Windows installation options

Hello,
I have late 2013 Macbook Pro Retina. I love the computer but there is one small problem, I decided I would get the 128 GB version because I was relying on google drive for all my files. I had been okay as far as storage goes but now that I am a student going into Management Information Systems we are required to use SQL server and Visual studios. Due to the fact that I only have 128 GB I do not have enough storage to add Windows on boot camp. I am open to any suggestions on what you guys think would be my best option. So far I have considered, but had no success in the following:
1. Running Windows 7 off of a flash drive so that I can boot into it only when I need it.
2. Installing Windows 7 onto an external hard drive. (This would be harder to haul around from class to class, and I would be afraid to drop it and damage it)
Other things I have considered are buying a cheap windows desktop and remoting into it from my Macbook whenever I need to use SQL or Visual Studios. With that being said, is there any specific Mac software that can make it easy to remote into a windows machine whenever I need it?
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on what route I should take
Thank you,
Richard
P.s I hope I posted this in the right section

Using BootCamp Windows must be installed on the boot drive, it cannot be installed on an external. However you could use virtualization such as VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop (both commercial software) or VirtualBox (open source) and install Windows as a guest OS. In this case you could install the Windows virtual machine on an external. The disadvantage of virtualization is that it isn't quite a s fast as BootCamp but for your purposes the small speed hit shouldn't be a factor. Several years ago I took a C# class and about 1/2 of the class including me had Macs running Win7 in virtualization.

Similar Messages

Windows server 2012 Datacenter Hyper-V Cluster -- Failed to validate Operating System Installation Option?

Hi I have a 4 node Windows server 2012 Hyper-V cluster. When I try to run a cluster validation report, everything else is fine but it fails at validate the Operating System Installation Option step. I did some research but couldn't really find any solution.
Anyone knows how to pass this test? Thanks.
Here's the error I get when run the test:
An error occurred while executing the test.
The operation has failed. An error occurred while getting the operating system installation option for node "server1"

Hi JasonLiu2002,
Please post the original error information, the current information is so wide that difficult to determine where may have issue and please offer more information about your
server configuration, you can refer the following article to prepare your cluster environment first.
Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V Best Practices (In Easy Checklist Form)
http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfeplat/archive/2013/03/10/windows-server-2012-hyper-v-best-practices-in-easy-checklist-form.aspx
When you preparing the new cluster on Server 2012 please install the Recommended hotfixes and updates for Windows Server 2012-based failover clusters updates.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2784261
I’m glad to be of help to you!
We
are trying to better understand customer views on social support experience, so your participation in this
interview project would be greatly appreciated if you have time.
Thanks for helping make community forums a great place.

X-fi XtremeMusic - Full Installation Option - Windows hangs for two minutes on shutdo

I chose the full installation option for the x-fi xtrememusic soundcard, it installs fine, however after I restart my computer or shutdown, it hangs at "saving your settings" for about two minutes. I checked the "event viewer" in Windows XP Home SP2 and it has a entry stating:
Windows saved user SONY\"My User" registry while an application or service was still using the registry during log off. The memory used by the user's registry has not been freed. The registry will be unloaded when it is no longer in use.
This is often caused by services running as a user account, try configuring the services to run in either the LocalService or NetworkService account.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
However, I then tried the minimum install, and it doesn't hang on shutdown/restart.

If I don't manage to fix this, I will reinstall windows xp but I hope I don't have to go to all that trouble.

Reformat option in the Windows installer not available

I am trying to install Windows XP SP2 OEM version on my Macbook. Windows installer prompts me to choose the Boot Camp partition. When I select the partition by hitting the Return key, it starts to install the Windows software. The installer does not give me the choice to reformat the new Windows partition. Any suggestions?

I am trying to install Windows XP SP2 OEM version on my Macbook. Windows installer prompts me to choose the Boot Camp partition. When I select the partition by hitting the Return key, it starts to install the Windows software. The installer does not give me the choice to reformat the new Windows partition. Any suggestions?

Unable to install itunes 10.5 after update issue. "windows installer package error"

So when the update for itunes happened, it wiped my ipod, and then my ipod would not work with itunes. So I uninstalled itunes and tried to reinstall it and it gives me that error message. "There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor." I have tried all the fixes from deleting everything to running command prompts. I think i tried everything.
Method 1: Right click on the setup file and, from the drop down menu, select 'run as administrator'
Method 2: Open command prompt in elevated mode and, then unregistered and re-register Windows Installer.
1. In the Start search box and then type 'cmd', when the command application appears at the top of the start window, right click on it and, from the drop down menu, select 'run as administrator' and type each of these commands in the command prompt and press Enter
   • msiexec /unregister
   • msiexec /regserver
msiexec.exe belongs to the Windows Installer Component and is used to install new programs that use Windows Installer package files (MSI)
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Command-Prompt-frequently-asked-ques tions
Method 3: Start the Windows Installer service
1. Click Start, type Services.msc and press {ENTER}
2. Double-click Windows Installer
3. Set the Startup type of Windows Installer to Manual
4. Click Start to start the service. Note down the error message if any.
5. Click OK.
If the above mentioned steps don’t resolve the issue, then
follow the steps and check whether you can resolve the issue:
Method 4: Empty your Temp directory and restart
1.       Choose Start > Computer
2.       In Computer, open the "C:" drive.
3.       Open the Users folder.
4.       Double-click the folder titled with your username.
5.       If you see an AppData folder, skip to step 10. If you don't see an AppData folder, proceed to the next step.
6.       Choose Organize > Folder and Search Options.
7.       Click the View tab.
8.       Select the option to "Show hidden files and folders." (In Windows 7 this option will be called "Show hidden files, folders, and drives").
9.       Click OK.
10.    Double-click the AppData folder to open it. If Windows needs your permission to continue click Continue.
11.    Double-click the Local folder to open it.
12.    Right-click on the Temp folder and choose Delete.
13.    In the confirmation dialog that appears click Yes.
14.    If you are unable to delete the Temp folder, close all programs, especially those in the Notification area ("System Tray") of the Windows Task bar and repeat step 12.
15.    Restart your computer.
Method 5: Removing iTunes
Note: iTunes Store purchases or songs imported from CDs are saved in your My Music folder by default and are not deleted by removing iTunes.
1.       Quit iTunes.
2.       From the Start menu, click Control Panel.
3.       In Control Panel, click Uninstall a program. The Programs and Features Control Panel opens.
Alternately, in Classic Panel of Control Panel, click Programs and Features.
4.       Select iTunes from the list of currently installed programs, then click Uninstall.
5.       When asked if you would like to remove iTunes, click Yes.
6.       After the uninstallation is complete, do not restart your computer if you are prompted to.
7.       If other program entries were listed for iTunes in Programs and Features remove those as well.
8.       In Programs and Features, also remove any iPod Updater applications that are listed in the same fashion as you removed iTunes.
Method 6: You may also try downloading the Windows Installer Cleanup utility and run that to remove the leftover ITunes installer files that may be causing issues with your current installation.
You may refer the following article to download the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
1. Click on Start > All Programs and then click Windows Install Cleanup; the Windows Installer Clean Up Utility window appears, listing software that is currently installed on your computer.
2. Select iTunes from the list and click Remove. If you have multiple iTunes files, remove all of them.
3. Once you have completed the above steps to Empty your Temp directory, Completely remove iTunes and QuickTime, and Clean up iTunes installer files on the computer, you can install the latest version of iTunes from
To this:
This solution correct my bug.
I had the same error in with the i-tunes installation and i did this and it worked.... This works for any i tunes that fails to install itself on 64 Bit
You have to go into your registry.
Start, run, type in “regedit”.
Next go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
SYSTEM
CurrentControlSet
Services
MSIServer
To the right you’ll see WOW64. Double click on it, or right click on it and click on modify. Change the setting from 1 to 0.
Next, go to the start menu again and type in the search box: “services.msc”.
Look for and find the Windows Installer service.
Double click on it and tell it to stop. Next, tell it to start.
You should now be able to install your programs.
------ By the way I dont have the WOW64 option is not available.
I was able to install quick time just fine. All of the other apple software associated with itunes installed fine but itunes did not. Im not sure if there is a virus that could do this. I didnt delete anything but apple folders.
I have tried other things but i cant remember exactly there were.
When the install process for itunes is running it changes with the error message shows up during install.
Thanks.

I should have posted this earlier, but anyway. I restored my laptop to factory version after backing up any useful data, and the first thing I the laptop was restored was connect to the internet, download and install the latest version of iTunes. And Bingo! It worked.
Apple helps you find Original Sin with the Windows.

I am trying to upload itunes 10.5, but get a message "There is a problem with this Window Installer Pkg. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor". What is it I need to do?

I am trying to install itunes 10.5, but during the download I get the following message, "There is a problem with this Window Installer Package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personanal or package vendor." If this is my personal computer and was able to upgrade to the previous version (pre 10.5), why not now? What is my "package vendor"? And what is it I need to do to fix this? The message is unclear. Unfortunately, I deleted my itunes program, thinking that in doing so, 10.5 would finally load. Now I have no itunes on my computer and unable to sync my iphone. Help!
Thanks - Rick

Hi Rick,
by "repair" I mean I went to the control panel, option - programs and features, and in the list of all my installed programs I selected "Apple Software Update". On top of the screen you find the options Uinstall, Change and Repair. I clicked the repair button and that did the trick. After the repair I could uninstall the program. I also uninstalled iTunes, Apple Application Support, Apple Mobile Device Support en Bonjour, thus all Apple programs. Then I installed iTunes 10.5 again and everything went fine.
Success,
Peter

HT5030 whem installing itunes i get this message "this installation package could not be opened. Verifiy that the package exists and that you can access it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid windows installer package"

whem installing itunes on my mums new computer which is windows 7 i get this message everytime "this installation package could not be opened. Verifiy that the package exists and that you can access it, or contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid windows installer package"

Let's check your Windows system.
1. Have you done all the important windows updates and service Packs on your system. If not do it now. START button, type in Windows Update and ENTER. Select 'CHECK FOR UPDATES'
2. Let's check your Windows system files for possible file corruption
SCAN and repair possible Windows system file corruption:
Go to command prompt (START/ALL PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES right mouse click "command prompt" and choose "Run as Administrator"
type in
sfc /scannow
let Windows fix any system files that need to be repaired.
Restart the computer if it did actually repair any files.
3. Check your system for possible Malware. But you have to do it in WIndows Safe Mode.
Start your computer in "Safe mode with networking", go to this link download a free version of Malwarebyte.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free
Install and perform update immediately, then do a full SCAN. Remove malware if it indeed finds any. Restart computer to regular windows to let Malwarebyte complete the removal.
To start your computer in safe mode
Press and hold the F8 key as your computer starts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you'll need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the "safe mode with networking" option, and then press Enter. Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.
When your computer is in safe mode, you'll see the words Safe Mode in the corners of your screen. To exit safe mode, restart your computer and let Windows start normally.

Bootcamp assistant doesn't restarts to the Windows installer. Macbook pro 13" (early 2015)

I'm trying to install windows 8.1 on my new macbook pro 2015, things are good until I got to the point after I chose the size of partition then mac restarts. It supposed to reboot to windows installer as described in step 4 below, but it boots into mac.
I was able to install the windows to my macbook air before without a problem, hope someone could suggest what I did wrong here.
Followed exact steps from here - How to install Windows using Boot Camp - Apple Support
1. Check System Requirements
Some versions of Windows require a certain processor, and more hard drive space and memory (RAM) than others. Check the documentation that came with your copy of Windows to find out what you need. Then use System Information to see what your Mac currently has.
2. Create a disk image of your Windows disc
When you purchase Windows, it either comes as a disk image file (ISO) or as an installation disc. If your copy of Windows came on a DVD, you should create a disk image of your installation disc.
3. Open Boot Camp Assistant
Boot Camp Assistant walks you through installing Windows on your Mac. Open this app from the Utilities folder in the Applications folder and follow the onscreen instructions to automatically repartition your startup disk and download related software drivers for Windows. When prompted, connect your USB flash drive.
4. Format your Windows partition
When you complete the assistant, your Mac restarts to the Windows installer. When you're asked where you want to install Windows, select the BOOTCAMP partition, then click Format.
5. Install Windows
Follow the onscreen prompts to finish your Windows installation.
6. Restart your computer
After Windows is installed, you can switch between OS X and Windows. Use the Startup Disk preference pane in OS X, or the Boot Camp system tray item in Windows to select your startup disk, then restart your computer

Ok, I finally got the problem solved. It didn't mention anywhere that I have to restart and holding down the 'option' key, then go to EFI boot... hope it'll help someone with the same issue.
Cheers!

ITunes 10.5 Upgrade fails to Install. The Error Message is: "There is a Problem with this Windows Installer Package. A program run as part of the setup did not finish as expected. Contact your support personnel or package vendor."

When Upgrading on my laptop from iTunes 10.2.11 to 10.5.0 the message I get is: "There is a problem with this Windows Installer Package. Aprogram run as part of the setup did not finish as expected. Contact your support personnel or pacakge vendor.

After reading all these posts, one by one did not resolve my problem until I got the very end. Regardless of what step would resolve your problem, these are the steps I would recomment to everyone for a what seems to be a safe and fool-proof upgrade to iTunes 10.5.
1. Stand alone upgrade to the latest Quicktime version
2. Go to control panel and "change" then select repair to the following applications in the order specified by the post on Oct 27. (Notice I skipped Quicktime because it had been upgrade manually,and Bonjour did not have a "repair" option)
iTunes; Apple Software Update: Mobile Device Support; Apple Applications Support
Some of these applications may not appear if they do not apply to your configuration (no iPhone, or no iPad, or other apple devices).
Once all updated, I did not need to restart nor launch any applications, I simply went straight into the 10.5 upgrade, and where it normally got stuck, this time the installation continued for a while longer until it completed successfully.
Great work everyone who contributed! Thank you very much!

When I try to install iTunes 10.5, it says, "There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program run as part of the setup did not finish as expected. Contact your support personnel or package vendor." I have Windows XP and I need help.

5, it says, "There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program run as part of the setup did not finish as expected. Contact your support personnel or package vendor." I have Windows XP and I need help.

After reading all these posts, one by one did not resolve my problem until I got the very end. Regardless of what step would resolve your problem, these are the steps I would recomment to everyone for a what seems to be a safe and fool-proof upgrade to iTunes 10.5.
1. Stand alone upgrade to the latest Quicktime version
2. Go to control panel and "change" then select repair to the following applications in the order specified by the post on Oct 27. (Notice I skipped Quicktime because it had been upgrade manually,and Bonjour did not have a "repair" option)
iTunes; Apple Software Update: Mobile Device Support; Apple Applications Support
Some of these applications may not appear if they do not apply to your configuration (no iPhone, or no iPad, or other apple devices).
Once all updated, I did not need to restart nor launch any applications, I simply went straight into the 10.5 upgrade, and where it normally got stuck, this time the installation continued for a while longer until it completed successfully.
Great work everyone who contributed! Thank you very much!

Tried to install iTunes 10.5 this morning but an error appeared saying "problem with windows installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run." Can someone please help

I tried to install iTunes 10.5 this morning but an error appeared saying "problem with windows installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run." Can someone please help

Firstly, are you installing iTunes for the first time or are you updating your current version of iTunes?
If you're installing iTunes for the first time have you tried redownloading the installer package? Perhaps the file you downloaded originally is corrupted...
http://www.apple.com/itunes/
If you've tried that, then try installing iTunes as your computer's administrator. To do this right-click the install package and choose "Run as administrator".
If you're updating iTunes to the most recent version try repairing the Apple Software Update program on your computer. It's under the add/remove programs.
1. Open the control panel
2. Open Add/Remove programs (called "Programs and Features" in Windows 7)
3. Navigate to "Apple Software Update" in the list and click on it
4. Click on "Change" then select "Repair" (or just select the repair option in Windows 7)
Once you repair this, try running iTunes and the update again.
Fingers crossed!

Error when downloading itunes 10.5 that says Product: Apple Software Update -- Error 1722. There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program run as part of the setup did not finish as expected. Contact your support personnel or package ven

Each time I attempt to download the new itunes 10.5 I keep getting the following error message:
Product: Apple Software Update -- Error 1722. There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program run as part of the setup did not finish as expected. Contact your support personnel or package vendor. Action SoftwareUpdate_UnregServer, location: C:\Program Files\Apple Software Update\SoftwareUpdate.exe, command: /UnregServer
For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Any Ideas of how to solve this one?

After reading all these posts, one by one did not resolve my problem until I got the very end. Regardless of what step would resolve your problem, these are the steps I would recomment to everyone for a what seems to be a safe and fool-proof upgrade to iTunes 10.5.
1. Stand alone upgrade to the latest Quicktime version
2. Go to control panel and "change" then select repair to the following applications in the order specified by the post on Oct 27. (Notice I skipped Quicktime because it had been upgrade manually,and Bonjour did not have a "repair" option)
iTunes; Apple Software Update: Mobile Device Support; Apple Applications Support
Some of these applications may not appear if they do not apply to your configuration (no iPhone, or no iPad, or other apple devices).
Once all updated, I did not need to restart nor launch any applications, I simply went straight into the 10.5 upgrade, and where it normally got stuck, this time the installation continued for a while longer until it completed successfully.
Great work everyone who contributed! Thank you very much!

Here's How to Repair your Windows Installation

Sometimes it is necessary or desirable to repair your Windows installation. For instance, you might see Windows showing unusual or unexplained slowdowns, failures to boot, devices no longer working like they used to, etc.
The following step by step procedure shows you how to do the repair. Note, that you will need the CD key that came with your Windows disk to complete this procedure.
1. Make sure boot order in BIOS is set to floppy (if you have one), cd/dvd, and then the HDD your original Windows was installed on.
2. Insert your original Windows CD into your cd/dvd drive (a slipstreamed cd with SP will also workif you have one). If the Windows Installion menu appears, select Install Windows.
3. If that menu does not appear, go to Start, Turn Off Computer, and then select Restart. After the POST, you will see a prompt, "Press any key to boot from cd..."
so press the space key (any other key will also work).
4. Let Windows setup continue.
5. After a short while you will see an option to repair your Windows using the Recovery Console. Do NOT select this option. Just continue.
6. Soon after this you will see a message "Searching for a previous Windows Installation".
7. When Setup finds your previous Windows installion you will be given an option to Repair that installation. Follow the prompt on the screen, i.e, press R to repair.
8. Now just let setup continue until it is complete and you see your desktop.
9. Then, go to Windows Update (Start, All Programs, Windows Update) and let it search for and install any available service packs, and/or other updates.
10. Lastly, if you have any drivers that are wish to use other than the ones in Windows, just install them in the normal fashion.
Now your Windows is repaired and fully updated, and hopefully the problems you saw previously have been fixed.

Quote from: Mike V on 30-January-07, 08:38:09
Thanks Bosskiller.
It seems everytime I do a fresh install I have trouble getting my cable internet going again.
I always seem to forget which files I need to download for the mobo to have access to that. ???
pickup drivers from here: http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/driver/dvr/spt_dvr_detail.php?UID=436&kind=1
what OS you use?
"It seems everytime I do a fresh install I have trouble getting my cable internet going again."
where its connected via ethernet port or via USB port? if you connect it through on-board LAN you need to install chipset drivers 1st. if you connect it via USB port ensure your OS installation is with included SP2 on it if its XP. then install chipset drivers as well.
if you use 98 install USB 2.0 drivers 1st,(http://download.msi.com.tw/support/dvr_exe/mbd_dvr/USB2W9XME009.zip) before install cable modem.

Bootcamp will not load Windows installer - No bootable device, insert disk then press any key

Hello, I recently decided to install bootcamp onto my 2009 27" iMac, I have done this before for other people's computers and I thought it would be no different for my own. However, on attempt to install the Windows disk, instead of starting the installer it only gives me an error message saying No bootable device, insert boot disk then press any key. I have tried ejecting the disk and then putting it back into my disk driver but it still seems to give me the same error. I went back into my Mac using Alt(option) key on startup and then set the startup disk as the Windows installer disk but it doesn't seem to make a difference. I also tried booting the disk directly from the startup disk menu is the alt(option) key on startup but that didn't do anything different either.
Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Also if it helps my computer is a
2009 27" iMac running OSX 10.8.4
And my disk drive is an external drive because my internal SuperDrive went out.

That last point is your problem, Boot Camp doesn't really like booting from external drives.
You will have to do the following (assuming Boot Camp already partitioned your hard disk):
1. Use Disk Utility to make a CD/DVD Master of the Windows Install Disc.
2. Rename the resulting *.cdr file so it has an *.iso extension.
3. Insert a USB Flash Drive (8GB or more) into a USB port and start Boot Camp Assistant.
4. Make sure only "Create a Windows 7 or later version install disk" is checked.
5. Follow the directions, selecting the USB Flash Drive as the destination, and the *.iso as the source.
You should now be able to boot from and install Windows from the USB Flash Drive. It's annoying, but I had to do that.
You will need a second flash drive of 1GB or more, or 700MB or more extra space on the install disk to place the boot camp support files, which will need to be installed.

My newly macbook air can't install windows 7 via boot camp even I have formatted the SSD in the window installer

I have insert the windows 7 disc as the instruction. Every things go fine at the starting, until the part that need to select the harddisk partition to install the windows.Even I have formatted the harddisk in the window installer, I can't continue my installation. Will it be the problem that the macbook air is using the SDD?

I'm having the same problem. Yes, I followed the instructions completely all the way through clicking Format under advanced options for the BOOTCAMP partition. It appears to format it correctly, but when I click Next, I get the message "Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition."
I read in the forums that I should unplug the USB drive. I tried that and instead, get the following message:
"Windows is unable to install to the selected location. Error: 0x80300001"
I have a new Retina display running Mountain LIon and the latest of everything. I tried installing both Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 ISO and Windows 7 Pro SP1 ISO, both downloaded from Microsoft. I am booting from a 32GB USB3 drive. I used Boot Camp Assistant for everything.
I removed my old Windows XP VM from Parallels, wiping everything. The only other thing I can think of is that my MacOS is connected to Time Machine, but MacOS is not running while Windows is trying to install itself.
Any ideas? Thanks!

Windows installation options

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for