[GUIDE] HOW TO INSTALL WINDOWS VIA BOOTCAMP ON MACBOOK PRO WITHOUT SUPERDRIVE (example: SSD in the main bay + HDD in optical bay)

Part 1: SSD upgrade review.

Many people after few years of using their Macbook Pro will likely go for a SSD upgrade with anticipation of a crazy boost in speed (i.e. boot up time, apps launching time, etc.) Well, from my own experience with OWC SSD 120GB SATA II on my almost 3-year old Macbook Pro 13" 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, I can assure that the SSD upgrade is definitely worth what it costs. The result is just outstanding: speed improvement can be seen in any activities on your beloved Macbook Pro (MBP). I also kept my old HDD in caddy case (bought from Ebay) replacing my Superdrive in my MBP.

Part 2: [How to Solve] Can't install Windows via bootcamp anymore because there's no SuperDrive :|

This problem I have encountered many time while browsing through Apple forum or any other Mac-related forums. I myself also got this problem few months back. Lucky though, I have managed to find an easy solution to solve this issue.

Firstly, let's make few things clear before we move on to steps.

1. Bootcamp only works if it is installed on SSD or HDD that is placed in the main bay!!! (This means that even though I had previously installed Windows on my HDD, I cannot open it (by restarting and holding OPTION button) after I replaced my SuperDrive with my HDD and put the new SSD in the main bay.)
2. Except for Macbook Air + Macbook Pro Retina, all other Macbook Pro requires SuperDrive to install Windows via BootCamp and cannot use BootCamp to create Windows installation disk/USB. So if any of you have taken out your SuperDrive, if you want an "expensive" way, you can buy a SuperDrive caddy case and plug via USB port, but there is low chance that your MBP will allow to boot from it (necessary step to install Windows.). (Fortunately, this can be SOLVED :) More details below).

Here are steps that you need:
STEP 1: Fool BootCamp Assistant to let you create Windows installation disk on USB storage (I would recommend an 8GB for Windows 7 64-bit and 4GB for Windows 7 32-bit).

Go to this link http://adf.ly/J5lIa and download a Boot Camp Assistant that I have modified. I have compressed it into *.zip file, so you may have to decompress it. After decompressing it, you will get a Boot Camp Assistant.app (you can keep it on Desktop or in Downloads folder, don't have to replace original one)
Launch it. You will see all 3 options are now available to be used.

Now, plug in your 8GB USB thumb drive and click Continue. Follow all instruction to Partition your SSD or HDD that are currently located in the MAIN BAY for Windows! (for Windows 7 64-bit: 30-40GB is recommended, 32-bit: 20-30GB. These approximate figures are most suitable for those who want to install Windows on their SSD with low GBs options.). For Windows Support softwares you can download it right to your MBP, then copy to some other USB or external hard drives.
After you've done everything, you will have: 1 bootable USB with Windows installation on it (other method like asking somebody with Windows PC/Laptop to create 1 bootable USB for you OR asking someone with MBA to help you is very INCONVENIENT and sometimes does NOT work). Keep it aside for now.

If after Step 1, you want to reboot and go straight to install Windows, you will encounter an error while installing Windows (because at the moment you are currently having 2 hard drive running and Windows does NOT seem to "like" it much).

Step 2: SHUT DOWN your MBP. Yes, I mean completely turning off your MBP. The reason for it is that you have to DISABLE the hard drive that is currently located in the optical bay to avoid errors while installing Windows.

To do so, open the back lit by removing 3 long screws + 7 short screws (go to ifixit.com for a very "clear" instruction how to do so.
Disconnect the Battery before you take any actions (see image below).

Then, you need to lift up the optical drive connector straight up off the logic board (see image below).

So by keeping it disconnected, your MBP will only see 1 drive (in the MAIN BAY) while installing Windows and no more errors will come up :). What I do is keeping it disconnected and placing a piece of paper in between to avoid them accidentally reconnecting.

Reconnect the Battery.
Put the back lit on (no need to put all screws back in YET) and turn it around.

Plug your just created USB in and turn on your MBP (DO NOT hold OPTION button!!!). I know that originally you have to hold the OPTION button to choose to boot from USB/DVD, but in this case if you hold that button, neither the USB icon will come up, nor the Windows 7 installation animation will. However, if you do NOT hold the OPTION button, but just plug the USB in before booting up, your MBP will directly go into WINDOWS state and start running installation steps :)

From here, just follow the instructions on the screen and finish your installation of Windows 7 + any drivers (from Windows Support package downloaded earlier). Then you can shut down your MBP again and RECONNECT your optical drive connector and put back all screws in.

Now, you can enjoy you old MBP with latest Mac OS (Mountain Lion perhaps) and Windows 7 installed on your SSD (in the main bay) to take advantage from a great boost of speed, while having a plenty of space for Data, Music, Movies, etc. on your old HDD sitting in the optical bay.

If you have any questions or suggestions for next guide, drop a comment below. I will try to post a reply to any requests as soon as I have time :) Btw, if you are successful after following this guide, please let other know by putting your comments below this post.

Donations are welcome :)

Just a cup of coffee if you appreciate my work or if my guide has helped you somehow. Thanks again.