Is Boot Camp Assistant required?

I will be getting a new MacBook Pro soon, and will be installing Windows 7 on it as well. Do I need to run Boot Camp Assistant to somehow "properly prepare" the HD/system to be able to run W7, or is it just a convenience tool? I.e. if I manually create a new partition on my HD and then boot from the W7 install DVD and install it "normally," will there be any issues? (I realize I will then need to download the BootCamp driver installer manually.) Thanks for any input.

you seem to miss the fact that there is no DVD with Windows 7.
you download the drivers and place them on USB flash or some other location that you can access in Windows to install them.
Even with Apple's drivers you may need to add audio, graphic, network drivers. You are skipping the vendor supplied motherboard hardware abstraction layer.
This is not a PC. you are using UEFI + GPT and BCA is creating an MBR which is non-standard for Windows.
Windows is the one that does not boot from partitions after #4 and you have hidden GPT, EFI, Lion, Lion Recovery there already.
Shrink and "add" from free space and the whole Windows partition you had will not act the same or be able to select in the Mac's EFI boot manager and settings.
Buy a PC? buy a Mac with multiple internal hard drives and you can slice and cut more.
BCA is not just convenience though some people do try to use gpart it isn't supported and is I'd guess more for education and experiments.

Similar Messages

Problems installing Windows 7 using boot camp assistant

I have followed the guide form the Apple website and using boot camp assistant, I have managed to install Windows 7 Home Premium up to a point.
When the IMac re-boots and starts up in Windows 7 it tries to complete the installation but neither my mouse, keyboard or trackpad work.
This means I cannot enter a computer name in the first windows 7 screen, which in turn prevents the completion of the installation and the installation of the drivers for the keyboard, mouse and trackpad.
Does anyone have an idea how I can complete the installation?
I am using a 2012 IMac 27".
Thanks

Hi,
yes I used boot camp for everything and followed what was advised on the Apple web page. The USB remains in the back of the machine and it did download the windows drivers etc, but it doesn't seem to have installed them yet.
If I'm reading help manual properly, it is supposed to install them after windows 7 has been installed. But I can't get past the first Windows screen asking me to name my windows computer.
If I obtain a USB keyboard will that run without any drivers being required?
Thanks

Boot camp assistance to install windows 8

im using a macbook pro 13-inch late 2011 with mac os x 10.7.2 which has bootcamp 4.i want to install 64-bit windows 8 on my mac.i found out you need boot camp 5 to install it.can i install windows 8 on bootcamp 4 and then update to boot camp 5 when running windows?or do i have to update to bootcamp 5 beforehand?if so,how do i do that?

From Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems
Requirements for all Windows installations
In order to install Microsoft Windows using Boot Camp, you need the following:
An Internet connection
An administrator account in OS X to use Boot Camp Assistant
The keyboard and mouse or trackpad that came with your Mac (If they aren’t available, use a USB keyboard and mouse)
A minimum of 2 GB of RAM, 30 GB of free disk space are recommended if you are installing Windows for the first time, or 40 GB of free disk space if you are upgrading from a previous version of Windows
An authentic Microsoft Windows full install disc or ISO file
A built-in optical drive, or a compatible external optical drive is required if you are using an install disc
8 GB USB storage device, or external drive formatted as MS-DOS (FAT) to install the downloaded drivers

Unable to install Windows 7 pro after restart by Boot Camp Assistant

Hello,
I have an issue with installing windows 7 pro 64bit on my MBP 13" mid 2009.
It has 500GB Samsung HDD.
I tried to install windows 7 on a boot camp partition with boot Camp assistant and also during the process, I
downloaded the driver helpers from apple website and burned it on dvd. after system restart, It starts to load windows
files and then asks me to give it the cd of drivers [ right after I select the country and language in the start of the setup ]
I tried to select the files of the cd [ which I burned by the boot camp assistant ] but it just keeps telling me there is
NO suitable driver matches my mac.
I have downloaded the genuine windows 7 and burned it on dvd.
Also I have Lion, Boot Camp 4.0.1
Can someone please help on this issue?
Many thanks,

The partition table needs to be repaired.
That is why the guide asks to backup before you begin.
Try Lion Recovery and check health of all the partitions.
Sometimes repairing or try shrink and expand the partition.
But it is not uncommon for what happened to you to render the drive with smaller HFS and then require erase the drive in some cases and restore.
Carbon Copy Cloner 3.4.2
Cloning as a Backup Strategy
CCC is now able to also clone Lion's Recovery Partition as well.
Check partition table health in Lion's Disk Utility
Create Lion Recovery Drive
Lion Recovery Mode

Boot Camp Assistant Won't Work....

I've been wrestling with this for two days now (along with my very technically adept brother). I'll try to offer as much information as possilble. I've scoured this and other online forums without success. Here goes:
Early 2011 MBPro/ 7500rpm HItachi dry/ OS 10.8.3 / no updates in queue....recent clean install of OS at Apple store ~2 mo. ago (due to battery issue).
Placed BootCamp partition on mac ~6/ 2012....easy install and worked flawlessly. Used Amazon purchased legal copy of Windows 7 (64 bit OEM System Builder Pack, CD which included Service Pack #1; purchased sometime early 2011). Downloaded all required updates (then and with continued booting into Windows). Installed Stream/ Origin and 4 games (CoD, Portal etc.). Worked fine without a hitch. Two Mac side extensions added for use: Boot Champ for quick changing of OS and gfxCard Status (to control Mac OS side video card choice). NO PROBLEMS with extensive use!
This week: exchanged out Hitachi driive with Samsung SSD (512gb 840 PRO) after extensive online research (in particular MacOS Rumors which has long thread for this SSD. Note: Apple uses the Samsung 830 series SSD in rMBPs). Used CCC (CarbonCopyCloner). Single partition/ Mac OS Extended(Journaled).No problems with OS and SSD. Went to set up Boot Camp partition (note; NOT to reinstall windows; I just want the partition to WinClone my partition contents from the Hitachi over to the Samsung. Many on other sites using the same SSD have been able to do this....some have had issues akin to mine. Problem: BCA (Boot Camp Assistant) only offers two options: download Windows software (drivers etc.) or re-install Windows 7. I of course I only need the first. However, after (~20) trys the download still hangs (~half/way). When I quit and check the target USB: empty, not even fragments. Have tried with at least 6 USB (8gb) drives of 4 different manufactures....no change. Have reformated the USB drives (MS DOS/Fat32 ...all Disk Utiilty offers) no change. Was on phone with Apple Technical today, tried a few things but couldn't get the download to perform (removed all other USB devices from MBP/ tried using Ethernet to router etc. ..) They will get back to me tomorrow. NOTE: Apple Technical DOES offer BootCamp Support!
Have tried using my Win7 disk to make .dmg and converted it to .iso and place iso files on desktop and into destination USB drive: no luck
Tried to use my Hitachi as start-up disk then try to partition the SSD: no go
Tried to use my original OSX.6 disks.....won't take/ work on my MBP now (I think due to previous firmware updates).
Saw some tidbits online that since I had first used BCA that Apple had revised it and its options?
One thing that my brother and I noticed: when he tries to use BCA on his 2012 rMBPro (Samsung 830 SSD) he is offered a third ( the first ) option: ' Remove or resize (?) current partition'. May just be because he already has a partition and I don't.
I will post other 'tries' as I remember them or try them. I suspect that at the end of this road a 'clean sweep/swipe/re-format/ re-install' etc. may be the last attempt but I've seen enough of this issue on line that a simple process (if discovered) would come in handy: many of us often change out internal drives and will probably continue to have Boot Camp partitions ( also: my SSD was placed on the 6gb supported SATA as the original HD).
So: any ideas, suggestions or (online forums to check )etc. would be much appreciated .....and not just by me!
Sorry for the long post but wanted to give as much information on the first pass as possible.
Thanks.....

Follow up:
Used WinClone to make image of my Boot Camp partition form former internal HD (conneceted via USB /2.) Very slow/ but if you track with your cursor you can see slight change, took about 2-3- hrs. Note: told WinClone REPLACE BCD file ( 1 of 2 options given during image production(see notes at WinClone site).....
Previously, and now, did not use (from WinClone site; 'twocanoes') instructions to use ' Sysprep' program in windows prior to making my image (had been reading from a different instruciton set).....
Sequence:
1. PRAM reset (at least 3 consecutive times/new USB drive).
2, Created partition..Did NOT re-install Windows..When it asked( after it had NTFS prepared the Boot camp partition (?)..... I quit the applicatation and checked that the partition had been made (disk utility/ also...about this Mac...).
3. Used WinClone (2.4)...new USB drive...did not use Sysprep route (on 'twocanoes site' this is instructed); cloned from 'Boot camp' icon deposited on my desk top when I mounted my old HD using USB 2 .
4. Did not 'keep' Memory Caches' when offered prior to imagining ...
5. Saved boot camp image (image on new SSD drive from former HD drive via USB 2 (former drive showed
'MacHD (or whatever your name is for your drive ) as well a 'former' BootCamp drive Icon.
6.Took awhile....restored to new Boot Camp Partition via WinClone instrucitons.....
And: Worked. No Window Id or or authetication asked for ; Windows desk top looked identical as from previous HD; STEAM and ORIGIN immediately updated....chedkced into each for a game : all settings perfect....not asked to ID or change anything.....just faster!
Hope this helps someone.....!

How do I install Windows XP with boot camp assistant, on my IMac?

How do I install Windows XP with boot camp assistant, on my IMac?

Lion cannot BootCamp XP.
You can install XP under virtual machine software (Parallels, VM Fusion, VirtualBox).
And Windows 7 Pro has XP mode. XP will requires probably days of pathing after install and will be completely unsupported by MS within 1 year, but Windows 7 Pro still has great support from MS.

What is the correct boot camp version to use with an early 2009 iMac 24 inch? Boot Camp assistant says software not currently available?

I have an early 2009 24 inch iMac. It is running mavericks. When I attempt to download using the boot camp assistant i get the message " software not currently available from server" So I went to the Boot Camp support website and there are about half a dozen versions of the boot camp download. None of them match my hardware. I tried the one closest, but when I went to run the setup in windows, it says my machine does not support x64. I have installed windows 7 home premium x64....It works, sort of. I cant get sound and my magic mouse behaves badly.
Do I need a different version of windows or is there a compatible version of boot camp for my system? Thanks for reading.

If you installed Mavericks then you had Boot Camp 5 installed automatically. If you have tried downloading from Apple's download site you won't find a version other than 4 or 5 that provide a total package.
Boot Camp- System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems
Boot Camp- Installing Windows 7 Frequently Asked Questions
Download BootCamp Drivers for Macs to run Windows 7 or 8 | Chris F Carroll
Boot Camp- Some computers require Microsoft Windows 7
Boot Camp Help- Overview of Boot Camp setup

I installed and performed the Migration Assistant to transfer all my files and documents from my PC to iMac. Nothing shows up in Finder on imac but Boot Camp Assistant window is on the screen. What is it, is it necessary, how do I proceed?

I installed and ran Migration Assistant on my PC to tranfere files and documents to my iMac. The process seemed to go as directed until the end when "Boot Camp Assistant" showed up on my iMac screen. There was no mention of this in the Migration Assistant info. It seems I cannot proceed without it. What is it for, is it required, what is the process?

I installed and ran Migration Assistant on my PC to tranfere files and documents to my iMac. The process seemed to go as directed until the end when "Boot Camp Assistant" showed up on my iMac screen. There was no mention of this in the Migration Assistant info. It seems I cannot proceed without it. What is it for, is it required, what is the process?

Can I download boot camp support software outside of boot camp assistant?

I've been able to install windows 7 with boot camp assistant and an external cd/dvd drive. I have not, however, been successful at downloading and applying the boot camp support software. It has either not loaded onto a USB drive, or will refuse to write to a CD. Is there a solution to this, and/or can I download the up-to-date support software from another machine, burn it to disc and run it in windows (as older versions ex. 3.1, seem to be .exe files)?

Can you use this link Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems - Apple Support or Boot Camp Support Software 4.0.4033?

I CANNOT USE BOOT CAMP ASSISTANT 4.1 ON MAC BOOK PRO 15 INCH

i installed windows xp using boot camp Boot Camp Assistant 4.0.1 version, which was on system along with macbook pro 15", quad core processor,
windows were also installed with the partitions, but after windows were installed, drivers were missing and wen i went back through options to open boot camp on mac os it boot camp was nt working, i deleted the partion where i installed windows xp, and then too boot camp options to make partion is nt showing, kindly guide to repair BOOT CAMP ASSISTANT, and also how can i upgrage my Os frm lion 10.7.3 to mountain loin.

Reinstall OSX using the online recovery.
Then use Boot Camp Assistant. One of the Boot Camp Assistant menu items is download the Windows Support Software (drivers). Make sure you follow the Boot Camp instructions.
Or, Reinstall OSX using the online recovery.
Then install a virtual machine like Parallels, Fusion, or VirtualBox. Then install Windows in the virtual machine.
You can use either Boot Camp or a virtual machine to install Windows. Neither method requires any driver cds.

Boot Camp Assistant fails on Windows 7 Enterprise software assurance DVD

I've been struggling all morning with this and thought I'd post to help others that might encounter this problem. I'm trying to use Boot Camp Assistant 3.0.1 on an Early 2009 20" iMac to install Windows 7 Enterprise. The disc I was using was a genuine Microsoft DVD sent to us through our Software Assurance program. For the life of me I could not get Boot Camp Assistant to recognize that the disc was inserted into the drive. I didn't find an answer to this problem, but I did find that downloading an ISO of the Windows 7 Enterprise installer from Microsoft's Volume License Service Center site and burning it with Disk Utility to a DVD-R was immediately recognized by Boot Camp Assistant and the install proceeded normally.
The disc that didn't work is labeled:
Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise
32-bit x86 Upgrade: Pre-existing OS License Required
(Volume License Product Key Required)
DVD
September 2009
Software Assurance
Windows
End Item Part No.
FYC-00127
(barcode)
X15-72936
If you're unable to get Boot Camp Assistant to recognize a DVD that you received from Software Assurance, you might have better luck burning your own DVD-R from an ISO downloaded from Microsoft.

"The disc that didn't work is labeled:
Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise
32-bit x86 Upgrade: Pre-existing OS License Required
(Volume License Product Key Required)"
It appears you were attempting to install an upgrade version. Did you have a previous version of Windows installed and were you upgrading, or were you trying a new install using an upgrade dvd?

Boot Camp Assistant ejects The Windows intaller disc

Hi to everyone,
iMac:
- Intel-based iMac (late 2008).
OS and Hardware:
- Mac OS X version 10.5.7
- Boot ROM Version: IM81.00C1.B00
- SMC Version (system): 1.30f1
DVD Drive:
- OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5630A
- Firmware Revision: 1AHN
I'm trying to install Windows XP Pro OEM SP3 (version 2002).
I launched Boot Camp Assistant 2.0 and created a 32 GB Bootcamp partition. So far so good, then I'm asked to insert the Windows installer disc. I do what is asked then wait a few seconds and click "Start Installation". After about 20 seconds or so, Boot Camp Assistant ejects the Windows disc and displays this: "The installer disc could not be found." I re-insert the disc but the same thing happens again and again.
This is what I tried before posting here for your help:
I quit Boot Camp Assistant and tried to insert the Windows XP Pro installer disc and it won't mount at all and will eventually be ejected.
I thought the disc might be damaged so I inserted it in a PC and everything seems right with the disc. I can see all files using the PC computer that is 5 years old.
I thought it would be a firmware problem with my iMac so I accessed this page http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1237 and it seems there is no firmware update required for my iMac.
I execute the command Apple>Software Update and there is nothing to update.
Is there someone able to help me?
Thank you in advance.
Kazon

Hi,
I solved the problem myself. This might help others.
Recap:
The Windows XP Pro CD was always ejected by Boot Camp and it wouldn't mount at all when inserted in the CD slot. The CD was however readable on a Windows Machine.
It was not easy to detect but the Windows CD was physically deformed. It wasn't flat. It was a little convex (the outer edge was higher than its center). My iMac wasn't able to read it at all but a PC was able until I decided to test it with a full install on the PC. About half way during the installation, it stopped and an error message was displayed by Windows Setup "Disc Read Error - Disc might be damaged".
I ejected the CD and discovered the deformation. So I carefully placed the outer edge of the CD over a ring and put some weight on its center to try to undo the deformation. I've waited 2 days then retested the CD and it worked at the first attempt. My iMac was happy and so was I. I made a security copy of the CD while it's still readable in case I have to re-install later.
I find Microsoft cheap of putting their Installation CD in a paper sleeve. If the CD have been stored in a CD case this would not have happened.
End of the story.

Boot Camp Assistant cannot be use

Every time i try to start up my bootcamp, it tells me that " Boot camp assistant can not be used, This mac does not support Boot Camp" i've have run boot camp on this computer before with a different hard drive. that one blew up i just got another that was same exact one but different name bran. i don' t know how to fix this anyone that can help me i will greatly appreciate it.

Your Model Identifier and Model match How to identify MacBook Pro models - Apple Support.
From Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems - Apple Support it should be supported.
MacBook Pro
(15-inch, Mid 2012)
5
5
4
Was the Bootcamp info.plist modified on this Mac? How was the OS installed when the original disk drive failed?
Can you click on System Report -> SATA/SATA Express and PCI to see if your internal drive shows up? Do you have more than one physical drive in this machine?

Boot Camp manager requires log-out/log-in to load

Every time I restart Windows, Boot Camp manager requires a log-out then log-in to load in the task bar. A few other menu items also require this. Has anyone else experienced this?

Is it boot camp assistant or is it Windows that is asking you to put in your password upon boot?
What other menu items require this input?
Axel F.

Trying to install Windows 8.1 from an ISO, but boot camp assistant doesn't seem to recognize

Hi there,
I have a 2011 Macbook pro, 15", 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 8GB RAM. I'm wanting to install windows 8.1 using boot camp assistant, and downloaded windows 8.1 from dreamspark (Microsoft store for students). I have downloaded all of the windows support software onto a USB, and there is a folder sitting on my desktop containing the .ISO for windows 8.1. However, when i try to run boot camp assistant, it says that the installer disc could not be found, and does not give me an option to install from a selectable .ISO. Can anyone help me with this? Is it something obvious I'm missing? Thanks!
Connor

For Macs with built-in Optical drives, you will need to burn the ISO to Optical media and use the Optical drive.

Is Boot Camp Assistant required?

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