Need help with Bootcamp on Mac Mini

[JeP726]

Hey. This is my first post here but I've found this sight helpful in the past when I've had issues with my mac and have always been able to find a relevant thread but cant with this specific issue.

I'm trying to install windows 7 on my mac mini i bought about this time last year. I was successfully able to get windows installed on another partition but lack the drivers to make it run properly because I've completely lost the disk my mac mini came with. I tried to use my moms disk from her 13 inch macbook pro and it seemed like everything was going well until i restarted the computer and the windows partiton came up black after the windows logo. Do i need a specific mac mini disk for my particular hardware? I went to the apple store and they said they diddnt have any. Is there anywhere I can find the bootcamp drives for windows on the internet. I tried downloading one from apples website and when i put the disk in the windows mode it did not even read it. I'de really like to solve this without waiting for crap to mail but I guess thats my fault for loosing my disk. Is somewhere else I can get this software for my computer? I dont care where because as I see it legally purchased it and just misplaced it.

Thanks maybe this post is too long but I wanted to include as much info as possble

 

[JeP726]

oh and i think i should also point out that I attempted to download the windows suport software using the option within bootcamp i got a message saying "Download could not continue." "The Windows support software is not available."

Using OS X 10.6.8 2.4 Ghz Intel Core Duo
4 GB Ram 1067 MHz DDR3

 

[JediMeister]

You can request replacement DVDs from AppleCare. In the US, the discs are $16 each, for the pair it's $32+tax.

 

[JeP726]

You can request replacement DVDs from AppleCare. In the US, the discs are $16 each, for the pair it's $32+tax.

Thanks. Thats actually what I ended up doing the discs got here today and I installed them on my windows partition. However when I installed the drivers and restarted my windows partition the drivers did not appear to have done anything at all. I am attempting to run windows 64 bit. I just assumed that my computer could handle it (Mac mini mid 2010 version specs above). Im now downloading the windows 32 bit iso, planning to reinstall it on a new windows partition and praying that my drivers will work with it. Bootcamp has been an absolute NIGHTMARE for me. Do u guys think my drivers will work with the 32 bit version? What could be causing this problem the videos I watch of how to do this make it look so easy

 

[JediMeister]

According to this article, your Mac mini should handle Windows 7 64-bit without issue. It will also handle 32-bit.

Make sure that you are doing the steps in this order: 1) run Boot Camp Assistant to create the partition 2) insert Windows 7 DVD, 3) select the BOOTCAMP partition and format it, 4) install Windows 7, 5) run the Mac OS X disc while booted in Windows to install drivers, 6) connect to the internet and install the numerous updates for Windows 7, 7) install additional software.

Couple things to keep in mind: From where did you get your Windows 7 iso? If it's not legit (I'm not saying this is the case), that could be a problem. Is it Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate?

 

[JeP726]

According to this article, your Mac mini should handle Windows 7 64-bit without issue. It will also handle 32-bit.

Make sure that you are doing the steps in this order: 1) run Boot Camp Assistant to create the partition 2) insert Windows 7 DVD, 3) select the BOOTCAMP partition and format it, 4) install Windows 7, 5) run the Mac OS X disc while booted in Windows to install drivers, 6) connect to the internet and install the numerous updates for Windows 7, 7) install additional software.

Couple things to keep in mind: From where did you get your Windows 7 iso? If it's not legit (I'm not saying this is the case), that could be a problem. Is it Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate?

Edit: One thing I forgot to do was update windows 7 as you suggested above. Do you think this could have anything to do with the problem described below? I found 57 updates and 1 optional one. I assumed since i downloaded it it would be updated but that was dumb of me i suppose.

My windows 7 is legit. I purchased a digital download and burned to a disk. It is Home Premium. Now I am able to get it to work but I'm having a new problem. Now I don't believe my drivers are working properly. The only thing I see different on the windows partition is the wireless is working. I have no ethernet connection despite the fact that I have my computer hardwired. I do not believe my graphics card is working properly. I looked up the exact graphics card I have on my mac partition (geforce 320M) and downloaded the 32 bit (what I changed to my second attempt at installing windows) version. http://www.nvidia.com/object/notebook-win7-winvista-285.62-whql-driver.html Is where I downloaded the driver from. Upon installing this driver and restarting my mac I was horrified to discover that after the first windows loading screen my screen was completely blank and my monitor acted as if there was no input signal. I could still hear the sound of windows starting in the background however. Now I have re installed windows on a new partition and am typing this message. I'm scared to try anything else. I really need some help thanks for the responses.