can you install W7 via an exteranl superdrive

[Ksb-online]

I have my boot camp partition set up and ready for the windows 7 install, i have efi also to get the optional boot menu, but when I attempt to install windows 7 via a usb superdrive i get stuck as the "windows is loading files" screen

I have restarted and tried it about 5 times before searching and finally posting on here

can any one tell me if it is possible please, I really don't want to open my MBP up just to install windows!

 

[balamw]

I really don't want to open my MBP up just to install windows!

USB boot of Windows is very finicky and depends very heavily on the combination of USB drive, Mac and Windows disc.

Read this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/601414/. Two basic methods for installing on most Macs without an optical drive. Either use VM software to get the W7 files on your partition before the first reboot or use a throwaway partition on the internal to host your install files.

On some hardware (like the 2010 MBA) folks have also reported that using rEFIt can help the Mac boot from a properly formatted USB key or external optical drive. YMMV with rEFIt. http://refit.sf.net

B