Windows 7 install without boot camp

[bingunginter]

I'm going to buy the new 2011 mac mini. I like the hardware but don't care about the mac os and don't want to use it all.

I will be replacing the hard drive with my vertex 2 ssd.
Is there a way to install Windows 7 on the mac mini on fresh empty hdd from usb flash drives.

I already have the windows 7(ultimate) installation on usb flash drives.

On the pc its easy, go to bios, choose boot from usb. I'm not sure if it is the same with mac.

 

[old-wiz]

You can install windows on a mini, but it is not as simple as just booting from the right instal disk. You are trying to create a hackintosh, and you'll get more help from a forum that specializes in hackintoshes. Try insanelymac.com or similar.

 

[farmermac]

Ignore that first guy

Stick USB drive in

Boot while holding option key on kb

Pick USB drive, you can partition and format the drive just like you would any pc

You'll probably need some drivers from the apple site, I think they are available as a package

 

[bingunginter]

thanks, seems like no difference than pc, awesome.

 

[accessoriesguy]

Since mac users run windows on their macs, and some windows users run hackintosh OS X on their windows. Maybe you should be a trend setter and install hackintosh OS X on windows on the mac mini

 

[head honcho 123]

thanks, seems like no difference than pc, awesome.

i'd still recommend downloading the boot camp drivers for windows from apple.

i don't know if the thunderbolt port will work with windows 7...

 

[scottsjack]

I've got Windows 7 only running on a late 2009 mini 2.66GHz. It installed perfectly but was only partially functional until I loaded the Apple Bootcamp drivers from the install CD. That brought full functionality to the audio card and the optical disc eject button. All is great now. No OSX needed on that machine.