How on earth to install Windows 8 on Boot Camp Retina iMac?

[WilliamG]

I'm having a weird issue..

3TB Fusion Retina iMac here. Created the partition in Boot Camp, but upon rebooting to install Windows 8 it tells me there's no GPT partition or some such error. I tried reformatting that partition in the Windows installer, but still no luck. - Simply can't get Windows 8 to install.

*sigh*

Anyone managed to make it work?

 

[tillsbury]

With fusion you have to install Windows 8 on a hard-drive-only partition. Windows doesn't support fusion drives. There are plenty of guides on the web how to do this on an old-style iMac.

 

[WilliamG]

With fusion you have to install Windows 8 on a hard-drive-only partition. Windows doesn't support fusion drives. There are plenty of guides on the web how to do this on an old-style iMac.

I understand that, but I still can't get it to install.

 

[azure247]

are u formatting the partition labeled bootcamp?

this has nothing to do with an issue with installing windows 8 since the above step has to be done first before the install starts

 

[WilliamG]

are u formatting the partition labeled bootcamp?

this has nothing to do with an issue with installing windows 8 since the above step has to be done first before the install starts

I formatted the partition named BOOT CAMP in the actual Windows installer after booting from the Windows 8 disc after creating the partition with Boot Camp Assistant. Still wouldn't install afterwards, though.

 

[hfg]

I don't know if Windows 8 has the 2.2TB limit like Windows 7 did ... but you might find something in this article:

http://twocanoes.com/winclone/suppo...-a-boot-camp-partition-on-a-3-tb-fusion-drive

Good luck and post your solution ...

 

[WilliamG]

I don't know if Windows 8 has the 2.2TB limit like Windows 7 did ... but you might find something in this article:

http://twocanoes.com/winclone/suppo...-a-boot-camp-partition-on-a-3-tb-fusion-drive

Good luck and post your solution ...

That link is a tad outdated (it's supposed to work on 3TB fusion disks since then). But thanks, and I'll keep the thread updated as to when I figure it out. It's definitely a thorn in my side at the moment.

 

[habeebhashim]

I'm having a weird issue..

3TB Fusion Retina iMac here. Created the partition in Boot Camp, but upon rebooting to install Windows 8 it tells me there's no GPT partition or some such error. I tried reformatting that partition in the Windows installer, but still no luck. - Simply can't get Windows 8 to install.

*sigh*

Anyone managed to make it work?

I had the same issue with a plain 1TB drive and Windows 7 on my old 2011 iMac. Disk Util wouldn't even remove the partition already created under bootcamp.

Only way I could solve it was internet recovery (sob) to Lion (as my Mavericks install USB wasn't able to recognise Macintosh HD either) and upgrade to Mavericks and then use bootcamp assistant after which everything worked fine.

With the new 5K iMac, Win 7 installed without a hitch on the 3TB Fusion (phew)

Are you able to recover the partition and make it a whole drive again? If so, maybe you should give it another shot.

 

[WilliamG]

I had the same issue with a plain 1TB drive and Windows 7 on my old 2011 iMac. Disk Util wouldn't even remove the partition already created under bootcamp.

Only way I could solve it was internet recovery (sob) to Lion (as my Mavericks install USB wasn't able to recognise Macintosh HD either) and upgrade to Mavericks and then use bootcamp assistant after which everything worked fine.

With the new 5K iMac, Win 7 installed without a hitch on the 3TB Fusion (phew)

Are you able to recover the partition and make it a whole drive again? If so, maybe you should give it another shot.

I am able to repartition the drive as one, seemingly. I tried with Windows 7, as well, and it gets to the pick your language/country screen, and completely freezes there, so I have to hard power off the system. Joy..

 

[forg0t]

do you have winclone? One option is to use another mac to create the bootcamp partition properly with the drivers you need, then to clone it onto a partition on your drive.

Not ideal, but might work.

 

[WilliamG]

do you have winclone? One option is to use another mac to create the bootcamp partition properly with the drivers you need, then to clone it onto a partition on your drive.

Not ideal, but might work.

Yeah. But a bit of a pain to make that work. I'd like this new computer to do what it's supposed to...

Just helped my neighbor set up my old 2012 iMac with 1TB Fusion disk with Windows 7 tonight. No issues. My new iMac? Nightmare. Sad panda is me.

 

[habeebhashim]

Yeah. But a bit of a pain to make that work. I'd like this new computer to do what it's supposed to...

Just helped my neighbor set up my old 2012 iMac with 1TB Fusion disk with Windows 7 tonight. No issues. My new iMac? Nightmare. Sad panda is me.

Thats just weird isn't it. Tough...

 

[WilliamG]

Thats just weird isn't it. Tough...

Just got it working. Will post more when I'm awake.

 

[WilliamG]

The issue was twofold:

1.) File Vault needs to be off, to do the installation.

2.) My original Windows 7 DVD disc wouldn't work. I had to download a new ISO and burn it to a USB stick using Boot Camp Assistant for it to boot correctly.

3.) I haven't tried Windows 8 again yet, but I will as an ISO to see if it works better...

 

[Mydrivec]

With the new 5K iMac, Win 7 installed without a hitch on the 3TB Fusion (phew)

Any suggestions? I get to the desktop and get BSOD every time.

Called Applecare and they said Windows via Bootcamp is not supported yet. Drivers for the 5K will be coming but there is no estimated date.

 

[WilliamG]

Any suggestions? I get to the desktop and get BSOD every time.

Called Applecare and they said Windows via Bootcamp is not supported yet. Drivers for the 5K will be coming but there is no estimated date.

That's weird. I suggest making an ISO Boot USB disk from a Windows 8.1 ISO. I have it working just fine on the desktop using the Boot Camp assistant. Just literally finished installing.

 

[habeebhashim]

Any suggestions? I get to the desktop and get BSOD every time.

Called Applecare and they said Windows via Bootcamp is not supported yet. Drivers for the 5K will be coming but there is no estimated date.

Win 7 / 8 /8.1 all 64-bit versions are most definitely supported and many are already running.

http://support.apple.com/en-sg/HT5639

I installed mine with an ISO as well. Don't have a superdrive any more. I downloaded the ISO and used the key that came with my Win 7 Home Edition box.

As WilliamG suggests, make sure that Filevault is turn off and try with an ISO.

 

[Mydrivec]

Update

Hi all...thanks for the replies.

So after I posted, I looked around and found others with successful installs. I called Applecare again and the 2nd rep confirmed that Win7 is supported and should install. There should be no driver issues.

So I tried again and have no explanation as to why this install was successful.

Over the last 2 days, I tried installing Win7 Premium via the Bootcamp Assistant and received the following results: 3 times the install failed somewhere in the process, 3 times it succeeded all the way to the Win7 desktop where I promptly was hit with BSOD. The last time it worked.

The process was identical each time...install from an ISO on a 32gb USB drive. Oddly enough, I have received one BSOD on the last install but so far, it has taken all the windows updates (around 200 of them) and allowed me to install Steam, Antivirus and Firefox.

I'm hoping this install sticks because I LOVE the new machine!