Why can I only run 32-Bit Windows with Boot Camp?

[mario_bros_tech]

I have an early 2008 MacBook 4,1, with an Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.4GHz, 2GB of RAM (unofficially upgraded to 6GB), and a 160GB HDD. Full specs can be found here.

I was having some strange issues when trying to install Windows 7 64-Bit, such as the PC freezing on the "Starting Windows" screen or facing the DOS-like black screen with flashing cursor.

I looked at the Apple Boot Camp support page, and this table shows that my MacBook doesn't support Windows 7 64-Bit; only 32-Bit is supported. I don't know why this is because the machine officially supports 64-Bit apps in OS X and 4GB of RAM (which is beyond the 3GB usable limit in 32-Bit operating systems).

Why is this the case? Is there a workaround to get this working? I have many applications that I don't want to re-download in 32-Bit just for this MacBook. I'd also want more than 3GB of RAM allocated in Windows, considering I upgraded to 6GB.

Any insights as to why this happens or ways to prevent this are greatly appreciated!

 

[Kognito]

Your MacBook doesn't support a 64-bit kernel due to having a 32-bit EFI, though it does support 64 bit apps thanks to the way that OS X 10.6+ works, but this is why it doesn't support Windows in 64-bit.

As for your argument about RAM, OS X will utilise 6GB because Apple has a different approach to memory address mapping than you'd find on Windows (theoretically your MacBook could address 32GB of RAM if I'm not mistaken).

Unfortunately I don't think there's a way around this.

 

[mario_bros_tech]

OK, I'll try to keep looking for a hack or workaround. Thanks for the explanation; I couldn't find it anywhere else.

 

[mario_bros_tech]

Your MacBook doesn't support a 64-bit kernel due to having a 32-bit EFI, though it does support 64 bit apps thanks to the way that OS X 10.6+ works, but this is why it doesn't support Windows in 64-bit.

As for your argument about RAM, OS X will utilise 6GB because Apple has a different approach to memory address mapping than you'd find on Windows (theoretically your MacBook could address 32GB of RAM if I'm not mistaken).

Unfortunately I don't think there's a way around this.

My issue is that I need to format the Windows install USB with MBR or GPT for UEFI. Windows 7 32-Bit doesn't support UEFI, so how would that work? I'm genuinely confused at this point...

 

[EugW]

Heh. I recently retired that exact model. Actually, it's now in semi-retirement. I just installed Chrome OS on it instead. The 64-bit version runs fine on that.

I know that doesn't help you, but I guess my point is that if you really want 64-bit Windows, you might want to consider getting a different machine.

 

[mario_bros_tech]

Heh. I recently retired that exact model. Actually, it's now in semi-retirement. I just installed Chrome OS on it instead. The 64-bit version runs fine on that.

I know that doesn't help you, but I guess my point is that if you really want 64-bit Windows, you might want to consider getting a different machine.

If 64-Bit Chrome OS runs on it, 64-Bit Windows should work too. I'll try burning a DVD and see where it goes. I am not looking to do demanding tasks on it; it's mainly for work, which OS X 10.7.5 doesn't work well for anymore (because of lack of application support).
Bottom line: others have done it, so I really want to run it too. I'll keep looking into it. I know it's not easy, but it's possible; I know that for sure.

Thanks for the feedback, though. Now I know I'm not going crazy trying to install 64-Bit Windows 7.

 

[Project Alice]

This is just apples way of making you want a new computer. If your computer has a 64 bit CPU IT CAN RUN WINDOWS 64 BIT. Even a 2006 Mac. All of them. Just install windows like any other PC. Windows doesn't know or care that its running on a Mac. Windows does not use the EFI on the older Macs. It uses BIOS emulation. So yes it will work on even a 2006 Mac as long as it has a 64bit CPU.

Windows 7 and up should be able to figure out the drivers on its own. If for some reason it doesn't, you'll have to manually install whatever boot camp software you want by extracting the MSI's. OR you can go directly to the manufacture. IE intel, Nvidia, AMD or whatever driver you need.
The only reason I've used the boot camp stuff at all is because my Mac Pro has a PC graphic card in it and I can't access the option menu, so I need the boot camp control panel. And my MacBook is an old one with one mouse button, so I needed the track pad driver. But other than that its not necessary.
[doublepost=1515219031][/doublepost]

Your MacBook doesn't support a 64-bit kernel due to having a 32-bit EFI, though it does support 64 bit apps thanks to the way that OS X 10.6+ works, but this is why it doesn't support Windows in 64-bit.

As for your argument about RAM, OS X will utilise 6GB because Apple has a different approach to memory address mapping than you'd find on Windows (theoretically your MacBook could address 32GB of RAM if I'm not mistaken).

Unfortunately I don't think there's a way around this.

MacBook 4,1 DOES have 64bit EFI. I have one. The reason it doesn't run anything above 10.8 mountain lion properly is because it has a really sh*tty intel X3100 GMA graphics chip that apple decided it didn't need 64 bit drivers for. Windows on the other hand has drivers for everything. I've run windows 10 x64 on my MacBook 4,1 with no issues.

 

[Kognito]

MacBook 4,1 DOES have 64bit EFI. I have one. The reason it doesn't run anything above 10.8 mountain lion properly is because it has a really sh*tty intel X3100 GMA graphics chip that apple decided it didn't need 64 bit drivers for. Windows on the other hand has drivers for everything. I've run windows 10 x64 on my MacBook 4,1 with no issues.

So you are right, I didn't spend much time googling this one, I assumed it was one of those 'in-between' models that were only partially 64-bit. Sucks that Apple left them behind over a simple graphics driver.

Still, doesn't explain why OP can't boot into 64-bit Windows. OP might try checking his installation media isn't at fault here. Fresh download of the Windows installation image and a mess around with the formatting of the USB key perhaps?

 

[Project Alice]

I didn't realize the OP was trying to install windows via USB. That won't work, the bios emulation that these old Macs use only support installation from the optical drive. If he is booting windows from USB, it will attempt to EFI boot it, which won't work because the EFI version on that computer is too old for windows to support. Burn it to a disc, and it'll work.

 

[mario_bros_tech]

I didn't realize the OP was trying to install windows via USB. That won't work, the bios emulation that these old Macs use only support installation from the optical drive. If he is booting windows from USB, it will attempt to EFI boot it, which won't work because the EFI version on that computer is too old for windows to support. Burn it to a disc, and it'll work.

Thank you SO MUCH! The only reason I tried to use a USB is because my optical drive unfortunately has the DVD scratching problem. When I insert a DVD and read/write to it, the disc has deep scratches when it is ejected. I think it happens when the disc is inserted, as it is very forceful and the MacBook doesn't detect there's a DVD in the drive until I open a program that accesses it.
Would a USB optical drive work? If it will, I'll order one on Amazon right now.
[doublepost=1515274658][/doublepost]

This is just apples way of making you want a new computer. If your computer has a 64 bit CPU IT CAN RUN WINDOWS 64 BIT. Even a 2006 Mac. All of them. Just install windows like any other PC. Windows doesn't know or care that its running on a Mac. Windows does not use the EFI on the older Macs. It uses BIOS emulation. So yes it will work on even a 2006 Mac as long as it has a 64bit CPU.

Windows 7 and up should be able to figure out the drivers on its own. If for some reason it doesn't, you'll have to manually install whatever boot camp software you want by extracting the MSI's. OR you can go directly to the manufacture. IE intel, Nvidia, AMD or whatever driver you need.
The only reason I've used the boot camp stuff at all is because my Mac Pro has a PC graphic card in it and I can't access the option menu, so I need the boot camp control panel. And my MacBook is an old one with one mouse button, so I needed the track pad driver. But other than that its not necessary.
[doublepost=1515219031][/doublepost]

MacBook 4,1 DOES have 64bit EFI. I have one. The reason it doesn't run anything above 10.8 mountain lion properly is because it has a really sh*tty intel X3100 GMA graphics chip that apple decided it didn't need 64 bit drivers for. Windows on the other hand has drivers for everything. I've run windows 10 x64 on my MacBook 4,1 with no issues.

And you said you're running Windows 10 on your MacBook 4,1 with no issues. How's the performance? For productivity and lighter tasks, would you recommend Windows 10 or Windows 7?
I don't care how slow the benchmarks or more demanding tasks are, I just want it to feel responsive.
Thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

[Project Alice]

I don't think a USB drive will work.. But I'm not 100% positive. I recall reading somewhere that it had to be the internal drive. Mine had the same problem actually with disc scratching and I replaced the drive.

And yes, I don't use the 4,1 anymore though. It was black, I bought a white 2009 5,2 and swapped it into the 4,1s black case and I use that. They're the same mostly other than the graphics. Windows 10 runs like it would on any other dual core 2ghz laptop.

As long as you have 4gb there shouldn't be a problem.
The only issue I did have when I was using the 4,1 however, was for whatever reason the wireless card was unbearably slow. Like speeds of 4kbps max. This only happened in Windows 10. 7 is fine. the same thing happened with my Mac Pro that happened to have the same broadcom card. I upgraded the card because it didn't work in High Sierra anyways, but if you install windows 10 and notice the Wi-Fi is unusable, you have the same wireless card I had.

Edit: I just googled around and an external will not work to install windows unless its a Mac that did not come with an optical drive in the first place. This is a limitation of the bios emulation software. It'll only boot off the internal drive. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5105056

 

[mario_bros_tech]

I don't think a USB drive will work.. But I'm not 100% positive. I recall reading somewhere that it had to be the internal drive. Mine had the same problem actually with disc scratching and I replaced the drive.

And yes, I don't use the 4,1 anymore though. It was black, I bought a white 2009 5,2 and swapped it into the 4,1s black case and I use that. They're the same mostly other than the graphics. Windows 10 runs like it would on any other dual core 2ghz laptop.

As long as you have 4gb there shouldn't be a problem.
The only issue I did have when I was using the 4,1 however, was for whatever reason the wireless card was unbearably slow. Like speeds of 4kbps max. This only happened in Windows 10. 7 is fine. the same thing happened with my Mac Pro that happened to have the same broadcom card. I upgraded the card because it didn't work in High Sierra anyways, but if you install windows 10 and notice the Wi-Fi is unusable, you have the same wireless card I had.

Edit: I just googled around and an external will not work to install windows unless its a Mac that did not come with an optical drive in the first place. This is a limitation of the bios emulation software. It'll only boot off the internal drive. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5105056

OK. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Core 2 Duo]

I know an easy way to install Windows 7 64 Bit on the Core 2 duo's but you have to access the drive you want to install it on either by removing the drive and connecting to another computer running Windows OS, Or through target disk mode and connected to another computer running Windows OS...

 

[Fl0rin3lu]

I have an early 2008 MacBook 4,1, with an Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.4GHz, 2GB of RAM (unofficially upgraded to 6GB), and a 160GB HDD. Full specs can be found here.

I was having some strange issues when trying to install Windows 7 64-Bit, such as the PC freezing on the "Starting Windows" screen or facing the DOS-like black screen with flashing cursor.

I looked at the Apple Boot Camp support page, and this table shows that my MacBook doesn't support Windows 7 64-Bit; only 32-Bit is supported. I don't know why this is because the machine officially supports 64-Bit apps in OS X and 4GB of RAM (which is beyond the 3GB usable limit in 32-Bit operating systems).

Why is this the case? Is there a workaround to get this working? I have many applications that I don't want to re-download in 32-Bit just for this MacBook. I'd also want more than 3GB of RAM allocated in Windows, considering I upgraded to 6GB.

Any insights as to why this happens or ways to prevent this are greatly appreciated!

I have seen Windows 10-64 on an old white macbook, there is only ONE method, meaning, the initial boot till the first restart, has to be done on a separate Computer, press the power button and shut down the computer, while it's restarting to install, take the hard drive out and put it in the macbook and turn it on, and it's going to install, there is onr YouTube tutorial video that will guide you step by step, thanks!!