Installing Windows via bootcamp without optical drive?

jakruta · jakruta #1 (**permalink**)

03-19-2012, 04:48 PM

I realize that there are posts out there for how to install windows via bootcamp without an optical drive...... for mac air, etc... but in my case, those don't seem to be valid options. I have a legal copy of windows 7, and am trying to install it to an iMac. Normally, this would take just a few minutes, and next to no thought at all. However, the optical drive in this machine is no longer functional. Do i absolutely HAVE to go save up money to get my optical drive replaced? Or is there another way to install it?

Raz0rEdge · Raz0rEdge #2 (**permalink**)

03-19-2012, 05:01 PM

I'm guessing that if your internal optical drive is broken, it might be possible to use an external one if you have one..

jakruta · jakruta #3 (**permalink**)

03-19-2012, 05:02 PM

already tried that, sadly, bootcamp assistant didn't even recognize it.
(tried one that came with a macbook air, and i tried one that came with an HP laptop)

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #4 (**permalink**)

03-19-2012, 05:31 PM

Yes new optical drive needed alas. If you read the Bootcamp Guidelines install only occurs from built in optical drive.

jakruta · jakruta #5 (**permalink**)

03-19-2012, 05:34 PM

currently trying a different method. using another mac machine to install windows via bootcamp. then going to make an image of the partition, and apply it to a partition on this machine

Raz0rEdge #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 17, 2009 Location: MA Posts: 7,916 Mac Specs: 27" i7 iMac, 24" iMac, 13" Macbook Air, iPhone 5 & 5S, iPod Nano 7th Gen, iPad 2 16GB WiFi, iPad 3	03-19-2012, 05:01 PM I'm guessing that if your internal optical drive is broken, it might be possible to use an external one if you have one.. -- Regards ...Ashwin Be sure to read the Community Guidelines \| The more information you provide, the better answers you get, remember GIGO.
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harryb2448 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 18,810 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz, 16GB memory, OS 10.10.2	03-19-2012, 05:31 PM Yes new optical drive needed alas. If you read the Bootcamp Guidelines install only occurs from built in optical drive. *Hang on to those original install discs like grim death! Using OS X.7 or later make a bootable USB thumb drive before running Installer!*
	QUOTE Thanks

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jakruta #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 19, 2012 Posts: 3	03-19-2012, 04:48 PM I realize that there are posts out there for how to install windows via bootcamp without an optical drive...... for mac air, etc... but in my case, those don't seem to be valid options. I have a legal copy of windows 7, and am trying to install it to an iMac. Normally, this would take just a few minutes, and next to no thought at all. However, the optical drive in this machine is no longer functional. Do i absolutely HAVE to go save up money to get my optical drive replaced? Or is there another way to install it?
	QUOTE Thanks

jakruta #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 19, 2012 Posts: 3	03-19-2012, 05:34 PM currently trying a different method. using another mac machine to install windows via bootcamp. then going to make an image of the partition, and apply it to a partition on this machine
	QUOTE Thanks

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