Windows 7 Will not install

I just downloaded Parallels 5 to install windows 7 on my iMac (2.4 ghz Core 2 duo, 4 gig ram). Every time I run the install from a bootable Win 7 install disk, it gets stuck, throwing a "no bootable device found" error message. I've searched the forums, and the only answer people seem to get is make sure all your drives are selected in the boot order and that the drives are connected to Parallels. All true in my case. I am creating a virtual machine from scratch, not using a separate boot camp partition. I've tried using the Windows DVD as well as an iso image, all with the same results.

On searching this forum and Google in general, it seems this is not an uncommon problem, yet other than the two above solutions, no one seems to have solved this. Has anyone figured out this problem?

 

Hi

Just a few questions about your win 7 install disk:

Is it an upgrade? You need a full copy of the OS.
Is it from a computer manufacture like Dell or HP? You cannot use these.

If it is a full copy and not one from a Computer manufacture then the "no bootable device found" sounds like you may not have truly selected the path way to the install DVD.
Are you trying to configure a Win 7 custom VM or Typical?
I would suggest using the Typical installation for your first machine.

hope this helps
kat
PS You can also do a search in the Knowledgebase it is very helpful.

 

It IS an upgrade purchased directly from Microsoft. So if I can't install from an upgrade disk how can I get this working? I have another vm with a valid copy of Windows XP but you can't do an upgrade install from XP, it has to be a clean wipe and fresh install. Would it be worth it to download a trial full version of Win 7 and then do my upgrade?

 

jform

I am not sue that you can upgrade from the trial version.

Unfortunately you will need to buy a full copy of Win 7. I would suggest that you contact Microsoft. It should be only a matter of getting a new key, they might only charge you the difference between the upgrade and full copy. The install disk should be the same I believe it is the key that allows you to unlock the full version.

FYI
You could also buy a full copy of Win 7 from several different distributers that sell computer bits. Like NewEGG. If you are a college student contact your Computer Science Department, they should be able to direct you to the appropriate outlet. For k-12 there are also places to purchase computer software, contact the school you attend.

Good Luck.
kat

 

Telling people to repurchase Windows 7 upgrade is not a solution when Microsoft clearly states to install Windows 7 upgrade form Windows XP is to boot form DVD and select custom. Paid for product that is supposed to work. Parallels will not boot form DVD. Solution from parallels is needed.

 

no bootable device unanswered

This no bootable device problem is apparently quite common and after hours of research no seems to have an answer. I've spent days trying to resolve this problem without success. Doen't matter the install disk or the image I use. No Bootable device is always the result. I've uninstalled P5, I've created numberous VM's. There seems to be no apparent reason. This all occurred after doing a clean install of SL and P5. Anyone?

 

I just used an upgrade Win7 to install Windows 7 into a VM. I should mention that I was upgrading from Windows 2000 and I am still runing on Parallels V4. I'm sure they would not have taken a step back with V5 so I don't understand your problems. This is what I did:
1) Shut down my Windowss 2000 VM from within windows.
2) Made a copy of the VM file as a backup just in case
3) Started up Windows 2000 and tried to do the upgrade from the DVD. I was told my version is too old and I had to boot from the disk
4) Shut down Windows 2000
5) Changed the configuration of the VM to select Windows 7 as the OS as opposed to Windows 2000. Changed the boot order to boot from CD/DVD. Upped the memory (I had it set to 196MB, Win 7 needs more so I changed to 1GB)
6) Selected start from the VM menu (I should mention the DVD was already in the drive from before when I tried to upgrade)
7) When it booted it said hit any key to boot from CD. At this point I mouse clicked in the VM to get the keyboard recognized and then hit the enter key. Actually, as you see the white on black screen with the memory and so on, I would suggest moving the mouse over the VM and clicking on the screen as you don't have much time to "hit any key". If you don't do this the system will boot from disk instead of the DVD
8) Windows 7 install started, followed all directions answered all prompts. NOTE, I had to reformat the disk because it did not like Windows 2000 NTFS file system!
9) Towards the end it asked for the Win7 key but that was the only validation it asked for.
10) Once Win7 was installed, from the menu I selected "install Parallels tools". I then rebooted, waited a long time, and clicked on the CD in windows labeled Parallel Tools (which is a virtual CD). I then double clicked on Setup and let it run. Part way through, the Win7 Network screen came up and I answered it's questions. It closed and the tools install continued.
11) I rebooted and everything works. Be forewarned it takes a LONG LONG time. Things go very slow and it seems like it's stuck but give it about 20-30 minutes and you will see it move on to the next step. The whole install took about 4 hours for me.

 

Thanks for that. It might be helpful yet. I lost my backup VM due to a corrupt Time Machine file, hence all the problems. Used to run XP without a hitch but then had to rebuild Mac from scratch. I've spent days trying to sort it out and thought about going the boot camp route, and then try to install from there, but I've seen a lot of post with problems there as well. I think I'm going fishing for a while.

Thanks for your post.

 

This error has nothing to do with your boot order or upgrade disk. I get the same thing with PD5 and Win7 Pro. I have a BC NTFS partition running Win 7 Pro x64, and very well I might add. I have followed all instructions, including instructions via email for case # 973116. I have used Parallels Transporter under Windows to migrate the whole computer to a .pvm. Then I boot back into 10.6.4, run the Transporter again, and successfully migrate and copy the new .pvm from external disk to my default VM folder. When PD 5 begins the config of the new VM and tries to boot it, the only resulting message I get is that there is no boot device available.