What version of OSX do you use, and which version of Windows do you want to install?
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Installing Windows 7
- Thread starter A Macbook Pro
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What version of OSX do you use, and which version of Windows do you want to install?
The only issue I have is with that damn activation. It's gone away now but I'm always scared of it requiring reactivation when I need it to work.
Back on topic, am I missing something here but why not just use a standard external USB cd/dvd drive? I got a cheapo $20aud DVDRW drive from Hong Kong and it worked flawlessly for installing Windows.
I had this problem yesterday, even after letting the w7 installer reformat the partition. I then just deleted the partition in the installer, went back to the boot camp assistant which consolidated the deleted partition, and started the process again using the boot camp assistant. And, this time it worked. I followed the cnet guide using the rEFIt boot menu.
Surprised at how speedy W7 is, though battery life is definitely worse than OSX.
I didn't even get to the W7 installer. The error occurs when trying to boot from the USB.
I'm following the CNET tutorial as well.
I used this guide to setup the USB and then followed the cnet instructions.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/dd535816.aspx
Maybe that is the problem?
Tried using diskpart (both fat32 and ntfs), tried using wintoflash, also tried making a bootable Ubuntu USB and nothing. I believe it's the USB flash.
You can completely replace OSx if you want to regain disk space back, but then you can't do firmware updates or things like that. I used to run like this, with a complete Win7 install, but lately I've just installed OSx and ran it thru bootcamp so I'd be able to apply updates to the Mac side of it.
If you really want to get rid of OSx completely just reboot into the Win7 installer and reclaim the Mac partition and then just do a regular install.
Thanks for the replies. I can confirm it's a USB issue.
Tried booting from it on my PC and it doesn't work. Now I only need to buy a new one, one that can be made bootable.
Tried booting from it on my PC and it doesn't work. Now I only need to buy a new one, one that can be made bootable.
You guys realize the thread was about how to install windows 7, not OS vs OS? I think OP and everyone else knows the easiest way to run old, crappy software built around the days when MS was king is to install windows, and the only version you can currently buy is Win7.
Opinion was not requested nor appropriate for this thread.
back to the OT, the only version you can legally install is the RETAIL edition. It comes with both 32 bit and 64 bit. You can install it in in a bootcamp and boot natively, or a VM like Parallels, VMware, or VirtualBox.
VirtualBox is free software by Oracle, it's pretty good, but Parallels has some fun advantages if you can get it on sale. VMware will be a little more familiar if your used to VMware already, otherwise I'd say adviod it.
If you go bootcamp, you making a USB stick version of the Microsoft disk. Google search for directions. OR just get any cheap USB dvd drive. It would be a waste to get a superdrive for one use. Don't remove the OS X. You can, but you should keep it for firmware updates and the like. Also, when your ready to put it back to OS X you will just blow out the windows and expand your partition rather then reinstall. Plus killing OS X will create a delay booting.
Opinion was not requested nor appropriate for this thread.
back to the OT, the only version you can legally install is the RETAIL edition. It comes with both 32 bit and 64 bit. You can install it in in a bootcamp and boot natively, or a VM like Parallels, VMware, or VirtualBox.
VirtualBox is free software by Oracle, it's pretty good, but Parallels has some fun advantages if you can get it on sale. VMware will be a little more familiar if your used to VMware already, otherwise I'd say adviod it.
If you go bootcamp, you making a USB stick version of the Microsoft disk. Google search for directions. OR just get any cheap USB dvd drive. It would be a waste to get a superdrive for one use. Don't remove the OS X. You can, but you should keep it for firmware updates and the like. Also, when your ready to put it back to OS X you will just blow out the windows and expand your partition rather then reinstall. Plus killing OS X will create a delay booting.
Yeah, about firmware updates - Apple still hasn't released an update to fix heating issues with 1st gen MBAs
Nano iPods were updated up to a point where newer ones were released, so I'm pretty much done with updates from Apple...
About the USB issue - I'm thinking of buying a Kingston Data Traveler G2 or G3 USB flash drive (8GB). Is it good?
Actually, good point about the updates... we seem to get whatever "some one" decides needs fixing and thats it. As far as the heating... prior to the 2010 redesign MBA just didn't have great cooling. It was just not designed with performance in mind, (the 2010 does not have that issue btw.) However, there have been useful updates to macs over the years, the keyboard fix, the update for the new batteries, the update for the new power bricks, Boot Camp updates, etc....
I don't know anything bad about Kingston. My personal favorite is Sandisk. Its the only thing I'll buy now. They are always reliable, always quick, and always sturdy. I would definitely not use anything that was a no-name off brand. My time just worth more. I've seen no-names that are slow, I've seen some corrupt data, I've seen some just fail, and I've actually seen a couple just fall apart.
Well, I just need it to work as bootable. Mine is Corsair Flash Voyager and doesn't. Odd thing. I've seen a lot of A-Data pens, but I trust Kingston more.