Can't use Bootcamp partition for Windows 8 installation

Solution 1:

I was having a similar problem, the first time I got the same MBR error, rebooted and started getting a generic error to check the install logs.

What fixed this for me was to format the partition using diskpart, opened a command prompt on the "select partition screen" and formatted the partition. I formatted it on NTFS and after that it allowed me to select the partition and installed successfully there.

Here my steps:

1. Start the install and go to the partition selection screen
2. Press Shift+F10 to open a command prompt window

3. Execute the following commands:

   diskpart
   select disk 0                      (assuming 0 is the disk where you created the bootcamp partition)
   select partition 4                 (assuming 4 is your bootcamp partition)
   format fs=NTFS label="Windows 8"   (I didn’t use QUICK)
   exit
   exit
   

4. Press refresh and you should be able to select the partition.

This solution doesn't seem to work when booting from the bootcamp created USB. I managed to make it work by buying a USB SuperDrive and booting from the Windows disk (not EFI). Worked like magic after that. Also quick format works too - will save you 2 hours on a 1TB disk.

Solution 2:

I also was looking for solution to this issue and find it by understand the roots of problem. Bootcamp utility creates hybrid-MBR table and this prevents Windows 8 to be installed. Now when Win 8 installer have EFI boot mode, we actually don't need Bootcamp utility at all.

I removed Bootcamp partition with Bootcamp utility - this reverts partition table to GUID. Then I go to Disk Utility and manually divide Mac OS partition in two parts to add space (not formatted) for windows installation. After that, when I rebooted with Alt-Option button, I was able to choose EFI Boot option on inserted DVD disk and successfully install Windows by create appropriate partition on space that I prepare with Disk Utility. At this point reboot with the Alt-Option button and select the Windows DVD. (Not EFI) This time when you see the partitions it will be select-able as the installation disk. During installation Windows rebooted 2 times and I use Alt-Option button just to be sure that proper disk was booted.

Solution 3:

My solution; NOT TESTED ON a FUSION DRIVE MAC 1. go to disk utility and partition your HDD into 2,

2. then delete the empty partition leaving you with free space(unallocated space),

3. after which continue as normal on the windows install process but this time the empty partition will show up, select it and there should be no install problem.

4. download bootcamp drivers and install them in windows to make it functional

   NB The partition will be called "EFI boot" y default instead of Windows and the logo may be different from bootcamps but it still will work the same*

5. Have fun :)

Hope this works for you guys as it did with me.