Can I install windows on a RAID hard drive?

Hi,
I recently purchased a used macPro. This mac pro had a raid set so 4 1TB hard drives were created to make one 4 GB partition. This made the raid utility pop up frequently saying there was something wrong so I just broke the RAID set and tried to set the disk up as their on storage partitions (Just as if they were 4 normal hard drives. Now that I did this, only 3 out of the 4 hard drives are visible in disk utility. Also, I reinstalled macosx snow leopard and tried installing bootcamp but when I partition the hard drive and restart using the windows installation disk, it doesn't show that I have any available hard drives to install windows on. Is this because of my RAID disks? (Sorry I don't know anything about raid disks and didn't know this computer had it before I bought it)
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

As stated in the Mac Pro RAID card FAQ you can't install Windows if you have the drives controlled by that card.
Question: Why can't I install Boot Camp on my Mac Pro or Xserve that uses a RAID?
Answer: Boot Camp does not support the installation of Windows onto a Mac using hardware or software RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Drives). Boot Camp is not supported on the Xserve with or without the Xserve RAID Card installed.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1346
Look inside and see if there is a RAID controller from Apple, proably top slot #4. Also look in System Profile under SATA interface.
Pull non-graphic card, seems you don't need it if you have one.
You are not getting something: internal hard drives are one thing. RAID card is another. The RAID card just replaces the normal SATA controller that otherwise interfaces.
Take a look at the photos and manual for the card.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3514
You can find the above from the Mac Pro Support home page I posted above.

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Can't instal Windows 7 to new hard drive

Hello everyone,
I was looking for solution for a while, but cant find it, so I really hope you'll help me here !
First of all, I 've been using my pc until I received the S.M.A.R.T. warning about possible hard drive failure soon, and one morning PC didnt start - one of the hard drives was dead (in my hp model there are two hard drives). After finding out which one was it ( I tried taking one hard drive out, leaving the other and vice versa) I bought a new 500 GB hard drive. Aparently the damaged hard drive was the one with operating system, because of startup message which told me that operating system not found. Nothing fancy, just instal windows like I always did, or so I thought ..
Got my USB flash drive with Windows 7 64 bit, plug it in, the usual windows instal guide loads up. I choose my language , keyboard input etc . At the point where I have to choose "where do I want to instal my windows" I see two hard drives: 1) disk 0 Partition 1 (my old original 232 GB stock drive) and 2) disk 1 Partition 1 (new recently purchased 500GB drive).
So ofcourse, since I replaced old hard drive with the new one I just bought, put it in the same slot, naturaly I chose my location for windows - new hard disk 1 Partition 1. When I highlighted it, a yellow mark apeared at the botom which said "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu".
Ok, so I tried to continue anyway, I pressed next and windows began to instal, took about 10 - 15 mins. Everythings normal until first restart part before completing instalation. PC restarted and .. Windows instalation setup started once more from the begining. So I thought , ok I ll try to instal to the old hard drive disk 0 Partition 1 ( this time there was no yellow warning mark). So instalation began again , restarted , and ... Once more instalation setup starting from begining !
I am really lost here, I tried replacing hard drives places whith each other, or leaving just one of them, every time windows starts instaling from begining ! Allthough, everytime there are less and less disk space, which means it actualy is instaling.
So any thoughts where to start ?
I would be so greatful for your help,
And see ya

Hi @Seniunas ,
Welcome to the HP Forums!
It is a terrific place to find answers and suggestions!
For you to have the best experience in the HP forum I would like to direct your attention to the HP Forums Guide Learn How to Post and More
It is my understand that one of your two hard drives failed. You have replaced the failed drive and are having a difficulty installing Windows 7 from a USB stick.
I have some questions.
What is your exact model of n DV9700 notebook?
How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number?
Is this a retail version of Windows 7?
Were your drives setup in a RAID configuration or just two individual drives, one being the boot drive with Windows.
You could try this, I am not sure if it will work.
Remove the 232 GB drive completely from your system.
Boot to your Windows 7, USB stick and let Windows format the drive before it installing Windows.
If this completes successfully, make sure the boot order is set to boot to that drive and test it.
If you are then able to boot into windows, shut down the notebook and reinstall the secondary drive.
Good Luck!
Sparkles1
I work on behalf of HP
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Can I install windows on a fresh hard drive?

I'm installing a fresh hard drive into a macbook pro, I'm wondering if the hard drive will accept a windows 7 disc to install as OS, or will it only accept OSX, and if I'd have to go through bootcamp.

Yes, it's a complete OS. But if you have an empty HDD to setup you will need to install the original OS X that came on the computer originally. If it came with Lion or later:
Install Mavericks, Lion/Mountain Lion Using Internet Recovery
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
Partition and Format the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your newly installed hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion. Mavericks: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
            if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
This should restore the version of OS X originally pre-installed on the computer.
If it had an earlier version of OS X:
Clean Install of Snow Leopard
Be sure to make a backup first because the following procedure will erase
the drive and everything on it.
     1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came
         with your computer. Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer.
         After the chime press and hold down the "C" key. Release the key when you see
         a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.
     2. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue
         button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
         After DU loads select the hard drive entry from the left side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive
         size.) Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window. Set the number of
         partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button
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     3. When the formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed
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     4. When the installation has completed your computer will Restart into the Setup
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         Assistant will complete the installation after which you will be running a fresh
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Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

How can I install window 8 on external hard drive on mac mini

So, I have mac mini and I'd like to install win8 on external hard drive and can anyone give me guides to do it?
also I wonder would I be able to run win 8 after installation using parallels desktop?
thanks in advance

I have to agree that Windows8 is a waste of time, especially if you don't have a touch screen and compatible apps.
However, the latest version of Parallels supports running Windows8, Parallels can either run Windows from a 'virtual disk' file which can be stored wherever you want including on an external drive, or it can also be configured to run Windows from a Boot Camp partition created using Apple's Boot Camp Utility.
See http://download.parallels.com/desktop/v7/update2/docs/en/Parallels%20Desktop%20U ser's%20Guide/32733.htm
In order to run Boot Camp from an external drive and therefore be able to setup the Boot Camp partition on the external drive you first have to install and run OS X on the external drive. Then the Boot Camp utility will let you add the Boot Camp partition on the external drive. You cannot run OS X and the Boot Camp utility from an internal drive and try adding the Boot Camp partition to the external drive. The Boot Camp Utility only lets you add the partition on the same physical drive it is running from.
Personally I have legal XP and Windows7 licenses (currently using Windows7) and even if the Windows8 upgrade was totally free of charge I would not bother with it. I would also not bother with it at work as an IT Manager.

HT1461 Can I Install Windows on a separate hard drive?

Could I install an additional hard drive on my Mac Pro for Boot Camp / Windows instead of partitioning the first one? I'll be using it for video, so I'll need a lot more space than I currently have.

Yes you can, don't use Boot Camp (except for obtaining drivers), and remove the OSX hard drive during installation. If you search this forum you'll find numerous examples.

Can I install Windows through an external hard-drive onto bootcamp?

Is there any way for me to install Windows onto my mac by using an external harddrive that contains the install files to windows 7?

Welcome to Apple Communities
You can install it with a USB drive. Connect it, open Boot Camp Assistant and follow steps

Can I install Bootcamp on an External Hard Drive?

*Bootcamp on External Hard Drive?*
Can I install Bootcamp on an external Hard Drive? I don't see why it wouldn't work. Do I need to install the Mac OS on the external Hard Drive first, then Bootcamp?
Parallels
Another question. Does Parallels allow you to not have to use the "option" key to boot into Windows? I mean if I use Parallels can I use XP or Vista at the same time as my mac applications?
What, (if any) are the drawbacks to using "Parallels"?
*What Options are there...*
Is it possible for Apple to allow users to program a key on their keyboard, when pressed will bring up Windows so they don't have to always restart? I need to switch between Windows and mac OS quite often and it's a real pain to always restart. What options do I have?
Thanks

Hi Paint Guy,
*Bootcamp on External Hard Drive?*
Can I install Bootcamp on an external Hard Drive? I don't see why it wouldn't work. Do I need to install the Mac OS on the external Hard Drive first, then Bootcamp?
By Microsofts Design no Windows can be installed and booted from external HDs. BootCamp just follows this.
However, according to this http://tubeshards.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/install-windows-to-a-macintosh-usb-dr ive/ it can be done.
Parallels
Another question. Does Parallels allow you to not have to use the "option" key to boot into Windows? I mean if I use Parallels can I use XP or Vista at the same time as my mac applications?
What, (if any) are the drawbacks to using "Parallels"?
Parallels is an OS X application which don't need a restart of your Mac to run Windows.
Therefor you can run OS X and Parallels Windows side-by-side.
Main drawback is, that Windows runs not native (on the real hardware) but in a virtualized environment.
While this is more than acceptable for 'standard' Office programs, any program that needs direct hardware access (especially games and 3D-programs) either do not run at all or run at noticeable slower speed.
Also you have to realize that the amount of RAM in your Mac is divided between OS X and Parallels Windows.
*What Options are there...*
Is it possible for Apple to allow users to program a key on their keyboard, when pressed will bring up Windows so they don't have to always restart? I need to switch between Windows and mac OS quite often and it's a real pain to always restart. What options do I have?
BootCamp is no option then, since it needs a reboot everytime you want to switch between OS X and Windows.
Parallels (and VMWare Fusion and VirtualBox, BTW) run alongside OSX.
Thanks
You're welcome. Hope it helps.
Have Fun
Stefan
Message was edited by: Fortuny

HT3986 can i put windows on a second hard drive that is partitioned.

can i put windows on a second hard drive that is partitioned with out boot.camp deleting the second partition and making one bootcamp windows partition?
i want one partition to be OS extended journaled and one partition for windows. Or do I have to create the bootcamp partition on my main drive? . my main drive is a solid-state drive which I run OS X and it's not as big as my mechanical drive. I would like to put windows on my mechanical drive but still save a lot of the drive for my mac data. So I would like to have that drive partitioned with OS extended journaled. Whenever I run boot camp and choose that hard drive boot camp will only allow me to erase the whole hard drive and make one partition for Windows. Maybe if I put OS X also on the mechanical drive and then try? Would that work. Thank you for any information you might have. Robert

Yes! why not.Just make sure after you install windows,linux,freebsd or any other os set to use mbr if there is a gpt partition first ALWAYS gptsync.

Problem installing windows on a secondary hard drive

Hi,
Here's my issue (sorry for my english, I'm french):
-I have a macbook pro 15" with OSx Mavericks.
-I have a SDD harddrive PLUS a 500GO HDD connected to the optical slot.
I want to install windows on my secondary hard drive.
What I have done so far:
-I've cloned my older windows partition.
-I've created a bootcamp partition on my secondary HDD.
-I've restaured my clone to the new bootcamp partition on that secondary HDD.
Up to that point, everything seemed alright.
BUT when I try to boot on the windows partition, I get this message:
no bootable device insert boot disk and press any key
As if my MBP couldn't boot on a secondary hard drive.
I've looked for answers on this forum but didn"t find anything.
thanks,
m

The only difference between your setup and mine is that I have the SSD in the optical slot and the windows image is on my HD. I boot from the optical slot though, as all my regular Mac stuff is on the SSD. All I can think to do is use Bootcamp to delete the partition and try again. It sure seems like it should work.

How to install Windows 7 on new hard drive?

I have changed the old hard drive (500 gb) with a new hard dirve (1 Tera), and now I have two problems: -
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2. My laptop was pre-installed Windows 7 Pro, but all the DVD kit (Application & Drives Recivery Disc + Operating System Revocer), which was provided (by Lenovo) for the laptop is in the Windows 8 Pro. So how do I install Windows 7 Pro, in my laptop while all DVD kits are in Windows 8 Pro?
by the way this is my laptop spec (for reference) ; -
* Note *
I plan to install Windows 7 Pro in my new hard drive using another Windows 7 DVD (Not DVD provided by Lenovo), but how do I get all the Leveno program which found within the 'Application & Drives Recivery' disc (such as ; - Lenovo System Health and Diagnostics, Lenovo Power Control,Lenovo's Fingerprint Reader) to install in that hard drive? (as I tell you before, all the DVD kit is in or only for Windows 8 Pro)
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Thank You
Solved!
Go to Solution.

I got the solution;
Answer to question 1 ; using a backup & recovery software to clone my current OS, then transfer to my new hard drive.
Answer to question 2 ; download all the Drivers and software ( all the application that located on the DVD kit that I have) on Lenovo Official Website.
or other solution, send it to a computer service shop and let the experts ( the workers) install it for me ( the most simple and safe way).

I have two hard drives on my mac 10.5.8 power pc and hear the clickking sounds of the first hard drive and think that it may be dying, can I install everything on the other hard drive also and wait for the first drvie to die before i use the other drives

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I do not know what you are waiting for.
I'd make a backup of your important stuff before cloning the entire disk.
Carbon Copy Cloner will copy your startup drive to an external firewire drive. You can boot from the external drive to verify that you have a good clone. When you upgrade your existing startup drive, you can at any time boot from your external drive and go back to your existing system.
http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
SuperDuper is the wildly acclaimed program that makes recovery painless, because it makes creating a fully bootable backup painless. Its incredibly clear, friendly interface is understandable, easy to use, and SuperDuper's built-in scheduler makes it trivial to back up automatically. And it runs beautifully on both Intel and Power PC Macs!

Can i install itunes on a portable hard drive

Can i install itunes to a portable hard drive? Also can I have more than one itunes library?
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That was timely. I had the same question (new MBP with two drives) and you solved my question. Thank you. It works the same way you change Aperture Libraries, so it makes sense and is easy to remember.

How can I install ntfs on an external hard drive so that my Samsung Smart TV can see my media files? Or is there a better option?

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If you are going to install WoW to a external hard drive I suggest getting a eSATA external hard drive. There is a noticable drop in performance when trying to use a external USB drive to run games from.

I have to replace a corrupted hard-drive so what do I need to do to uninstall the creative Suite CS^ so that I can re-install onto the neww ssd hard-drive that I am upgrading to???

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Simply deactivate the suite on the old drive and then install it on the new one.
Download CS6 products
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Can I install windows on a RAID hard drive?

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