1

I am trying to install Win10 on a MacBook 4,1. The Boot Camp Assistant doesn't download/find any drivers, so I had to choose the other option and download drivers by myself.

After partitioning and booting from the Win10 installation CD, the setup is missing some drivers. But unfortunately the previous downloaded drivers don't help here.

Do you have any ideas?

Improve this question
2
  • What drivers are you missing? You can download bootcamp drivers using brigadier on either macOS or Windows but Windows Update will pick up most things (on my MacBook Pro 2.1 it did anyway).
    – lx07
    Commented Dec 29, 2019 at 12:12
  • 1
    While it is possible to hack around and get Windows 10 to work on that Mac it is not officially supported by Apple. Meaning they do not have drivers for that Mac updated for Windows 10. So Boot Camp assistant won't find any compatible drivers, but you may be able to find drivers via Windows update or elsewhere...
    – Steve Chambers
    Commented Dec 29, 2019 at 16:46

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

The simplest answer is to install 32 bit Windows 7 with SP1 and then upgrade to 32 bit Windows 10. I say this because Apple officially supports 32 bit Windows 7 on your model Mac. Although Apple does not officially support Windows 10 for your model Mac, upgrading to 32 bit Windows 10 from 32 bit Windows 7 is should be supported by Microsoft. The Windows Support Software (the drivers) can be found by following the links on the Apple webpage Install Windows 7 on your Mac using Boot Camp. I believe the correct link should lead you to Boot Camp Support Software 4.0.4033. You will probably need the optical drive to be working in order to install Windows 7 by using the Boot Camp Assistant application. If the optical drive is not available, then read the other pertinent options given below.

Window 7 can be purchase rather cheaply. For example, this retailer offers Windows 7 Professional 32/64bit Download for 19.50 USD. You may still be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. See this article for details.

Your Mac has a 64 bit processor with 2 cores (Core 2 Duo). If you want 64 bit Windows, then there potential problems you may need to overcome. Some of these problems and possible solutions are given below.

  • According to Microsoft, you will need at least 2 GB of memory.
  • If your Windows 7 media does not include SP1, then you should get a newer ISO file from the Microsoft website Download Windows 7 Disc Images (ISO Files). The download is free, but you will need to enter your Windows 7 product activation key to enable the download.
  • The current version of Windows 10 can found by clicking on this link. Note: the link is dependent on the browser you are using. In other words, Safari will goto a different website than Microsoft Edge goes to. While the download is free, you may still need to buy a license key to continue using Windows 10.
  • The Window Support Software may not work with 64 bit Windows. See the question Using Boot Camp Support Software 4.0.4033 to install 64 bit Windows 7, 8 or 10 for installation instructions.
  • Some 64 bit Windows installation configurations can both BIOS and UEFI boot. However, some early Intel Macs can not handle this type of configuration. If you have this problem, then you will need to remove the UEFI boot files. See the question “Select CD-ROM Boot Type:” error during Windows install for instructions.
  • The newer versions of macOS automatically install firmware updates. If you are running an older version of macOS (OS X) then you may need to manually install firmware updates. See About EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Mac computers for more information.
  • If you do not have a working optical drive, then you can try installing Widnows by using the rather complex method described in the question No bootable device USB 2.0 MacBook Pro mid 2014.
  • User have reported being able to install Windows by using a flash drive. In my opinion, your Mac is to old, but I will include the following link anyway: Bootcamp - No ISO Option.
Improve this answer
8
  • Thank you very much! I have now tried Win8.1 64bit instead of Win10 and the installation worked and the MacBook is running well. After that I searched for several drivers and right now there is only 1 driver missing for some USB hub, but USB is working?! I also tried to install several version of boot camp, but every single one doesn't starts with some error message, that this MacBook is not supported. :-/ I will try your boot camp version these days. Right now I am happy, that most of the things work! :-)
    – Colaron
    Commented Dec 30, 2019 at 13:17
  • There is this concept of a "null" driver. If some hardware is redundant or not needed then Apple will place a "null" driver in the Windows Support Software. These these type of drivers prevent the Device Manager from displaying false errors. Unfortunately, when using the Windows Support Software on newer versions of Windows that Apple does not officially support for your Mac, the Device Manager will sometimes display false errors. So, if all the hardware is working correctly, I would not worry to much if errors appear in the Device Manager.
    – David Anderson
    Commented Dec 30, 2019 at 14:31
  • This question may answer how to install the Boot Camp Support Software (Windows Support Software).
    – David Anderson
    Commented Dec 30, 2019 at 14:58
  • Today I had more time to update the computer. Unfortunately the boot camp 4.0.4033 said, that this computer ist not supported. It is a Macbook4,1 with 64-bit Windows 8. :-/ The remaining problems are the different keyboard layout and that there is no right mouse button when using the touch pad. Everything else is good. Any ideas?
    – Colaron
    Commented Jan 12, 2020 at 14:13
  • The instructions for installing the boot camp 4.0.4033 was tested using a iMac (20-inch, Mid 2007). It is possible that the instructions will not work for a Macbook4,1. However, the instructions are for after you get the "this computer is not supported message". Did you get the same message before and after using the instructions?
    – David Anderson
    Commented Jan 12, 2020 at 14:42

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .