Mini Mac server used for a Desktop

Greetings MacRumors,

I have a desk top Mini Mac bought new 2011 intel. My question is can I buy a Mini Mac server used 2011 vintage, and use the OS and Software bundle that came with my Mini Desktop. Want to turn the server into a desk top computer taking advantage of the second drive. Configure that as a time capsule back drive.

The hardware is the same on both 2.66 GHz Intel Core Duo. Below are the hardware specs for the desk top I currently have:

Model Name: Mac mini
Model Identifier: Macmini4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: MM41.0042.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.65f2
Serial Number (system): C07DX1GH
Hardware UUID: A58362F3-884A-540D-9D76-CF402C512DC0


I am wondering if any of these: could prevent me from using my Desk Top OS and bundle for the server:

Boot ROM Version: MM41.0042.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.65f2
Hardware UUID: A58362F3-884A-540D-9D76-CF402C512DC0

The Model Identifiers are the same for the server and the Desk Top I was able to discover that;
Model Identifier: Macmini4,1

Please advise, thanks in advance.


Best regards,
Greg

Mountain Lion ........ No thanks. I do not need the annoyance of the reminders and have no need for all the itoy functions. I'm a solid Snow Leopard guy, that will be the OS and bundle load. System disks I received with my present desk top would be the system and application source. As you know that means the gray CDs that came with my original Mini.


The server is advertised this way;
"OS CD is not included, OS Server 10.6 (discs included) installed, Macmini4.1"

Want too reformat the drives, install the system and application using the gray CDs that were sent for the desk top mini.

See any issues with that idea?

Greg

costabunny said:

Unless your disks are for the same model (eg mac mini 4,1) then they will likely fail.

You could find someone with a retail leopard to borrow for the install perhaps.

Click to expand...

I agree with you if the Model Identifiers: are different that could be a problem. From my desk top get info it has a comma between the 4&1. The reseller's advertised model id has a period between the 4&1, that could be a fat finger. I am hoping someone with a mini server, 2.66 Ghz intel Core 2 Duo will chime in check their Hardware Overview: and post the Model Identifier for the server.

Sounds like this model Identifier today was once called system enabler, back in the OS 8&9 days, do I have that right?

According to what I have discovered both machines are the same :
Model Identifier: Macmini4,1, just questing the 4,1 and the 4.1.

Kind regards,
Greg

costabunny said:

sounds like you might be ok then - as long as there is no server=true kinda identifier involved.

Dont know enough about the server versions and wether they identify themselves physically different to desktop units or not.

x fingers its fine for you

Click to expand...

LOL trying to figure it out before I order, thanks for your input.

Cheers,
Greg

For anyone that wishes to know after chasing this down it seems that the Model Identifier back in the day, was known as the system enabler. As long as the Model Identifier is the same for any given machine the gray cds OS and bundle will load and work. Working in the Unix world, now 10 years this kind of thing slips by ......... But the basic concept stays the same, only the name changed to add confusion as a part of the mix of knowledge.

Years ago 17, I did field service for Apple, we had restoration cd sets with the OS and bundle for each machine they produced performer, 9500 and so on. The key to scooping home brew configurations was the enabler id.

So it appears that the Mini Mac server with a standard desk top OS and bundle will be a desk top machine with some nice features. Someone asked about the price of the server, it is a used product I found online, the price is just north of 600, with 8 gb memory and 1 terabyte storage.

Now waiting for the Doug the IPS guy to stumble by.

Cheers and thank you for you input.

Greg

G-Mo said:

As an FYI, Macmini4,1 is the Mid 2010 Mac mini and Mac mini Server.

Macmini5,1 is Mid 2011 and Macmini5,3 is Mid 2011 Server.

Click to expand...

Good info good to know....

Thanks,