Help installing Windows 8.1 Pro on late 2011 MacBook Pro

[ZebraTalent]

Hey all,

I am trying to install Windows 8.1 on an late 2011 MacBook Pro.

I set up a USB installer through Bootcamp. Then I installed Windows 8 through an iso.

That all works fine. But when I restart the Mac and go through the Windows installer. It gets to the point in the setup when I have to choose a partition. I choose the BOOTCAMP partition, but it doesn't let me click 'next'.

I have tried clicking 'format' and that doesn't work. I have tried clicking 'delete' and then 'new' and that doesn't work either.

I have also tried loading back into Mac OSX and using Disk Utility to erase the HD and then formatting it as exfat, to no avail either.

I have also tried setting up a partition, NOT using Bootcamp assistant, and just loading Disk Utility and partitioning the HD that way. But nothing seems to let me get past the Partition selection when I am in the Windows installer!

Does anyone have any ideas of what else I can try? It would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

Do you by chance have more than one storage drive installed, like one in the superdrive bay? If so, you'll need to disconnect it during installation.

 

[ZebraTalent]

I've only got the one HD installed that came with the laptop

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

When you say install from iso, what do you mean? Can you burn it to a DVD and try installing that way?

 

[ZebraTalent]

When you say install from iso, what do you mean? Can you burn it to a DVD and try installing that way?

Yeah I could definitely try that. I was trying to install it from a USB installer, because I don't have any re-writable DVDs to burn to. Will probably be just as easy to buy an installer DVD off eBay to be fair! Was just hoping to do it with a USB installer as it would be quicker than waiting for an eBay delivery!

 

[Darmok N Jalad]

It’s a bit of a long shot, but the DVD installer was the only way I ever had luck installing Windows on an older Mac.