Need help installing Windows 7 (64 bit enterprise) from DVD on mid 2011 MacBook Air

[Obioban]

Posted this on the "Windows on mac" section originally, but since it's fairly macbook air specific, I thought I'd post it here, too. No response over there, anyway.

The disk is 100% legit in every way, not trying to steal this... but I also don't want to buy windows again (download the iso from microsoft after paying $150).

Okay, so I got into the bootcamp setup assistant and it says I need a USB memory stick (easy enough, have an 8gb one right here) and a Windows 7 iso file.

Okay, so I put my windows 7 disk in my iMac, go to disk utility, new, image from CD/DVD, select the dvd, and it makes a DMG. Rename it with .iso, try it, nothing boot camp says it's no good.

Go back, new image from CD/DVD, this time make it a .cdr file. Export, rename as .iso... boot camp setup assistant still rejects it.

How can I make a .iso that's acceptable to the Boot camp setup assistant from my windows 7 DVD?

Thanks!

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Oh, and fwiw, the error the bootcamp setup assistant is giving me is:

Your bootable USB drive could not be created.

An error occured whle copying the Windows installation files.

 

[KPOM]

Try this to turn that Disk Utility file into a proper Windows ISO:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-create-windows-compatible-iso-disc-images-in-mac-os-x/



Also, CNet posted some instructions last year that might work:

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20020513-285/install-win-7-on-macbook-air-from-a-usb-drive/

 

[Obioban]

Try this to turn that Disk Utility file into a proper Windows ISO:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-create-windows-compatible-iso-disc-images-in-mac-os-x/



Also, CNet posted some instructions last year that might work:

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20020513-285/install-win-7-on-macbook-air-from-a-usb-drive/

The disk utility technique didn't work and the CNET strategy doesn't work with the new version of boot camp used on the current generation MBAs

Any other ideas?

 

[tills24]

I plan on putting Win 7 32 bit on my 2011 MBA this weekend, too. I was going to just install it using an external DVD drive. Does that not work?

 

[Obioban]

I plan on putting Win 7 32 bit on my 2011 MBA this weekend, too. I was going to just install it using an external DVD drive. Does that not work?

No idea... I don't have apple's USB external and it won't use the disk sharing to let you do it that way...

 

[Obioban]

I think I've figured out my issue. The version of windows I have a license for is 64 bit enterprise... which Boot Camp doesn't support

 

[bigeasy_uk]

Have you got a usb stick spare? you can burn the iso to the usb stick using disk utility and install it using rEFIt, an alternative boot manager to bootcamp.

I used it to install a modified version of windows 7 called tiny7 that bootcamp wouldn't recognise and it worked flawlessly. Hope this helps.

 

[monkeybagel]

I think I've figured out my issue. The version of windows I have a license for is 64 bit enterprise... which Boot Camp doesn't support

I installed Windows 7 Enterprise x64 on my MBA the same way and it went fine. I do have SP1 integrated. What exact issue are you running into?

 

[TehFalcon]

I think I've figured out my issue. The version of windows I have a license for is 64 bit enterprise... which Boot Camp doesn't support

I Dont understand why it doesnt support it? I Use 64 Bit windows for my Bootcamp, I Lost my 32 bit disk so all i have is the 64 bit.

 

[ELSELS]

I Dont understand why it doesnt support it? I Use 64 Bit windows for my Bootcamp, I Lost my 32 bit disk so all i have is the 64 bit.

Hello,

I am having the same problem, no Boot Camp software, will install onto my Windows 7 - 64 bit installed platform?

I thought - Boot Camp did (does), support 64 bit Windows OS?

Thanks!

Have a nice day,

Ed

 

[Bob Coxner]

Here are all the ISOs for Win 7 Ultimate, Pro and Home Premium. http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/

 

[BlizzardBolt]

Had you bought a Windows 7 computer, none of these problems would have arisen.

At least people mistakes help people learn.

 

[Obioban]

Using the ISO downloaded directly from microsoft, I'm still getting the exact same issue

Just for giggles, tried 32 bit pro (as that's an officially listed as working version my Apple)... still no go.

Had you bought a Windows 7 computer, none of these problems would have arisen.

At least people mistakes help people learn.

I only use windows when I have no other choice-- basically to program/tune my car, so maybe... 1 or 2 days a year. The rest of the time, I'd hate to be stuck in it!

 

[Obioban]

Update: for the first time in my life, I'm going to see a Genius about a mac issue.

Will be interesting to see how it goes.

Been using macs for 20 years now, I never gone anywhere for outside help before. Feels Dirty

 

[Obioban]

Final update:
Geniuses weren't able to figure it out. But, I finally got it going on my own.

Here's what I did that worked for me...
1) download windows iso directly from microsoft
2) use the microsoft made, windows only software that makes a bootable USB stick from a windows 7 iso. Use it to make a bootable USB stick on one flash drive.
3) use boot camp setup assistant but DON'T check "create windows 7 installer" option (the top one). Do have it download the drivers, and write them onto a second flash drive (yes, you need two)
4) partition the drives using bootcamp setup assistant and restart
5) install windows. Once install finishes, run the driver install from the second flash drive.
6) Optional, but with an air I'd do it (I only allocated 20gb for my windows partition)-- trim the fat off windows 7. I brought it from 14 gb installed, fresh, down to 8gb. Might poke at it a bit more, but that's already a huge improvement.