Use rEFInd to Install Windows?

[TheDirtySox]

Not sure if this is the right forum for these kinds of questions but, I'm having trouble installing windows on my mid-2010 21.5in iMac. I've installed bootcamp (Windows 7 Pro 64bit), but could not boot from a disk due to a broken superdrive. I then created a windows VM and cloned the VM onto the partition (using this guide http://huguesval.com/blog/2012/02/installing-windows-7-on-a-mac-without-superdrive-with-virtualbox/). This caused a white blinking cursor and a black screen and does nothing, upon boot, just like this pic:

.
I tried an apple forum but they couldn't solve the problem (see here: https://discussions.apple.com/message/29278713?ac_cid=op123456#29278713I). Then I installed rEFInd and tried booting from the windows partition, bootable Windows 7 Pro 64bit usb, and a bootable Windows 10 Home Premium 64bit usb but still got the blinking cursor when booting. I tried a bootable ubuntu usb and booted it from rEFInd, and ran the "try ubuntu" just fine.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

Windows can't be installed to or boot from an external drive on your machine. The REFInd/VM methods that have been posted online are frankly long winded and unreliable.

You can edit the Boot Camp Assistant to add your computer model so that you don't need the SuperDrive to install Windows. You can install from the ISO.

https://mihail.stoynov.com/2013/04/...ive-for-mountain-lion-with-updated-boot-camp/

Read the comments if the BCA needs resigning after the edit.

 

[sanke1]

^^^ You can edit, whatever you want, iMac will do whatever it can to prevent Windows from installing from USB or external DVD drive.

Best way is to search on alibaba or aliexpress for iMac 2010 superdrive and replace it yourself. It is medium difficulty job and can be easily done by looking at youtube tutorials.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

Or ifixit for reliable replacement