Bootcamp; Installing Win 7 off of External USB DVD Drive leads to black screen

[satchow]

After using boot camp assistant to create the partition, my computer will reboot and try to boot off the external USB drive to start the Windows 7 installation. Instead of the installer starting, I just get a black screen forever.

I replaced my internal Superdrive with an SSD, which is why I have to use an external DVD drive.

Anybody have any ideas on how to get the installer started?

 

[JronMasteR]

Installing Windows from an external drive is not possible as far as I know. I had the same problem. I ended up putting the superdrive in again.
Maybe this can help you:
http://riactant.wordpress.com/2009/...n-boot-camp-using-external-usb-optical-drive/

 

[head honcho 123]

After using boot camp assistant to create the partition, my computer will reboot and try to boot off the external USB drive to start the Windows 7 installation. Instead of the installer starting, I just get a black screen forever.

I replaced my internal Superdrive with an SSD, which is why I have to use an external DVD drive.

Anybody have any ideas on how to get the installer started?

i have this same issue but on a macbook air 2011...

using a samsung external optical drive to install windows 7 64 bit.

any help with this would be appreciated.

thanks

 

[satchow]

I tried googling around before posting and found this link too. Unfortunately, rEFIt doesn't work on Lion from what I've read.

Installing Windows from an external drive is not possible as far as I know. I had the same problem. I ended up putting the superdrive in again.
Maybe this can help you:
http://riactant.wordpress.com/2009/...n-boot-camp-using-external-usb-optical-drive/

 

[JronMasteR]

i have this same issue but on a macbook air 2011...

using a samsung external optical drive to install windows 7 64 bit.

any help with this would be appreciated.

thanks

Well, on the Macbook Air it should work, because it comes without an internal superdrive. I could imagine that it must be the "Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive" to work.

 

[JronMasteR]

I tried googling around before posting and found this link too. Unfortunately, rEFIt doesn't work on Lion from what I've read.

I think putting the superdrive back in is your only option then.

 

[satchow]

Unfortunately I can't do it that way. I want to install Win7 on my HDD, but my SSD is the start up disk. Hopefully rEFIt will be updated soon, but it hasn't been updated in 16 months

I think putting the superdrive back in is your only option then.

 

[JronMasteR]

Unfortunately I can't do it that way. I want to install Win7 on my HDD, but my SSD is the start up disk. Hopefully rEFIt will be updated soon, but it hasn't been updated in 16 months

Just make a Bootcamp partition on your HDD, put the HDD in the harddrive bay, put the superdrive back in and install Windows.

 

[satchow]

Oh I never knew you could do it without my OSX startup disk installed. I will try this, thanks!

Just make a Bootcamp partition on your HDD, put the HDD in the harddrive bay, put the superdrive back in and install Windows.

 

[JronMasteR]

Yes you can. You don't even need the bootcamp assistant, you can also make a FAT32 partition using Disk Utility and just boot up with the Windows DVD.

 

[head honcho 123]

Well, on the Macbook Air it should work, because it comes without an internal superdrive. I could imagine that it must be the "Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive" to work.

ugh that would suck

bootcamp makes the windows partition, but once bootcamp app tries to restart with the windows 7 dvd... black screen of nothingness...

FML

the funny thing is if i OPTION boot, the windows 7 install disk does show up on available options...

 

[JronMasteR]

the funny thing is if i OPTION boot, the windows 7 install disk does show up on available options...

When tried it, same thing. It just didn't work. I would call apple support if I were you. It would be a complete joke if you need the apple superdrive to get it working.

You could also put the disk image on a usb thumb drive...Could work.

 

[satchow]

Booting from a USB flash drive still isn't possible in Lion.

When tried it, same thing. It just didn't work. I would call apple support if I were you. It would be a complete joke if you need the apple superdrive to get it working.

You could also put the disk image on a usb thumb drive...Could work.

 

[JronMasteR]

Ok...thanks for you input

 

[head honcho 123]

just as an update.

i gave up using an external optical drive (samsung) to install windows 7.

i did this instead:

1) on mac, placed windows 7 install disk on external optical drive

2) made DMG image of windows 7 install disk by Disk Utilities

3) change ".dmg" into ".iso" on the image just made

4) opened boot camp and told boot camp to make WININSTALL from the iso file I just made onto a black Western Digital external HD (USB, 250 GB)

5) made the windows partition as usual

6) restarted and the MBA booted from the external USB HD to install windows

worked out nice.

 

[sportykid2332]

I'm confused by the process mentioned above, I have a windows 7 dvd in my external drive, but how do I make the .iso using disk utility?

 

[head honcho 123]

I'm confused by the process mentioned above, I have a windows 7 dvd in my external drive, but how do I make the .iso using disk utility?

there's a make image function on disk utility.

it will make the file, but the file extension will say .img

just change the .img to .iso.

that will allow bootcamp to read the ISO file.

let me know if u need more detail

 

[Nathanotis]

just as an update.

i gave up using an external optical drive (samsung) to install windows 7.

i did this instead:

1) on mac, placed windows 7 install disk on external optical drive

2) made DMG image of windows 7 install disk by Disk Utilities

3) change ".dmg" into ".iso" on the image just made

4) opened boot camp and told boot camp to make WININSTALL from the iso file I just made onto a black Western Digital external HD (USB, 250 GB)

5) made the windows partition as usual

6) restarted and the MBA booted from the external USB HD to install windows

worked out nice.

I'm a little late to this party, but this is the only option I've found in two days of searching. Fingers crossed!

 

[Nathanotis]

4) opened boot camp and told boot camp to make WININSTALL from the iso file I just made onto a black Western Digital external HD (USB, 250 GB)

I don't know if boot camp has the ability to do this anymore... Y'know, here in the future... Where things are advanced... More intuitive... And much easier than they were in the past... #ihatetimcook