Install Windows on a different partition on Mac without CD ?

[PetyrVeliki]

I have a MacBook (with Mac 10.5.8.) with broken CD, and it has two partitions - the mac one and additional one, that is empty. I want to put Windows on it and to have both operating systems, and at startup to have the boot options for choose between Mac and Win. (I have choice between Windows and Linux on my PC laptop, it's very nice.)

Unfortunately, the CD is broken, and also - I can't boot from USB. I tried:

1. Holding "options" key while booting - I see only the HDD for boot device.
2. In "Startup Disk" I see only the HDD and NET for booting options, the USB doesn't appear.

So, what would you recommend me? I was thinking of either manage to boot from USB (different bootloader, different USB drive), or mount some ISO, launch it and install on the empty HDD partition (I'm not sure this is possible at all ...).

So, please, can you give me an advice.

Thanks in advance

 

[Quad5Ny]

Does you or a friend have a Windows Vista or Windows 7 PC?

If so, I can tell you how to make a bootable Windows 7 Setup Thumbdrive.

 

[PetyrVeliki]

Does you or a friend have a Windows Vista or Windows 7 PC?
If so, I can tell you how to make a bootable Windows 7 Setup Thumbdrive.

Hi,

I have a bootable flash drive with windows 7 on it, and my PC laptop boots from it just fine. I guess this is what you ment.

And also, on my PC laptop I have Windows 7. So, what is your advice?

Regards,
Peter

 

[Quad5Ny]

How old is the MacBook? Remember PowerPC Macs CANNOT run Windows.

Before doing any of these steps you should find your model number and verify you can boot Windows. You may also need to upgrade to Snow Leopard.

Do all Intel-based Macs support Windows 7?

All Intel-based Macs support Windows 7 using Boot Camp 3.1 except these:

iMac (17-inch, Early 2006)
iMac (17-inch, Late 2006)
iMac (20-inch, Early 2006)
iMac (20-inch, Late 2006)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2006)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2006)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2006)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006)
Mac Pro (Mid 2006, Intel Xeon Dual-core 2.66GHz or 3GHz)

Source: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3986

How to create a Bootable Windows 7 ThumbDrive (NTFS)

1. Go on the Windows 7 PC
2. Click the Start Orb
3. Type cmd
4. Right click on the result and choose "Run as Administrator"
5. Type diskpart
6. Type list disk (make note of which disk is your ThumbDrive)
7. Type select disk N (N == your ThumbDrive)
8. Type clean (This will erase your ThumbDrive, so backup anything important)
9. Type convert mbr
10. Type create partition primary align=4096
11. Type format fs=ntfs quick
12. Type active
13. Type assign
14. Type exit
15. Place your Windows 7 DVD in the optical drive
16. Type xcopy X:\* Y:\ /e /h /j (X == Windows 7 DVD, Y == ThumbDrive)
17. Type exit

I'm suggesting this because maybe your Mac doesn't want to boot off a Windows FAT32 drive or maybe there is something setup wrong. Either way those steps will give you a 100% correctly setup and working Windows 7 Setup ThumbDrive.

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When done installing, you should convert your ThumbDrive back to FAT32.

Format ThumbDrive as FAT32 in Windows

1. Go on the Windows PC
2. Click the Start Orb
3. Click Computer
4. Right click on your ThumbDrive
5. Click Format
6. Choose; File System: FAT32, Allocation unit size: 32K, Quick Format: Checked
7. Click Start (This will erase your ThumbDrive, so backup anything important)

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One last thing, make sure your using a Retail Windows 7 DVD.

If your not sure that's what you have, you can get a Official ISO Here.

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