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Anyone running Windows 7 on their Mac Pro yet?

I've got W7x64 running on the system in my sig. It's noticeably more responsive and quicker than Vista. I also installed Crysis and ran a few tests. There was no performance difference that I could detect between Crysis x64 Vista and Crysis x64 W7 in DX10 using the latest NV drivers.
 
Arghh....What's up with the use of "snappier"?

I wish...Steve Jobs....never said...
OK, rant over. :D :p
 
Installing Windows 7 x64 on First Generation Intel Macs

success_mac.jpg


If you try to install Windows 7 64-bit on an older Intel Mac, you may be getting the following error during boot:
Code: 
       1.
       2.
Select CD-ROM Boot Type :

I've spent the last 2 days trying to get around this error and have finally come up with a solution. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what's causing the problem. Windows 7 32-bit boots just fine, so it has to be something in the x64 version's boot loader. Nearest I can figure, it's a conflict with Apple's legacy BIOS module and Microsoft's EFI fallback code.

People had the same problem with Windows Vista 64-bit as well. The Windows 7 installer is basically just a renamed Vista installer, so hopefully they'll fix this before release.

What you'll need:

Conventions:
  • C:\ - Primary drive in the VM.
  • D:\ - Optical drive in the VM.
  • Installation ISO - Windows 7 x64 ISO (7000.0.081212-1400_client_en-us_Ultimate-GB1CULXFRE_EN_DVD.ISO)
  • WAIK ISO - Windows 7 WAIK (KB3AIK_EN.ISO)
  • <Username> - The name you gave Windows 7 during the installation. In my case, I picked Timothy, since that's my name. Just use your first name, as we'll have to type this in a command prompt later and it's easier to do without spaces.

Instructions:
  1. Create a new VM in VMWare or Parallels. Choose Vista 64-bit as the type. Deselect Easy Install. The rest of the defaults are fine. When prompted for installation media, select the installation ISO.
  2. Proceed with the Windows 7 installation as normal. Don't worry about any settings as we'll only be using this VM to create a new, bootable ISO.
  3. Once Windows 7 has installed, proceed with the installation of the VMWare or Parallels Tools. Reboot when prompted.
  4. At this point, Windows 7 should be up and running. Select the WAIK ISO as your new CD/DVD media. If AutoRun doesn't prompt you, go ahead and run setup from that disc. Install the Windows Automated Installer Kit Tools.
  5. Once the installation is complete, go ahead and choose the installation ISO as your CD/DVD media again. Ignore any AutoRun prompts.
  6. Open up a command prompt and type the following:
    Code: 
    cd "C:\Program Files\Windows AIK\Tools\amd64"
  7. Now we'll create a new ISO! Type the following:
    Code: 
    oscdimg -n -m -h -e -bd:\boot\etfsboot.com d: "c:\Users\<Username>\Desktop\Windows_7.iso"
  8. If everything went smoothly, it should now be writing a new ISO to the Windows 7 desktop.
    oscdimg.png
  9. Once that's complete, go ahead and drag the new ISO from the Windows 7 Desktop to the Mac OS X Desktop.
    vm_to_rm.png
  10. That's it! Go ahead and use Disc Utility under Mac OS X to burn this new ISO and procede to install Windows via Boot Camp like normal.
    ballmer_heart_jobs.png

Drivers:

Windows 7 came with drivers for everything except my Apple Bluetooth Module. That said, somehow, my bluetooth keyboard still worked straight out of the box, even without true Bluetooth drivers installed.

I'd hold off from installing the Boot Camp drivers at this point, if you can help it.
 
Tom Sawyer said:
Having what I think is the same issue... I have installled the bootcamp 2.1 drivers and all devices are fine... but no sound. Well, not entirely no sound but VERY VERY low sound output from the back. I can hear it if I crank the speakers and mixer all the way up, but it's faint. Strange....
Click to expand...

The Boot Camp Realtek drivers did not install for me. It wasn't
obvious at first because the Boot Camp setup program didn't
show an error message. Check carefully in device manager to
see who signed the drivers. Also check for the presence of the
file 'C:\RHDSetup.log':

Code: 
[ResponseResult]
ResultCode=0
[Install Progress]
 Confirm Realtek Driver 
 Check Operation System Version 
 Realtek HD Audio Driver WDM Directory Exist .
 Microsoft Bus Driver Directory Exist 
 delete C:\Program Files (x86)\Realtek\Audio\InstallShield
 Copy Microsoft HD Audio QFE from MSHDQFE Directory
 Copy Realtek HD Audio Driver from WDM Directory
 Install Realtek HD Audio Audio Driver 
 --> SetupAPI result LAAW_PARAMETERS.nLaunchResult = -1
 InstallShield was aborted

You can also try running 'RealTekSetup.exe' directly. Then you
will see if it succeeds.

I used 7zip to extract the Realtek drivers and manually updated
the audio drivers. Then I had sound.
 
I just downloaded the Win 7 Ultimate Beta Virtual Appliance from VM Ware and using it under Fusion. Quick and easy.

In no way I'm going to mess with my current setup (bootcamp & fusion w/ Win Vista 64) with a Beta release.

So far, Win7 looks and feels exactly like Vista...which I hate.
 
Infrared said:
The Boot Camp Realtek drivers did not install for me. It wasn't
obvious at first because the Boot Camp setup program didn't
show an error message. Check carefully in device manager to
see who signed the drivers. Also check for the presence of the
file 'C:\RHDSetup.log':

Code: 
[ResponseResult]
ResultCode=0
[Install Progress]
 Confirm Realtek Driver 
 Check Operation System Version 
 Realtek HD Audio Driver WDM Directory Exist .
 Microsoft Bus Driver Directory Exist 
 delete C:\Program Files (x86)\Realtek\Audio\InstallShield
 Copy Microsoft HD Audio QFE from MSHDQFE Directory
 Copy Realtek HD Audio Driver from WDM Directory
 Install Realtek HD Audio Audio Driver 
 --> SetupAPI result LAAW_PARAMETERS.nLaunchResult = -1
 InstallShield was aborted

You can also try running 'RealTekSetup.exe' directly. Then you
will see if it succeeds.

I used 7zip to extract the Realtek drivers and manually updated
the audio drivers. Then I had sound.
Click to expand...

Those drivers are far too old. Just get the latest ones from RealTek's website, which came out on the 9th.

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads...=24&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false

You want the first link: Vista Driver (32/64 bits) Driver only (ZIP file) (R2.14)

Windows 7 comes with drivers for everything but Bluetooth. However, like the previous poster mentioned, the built-in RealTek drivers produce a very low volume output. Updating to the latest ones fix that.
 
I have my sound working but only through the internal speaker or headphones. How do I activate the rear sound jack so I can use my speakers?
 
dimme said:
I have my sound working but only through the internal speaker or headphones. How do I activate the rear sound jack so I can use my speakers?
Click to expand...

Open the RealTek application, there's options in there.
 
I tried the x64 version last night on my macpro

I have

8800GT Graphics Card
10gb ram
320gb hdd (OSX)
2x 500gb HDD (Raid0 s/w stripe)
1x 500gb drive (Windows)

It boots sweet, get the swirly windows logo's, then it just BSOD's

a bit of googling says it may be the custom bios in apples 8800gt's causing the problem. My other theory is it's the raid0 cocking it up.

I'm interested in trying the beta, but not to this level of messing about, so I'll probably wait 'till I hear more info about other peoples fixes.

Runs Vista x64 currently like a treat anyway.
 
Using the 64-bit version, the graphics card won't load the driver... although the computer knows it's a 3870 card.

When I first installed Windows 7 it was using the card fine for a few minutes, then it stopped working right after.

Tried installing and reinstalling the drivers over and over again, no hope yet.
 
W7 32-bit is running fine on my Mac Pro (Early 2008) 8-core 2.8Ghz with 14GB RAM. No installation problems except that setup did not recognize my ADS USB hub, so my mouse and keyboard did not work initially until I plugged the keyboard directly into the back of the Mac Pro.

It runs fast and I am impressed. Boot Camp needs updated drivers because every reboot boots into W7 regardless of boot settings in Boot Camp. Holding Option during bootup is the only workaround. It may be due to the fact my W7 partition is on a separate hard drive in the disk0 slot of the Mac Pro.

Running under Fusion, W7 gets no internet connection, but that may be a problem with Fusion incompatibility.
 
Fusion works fine for me

Dejavu said:
W7 32-bit is running fine on my Mac Pro (Early 2008) 8-core 2.8Ghz with 14GB RAM.

Running under Fusion, W7 gets no internet connection, but that may be a problem with Fusion incompatibility.
Click to expand...

I'm running both 32 and 64 bit VMs under Fusion, both get internet connectivity.

Fred
 
nihilisticmonk said:
I tried the x64 version last night on my macpro

I have

8800GT Graphics Card
10gb ram
320gb hdd (OSX)
2x 500gb HDD (Raid0 s/w stripe)
1x 500gb drive (Windows)

It boots sweet, get the swirly windows logo's, then it just BSOD's

a bit of googling says it may be the custom bios in apples 8800gt's causing the problem. My other theory is it's the raid0 cocking it up.

I'm interested in trying the beta, but not to this level of messing about, so I'll probably wait 'till I hear more info about other peoples fixes.

Runs Vista x64 currently like a treat anyway.
Click to expand...

Running fine on my first generation:

8800 GT
8 GB Ram
1 TB HDD (Windows 7)
2x500 GB HDD (RAID0, Mac OS X)
1 TB HDD (Time Machine)
Bluetooth
 
Timb! Help! :(

I've followed your guide and it's by far the best solution i've seen. By that I mean it at least gets me to a bootable Win 7 64 screen. It just bombs out during the install saying it can't find the specified file (or something like that, I'm at work and cant' remember exaclty the error).

I've tried three other attempts -
http://jowie.com/blog/post/2008/02/...t-from-Vista-x64-DVD-burnt-from-iso-file.aspx

-Seemed to work, but got and error during the boot - Cannot boot from CD - Code 5" error.

http://sergiomcfly.blogspot.com/2008/04/select-cd-rom-boot-type-when-installing.html

-did the same as your trick - booted and stopped during install. Basically the same directions as your just a little way to do it.

I have an iMac 2.4 Core 2 Duo - IM71.007A.B03 - I was able to install the Win 7 64 under VMWARE Fusion - so that also confirmed that my chips can do the 64bit.

Any suggestions? I really want to get this 64bit OS working but after 6 wasted DVD's and hours/days working on it - I am forced to ask for help.

Please advise is you have any time today. I would like to work on another method tonight if possible.
 
For anyone who's installed it on a 2008 Mac Pro -

What do you get for the "Windows Experience Index" for performance?

I've got a Mac Pro, but have all four disks setup for Software RAID and I haven't been able to boot from an external eSATA drive...
 
KelchM said:
seriously?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent_(protocol)
Click to expand...
hmm, i think your wikipedia is slightly broken. maybe you should take it into the shop. mine gives me this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_was_a_dark_and_stormy_night

"It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents, except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness."
- Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton, 1830
Click to expand...
 
louden said:
For anyone who's installed it on a 2008 Mac Pro -

What do you get for the "Windows Experience Index" for performance?

I've got a Mac Pro, but have all four disks setup for Software RAID and I haven't been able to boot from an external eSATA drive...
Click to expand...

My machine got a 5.8 overall
 
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