Bootcamp install on the new Imac

[xphacter]

So I have a Mac Mini dual boot lab. 20 first gen intel macmini's. The CRTs on these guys are going so we decided to clean up the lab and replace them all with iMac's. We bought one of the newest iMac's 21.5 inch and I started from scratch to create a new image for these machines. We haven't bought the other 19 yet.

 

Anyway, something is very wrong with the boot process for windows xp. The mac side always boots fine. However the windows side takes a couple of reboots to actually work. The process as I understand how booting to windows works (correct me if i'm wrong) POST > EFI > BIOS > MBR >WINDOWS . It takes approx 3 reboots for me to get into the windows side. First reboot, when holding down option, Mac and Windows shows up, I click on windows and it freezes the screen right there, still showing Mac and Windows, and It's unresponsive. Seems like a problem emulating the BIOS or something.

 

Second time, It gets past this screen and hangs and says "A Disk Read Error Occured. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart". CTRL + ALT + DEL does not work. Force shutdown. Seems like a problem with the MBR finding windows boot files. And the third reboot is fine.

 

If this were my machine i would be fine, but to educate everybody that uses my lab to do this is insanity. I also tried BootPicker and refit. Bootpicker is useless, it just shows me a grey screen when I click on windows every time. And refit goes through the same process when I hold option, however, it does give me some more information on the first hang:

 

Error: Not found return from legacy loader;

Error: not found from locatedevicepath;

[repeated 10 times........]

Error: not found from locatedevicepath;

Error: load error while (re)opening our installation volume;

 

I've done several reinstalls using different xp installation disks (professional site licence vs home) and mac retail vs the packaged imac one. I've been on many phone calls with apple and i have a case number with them. Apple finds it strange that I cannot hold down D during the boot and go into diagnostic mode.

 

Microsoft after going through 3 levels of support basically hung up and told me i needed a new BIOS.

 

I always use the bootcamp assistant, and even that has trouble booting the install disc for the first time. I've done many clean installs and touched nothing but bootcamp and its drivers. I even zero out the drive before i even make a single partition.

 

It seems that something little by little is getting fixed and then it breaks.

 

Any thoughts?

[exabyte]

Simple but still you might try setting Windows volume as the first boot device in Mac OS X

 

Another idea is to rewrite MBR through Windows itself (*though I think the problem is only in the first steps of booting, Win volume is fine)

[hgclc]

Hi,

 

We are having the exact same issues with all 34 of the new 21.5" iMac's we have just bought (Bought early Jan 2010)

 

They either hang after the drive selection or they give the Disk Read Error, regardless of if I am using rEFIt or Apple's Startup Manager.

 

After a phone call to Apple they just said there was no known issue and said "I'll pass you on to someone who might help" and put me through to Microsoft Customer Service.

 

At present, this is looking like an issue with Apple's boot rom, especially as stated on the rEFIt forum Apple have recently moved over to the new nVidia chipset and as such new boot rom.

 

If you have found a fix for your issue we would be grateful if you could share it with us as currently we have a room of dual boot macs that are sporadic at best.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Dave Maltby

[ridderdk]

At last i found somebody besides me having this problem.

I am getting really tired of restarting my iMAC 27" (late 2009) 2-3 times everytime it's powered on.

Sometimes it stops with the grey screen, sometimes it says "a disk read error occured" press ctrl alt delete to restart or something, power button only solution.

I have tried different hd sizes from within bootcamp, deleting all mac partitions and both windows 7 32 and 64 bit, nothing changes, still the same.

[xphacter]

At last i found somebody besides me having this problem.

I am getting really tired of restarting my iMAC 27" (late 2009) 2-3 times everytime it's powered on.

Sometimes it stops with the grey screen, sometimes it says "a disk read error occured" press ctrl alt delete to restart or something, power button only solution.

I have tried different hd sizes from within bootcamp, deleting all mac partitions and both windows 7 32 and 64 bit, nothing changes, still the same.

 

Yup there is clearly something wrong, I returned the machine and got a new one and they seem to happen less often if not at all anymore.

 

Unfortunately when I talked to Apple, I was on direct support with one of the higher ups, he even gave me his direct number and we talked for weeks, He told me that the problem is an isolated incident because the machines they have don't have this problem. They don't see bootcamp as a major issue.

[Josh B.]

Yup there is clearly something wrong, I returned the machine and got a new one and they seem to happen less often if not at all anymore.

 

Unfortunately when I talked to Apple, I was on direct support with one of the higher ups, he even gave me his direct number and we talked for weeks, He told me that the problem is an isolated incident because the machines they have don't have this problem. They don't see bootcamp as a major issue.

 

 

 

I'm having the same problem with my 21.5" iMac with Windows 7. I've tried x32 and x64 versions of windows and it still occurs.

[vosst]

I am having the same bootcamp issue with a batch of 14 new 21.5" iMac's trying to load Windows XP with volume license media.

 

A disk read error occurred

Press ctrl+alt+del to restart

 

or they hang at a blank grey screen.

 

I also have a case open with Apple technical support.

 

Looks like a problem with Apple's new boot ROM to me.

 

Very frustrating!

 

-Tom

[Josh B.]

Hi,

 

We are having the exact same issues with all 34 of the new 21.5" iMac's we have just bought (Bought early Jan 2010)

 

They either hang after the drive selection or they give the Disk Read Error, regardless of if I am using rEFIt or Apple's Startup Manager.

 

After a phone call to Apple they just said there was no known issue and said "I'll pass you on to someone who might help" and put me through to Microsoft Customer Service.

 

At present, this is looking like an issue with Apple's boot rom, especially as stated on the rEFIt forum Apple have recently moved over to the new nVidia chipset and as such new boot rom.

 

If you have found a fix for your issue we would be grateful if you could share it with us as currently we have a room of dual boot macs that are sporadic at best.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Dave Maltby

 

 

Hi,

 

Are you using OEM or full media?

[xphacter]

Hi,

 

Are you using OEM or full media?

 

OEM? What OEM media are you talking about? There are no OEM Windows XP discs for Mac.... The thought just makes my brain explode, so I assume you are talking about OS X. I have used both store bought Snow Leopard and the gray OEM OS X discs, they are relatively the same, except for the fact that the OEM comes with 10.6.1 already patched and the full media requires an update.

[Josh B.]

OEM? What OEM media are you talking about? There are no OEM Windows XP discs for Mac.... The thought just makes my brain explode, so I assume you are talking about OS X. I have used both store bought Snow Leopard and the gray OEM OS X discs, they are relatively the same, except for the fact that the OEM comes with 10.6.1 already patched and the full media requires an update.

 

 

OEM refers to the Windows media. I have been speaking to Apple regarding the issue, and they keep on bringing up the fact that the Boot Camp install guide says that they "do not recommend OEM"; however, I think that there is no difference between Windows OEM and regular media, and that they are just trying to ignore the real issue.

 

You can find oem discs at

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....amp;x=0&y=0

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=o...itialSearch=yes

 

and many other stores online.

 

OEM disks usually just mean that you cannot transfer the license between computers.

[vosst]

The media is not the issue. I'm using XP Pro Volume License Media direct from Microsoft. I've also tried multiple versions including XP Pro with SP2 Volume License Media and XP Pro with SP3 volume license media.

 

XP is not the issue. I've tried Windows 7 Enterprise x64 and Windows 7 Enterprise x86. Same issue with any media.

 

Boot Camp 3.1 does NOT resolve this issue.

 

I'm waiting to hear back from Apple today. I'll let you know what I find out.

[vosst]

Apple tech support said that the issue of the 21.5" iMac hanging at the grey screen and the "Disk Read Error" are outside of the scope of support and that they do not support booting into Windows, they only support Boot Camp Assistant and installing Boot Camp drivers if you are able to boot into Windows.

 

They suggested that I contact my Apple sales rep.

 

My Apple pre-sales engineer is stopping by Monday. I'll let you know what he says about this problem.

 

Good Luck

-Tom

[Josh B.]

Hi,

 

I have been working with an iMac specialist from Apple support, and he told me today that they have successfully reproduced the issue and are working on a fix!

 

Josh

[ridderdk]

Hi,

 

I have been working with an iMac specialist from Apple support, and he told me today that they have successfully reproduced the issue and are working on a fix!

 

Josh

 

Looking forward to that :-)

[Josh B.]

Looking forward to that :-)

 

 

I got another call back from Apple today. They informed me that they "cannot reproduce the issue", even though yesterday I was told that they had found the issue and were working on a fix.

 

After spending a lot of time troubleshooting this issue both on the phone and by myself, I have decided to return my iMac and just buy a Dell.

 

Apple does not want to recognize the issue at all, and instead of taking the problem seriously and trying to troubleshoot the issue, they feel that its alright to waste my time, redirecting me to people who can't solve the issue and not taking the problem seriously.

 

I was told that one engineer said that "He had never heard of the problem before," and that therefore it was just a problem with my hard drive.

 

Apple markets themselves as having the "best support"; however, this has probably been the worst customer support experience I have had with a computer company. I worked with representatives from AppleCare, executive relations personnel and product specialists.

 

This clearly is a very a serious issue, but Apple engineering refuses to even admit that it exists.

 

Good luck,

Josh

[Pluskat5000Schiffe]

Im glad to see that you guys have the same problem.

 

I have a 27 inch iMac bought 1st of march 2010.

 

Im thinking it can be caused by the following things:

 

• Bootcamp assistant in OSX slices a part for the windows installation. So partitioning is not done by the Windows installation.
  
• I also see a partition of 128MB in front of the last partition where windows is installed. This partition is not assigned to anything and is just a gap.
  
• My issues with CTRL - ALT - DEL disk errors are more serious when system is hot (used in windows intensively) but not allways.
  
• When a read error occurs leaving the system at least 15 sec off (wait to spin down the disc) give a better reboot result.
  
• Which disks are you guys using ? Im using a Hitachi HDE721010SLA330. This disc can maybe also the problem.
  

Ive phoned Apple Too. The only advice they gave me was to install bootcamp 3.1 but I wont because the ATI driver included sucks. It refuses to install catalyst control center. So im using the ATI driver supplied by the windows update (pretty old though) but it can be controlled with the catalyst control center and gives me a good enough 3d performance and good colors.

 

I think Apple needs to address this issue. Bootcamp is a major purchase argument for potential apple buyers and they are advertised with this option by apple as well. Telling that its not a major problem because it is a bootcamp issue is rediculous.

[werty575]

One of my friends refer me to this nice forum and I really enjoyed it

[odessamarin]

Hello!

 

I do have exactly the same problem! iMac 27.. brand new just arrived

HDD the same as above.. by the way. Hitachi HDE721010SLA330

Windows 7 - 32 on boot camp.

Also tryed Windows XP - the same problem.

At boot it freeze with:

- gray screen

- gray screen with boot device choice

- black screen with "a disk read error occured" press ctrl alt delete to restart..

And it's start fine some times.

Very disappointed and very sad. Especially considering the way that apple respond until now to this issue.

I really hope they will fix it sooner or later. I will report this problem to local Apple Store.

If anybody get some news about our issue, please post here.

 

All the best.

[letonga]

Me too having the same issue, when got both OS X and Windows 7 installed boot will stuck in about 20% of attempts.

Got iMac 21.5" radeon 4670 and 1TB Hitachi drive.

[VolumetricSteve]

This...worries me a lot.....I've heard too many horror stories lately about how Apple's support is becoming worthless.

 

First of all, to everyone, just for the sake of science, I would try to just install Windows, use the WHOLE disk for windows...see what happens......if that works (and it might) wouldn't that mean it's not a bios emulation problem?

 

Then...If I were any of you all who had to work with labs full of iMacs....that means you, or someone you're working for spent a TON OF MONEY on Apple products. You're officially good customers. You have every right to be furious with these people when their product doesn't do what it's supposed to do. If you've been angry, I suggest using that anger towards the end of forcing them to help you. Let Apple know that there are a lot of you, and you all have this problem. Sooner or later, they'll feel the deep-hurting of screwing over their customers by leaving them out in the cold like this.

 

 

Good luck.

[rshrsh]

Hi,

 

I experience the very same problem.

 

Has anyone found a solution by now?

 

Which Windows 7 CD were you using? OEM/Systembuilder or retail?

[aurakel]

I have been looking all over the net for answers to my problem. I have an IMac I bought late 2007 27in 7.1. I can not get bootcamp to install. I set my portions, and after I put the win 7 64bit disk in the screen looks like its restarting and then I get what looks like a command prompt that looks like this

 

1.

2.

Select boot drive. __

 

when I type 1 or 2 nothing happens I don't even see the 1 or 2 I typed.

 

I didn't get the screen after putting disk in to select the drive while in OSx

 

my bootcamp assistant is version 2.0 So I figured maybe I need bootcamp 3.1 but every time I download the updates from apple website they are .exe files which makes absolutely no sense to me. Does anyone know why this isnt working for me?

Thanks

[a.smith13]

Has anyone found a resolution to this issue?

 

Do we just need to turn the Mac off and let it sit for a few minutes then turn back on to have a chance to get it to start?

 

Thanks for your help.

[Iway]

So I have a Mac Mini dual boot lab. 20 first gen intel macmini's. The CRTs on these guys are going so we decided to clean up the lab and replace them all with iMac's. We bought one of the newest iMac's 21.5 inch and I started from scratch to create a new image for these machines. We haven't bought the other 19 yet.

 

Anyway, something is very wrong with the boot process for windows xp. The mac side always boots fine. However the windows side takes a couple of reboots to actually work. The process as I understand how booting to windows works (correct me if i'm wrong) POST > EFI > BIOS > MBR >WINDOWS . It takes approx 3 reboots for me to get into the windows side. First reboot, when holding down option, Mac and Windows shows up, I click on windows and it freezes the screen right there, still showing Mac and Windows, and It's unresponsive. Seems like a problem emulating the BIOS or something.

 

Second time, It gets past this screen and hangs and says "A Disk Read Error Occured. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart". CTRL + ALT + DEL does not work. Force shutdown. Seems like a problem with the MBR finding windows boot files. And the third reboot is fine.

 

If this were my machine i would be fine, but to educate everybody that uses my lab to do this is insanity. I also tried BootPicker and refit. Bootpicker is useless, it just shows me a grey screen when I click on windows every time. And refit goes through the same process when I hold option, however, it does give me some more information on the first hang:

 

Error: Not found return from legacy loader;

Error: not found from locatedevicepath;

[repeated 10 times........]

Error: not found from locatedevicepath;

Error: load error while (re)opening our installation volume;

 

I've done several reinstalls using different xp installation disks (professional site licence vs home) and mac retail vs the packaged imac one. I've been on many phone calls with apple and i have a case number with them. Apple finds it strange that I cannot hold down D during the boot and go into diagnostic mode.

 

Microsoft after going through 3 levels of support basically hung up and told me i needed a new BIOS.

 

I always use the bootcamp assistant, and even that has trouble booting the install disc for the first time. I've done many clean installs and touched nothing but bootcamp and its drivers. I even zero out the drive before i even make a single partition.

 

It seems that something little by little is getting fixed and then it breaks.

 

Any thoughts?

 

I to have this problem I have a classroom of 30 new Macs which I dual booted using bootcamp and Deploy Studio.

 

I put my images onto some slightly older hardware and still had the same issues. I deleted the partion (on the older hardware) and put on an older Windows Winclone image, that we have never had a problem with and it works OK.

 

As for the new hardware I keep getting the grey screen of death or the Ctrl-Alt-Del at windows boot. Reboot a couple of times and it works...

 

When we purchased the Macs it said on the box that they were able to run Windows...

Model # A1311 IMac 21.5/3.06/2x2 Gb/%00Gb/9400M/SD/ W LMKB