MB 1,1-7,1 Windows 7 USB Install MacBook 2,1/EFI

[alex_free]

Never figured this out years ago. I can install Mac OS X 10.4-10.7 via usb just fine, and Linux as well without even using something like rEFInd. I’m just curious if anyone ever figured out Windows 7? I know XP probably will never work, but this seems to be the final boss of usb installation on these machines. Wasn’t sure if any recent developments have happened in the past decade, back in the day it was considered impossible. My understanding is legacy bios support is ONLY available via an optical storage (be that a usb burner or the internal one).

 

[Dronecatcher]

I spent so long trying to install XP via Bootcamp on my Core Duo iMac with broken optical drive and figured it just didn't like a USB optical - after a recent attempt and some internet digging, it turns out the way to success was hitting the 'c' key when the install screen says 'press any key..'

It's worth a try?

 

[alex_free]

I spent so long trying to install XP via Bootcamp on my Core Duo iMac with broken optical drive and figured it just didn't like a USB optical - after a recent attempt and some internet digging, it turns out the way to success was hitting the 'c' key when the install screen says 'press any key..'

It's worth a try?

Yea that’s how you do it, I just don’t have DVDs. My internal optical drive still works. I’m trying to use just a usb flash drive if possible. Or… if windows 7 can be installed with like 10 CDs that could work too

 

[alex_free]

Update: I tried this thing called “ventoy” which allows you to literally copy multiple iso files (like the actual .iso file) onto your drive. It then boots a small os like thing that allows you to “select” the OS. It actually works pretty well on my late 2012 Mac mini. Thought I could outsmart it not “seeing” windows 7 usb by having it “see” ventoy and then ventoy booting the installer. It did see ventoy and ventoy did start but when trying to start the iso it gave me a video error which it said was fatal. Some kind of magic is happening when a CD is booted in the legacy bios emulation that is not applied in any way I can figure out when using a usb drive.