Installing Windows 8.1 and Bootcamp on 2013 nMP 6,1

[ghislain]

I dunno. I've tried different versions of windows. Different drives. And different DVD drives. With the same error every time. That means it has to be the boot can drivers yeah?

The message says "Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of installation".

I wish I was better with this and felt comfortable enough to boot via EFI as you said but I just don't have the confidence.

I had the same problem as you and solved it with a trick found in another forum. During installation of Windows, when you arrive to the screen listing the different partitions on your computer, instead of selecting the bootcamp partition and format it prior to proceed, just highlight that Bootcamp partition and click delete, then highlight it and select format. After that, click next to proceed with install which will occur normally.

 

[sgginc]

After deleting it does it still remain?

I had the same problem as you and solved it with a trick found in another forum. During installation of Windows, when you arrive to the screen listing the different partitions on your computer, instead of selecting the bootcamp partition and format it prior to proceed, just highlight that Bootcamp partition and click delete, then highlight it and select format. After that, click next to proceed with install which will occur normally.

After deleting partition does the partition still remain???

Thanks ... Ken

 

[jenzjen]

Try something else, ytoyada PRAM suggestion didn't work for me kept getting the boot configuration error but needed another step.

Restart OSX and do a PRAM reset.

Then open disk utility and repair permissions.

Close and reopen disk utility and repair permissions a 2nd time (should only get a few messages this time).

Now run boot camp assistant.

 

[ghislain]

After deleting partition does the partition still remain???

Thanks ... Ken

Yes, you delete the bootcamp partition and then immediatly after click "format" and proceeds. This is what worked for me. Apparently, this trick format the bootcamp partition you just deleted since installation proceeds normally. From another forum, it seems that the windows install disk does not handle correctly the GTP partition created by bootcamp assistant. The trick therefore consists of replacing this partition by a MBR partition on which Zindows is happy to install Windows 8.1. The only (small) problem is that this installation of windows creates an additional 100MB partiton, the so-called "microsoft reserved partition" which does not prevents windows nor macos to function normally, but which is apparently rather pointless for mac users.Hope that a newversion of bootcamp assistant will appear soon...

 

[NathanWind]

Finally worked for me. Win 8.1 Pro on rMBP late-2013.

Hi all. I joined the forums today if only to thank ytoyoda. After reading his posts from Jan 30–Feb 1, and after seeing TekAzurik's success with this approach, I gave it a shot.

ytoyoda's main point is that the solution is clearing NVRAM…. He also mentions checking for disk errors using Disk Utility. And maybe it was him, or maybe I read it elsewhere, but the general thought was you have to get Boot Camp running and installing Windows after minimally screwing around with your system.

I have the latest and greatest (as of today's date) of the MacBook Pros. This includes the NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, etc. I had been trying to install a full version of Windows 8.1 Pro via an ISO purchased through Microsoft's online store.

I was using the USB thumb-drive install method but kept getting the "Windows could not update the computer's boot configuration. Installation cannot proceed" message right after the "Installing Updates" completed (before "Finishing up" could begin).

So I gave NVRAM a reset and hoped for the best—but got the same problem. Then I figured I'd messed with my system and drive enough that it was no longer "pure" and maybe I should just reinstall Mavericks, touch as little as possible, reset the NVRAM and then see what happened.

I booted to the recovery drive. Erased the partition. Used Disk Utility to make sure the drive had no errors (it was fine). Reinstalled Mavericks 10.9.1. I did not configure anything once the OS was up and running. I shut down the system. I did the NVRAM reset. OS X was back up and running again. I started Boot Camp Assistant (the ISO had already been converted to an install set of files along with the downloaded Boot Camp 5.1.5640 from earlier attempts) and the thing worked!

I'd spent a good 12 to 15 hours messing with this thing and finally ytoyoda's thought of trying it on a "new" system worked.

I hope this will work for you all, too.

 

[jenzjen]

Hi all. I joined the forums today if only to thank ytoyoda. After reading his posts from Jan 30–Feb 1, and after seeing TekAzurik's success with this approach, I gave it a shot.

ytoyoda's main point is that the solution is clearing NVRAM…. He also mentions checking for disk errors using Disk Utility. And maybe it was him, or maybe I read it elsewhere, but the general thought was you have to get Boot Camp running and installing Windows after minimally screwing around with your system.

I have the latest and greatest (as of today's date) of the MacBook Pros. This includes the NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, etc. I had been trying to install a full version of Windows 8.1 Pro via an ISO purchased through Microsoft's online store.

I was using the USB thumb-drive install method but kept getting the "Windows could not update the computer's boot configuration. Installation cannot proceed" message right after the "Installing Updates" completed (before "Finishing up" could begin).

So I gave NVRAM a reset and hoped for the best—but got the same problem. Then I figured I'd messed with my system and drive enough that it was no longer "pure" and maybe I should just reinstall Mavericks, touch as little as possible, reset the NVRAM and then see what happened.

I booted to the recovery drive. Erased the partition. Used Disk Utility to make sure the drive had no errors (it was fine). Reinstalled Mavericks 10.9.1. I did not configure anything once the OS was up and running. I shut down the system. I did the NVRAM reset. OS X was back up and running again. I started Boot Camp Assistant (the ISO had already been converted to an install set of files along with the downloaded Boot Camp 5.1.5640 from earlier attempts) and the thing worked!

I'd spent a good 12 to 15 hours messing with this thing and finally ytoyoda's thought of trying it on a "new" system worked.

I hope this will work for you all, too.

See my post a few above, I used to do a clean internet install, too, but now found out only need to repair your disk permissions once/twice for good measure after the PRAM reset and still works. I could not get the PRAM reset alone to fix my machines.

 

[davidb367]

Success

I tried all of the internet hacks and tricks to no avail. I was forced to wipe the boot drive and restore from Time Machine. I immediately ran the BootCamp Assistant and all went well. Before you even think about trying to do this, back your drive up! You only get a one or two tries before the drive is damaged and may or may not be able to be repaired.

- Windows 7 cannot be installed from a std DVD. The nMP only recognizes EFI boot schemes and there is no official USB3 support.

- Never delete and recreate the BootCamp volume from the Windows Installer.

- All external devices must be unplugged and the USB drive must be connected to the native USB ports. Thus is more of a Windows Installer issue than the nMP. Too many volumes confuses the installer. I could never get Windows installed at all if the external Thunderbolt drive was plugged in.

 

[kfscoll]

You only get a one or two tries before the drive is damaged and may or may not be able to be repaired.

Huh? I've never run into such an issue. Why would a Time Machine backup care how many times you reinstall it?

 

[davidb367]

I had to restore from Time Machine after the I stupidly deleted the Bootcamp partition in the Installer and had the Windows Installer recreate the partition for me.

 

[Bones13]

I had no problem whatsoever using bootcamp to install in 80 gig on the internal SSD. I used a USB bluray drive and a real 8.1 install disk. My nMP has 256 SSD, 32 gig memory, and D700s. USB key for windows drivers.

I also had no issues using Winclone to move the windows partition to the Lacie a Rugged SSD. It boots up fine. I was able to delete the entire partition for the SSD.

Lots of good ideas and knowledge on this thread. The newest bootcamp drivers work great.

The only kinda hitch was that I did have to format the bootcamp partition before it would move on.

 

[Nugget]

I spent several hours this afternoon trying every trick in the thread. I finally just admitted defeat, doesn't look like I'll be able to get Windows installed on this machine.

And now I've got about 100GB of unpartitioned drive space on my SSD that I can't reclaim because Boot Camp can't figure out all the things I did.

I'm definitely feeling like http://xkcd.com/349/

 

[xjis]

it worked w/ nvram reset!

ytoyada's nvram reset suggestion worked for me!

i was very skeptical at first but since so many other ppl had success, i just gave in and tried it anyway since it was so easy... and wow, it did work!

oh man- i got so excited that i even registered here to post the message.

 

[DTND]

It works!!!

Thank you Ytoyoda. Your tut worked for my nMP.

Reset my NVRAM

Verify Disk with Disk Utility

then no more 'Can't update boot configuration' error.

Win8.1 Pro installed

 

[Anim]

I had no problem whatsoever using bootcamp to install in 80 gig on the internal SSD. I used a USB bluray drive and a real 8.1 install disk. My nMP has 256 SSD, 32 gig memory, and D700s. USB key for windows drivers.

I also had no issues using Winclone to move the windows partition to the Lacie a Rugged SSD. It boots up fine. I was able to delete the entire partition for the SSD.

Lots of good ideas and knowledge on this thread. The newest bootcamp drivers work great.

The only kinda hitch was that I did have to format the bootcamp partition before it would move on.

I am about to try this myself.

What were your steps?

From this I take it you installed directly from a win 8.1 disc via external DVD drive and used the bootcamp drivers that Bootcamp Assistant downloaded and put onto a USB drive? And then re-formatted the (Bootcamp assistant) formatted windows partition using the standard Windows Installer?

 

[Anim]

Ok, that was easy. No PRAM reset or any repairing just straight forward install

Components I have

1. External DVD (Samsung Slim Portable DVD Writer) drive connected to thunderbolt display USB port
2. Full Windows 8.1 DVD purchased from Amazon
3. USB stick (SanDisk Extreme 16GB USB3) pugged into nMP

Steps I followed:

1. Connected DVD drive to USB port on back of thunderbolt display
2. Inserted Win 8.1 DVD disc into it
3. Launched Disk Util, selected dvd, clicked on New Image, created DVD Master, when done renamed the file from cdr to iso
4. Launched Bootcamp Assistant, clicked next, it had already found the ISO, when it asked to create windows partition I dragged the divider dot to resize the partitions then continued.
5. Mac rebooted (at this point I thought I would have to do something but the connected DVD drive started whirring up and the windows install screen appeared) so, I was obviously not installing from the USB iso but from the DVD, I left it installing.
6. When windows asked for partition I selected "BOOTCAMP" and clicked format then next
7, windows started to install, whenever it rebooted I held option key down and selected Windows from the available options to boot from.

It all went through fine and I was at the windows 8 desktop in about 5 minutes. I left it there incase it was doing updates (while I type this) and now....

8. Opened Explorer, selected USB stick (WININSTALL), opened Bootcamp folder and ran setup and let it install all the Apple drivers then it wanted to reboot, rebooted and logged into windows 8.1, the screen flashed a lot, then went black for about a minute (panicked moment) but then it came back on and it was all done.

Took about 30 mins in total (excluding time writing this).

Rebooted back into OSX using the windows bootcamp icon in the tray (it flashed up very briefly there was a problem but then restarted in OSX)

Opened Disk Utility and there are two hard drive partitions

1. Macintosh HD
2. BOOTCAMP (NTFS, 27.81GB used)

Rebooted back to windows, very fast boot time and no errors appeared, just straight to that boxy screen thing (sorry, never used Windows 8 before).

Anim
Hex, D700

 

[Nugget]

This weekend I guess I'll wipe my whole machine, restore from Time Machine, and try again. I've burned about five hours on this so far I think.

 

[Bones13]

I am about to try this myself.

What were your steps?

From this I take it you installed directly from a win 8.1 disc via external DVD drive and used the bootcamp drivers that Bootcamp Assistant downloaded and put onto a USB drive? And then re-formatted the (Bootcamp assistant) formatted windows partition using the standard Windows Installer?

Yep, just be sure to "format" the bootcamp partition at the correct point.

I was also able to relocate the bootcamp partition to an external ThunderBolt SSD unit with WinClone. I recovered all of the internal SSD space from the bootcamp partition, and the external boots normally with the standard option key boot option menu. Although, as I dont turn the machine off, I usually just choose to boot to the new OS from the OSX panel boot disk options, or the Win8.1 bootcamp widget.

 

[hfg]

Yep, just be sure to "format" the bootcamp partition at the correct point.

I was also able to relocate the bootcamp partition to an external ThunderBolt SSD unit with WinClone. I recovered all of the internal SSD space from the bootcamp partition, and the external boots normally with the standard option key boot option menu. Although, as I dont turn the machine off, I usually just choose to boot to the new OS from the OSX panel boot disk options, or the Win8.1 bootcamp widget.

Which model external Thunderbolt SSD are you booting Windows from?

Thanks...

 

[Anim]

Which model external Thunderbolt SSD are you booting Windows from?

Thanks...

He said ^ there that is was a Lacie a Rugged SSD

 

[Bones13]

He said ^ there that is was a Lacie a Rugged SSD

Yep.

 

[Anim]

You don't realise how easy and intuitive OSX is until you try Windows 8 for the first time. The process of KISS (keep it simple stupid) is really applied here.

Thankfully there is a free app called "Classic Shell" to make it act more like Windows 7. The OS does run quick though so thats a +1

Right, must get back to elder scrolls online, turns the can into a little heater with crossfire on, almost too hot to touch on the top after a good 9 hours of play.

 

[ThrawnTHX]

I spent several hours this afternoon trying every trick in the thread. I finally just admitted defeat, doesn't look like I'll be able to get Windows installed on this machine.

And now I've got about 100GB of unpartitioned drive space on my SSD that I can't reclaim because Boot Camp can't figure out all the things I did.

I'm definitely feeling like http://xkcd.com/349/

You absolutely can recover that 100GB of supposedly unpartitioned drive space. The thing is, if you boot while holding option with the Win8 disc in, you can unallocate this space. Besides the 100GB chunk you originally intended for Windows, there is probably one if not several (depending on your number of attempts) system files created by Windows. Essentially, don't delete your largest partition meant for OS X nor the EFI file that goes with it.

Again: delete the Windows partition, delete any MSR partitions, delete any system partitions that show 100MB/95MB or there about.

Once you do this, command R on a reboot. You can now resize your Mac OS partition to reclaim the entire disk size.

 

[patlee88]

After spent several hours, I finally successfully install Windows 8.1 on thunderbolt drive without bootcamp. Now I'm trying to install parallels desktop 9 but no success, the program recongize the thunderbolt drive as 'bootcamp', but it just keep freeze on 'Trying to boot from SATA drive 1.."

Does it mean Parallels desktop can't boot from thunderbolt drive, or there is another way to install it? Thanks.

 

[patlee88]

Anyone successfully using Parallels Desktop to import bootcamp via thunderbolt drive ? Thanks.

 

[hfg]

Anyone successfully using Parallels Desktop to import bootcamp via thunderbolt drive ? Thanks.

Sorry, I don't use Parallels...

However, I do use VMware "Fusion" and I do use it to access my bootable Windows as a virtual machine as well. On my iMac and Mac Mini the bootable windows is located on an external Thunderbolt SSD, and on my Mac Pro it is "external" in that it is on a PCIe mounted SSD. In all cases, it is working great.

I used to run Parallels before switching to VMware, and they were very similar in their ability to run from the same Windows image that was bootable.

Good luck with your install ... I think what you are doing is very common. Hopefully a Parallels user will join the thread and provide more detailed help than I can give.