Mac mini 2010 Kernel Panics Booting OS X Installer

[tensixturtle]

Hello,
I am trying to install Mac OS X Server 10.6 on my 2010 Mac mini but am having major issues with KPs booting my bootable USB I made with Disk Utility. (which works on other computers) I have also been having problems recently with the Mini Display Port and no video output from it. When I look at the KP log, it seems like the page fault is causing it, which would be related to memory. However, I tried multiple RAM sticks with the same result. What confuses me is that the kernel extensions listed in the log seem to be related to graphics? Or am I wrong?

Kernel Extensions in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.NVDAResman(6.0.0)@0x20210000->0x204a3fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x1983b000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.0)@0x1fdd5000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.0)@0x1fe17000
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.0)@0x1fe17000->0x1fe34fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x1983b000

Also I might note I've tried standard things like SMC, PRAM, different cable, monitor, etc.

On a side note, I apologize for asking so many questions here and on the PowerPC thread. I must be either unlucky, uninformed, or both. I feel like I ask questions more than others and rarely come up with something useful but I do try as hard as I can to find an answer and troubleshoot.
Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks very much.

 

[NewbiePPC]

Hi, what specific version are u trying?, Everymac says that the mac mini 4,1 server come with 10.6.4 server from factory so it's possible that u have an older installer that doesn't like the Nvidia 320m

 

[Amethyst1]

[…] What confuses me is that the kernel extensions listed in the log seem to be related to graphics? […]

That’s it. The Server installer may be v10.6.0 and its NVIDIA kext crashes because of the GeForce 320M.

Spoiler

You’ll have the same problem if you ever try to run Leopard on a 2010 mini, which actually works once you remove the NVIDIA kexts

Your best bet is installing v10.6.4 Client (or a later version of 10.6) and manually installing the Server bells-and-whistles on top of it by running the /System/Installation/Packages/ServerInstall.mpkg package from the Snow Leopard Server install drive, followed by the v10.6.8 Server combo update to ensure everything is consistent.

Alternatively, you can install Snow Leopard Server on another Mac the installer likes, update to v10.6.8 and clone the installation to the Mac mini's drive.

On a side note, I apologize for asking so many questions here and on the PowerPC thread. […]

Please don’t apologise. This forum is there to answer questions and provide assistance. We’re all still learning new things here, and that’s great.

 

[tensixturtle]

Thank you to both of you for explaining! I remember having a kind of similar issue installing 10.6.3 on my 2010 MBP 17" but completely forgot about it. It is true that this one is 10.6.0 from the Garden.

There was a MacOSXServerInstall.mpkg which I installed. I then rebooted and it worked! I had heard in the past that there was a package I could install over the client version but I didn't have the faintest clue where it was. Thank you so very much! I spent a lot of Saturday pulling hairs over this. ?