Generally, if your Mac has a optical drive, then the firmware does not have the ability to install Windows using a USB drive. I have a 21.5-inch mid 2011 iMac and for this model I know this to be true.
Ok so Im at my wits end, nobody seems to have quite the same issue as me, and after 4 FULL days of researching I just dont know who to turn to anymore. Macbook Pro (early 2008) OSX 10.5.8 with Bootcamp Assistant 2.0 Trying to install a legit copy of Windows 7 (64 bit). Downloaded via school website. (as students we get free copies of Windows 7, XP, and Vista all 64 bit though) Problem: First my optical drive on my mac is not working at all, just spits disks out. Used to be that a pram reset would fix it, not anymore. Solution: Got an external optical drive via USB (LG) Used Bootcamp assistant to create partition for windows, 35 GBs Burned the Windows 7 ISO on a pc with Image Burner.
After clicking the install it went blank, but didn't start the windows installer, instead it took me to the dreaded cant find bootable disk black screen. Found out that it may be because the external drive is connected via usb, and apparently drivers are needed to find them first. Solution: Downloaded and installed reFit Restarted via refit.
Saw windows cd icon. Clicked and got taken back to the dreaded black screen. After a few tries decided to try something else Install via USB Blanked my 4gb stick, Used the Windows 7 USB/DVD tool to make it bootable. Selected my Windows 7 ISO as source.
Problem: Copied the files fine, except I got an error saying it couldn't make it bootable or something. Dont know why. Refit saw it but needless to say black screen appeared again. Tried it with my external drive with a partition just for that, no go.
Burned another cd using the Windows 7 USB/DVD tool, no errors.but again black screen. I just dont know anymore, Ive tried everything I could find.help (T^T). Thank you very much for your reply. However I am running into some problems. When typing bootsect /nt60 L: (my drive) I get the error 'bootsect' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file I used the windows 7 cd that I burned using the windows usb/dvd download tool, Ill try it with the cd I burned with ImgBurn. Oh wait, I just looked, the DVD is in the E: drive. Ill try it with that first.
Edit Found it but now I get this error This version of e: boot bootsect.exe is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computer's system information to see wether you need a x86 or x64 version of the program, and then contact the software publisher.
The pc I am trying this on is Windows Vista 32 bit. I extracted the file to the desktop, however I got an error trying bootsect, Im not sure if I misunderstood your directions but this is what I did. I started from step one, partitioning the usb and all since it already had the previous failed windows, and to make sure I had a clean slate. After it was done I started with cd desktop bootsect/n60 k: (new drive letter) Messages received were Target volumes will be updated with BOOTMGR compatible bootcode Could not map drive partitions to the associated volume device objects: Access is denied.
To clarify it is in an admin account Also thank you very much for your help so far. Yup thats what wouldn't let me boot sect. But instead of using the 32bit windows bootsect I was able to borrow my brothers which had Windows 7 64 bit. Everything was going well, set it up successfully, and then just dragged and dropped all of the files from the cd to the drive.but then it happened, the No bootable device screen. I don't know what could possibly be the issue anymore.
Could I be missing some kind of driver? I've checked my firmware upgrades though, they're all up to date.
![Installation Installation](/uploads/1/2/5/3/125378531/198982203.png)
I recently purchased and downloaded the full version of Windows 7 Home Premium, so I can run legacy Windows programs on an iMac Intel Core Duo using Boot Camp. When I finished downloading the files, I had: Win7-HP-Retail-en-us-x86.exe, Win7-HP-Retail-en-us-x861.box, and Win7-HP-Retail-en-us-x862.box, and an activation code. I am not sure how to make these files into a bootable ISO, or even if it can be done. I've already tried burning the files onto a DVD, and while everything looks like it is there, I can't boot from it.
I don't think there is a boot.ini file on the DVD. In XP the boot.ini file looks like it's just a text file- what should it contain on a Windows 7 DVD (I don't have MSCONFIG)? The only running Windows PC that I have available is running Windows 98, and it does not have a DVD burner. I did order a backup disk, but it hasn't arrived yet.
Will that work as an installation disk? If not, it there any way to get an installation disk?
Hi, Setup/Settings (BIOS/CMOS) often F2 so watch the screen as you boot (some have F12 as a Quick One Time option) set to CD/DVD drive first in the boot order. If using the BIOS and not the Quick One Time F12 be sure to set the boot order back to the hard drive as needed. If you set those and it will not boot to the drive then either both disks are defective, not real boot disks, or there are driver or other hardware issues. Hope this helps. Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP - Windows and Devices for IT 2010 - current Windows Insider MVP 2016 - current. Hi, Make one or more of these and see if you can boot - refer to the BIOS boot order in my previous message. If these do not boot then you have CD/DVD or other hardware issues.
Of course you need another computer with a CD burner running XP, Vista, or Windows 7 as the process uses no files from the host computer. If you need to make repair disks - these help repair Windows not re-install. Often a Repair Disk will help when the Recovery Disk does not - Use OPTION 2 to make the disk. How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc - Make a Bootable CD with the Trinity Rescue Kit - freeĀ - which comes with 5 antivirus programs built-inĀ - Hirem's is another choice - others can be found using Google. Trinity Rescue Kit - Download on upper right of page Hirem's Boot CD is another good choice System Rescue CD Scan a Windows PC for Viruses from a Ubuntu Live CD Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer Hope this helps. Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP - Windows and Devices for IT 2010 - current Windows Insider MVP 2016 - current.