Windows 8 won't install


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I've got a Mid 2010 MacBook Pro (MacBookPro6,2) and I've updated it to 10.8.3. Apple now support installing of Windows 8 via Boot Camp, but I just can't get it to work even though it is supported on my MacBook. I've created the partition using the Boot Camp Assistant, however, when I boot in to Windows 8, it complains that it can't install on to the partition because it needs the partition to be GPT and it is currently MBR. This is the error message:

"The selected disk has a MBR partition table. On EFI sistems, Windows can only be installed on GPT disks"

"You can't install Windows in this disk. It is possible that the Hardware is not able to boot in this disk. Make sure the disk controller is enabled in the system BIOS"

However, when booting back in to OS X and checking in Disk Utility, the drive is definitely set as GUID Partition Table.

How can I get Windows 8 to see that this is correct? I've tried deleting the partition on Windows 8 setup and recreating it, but it complains it cannot create a partition (Error: 0xf28dbbd0 - Which gives no results in Google!)

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I would let boot amp remove the partition, then set it up again. Boot your window 8 cd and then format the bootcamp partition. I did it like that last week and it worked. Are you using a legit windows 8 disc? Sometimes a modified install disc might cause issues.

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I would let boot amp remove the partition, then set it up again. Boot your window 8 cd and then format the bootcamp partition. I did it like that last week and it worked. Are you using a legit windows 8 disc? Sometimes a modified install disc might cause issues.

Yeah, I've tried exactly that. Relaunched Boot Camp Assistant, deleted partition, recreated the partition, booted in to Windows, same error, formatted, same error, deleted partition, after this it won't let me create the partition again from Windows.

I am using a legit unmodified copy of Windows 8 (on a USB Flash Drive) downloaded from my TechNet subscription.

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Resolved: It seems my model of MacBook Pro doesn't support installing from USB Flash Drive. I burnt the ISO on to a DVD and Windows installed fine.

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It's good to know that's the answer, I have always setup from cd on bootcamp. USB works fine on non mac computers

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It's good to know that's the answer, I have always setup from cd on bootcamp. USB works fine on non mac computers

Yeah, it seems as though Apple have limited USB installs to only those models that don't come with a DVD drive anymore.

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I am surprised you were even able to boot it. I think the issue for you is that you chose EFI to boot from instead of the actual mbr windows installer. Windows has 2 was to boot, one is the MBR standard boot and the other is EFI but on macs this is disabled. You will know if you booted to efi because the font looks different.

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Haha beat me too it mate. Many older models don't support USB boot and so when you use a USB to boot it you will be able to get to installation but won't be able to install onto the HDD because of that GPT error. Anyhow you have resolved that I see! There are no workarounds by the way, the only OS you will be able to boot off USB is OSX.

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