Windows 8 upgrade on new iMacs - success?

[kaelell]

HI,

Just wanting to get a feel for what peoples experiences have been so far with Windows 8 via bootcamp on the new iMacs? ( assuming someone has done this).

I appreciate certain things will not work but have you managed to get the core functionality?
i.e Full screen resolution , sound, any keyboard connection issues ?

also I was going to purchase the system builder edition for £110 until someone mentioned you can just upgrade from Windows 7 for £39.99, are there any issues with going about it this way through bootcamp?

I am intending just to borrow someones window 7 or XP installation and then upgrade to Windows 8 straight away, would there be any issues with doing it like that? i.e CD key valadations etc.


thanks in advance

[Arman]

FYI, 32bit versions of Windows are not supported on new iMacs.

[kaelell]

Originally Posted by Arman

FYI, 32bit versions of Windows are not supported on new iMacs.

thanks I didnt know that, probably wouldnt matter in long run as I would install 64bit anyway but it is good to know. Especially as I probably wouldnt of thought about what Windows7 disc I can get a hold of.

[MEGrubb]

Originally Posted by Arman

FYI, 32bit versions of Windows are not supported on new iMacs.

Was just about to buy a 32bit version of windows 7 to bootcamp with...glad I saw this.

I'm interested in downloading a copy of Windows 7, as my new iMac doesn't have an optical drive...Can anyone recommend a website to download (to purchase, but merely a digital copy) a full version of windows that is compatible with the new iMacs via bootcamp?

[Arman]

Here you go. Depending on what version you have (home/pro/ultimate). Pick the x64 version in your language.

http://www.w7forums.com/official-win...ds-t12325.html

[hfg]

I have installed Windows 8 to an external SSD mounted to a Seagate GoFlex Thunderbolt adapter and it seems to be working fine in my 27" 2012 iMac.

[bonedaddio]

Originally Posted by hfg

I have installed Windows 8 to an external SSD mounted to a Seagate GoFlex Thunderbolt adapter and it seems to be working fine in my 27" 2012 iMac.

Thanks much for the info... this is probably part of my plan when and if my iMac ever get's here... I'm currently setting up to boot to a Pegasus J4 box with a Mac OS SSD, a Win7 SSD, and a Win 8 HDD. It's great to hear that my little scheme may work!

Did you install directly through Boot Camp, or one of the work-arounds?

[kaelell]

whats the chance I can purchase and install Windows 8 upgrade onto a trial Windows 7 version :P
I read they have been relaxed on Win 8 upgrade policy.

[hfg]

Originally Posted by bonedaddio

Thanks much for the info... this is probably part of my plan when and if my iMac ever get's here... I'm currently setting up to boot to a Pegasus J4 box with a Mac OS SSD, a Win7 SSD, and a Win 8 HDD. It's great to hear that my little scheme may work!

Did you install directly through Boot Camp, or one of the work-arounds?

I used the technique posted in the Windows on Mac thread and did NOT use Boot Camp Assistant (won't work to external drive).

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1508618

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Originally Posted by kaelell

whats the chance I can purchase and install Windows 8 upgrade onto a trial Windows 7 version :P
I read they have been relaxed on Win 8 upgrade policy.

You can clean install the Windows 8 upgrade and activate it after a single RegEdit change and one command line entry. Search the web and you will find out how (or you can simply install and upgrade from the same image with 2 installs).

[kaelell]

Originally Posted by hfg

I used the technique posted in the Windows on Mac thread and did NOT use Boot Camp Assistant (won't work to external drive).

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1508618

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You can clean install the Windows 8 upgrade and activate it after a single RegEdit change and one command line entry. Search the web and you will find out how (or you can simply install and upgrade from the same image with 2 installs).

thanks! you may of saved me £££s

[Arman]

Originally Posted by hfg

I used the technique posted in the Windows on Mac thread and did NOT use Boot Camp Assistant (won't work to external drive).

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1508618

----------



You can clean install the Windows 8 upgrade and activate it after a single RegEdit change and one command line entry. Search the web and you will find out how (or you can simply install and upgrade from the same image with 2 installs).

is that the same regedit you do on the Windows 7 upgrade.

[hfg]

Originally Posted by Arman

is that the same regedit you do on the Windows 7 upgrade.

Yep ... the same one works in Windows 8 as well. Just did one this morning.



Once your system is stable, open regedit.exe (You can search for it in the start menu) Find this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/MediaBootInstall. Change the value from 1 to 0, and close the registry editor.

Start a Command shell as Administrator (find it in the start menu, right click on it, and select "run as administrator") You will need to authorize the UAC.

Run the following command "slmgr /rearm" and wait for the command to complete. (you will be prompted)

Restart the machine, and head over the the About page. You will be notified that you have 30 days to activate, and near that is a blue link to enter a new key. Click it, enter your upgrade key, and let it activate. If all went well, you should be good to go.

[kaelell]

Hi, thanks again.

I just wanted to clarify what you are saying, when you say you can "clean install windows 8 upgrade"


Are you saying that I can install it via bootcamp without first having windows 7/xp installed?

and then follow the regedit commands to activate that using a purchased key for example.




is that correct?

thanks

[kaelell]

To clarify: Will this work


1) Using my Ofice windows xp PC, I purchase Windows 8 pro Upgrade license for £39.99 or howevermuch it is, download the .iso and burn a DVD.

2) Use this DVD to clean install on a new iMac 2012 via Bootcamp

3) register via the upgrade Key I have purchased




From my vague understanding of several posts, even though its an upgrade version you can still clean install ?

[freeads360]

Hi,
I got more information's from you guys... thanks let me try.

Regards
Raja

[hfg]

Originally Posted by kaelell

Hi, thanks again.

I just wanted to clarify what you are saying, when you say you can "clean install windows 8 upgrade"


Are you saying that I can install it via bootcamp without first having windows 7/xp installed?

and then follow the regedit commands to activate that using a purchased key for example.




is that correct?

thanks

Yes ... that is correct.

I had mixed success upgrading BootCamp Windows 7 installations. It worked on a Mac Pro (pretty standard interfaces), but problems such as trackpad with MacBook Pro.

I redid both installations with a fresh format, then used the Windows 8 Upgrade disk to install. Both of my purchased activation codes were for "Upgrade" installations and wouldn't let me activate after the initial install. Using the regedit method instantly fixed both installs.


-howard

[kaelell]

many thanks for you input!

[Sankel]

I've got Windows 8 x64 running on a late 2012 27" mac. I took some time to accomplish.

My video card (2gb) is installed properly, i think. Sounds work, brightness and other controls working properly.

Only one thing.. But hey, it's windows! I can't access my Macintosh HD within Windows 8. MacDrive doesn't work out, either the official bootcamp v.4 HFS+ read only drivers dont do the trick..

So anybody with good ideas?

[kaelell]

For the benefit for future readers

I can confirm I also have Windows 8 Pro Upgrade x64 installed and working on my 2012 27" iMac, after some initial trouble getting it to work from an external DVD drive, I used bootcamp assistant to make a bootable USB install and that did the trick.

I downloaded bootcamp drivers from here
http://www.cafe-encounter.net/p682/d...otcamp-drivers

wireless keyboard volume controls worked fine, Brightness controls initially did but new Nvida drivers stopped it working. Trackpad did not work either yet.
Everything else appears to be ok.
There are tips on brightness & trackpad issues on these forums that I will try tonight.