Windows on a imac...clean

[kodenkoden]

I have this imac from late 2009.
Nice computer even it's 7 years old.

But I'm a windows guy... is it possible to complete erase the imac and install windows 7 from my bootable win 7 installation?

How to do? Just like I normally do with other pc's Boot on the USB and installation will start?

Or will I get a driver issue ?

I know bootcamp and other solútions
But they all require MAC oS behind.
I just want to get completely rid of MAC ?

 

[RoasterMen]

What's the model of your iMAC so we can check it's hardware specifications? It is possible to install Windows 7 on it by the way using bootcamp.

 

[maxseven]

I'll be interested to hear if you can do this. I suspect not however, by virtue of special BIOS code on the iMac.

In any case you might get better help at a Mac site like MacRumors perhaps. Those guys are crazy.

 

[wasnotwas]

deleted - misread post

 

[kodenkoden]

Hi and thanks

yes i think it's EFI boot they use.

it's a 2.7 mhz 1 TB late 2009

I have tried dual boot function.
But that I was not satisfied with, because my windows partition got broken several times.

I will try mac forum also

 

[maxseven]

I have tried dual boot function.
But that I was not satisfied with, because my windows partition got broken several times.

When I surf on this all I can find is re: BootCamp so I assume that is what you tried?

I understand you want to give-up on MacOS but it's curious that your partition "got broken"--did it just disappear? I can't find any discussions about others having problems with their BootCamp Windows partitions so must wonder if you're absolutely certain that HDD is not defective in some way, or if you've tried another hard drive.

I bought Snow Leopard and installed it to VirtualBox for fun, and have worked hard to try to understand putting MacOS onto generic PC hardware, but that's about as difficult & geeky as it gets afaict. Anyway please come back here and tell us if you find a way to turn your iMac into a Windows-only box.

 

[ish4d0w]

It is definitely possible. I also have a late 2009 iMac (although the 21.5 inch model) and I can give you some help.


You can use Boot Camp Assistant to partition your hard drive and create a dualboot Windows and Mac OS X configuration in no time. Windows 7 is the recommended version, but if you prefer you can also install 8 or 10. (Only Windows 7 drivers are available though).
Boot Camp assistant is an app preinstalled on your mac - its there already, no need to download anything. Connect a flashdrive and it will copy the drivers there. Insert your Windows install DVD and the assistant will reboot your mac and you can install windows as usual. Then you can install the drivers.
Windows will now become the default boot option. You can change this from System preferences in Mac OS X or control panel in Windows. There should be startup disk or boot camp preference panel added respectively.
Unlike on a PC there will be no countdown on boot up, the default will boot automatically, every time.

There's an override of course: If you don't want to change the default setting just make a one-time override, you can hold down the ALT button during bootup to enter the boot menu where you can choose to start OSX or windows.


You asked if it is possible to erase Mac and have Windows installed only.
Yes it is possible, although I wouldnt recommend it. (No issues but do you really want to get rid of OSX? You might find a use for it later and it will hard to reinstall it into a dualboot configuration later with windows already installed. Instead I would just suggest shrinking the Mac partition for say, 40gb so it wont bother you at all and leaving windows be the default boot option so you'll never see mac os x, unless you want to)


But, if you still want to get rid of it, then just skip all thats above, insert your windows dvd and reboot, press alt during bootup and select the cd icon.
Then just delete all the partitions and install windows, click create new partition, agree to create additional ones if asked and thats it.
Still make sure to copy drivers from within osx BEFORE deleting it.

Note again, I do not recommend removing OSX.