MacBook Pro 15" (Late 2013, 11.3) will not install Windows 7SP1 Pro

Question

Hi All,
I have had many go's at this, but I am unable to install Windows 7 bootcamp on my late 2013 15" retina macbook pro.
First I'll head off with the specs:
Model Name: MacBook Pro
  Model Identifier: MacBookPro11,3
  Processor Name: Intel Core i7
  Processor Speed: 2,3 GHz
  Number of Processors: 1
  Total Number of Cores: 4
  L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
  L3 Cache: 6 MB
  Memory: 16 GB
  Boot ROM Version: MBP112.0138.B02
  SMC Version (system): 2.19f3
  NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M (and the Intel of course)
  512GB SSD
  16GB USB3 thumbdrive
  Windows 7SP1-U
  Windows 8.1
First try:
Run bootcamp assistant (Version 5.1.2 (484))
Let it run and run, changed the partition to 101GB, eventually at the installer screen it asks for drivers. Dunno which, but keyboard and mouse fully functional
Second Try:
Run bootcamp assistant (Version 5.1.2 (484))
Update drivers from BootCamp5.1.5621
Same issue... no drivers for, I don't know which driver
Third Try:
Run bootcamp assistant (Version 5.1.2 (484))
Update drivers from BootCamp5.1.5621
boot with alt and boot into osx
remove the partition made by assistant and redo that by making a exFAT
reboot and start windows installer from USB
Same issue... no drivers for, I don't know which driver
Fourth try:
Same as third, but with a USB2 thumbdrive
fail...
Fifth try:
Run bootcamp assistant (Version 5.1.2 (484))
Copied Intel(R)_USB_3.0_eXtensible_Host_Controller_Driver (read it somewhere but cant find the page anymore, downloaded from the Intel site)
Reboot, no KB/mouse so that failed
Sixth Try:
Run bootcamp assistant (Version 5.1.2 (484)) but with a Windows 8.1 ISO
Update drivers from BootCamp5.1.5621
Finally I had the opportunity to install Windows, but... v8. (and I want 7)
Let the install continue, but exited after 1 hour staring at "almost finished"
Seventh try:
Run bootcamp assistant (Version 5.1.2 (484)) but with a Windows 8.1 ISO
Update drivers from BootCamp5.1.5621
boot with alt and boot into osx
remove the partition made by assistant and redo that by making a exFAT
reboot and start windows installer from USB
Let the install continue, but exited after 45 minutes staring at "almost finished" (less patient this time)
Eight try:
Same as try #2, hoping to get lucky....?
Unfortunately I can't come up with options. So any suggestions are welcome!
Maybe Win7 will never install on this
Maybe I need a different Windows 8 ISO
Can't go back to OSX 10.8 as it's not supported on this Macbook.
Ow... and why do I want Windows? Need to test several pieces of software which don't run on Mac
(also wanna play the Windows games with Steam in freetime)
Thanks!!!!

Answer 1

vadik.l wrote:
Yes, as I already mentioned above:
Also I'm using TimeMachine + external HDD (do backups once in 2 weeks).
Sorry I missed that.
This is what I think is happening:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4878
There are two options, keep the Time Machine HDD connected full time or turn Time Machine off and on only when you want to make the backup.
Ciao.