Windows 7 Install on 2008 iMac

Question

Level 1

11 points

Windows 7 Install on 2008 iMac

Hi,

I am trying to install windows 7 onto my 2008 imac. According to Apple I should be able to install the 32bit version to my machine. My optical drive is shot so I am trying to install via Bootcamp and a formatted (FAT 32) USB drive (USB3). Everything seems to work up to the point that the imac reboots itself. It comes up with a black screen asking me to press any key (Presumably to reboot to Windows) Nothing happens and the cursor just flashes. Pressing any key makes no difference. I have to manually power down the imac and reboot into OSX using the option key at reboot.

Basically is it indeed possible to install Windows on my machine?

2008 imac

Running El Capitan

4 GIG Memory.

45 GIG FAT 32 Formatted drive (2 Part partition)

I have changed the plist to allow the Bootcamp to create a Windows 7 install disk from a Windows ISO I have to hand.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.

iMAC 24" - 3.06, Mac OS X (10.6.4), 2 GB RAM

Posted on May 26, 2017 1:40 PM

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Answer 1

Teddy_B

Community Specialist

May 27, 2017 9:51 AM in response to Robertojg1

Hi there, Robert!

Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities! It sounds like you are having issues with installing Windows 7 on your Mac using Boot Camp. First, be sure to backup your computer to ensure your personal data is safe. Then, be sure you have a 16 GB flash drive and are following the steps in this article with steps to Install Windows 7 and earlier on your Mac using Boot Camp .

Also, since Boot Camp will create a new partition and remove the previous FAT 32 partition, follow the steps in this article for Disk Utility for Mac: Partition a physical disk using Disk Utility before you get started:

Erase and repartition a device

You can erase all volumes on a device and create new ones. For example, if you want to change the partition map of a USB, Thunderbolt, or other storage device from Master Boot Record to GUID Partition Map. If you simply want to erase a volume, see Erase a volume.

WARNING: Erasing and partitioning a device destroys all data on all volumes of the device.

Select the device in the sidebar you want to erase and repartition, then click the Erase button .

Note: You can’t erase the device that contains your startup volume.

Enter a name for the initial volume.

Click the Map pop-up menu, then choose a format for the initial partition.

For MS-DOS and ExFAT partitions, the name must be eleven characters or less.

GUID Partition Map: Used for all Intel-based Mac computers.

Master Boot Record: Used for Windows partitions that will be formatted as MS-DOS (FAT) or ExFAT.

Apple Partition Map: Used for compatibility with older PowerPC-based Mac computers.

Click Erase, then click Done.

Have a great day!

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Answer 2

Robertojg1 Author

Level 1

11 points

May 28, 2017 5:01 AM in response to Teddy_B

Hi,

Thanks for your reply and guidance. I have followed the advice given but still have the same problem. At reboot where I assume the MAC is looking for the USB Containing the necessary install files I get the following:-

A totally black screen with the following written on it:- 'No bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key'

I press any key and nothing happens at all. Just a flashing cursor on the line below the writing.

Also the info for installing a new install of Windows 7 is incorrect. It says you need to download version 4 of the required files from Apple to install Windows 7 onto my version of imac (2008 - 24 INCH). This is incorrect as you actually need version 5 (Version 4 does not contain these files) which contains the 3 files as follows:-

$WinPEDriver$ (folder)

AutoUnattend.xml

BootCamp (folder)

These files were required on the USB drive to allow install of Windows 7. Everything went ok up until the point where Bootcamp initially rebooted the mac at which point I got the 'Black screen of death' as mentioned above.

Reading other information on this subject others are saying the only way to install Windows 7 on my machine is via the 'Inbuilt' Optical drive. This is not an option for me as the drive is shot and has not worked for many years. So my only option is via USB as described.

Any further help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,513 points

May 28, 2017 8:13 PM in response to Robertojg1

The only method available, if your internal Optical drive is not working, is to use a VMware/Winclone method (this link) . You will not be able to use either a USB or an external Optical drive.

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Answer 4

Robertojg1 Author

Level 1

11 points

May 29, 2017 3:52 AM in response to Loner T

I will look into your solution,

Many thanks for your help.

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