved from 3 years ago when I first installed Windows 7. Everything seemed to work OK with that, Ethernet, video card, etc. except no USB.

I have followed Apple's instructions very carefully: Install Windows 7 and earlier on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support

It does not seem to work.

I cannot make sense of the whole mess. Same computer, same hardware, same software, and it worked a couple years ago. Is the setup program checking the current Mac OS version on the Mac partition from within Windows and then refusing to run?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), Early 2013 21.5" iMac

Posted on Apr 28, 2017 8:17 PM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 28, 2017 9:48 PM in response to electsr

electsr wrote:

I recently replaced the hard disk in my iMac (Early 2013 21.5").

Can you verify the iMac year/model? Please see Identify your iMac - Apple Support as a reference.

From Boot Camp Support Software 4.1.4586,

Post Date: Mar 14, 2013

File Size: 414.74 MB

System Requirements

Mac mini (Late 2012)
Mac mini Server (Late 2012)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-in, Mid 2012)
iMac (21.5-in, Late 2012)
iMac (27-in, Late 2012)
Windows 7

There is no 2013 model in this list.

From Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5640,

Post Date: Feb 11, 2014

File Size: 925.6 MB

System Requirements

MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Early 2014)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch & 15-inch, Mid 2014)
MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Mid 2013)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch & 15-inch, Late 2013)
Mac Pro (Late 2013)
iMac (21.5-inch & 27-inch, Late 2013)
Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1, 64 bit

There is no 'Early' 2013 model in this list.

From Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5621

Post Date: Feb 11, 2014

File Size: 924.9 MB

System Requirements

MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Mid 2011)
MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Mid 2012)
MacBook Pro (15-inch & 17-inch, Mid 2010)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, & 15-inch, Early 2011)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
MacBook Pro (13-inch,15-inch & 17-inch Late 2011)
MacBook Pro (13-inch & 15-inch, Mid 2012)
MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012)
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch and 15-inch, Early 2013)
Mac Pro (Early 2009)
Mac Pro (Mid 2010)
Mac Pro (Mid 2012)
Mac mini (Mid 2011)
Mac mini (Late 2012)
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010)
iMac (21.5-inch & 27-inch, Mid 2011)
iMac (21.5-inch & 27-inch, Late 2012)
iMac (21.5-inch) Early 2013

iMac

Mac model	Windows 7 64-bit	Windows 7 32-bit	Windows Vista 64-bit	Windows Vista 32-bit	Windows XP 32-bit
iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)	5	-	-	-	-
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013)	5	-	-	-	-
iMac (21.5-inch, Early 2013)	5	-	-	-	-
iMac (27-inch, Late 2012)	5	-	-	-	-
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)	5	-	-	-	-

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Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 28, 2017 9:18 PM in response to electsr

Can you edit Bootcamp.xml and post the Product Version?

electsr wrote:

I have followed Apple's instructions very carefully: Install Windows 7 and earlier on your Mac using Boot Camp - Apple Support

Did you execute step 11 correctly?

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Answer 3

electsr Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 28, 2017 9:23 PM in response to Loner T

Yes, I downloaded the version 5.1.5640 that was recommended by Apple, and replaced it according to step 11.

The old version, actually in a folder named "Windows Support" is version 4.1.4586. This was the version that I had saved from 3 years ago when I first installed.

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Answer 4

electsr Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 28, 2017 10:12 PM in response to Loner T

Looks like there is a bit of confusion, "About This Mac" lists mine as a Late 2012.

The tables list both Late 2012 models and early 2013 models, which I am pretty sure are the same. No major changes where made to the iMac until late 2013. I'll give the 4.1.4586 version a go.

I think Apple needs to clean up their compatibility tables, there are obviously conflicts.

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Answer 5

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Apr 29, 2017 8:00 AM in response to electsr

Can you post the Model Identifier of the iMac from System Profiler?

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Answer 6

electsr Author

Level 1

8 points

May 4, 2017 9:10 PM in response to Loner T

EMC: 2544

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Answer 7

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

May 5, 2017 3:45 AM in response to electsr

http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/?search_keywords=2544 indicates that you have a 21.5-in Late 2012 iMac with a model identifier of iMac 13,1. Is that correct?

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