No image found when trying to install Win 8.1

[swinler]

I am trying to install win 8.1 under bootcamp, but have hit an issue.

Everything goes fine with creating the partition, downloading the drivers and creating the USB bootable.

My Mac restarts launches the windows setup and I get all the way through putting in product key, selecting language, time etc. However it then stops at the "Select which operating system you want to install" screen, with the message to the effect of "No image found" There is an empty box on the screen, where presumably one should see a list of available install versions, however this is empty. There is no way to browse to another location to point to the file.

I have even tried burning the Windows iso onto a DVD and having both the DVD drive and the USB stick inserted while running setup, but still have the same issue. I have also tried booting from the DVD directly. The bootcamp partition is visible in Finder.

Am I missing something obvious? Has anyone had this issue, or can offer suggestions?

I'm running Mavericks on a 2012 Retina MBP.

Thanks

 

[xcodeSyn]

However it then stops at the "Select which operating system you want to install" screen, with the message to the effect of "No image found" There is an empty box on the screen, where presumably one should see a list of available install versions, however this is empty. There is no way to browse to another location to point to the file.

It seems to me the problem may have come from the ISO installer. Where did you get your Windows 8.1 ISO and product key? Also you should use either DVD or USB install option, not both at the same time. Normally the product key you enter would determine which version of Windows (Core or Pro) to be installed, that's why I am wondering the source of the ISO.

 

[xcodeSyn]

After reading your post again, it seems to me that where you got stuck is when you are supposed to select which disk partition to install Windows, not which version. If that's the case, then it's a different problem than the installer. So you need to state your problem correctly before anyone could try to help you.

 

[swinler]

Thanks for the suggestions.

The first couple of times I did it by the "book" with only the USB install stick and it failed, hence the attempted work around using a dvd based iso too.

I don't get as far as the option of which partition to install on, as it obviously runs some check of the iso against the product key. I think this is where I may have an issue, as I originally created the USB stick from a windows pc direct from the Microsoft site at point of purchase, and it didn't work at all, so I then downloaded an iso from elsewhere onto the Mac. There must be some mismatch between the expected versions, or that looks for an iso tagged with the particular product key. I ordered online and therefore don't have a DVD.

The problem is that the Microsoft website install USB creator doesn't run on Mac. I can rerun the download process again from the Microsoft website and try creating an ISO this time, seems like it may be the issue.

However, I tried to install Windows 7 under bootcamp (as I do have a DVD for this) thinking that I could then upgrade once installed. However Win7 also does not install, although this time it seems to go through the entire process - unpacking files, download updates etc etc and then won't boot into windows after the final restart, just ends on a blank screen with flashing cursor in the top left.

I know Apple doesn't want to make it easy to run Windows, but this is getting frustrating!!

 

[xcodeSyn]

I think this is where I may have an issue, as I originally created the USB stick from a windows pc direct from the Microsoft site at point of purchase, and it didn't work at all, so I then downloaded an iso from elsewhere onto the Mac. There must be some mismatch between the expected versions, or that looks for an iso tagged with the particular product key.

I think you made the Windows install case more complicated by trying different options and versions when sticking to one approach and working out the problems may be a better choice. First, I would never download any Windows ISO unless it's from the legit Microsoft source. For Windows 8.1, you need to use a Windows PC running 64-bit Windows to download 64-bit Win 8.1 ISO as explained in this link and Boot Camp 5 only supports 64-bit Windows 7 and 8/8.1. You should get a legit and correct version of ISO following the link and then create a bootable USB disk in Boot Camp Assistant. If you want to burn the ISO to DVD, then make sure you unselect the option to create Windows 7/8 USB bootable disk in Boot Camp Assistant before moving to the next step. Good luck.