Recover macOS on mac mini Late 2012 5,3--has Windows 10 (no macOS recovery or Utils)

[macmini53]

Hi there, did not know where to post this. Hope it is in the right place.

I got a mac mini 2012 server (Core i7, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD+512GB HDD); it has Windows 10 on it; no partition for OS X/macOS--Option key only shows Windows 10 on primary drive (128GB SSD).

I want to install macOS on this machine. I do not have a mac machine that has macOS to use to download macOS from the App store. A few questions:
1. I think it came with OS X Lion server at birth; What macOS is compatible with this mac mini? is there like a hack to get it to run Catalina/or Mojave?
2. Where can I get this macOS ISO to burn bootable USB stick?
3. How do I burn a USB bootable disk using Windows 10 (only machines I have) from the downloaded ISO image (macOS);
4. I can install using USB--not a problem.

Can someone guide me to get this machine boot macOS again?

This is what I have done so far:
1. Able to download Catalina DMG of the internet;
2. Trying to recover the mac mini using these instructions https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314
3. The process of using Internet recovery..just hangs after connecting to the WiFi;
4. I am trying to create a bootable USB in Windows using Transmac and the DMG image above--but this process failed the first time; The USB was not recognized on boot up an Options key pressed--only the Windows partition was visible. I am now trying to create a GUID partition on USB before retrying Transmac+DMG--this is proving to be very long--the USB creation has now taken more than 3 hours and it is only 61% done.

Can anyone guide on what I am missing here??

 

[Boyd01]

I got a mac mini 2012 server (Core i7, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD+512GB HDD); it has Windows 10 on it; no partition for OS X/macOS--Option key only shows Windows 10 on primary drive (128GB SSD).

I want to install macOS on this machine. I do not have a mac machine that has macOS to use to download macOS from the App store. A few questions:
1. I think it came with OS X Lion server at birth; What macOS is compatible with this mac mini? is there like a hack to get it to run Catalina/or Mojave?

There were two variations on this model, one had a quad core 2.3ghz i7 and the other had a 2.6ghz (this is the one I have). See this

Mac mini "Core i7" 2.6 (Late 2012/Server) Specs (Late 2012, BTO/CTO, Macmini6,2, A1347, 2570): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the Mac mini "Core i7" 2.6 (Late 2012/Server). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

Are you sure it is a 2012? The 500gb hard disk is odd, AFAIK this model had either 1tb hard drives or 256gb SSD (which is what I have). That model shipped with Mountain Lion. No hack is needed to run Mojave or Catalina, I just installed Catalina on mine with no problems. Perhaps you actually have a 2011 Mini Server, which is a completely different beast and much more limited.

Mac mini "Core i7" 2.0 (Mid-2011/Server) Specs (Mid-2011, MC936LL/A, Macmini5,3, A1347, 2442): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the Mac mini "Core i7" 2.0 (Mid-2011/Server). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

As for installing MacOS, I'm sure somebody else will have some advice. I've never had to do that on a machine that was completely wiped and running Windows.

[EDIT] - just noticed that you said it was a Mini 5,3 - that is definitely a 2011 and not a 2012. This thread may be of interest:

Advice Please: What To Do With Mac Mini mid2011???

Hey guys, Sorry to be making a new thread, but I know MacRumors is the community which has the most experts on Macs on the internet. I searched the forums and I couldn't find a previous thread related to my severe problem. My biggest fear has come true: Apple will stop giving security updates...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[4sallypat]

Try connecting your Mac to the router directly via CAT5/6 cable.
I never rely on wifi as it's too slow and can drop off.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Hold down Command-Option/Alt-R and press the Power button. (On some Mac keyboards the Option key will be named Alt).
3. Hold down those keys until you a spinning globe and the message "Starting Internet Recovery. This may take a while".
4. The message will be replaced with a progress bar. Wait for it to fill. Expect it to take a while...
5. Wait for the MacOS Utilities screen to appear.
6. Click Reinstall macOS and follow the installation process.

 

[macmini53]

There were two variations on this model, one had a quad core 2.3ghz i7 and the other had a 2.6ghz (this is the one I have). See this

Mac mini "Core i7" 2.6 (Late 2012/Server) Specs (Late 2012, BTO/CTO, Macmini6,2, A1347, 2570): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the Mac mini "Core i7" 2.6 (Late 2012/Server). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

Are you sure it is a 2012? The 500gb hard disk is odd, AFAIK this model had either 1tb hard drives or 256gb SSD (which is what I have). That model shipped with Mountain Lion. No hack is needed to run Mojave or Catalina, I just installed Catalina on mine with no problems. Perhaps you actually have a 2011 Mini Server, which is a completely different beast and much more limited.

Mac mini "Core i7" 2.0 (Mid-2011/Server) Specs (Mid-2011, MC936LL/A, Macmini5,3, A1347, 2442): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the Mac mini "Core i7" 2.0 (Mid-2011/Server). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

As for installing MacOS, I'm sure somebody else will have some advice. I've never had to do that on a machine that was completely wiped and running Windows.

[EDIT] - just noticed that you said it was a Mini 5,3 - that is definitely a 2011 and not a 2012. This thread may be of interest:

Advice Please: What To Do With Mac Mini mid2011???

Hey guys, Sorry to be making a new thread, but I know MacRumors is the community which has the most experts on Macs on the internet. I searched the forums and I couldn't find a previous thread related to my severe problem. My biggest fear has come true: Apple will stop giving security updates...

forums.macrumors.com

Thanks --it is a 2011 not 2012--my bad; definitely a 5,3.

 

[macmini53]

Try connecting your Mac to the router directly via CAT5/6 cable.
I never rely on wifi as it's too slow and can drop off.

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Hold down Command-Option/Alt-R and press the Power button. (On some Mac keyboards the Option key will be named Alt).
3. Hold down those keys until you a spinning globe and the message "Starting Internet Recovery. This may take a while".
4. The message will be replaced with a progress bar. Wait for it to fill. Expect it to take a while...
5. Wait for the MacOS Utilities screen to appear.
6. Click Reinstall macOS and follow the installation process.

I tried this route.
I can get into the Utils screen and select reinstall OS X..it is a Lion version--but then it hangs...says it "can't download applications/files/etc from internet to complete the installation.."

It is like an endless cycle...can't go beyond this point.

How do I create bootable USB in Windows 10 of Lion OS X..I can install this like a fresh install...I am failing this process, used Transmac and PowerISO...boots into the Lion USB...then just hangs at Apple logo--which becomes a cross-circle, and wheel circling under this cross-circle...

I am stuck now.

 

[macmini53]

I installed Kubuntu 20.04 LTS and got Broadcom Wifi working from the additional drivers in repo...everything works fine here now; boots without a recognized bootloader..but quickly finds the kubuntu installation. for now I will camp here.

 

[LovingTeddy]

I installed Kubuntu 20.04 LTS and got Broadcom Wifi working from the additional drivers in repo...everything works fine here now; boots without a recognized bootloader..but quickly finds the kubuntu installation. for now I will camp here.

Here is where you can get macOS installation .dmg files:

How to get an old macOS installer from Apple | AppleInsider

Your collection of old macOS installer disk images is now worthless, and Apple has changed where it hides downloadable copies. Yet there are still good reasons to get old OSes, and here's how to do it.

appleinsider.com

Then you need application called Transmac on Windows 10 which allow you create bootable USB installation media. You can then install macOS on that machine.

OR since Apple Store is closed, you can wait Apple Store reopen and let Apple Store employee install the macOS into your Mac mini. I did that once when I installed blank SSD into my 2011 Mac mini.

 

[Boyd01]

you can wait Apple Store reopen and let Apple Store employee install the macOS into your Mac mini. I did that once when I installed blank SSD into my 2011 Mac mini.

Unfortunately, I don't think Apple will do that on a 2011 Mini since it is considered an "obsolete" product. You probably brought yours in before it was added to the obsolete list.

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.

support.apple.com

 

[macmini53]

Unfortunately, I don't think Apple will do that on a 2011 Mini since it is considered an "obsolete" product. You probably brought yours in before it was added to the obsolete list.

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.

support.apple.com

Yes they told me where to get off...
I managed to install OS X El Capitan ..this was through an already prepared Ecapitan.bin file I got from a friend who uploaded to my cloud drive...I used ImageUSB in Windows 10 to make a bootable USB, booted off it and installed OS X...it did it fine..took a while though;I then followed dosedude1/catalina instructions and upgraded to Catalina. It is now working fine on Catalina.

I have Kubuntu 20.04LTS running now--prefer this as it is quieter and cooler...the box does not get too hot.

many thanks everyone.