Need Windows 7 with Boot Camp for work

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Level 1

42 points

Need Windows 7 with Boot Camp for work

Help. I bought Windows 7 and have a Product Key. I thought I was following instructions to use Boot Camp and my 32gb USB flash drive to install it on my partition. I have a mid-2009 MacBook using El Capitan. I ended up doing a VirtualBox install from a YouTube video.

My job accepts my Mac specs but needs Windows 7 natively, not using a virtual method. Is there a clear step-by-step for this? I have been researching this for a week, and the tutorials always get me lost along the way because they skip steps, or are too technical in their explanation.

MacBook, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Dec 11, 2017 10:49 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 12, 2017 10:36 AM in response to Todd M.

See Boot Camp- System requirements for Microsoft Windows. You also may need Download BootCamp Drivers for Macs to run Windows 7 or 8 | Chris F Carroll. Read Mac 101- Using Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp and Apple Support - Boot Camp.

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Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Dec 11, 2017 1:00 PM in response to Todd M.

Your 2009 Mac does not support a W7 installation using a USB Flash drive. You must use the built-in Optical drive and a W7 physical DVD. The DVD should be a single product 64-bit DVD. You can burn a DVD from an ISO available at Download Windows 7 Disc Images (ISO Files) .

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Answer 3

Todd M. Author

Level 1

42 points

Dec 12, 2017 9:57 AM in response to Loner T

And that's exactly what I bought! So, I shouldn't run out and buy this DVD and attempt this. Is there a way to get what I need cheaply before Dec. 27th? I'm building a home office and have other equipment expenses. I really appreciate your help and information.

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Answer 4

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Dec 12, 2017 10:07 AM in response to Todd M.

If you already have a blank DVD, there is no need to buy more. Download the W7 ISO and you can burn it to the DVD, by right-clicking on the ISO file, selecting Burn, expanding the Burn dialog box, and enabling the Verify and Mount options and using the lowest possible burn rate supported by the media to avoid block errors.

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Answer 5

Todd M. Author

Level 1

42 points

Dec 26, 2017 3:37 PM in response to Loner T

Hey Loner T. I forgot to report back here. I successfully installed Windows 7 via Boot Camp. It is stable. The only problem I'm running into is there is no volume on the Windows side. All the specs show the sound is okay.

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Answer 6

Todd M. Author

Level 1

42 points

Jan 2, 2018 7:25 PM in response to Loner T

Audio does work on the macOS side, but I've since given up on the BC operation. The remote job I was going to do I've decided not to pursue. Now, I'd simply like to put my Mac back to normal. No more spinning wheels, stalling, or crashing apps. I attempted to erase the Windows 7 disk or reduce it from 65gb, now I'm showing a restore disk. I used Disk Utility and I have three volumes instead of two. How do I fix this?

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Answer 7

Todd M. Author

Level 1

42 points

Dec 12, 2017 10:36 AM in response to Loner T

Thanks so much for your time!

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Answer 8

Todd M. Author

Level 1

42 points

Dec 11, 2017 7:12 PM in response to Kappy

Kappy, thanks so much. Those are very helpful and useful links!

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Answer 9

Todd M. Author

Level 1

42 points

Dec 11, 2017 7:13 PM in response to Loner T

Thank you Loner T! I'm very appreciative of you. Does the DVD have to be a particular type, like 16x, 120 min, etc.?

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Answer 10

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Dec 12, 2017 3:28 AM in response to Todd M.

A 4.75GB DVD-R SL (Single Layer) should work nicely. I use Verbatim or Sony brands.

Be careful with W7 keys. OEM Keys, tied to a PC, very seldom work. A retail key is highly recommended.

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Answer 11

Todd M. Author

Level 1

42 points

Dec 12, 2017 10:13 AM in response to Todd M.

I have movies loaded on all mine. Unless, I can just record them.

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Answer 12

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Dec 12, 2017 10:16 AM in response to Todd M.

If these already have content, you will not be able to re-use the DVD-Rs, since they are write-once-only. You will need a blank DVD. You can do it at your convenience.

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Answer 13

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Dec 12, 2017 12:00 PM in response to Todd M.

Please post back when you are ready or run into any issues.

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Answer 14

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Dec 26, 2017 5:47 PM in response to Todd M.

Does Audio work properly on the macOS side? If yes, in Windows Device Manager, do you have any Audio devices? Also, run msinfo32 from the CMD prompt and post the value of BIOS Mode.

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Answer 15

Loner T

Level 9

59,471 points

Jan 3, 2018 6:12 AM in response to Todd M.

You are not supposed to use Disk Utility to remove Windows. BC Assistant is the correct tool. Post the output of

diskutil list

from macOS Terminal.

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