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Install Snow Leopard on old mac mini

R

rtacconi

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 14, 2011
4
0
Hi,

I have a 2007 mac mini, the one not having a 64-bit processor (Core Duo). Here are the specs I found from the SN:

Model Family: Mac mini
Processor: 1.66GHz Core Duo (T2300)
Manufacturer: Intel
# of CPUs: 1
Codename: Yonah
Base Memory: 512MB PC2-5300 SODIMM
Brand: Apple
Wireless: 802.11a/b/g
Color(s): Aluminum
Original OS: Mac OS X 10.4.5
Graphics: Intel GMA 950 (64MB)
Base Storage: 60GB 5400RPM SATA 2.5"
Optical Drive(s):
Model Number: A1176
Sales Number(s): MA206LL/A, MA607LL/A
Machine Number(s): Macmini1,1
Dimensions: 6.5 in x 6.5 in x 2.0 in
Weight: 2.9 lb
Production: Feb 28, 2006 - Aug 7, 2007
Factory: Czech Republic
Production Year: 2007
Production Week: 22 (May)
Production Number: 90

I have erased the hard drive, it is not formatted. I tired to boot a disk of OSX Lion but I discovered I should change the processor to a 64-bit one. That mac mini is used only when watching pictures, videos, DVD with a TV. I do not want to by an apple tv.

Question is: how I can install Snow Leopard on that mac mini? It used to was Tiger but I do not want Tiger any more for several reasons. Should I but a retail disk of Snow Leopard. The issue is on the Apple store there are only disk for the upgrade not for the installation from scratch. How can I install Leopard on a clean hard disk? Another issue is that I do not know where th OSX Tiger disks are :-(
 
rtacconi said:
Hi,

I have a 2007 mac mini, the one not having a 64-bit processor (Core Duo). Here are the specs I found from the SN:

Model Family: Mac mini
Processor: 1.66GHz Core Duo (T2300)
Manufacturer:Intel
# of CPUs: 1
Codename: Yonah
Base Memory: 512MB PC2-5300 SODIMM
Brand: Apple
Wireless: 802.11a/b/g
Color(s): Aluminum
Original OS: Mac OS X 10.4.5
Graphics: Intel GMA 950 (64MB)
Base Storage: 60GB 5400RPM SATA 2.5"
Optical Drive(s):
Model Number: A1176
Sales Number(s): MA206LL/A, MA607LL/A
Machine Number(s): Macmini1,1
Dimensions: 6.5 in x 6.5 in x 2.0 in
Weight: 2.9 lb
Production: Feb 28, 2006 - Aug 7, 2007
Factory: Czech Republic
Production Year: 2007
Production Week: 22 (May)
Production Number: 90

I have erased the hard drive, it is not formatted. I tired to boot a disk of OSX Lion but I discovered I should change the processor to a 64-bit one. That mac mini is used only when watching pictures, videos, DVD with a TV. I do not want to by an apple tv.

Question is: how I can install Snow Leopard on that mac mini? It used to was Tiger but I do not want Tiger any more for several reasons. Should I but a retail disk of Snow Leopard. The issue is on the Apple store there are only disk for the upgrade not for the installation from scratch. How can I install Leopard on a clean hard disk? Another issue is that I do not know where th OSX Tiger disks are :-(
Click to expand...


Try the Apple Snow Leopard information page: http://www.apple.com/support/snowleopard/ to learn how to install it. And to see if your Mac can run it. You will need a copy of Snow Leopard to install it, so yes you may have to buy a copy.
 
Bought Retails copy

I have bought a retail copy but when booting after few seconds of the Apple grey screen I get a black screen saying 'No bbotable device - insert boot disk'. No the disk is stuck inside the mac mini :-(

I read that I need the grey system disk of the mac with Tiger, I cannot boot with a retail disk... I am having enough of Apple! Any idea on how to install Snow Leopard?
 
rtacconi said:
I have bought a retail copy but when booting after few seconds of the Apple grey screen I get a black screen saying 'No bbotable device - insert boot disk'. No the disk is stuck inside the mac mini :-(

I read that I need the grey system disk of the mac with Tiger, I cannot boot with a retail disk... I am having enough of Apple! Any idea on how to install Snow Leopard?
Click to expand...
Yes, you can boot from a retail disk.

If you can't eject a CD or DVD or open the drive tray
 
Second trial

I bought a new 1TB hard disk. I tried to install OSX from the system disk - someone told me it is not possible to boot from a retail DVD. I still getting the same message. Please advise!
 
You sure the DVD drive is still functioning? DVD drives seem to be about the first thing to go. Seeing as how your disk is stuck in there, seems like you might not have a functioning drive (or at least not properly functioning). You did hold down the C button when starting up the mini so that it booted off the CD/DVD right?
 
I have the same mini. Its actually a late 2006 mini. I bought family pack snow leopard 50 bucks. It works great. I upgraded to 2gb of ram. If you have only 512mb it may be too slow.
 
I have the same mini. Well actually mine was teh core solo version. I upgraded to the T2300 with a chip harvested from my old Lenovo laptop.
These max out at 2GB of ram. When I went from 512mb to 2gb it was at least as significant performance improvement as the processor upgrade.

Yes you wold be probably be best off if you have the grey system disks to do a clean install, then upgrade from Tiger. SL runs great on those machines. I use my mini as my "daily driver", connected to my JVC 32" TV. It plays a few games, does HULU, browses the web just fine.
 
After my post yesterday about needing 1 gig ram,i happened on same model on craigs today...price was right,so i figured be nice to have a desktop mac (same specs except came with 1 gig ram)...installed SL without any issues...runs great!

-gave it good cleaning (vim worked great on rubber bottom)
-i opened it up and cleaned out all the years of dust (using this site) http://www.applefritter.com/Mac_Mini_Take_Apart_Guide
-zeroed 60 gig drive,then clean install...geekbenched at 2187
 
zhenlek said:
Mine is a 2006 mnii with Core Duo. I upgraded the RAM to 2GB and it works wonderfully with SL. I really love how a simple upgrade works wonders!

I installed SL using an external hdd where I keep the installation drive for SL.

Its a bit tricky but here's a start:

http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20120123175902871
Click to expand...

Simple ugrade?
Those first gen mini cases are a %$&#* PITA to get apart and back together again. I strongly advise anyone who is looking at upgrading one of these older minis to do all their upgrades at once.
I did the ram upgrade no problem, but subsequent hdd and cpu upgrades resulted in me shearing off the IR receiver, the sound connector and eventually the BT as well. It still fucntions just dandy as my living room TV computer. Though I had to plug in my Zoom H4N for sound.
I will have to see if my new sony blu ray player displaces it in that regard. These new blu ray boxes do hulu, netflix, some even have web browsers? Can't wait until peoples blu ray players start getting hacked.
 
Last edited:
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