Can't get windows 7 to boot install

[si777]

Hi there,

So I have a imac mid 2010 version running OS X 10.9.3...

I'm trying to reinstall my version of windows 7 (64bit) onto it.

Now I have managed to download all the support files and managed to get the iso image onto a usb but when I reboot and hold down the option key, it only gives me my mac os and a recovery disk.

I have the original windows 7 disk (that works fine, been tested on another computer) and I put it in when it ask's for it but about 30secs after I put it in it does nothing and chucks it back out.

Also have tried burning the iso image but this kinda did the same thing.

I have installed this windows 7 disk twice before on this imac.... 1st time it worked fine followed each instruction and worked perfect. 2nd time it did the same thing with the disk so I booted from a usb and it came up in the boot menu when holding down the option key.

Now i'm lost

Please help.

[chscag]

You can't install Windows 7 on your iMac using the USB flash drive because your iMac is equipped with an optical drive. You have to use the Windows 7 DVD to install. The drive on your iMac may be dirty. Buy a can of compressed air and blow several blasts into the drive to see if that cleans it. If the drive is working right, it shouldn't eject the Windows 7 disk.

[si777]

Ok.... I thought I tested it by putting a random music CD in it and it worked and played fine :-/..... I also put 1 of my fathers OEM windows xp disks in which was on some random DVD and that showed up too.

[chscag]

Well then, your Windows 7 DVD may be scratched or dirty. Check it closely and wipe all fingerprints from it. I really dislike the slot loading drives on Macs because of their fragility. Thank goodness my 2013 iMac has no optical drive.

[si777]

hmmmm DVD seems fine (I just tested on another computer) this is really frustrating

[si777]

ok I scrapped windows 7 off and went with windows 8.1....

This lets me have a option on the boot menu for it "efi boot" so I start the installer but get A media driver your computer needs is missing. This could be a DVD, USB or a hard disk driver. If you have a CD, DVD or a USB flash stick with the driver on it, please insert it now.

I'm guessing these are the drivers we downloaded through bootcamp? no?

[chscag]

Yes, beginning with Windows 8.1 EFI Boot (Intel) is recognized rather than depending entirely on BIOS settings (normal for PC). As a matter of fact, the new Mac Pro can only run Windows 8.1. As for the driver disk or flash drive, make sure you download the correct drivers for Windows 8.1. I'm not certain that the drivers you previously downloaded for Windows 7 will work.

[si777]

How do I do that? when I downloaded the drivers in boot camp it never gave me a option to download which drivers I would like....

[chscag]

Here is the LINK for the latest Boot Camp support which includes Windows 8.1. Download it and use that instead of what you previously used for Windows 7. If it's the same, disregard.

[si777]

Thanks....

quick question can I download these on my other computer and put them on a usb and plug the usb into the computer which I'm installing windows on and this should work right?

Thanks again for your time and knowledge I apologize for my dumb questions

[chscag]

Yes, you can download it on another machine. As long as you make the new version of Boot Camp drivers available during the install process it should work. Keep us posted on your progress and don't worry about asking questions.

[si777]

hmmm I seem to be getting the same message

[si777]

So yeah here is a image of what actually is on the external hdd that im booting off...



The $winpedriver$ and the bootcamp folders along with the autounattend.xml are the folders/files i downloaded via your link. I tried this 1st on a different usb but still the same outcome.

[si777]

not sure if the images are showing but here are the direct links...

Gyazo - 31dd5fd02eaff62c56a1f71e99a6d5a8.png

Gyazo - 98cf983f2d56cb25ebbc888d0d62b976.png

if only my super drive would take my install disk

[chscag]

Are you installing Windows 8.1 from DVD or a flash drive/external drive?