Mid 2011 iMac - BootCamp Windows installation alternative methods?

[twr7cx]

I'm not managing to install Microsoft Windows 7 via Boot Camp on my old iMac. Everything seems to be in order but when it restarts to enter into the Windows Installation it's just ends up at a black screen with a blinking white line cursor in the top left corner. I've left it for over 24 hours and it doesn't progress any further.

I've also tried booting into the Windows Installation DVD/CD disc via Hold option and via selecting Start Up Disc in Settings, and same deal - black screen with blinking white cursor.

Is there another method I can use to install Microsoft Windows 7 onto this machine?

The iMac is:
iMac 12,2
Mid 2011
2.7 GHz Intel Core i5
32GB 1333 MHz DDR RAM
AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512MB
Factory dual hard drive option - 256GB SSD and 2TB Hitachi HDD
Fresh installation of OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.5 - but happy to install any other versions of MacOS as needed (I think OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 is the latest compatible with it?)
This iMac has their-built DVD/CD drive and I also have a USB Apple SuperDrive here too.

My intention here is to set this old iMac up running Microsoft Windows 7 for my workshop where I sometimes use some old automotive programs requiring Windows 7.

 

[MacsBug]

Hi there,

Before you begin, you need to make sure that you have the following. A Windows 7 Install DVD (This needs to be a retail copy, not one that came with a computer that had Windows 7 Pre-installed). A Genuine Windows 7 License Key, and an 8GB or larger USB flash drive. You may also need an iso image of the Windows 7 install DVD,

Once you have these then boot the Mac and launch the BootCamp Assistant which is located in your Applications -> Utilities Folder.

The Boot Camp assistant will help you in partitioning the drive in the computer so you can install Windows.

Just follow the prompts in the BootCamp Assistant. It will download the setup files and drivers needed to run Windows on your Mac.

Depending on your Mac, BootCamp Assistant will either just move the support files to the USB drive, or create a bootable flash drive that will be used to install Windows and all drivers.

Once this is done BootCamp Assistant will setup yur Mac so that it can boot from the installer and allow you to install Windows 7.

Let me know how things go...

 

[twr7cx]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
I confirm that I have:
2 x Windows 7 Install DVDs - one is a genuine original Microsoft one and the other is burnt from a downloaded ISO. They're Service Pack 1 versions.
I also have an ISO version of the Windows 7 SP1 installation too.
It's a 64 bit version of Windows 7 that I'm trying to install.
I have multiple 8GB or larger USB drives here and have tried a number of them.

Apologies if I didn't explain it clearly in my original post, but I've tried the Apple BootCamp app process multiple times and every time when it gets to restarting to enter into the Windows Installation it's just ends up at a black screen with a blinking white line cursor in the top left corner.

 

[MacsBug]

When using BootCamp assistant did it give you any errors? Were you able to partition the drive OK?

Is BootCamp creating the USB drive with just the support files, or is it creating a bootable UB drive.

The black screen with the cursor from past experience came from either a bad disk or a failing Superdrive.

Have you booting from the Win 7 DVD with an external SuperDrive?