Install snow leopard on mac mini with broken DVD Drive

I want to upgrade the OS on my mac mini but the hard drive keeps kicking out the disk - I read that I "might" be able to fix this by using a DVD cleaner but I am not overly optimistic about this fix. I have an external USB drive and a Windows PC to work with so I am wondering if I can use the DVD drive of the PC to copy the install disks to the external drive and then perform the instal from the external drive. I have been reading posts and can find advice on how to copy the Leopard install discs using another Mac or by using the remote disk feature - but since I don't have another Mac, these are not currently options.
Thanks

1. Clean your drive and reset the > PRAM, then try upgrading with the Mac Mini's drive.
2. Try out that external USB DVD drive, some will work if they are not OS X compatible.
3. Your PC might work, see > DVD or CD sharing: Using Remote Disc

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Can't install Snow Leopard on Mac Mini with 10.5.8.

I'm trying to install an upgrade copy of Snow Leopard from Apple on my Mac Mini running 10.5.8. I bought this system used and the volume says ";" and the error log code is 21. Seems it can't find valid softward ID to continue or the path is different. Not sure where to go with this.

If your mini meets the specifications for Snow Leopard (an intel processor and 1GB or more of memory)
then go here to buy snow leopard
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A
It's possible that the upgrade disk you have is specific to particular Mac models.

Trying to re-install OSX on mac Mini with broken DVD drive.

I have a mac mini G4 and the DVD drive died a long time ago and i have been using a external USB DVD when necessary. Last week the machine was taking along time to boot so I got hold of a FireWire 400 cable and connected it to my Intel iMac and tried to repair it in target disk mode. Disk Utilities was unable to repair the drive so I had to erase it and re-format which was completed successfully. Now I have the problem that I cannot get OS X Leopard or Tiger back on the mac mini from the install DVDs. I cannot get the mac mini to recognize the USB drive or the iMac as a bootable drive. (N.B. the DVD drive has also died on the Intel iMac). When booting the mac mini whilst hold the alt key, the correct screen loads but nothing appears but for the reload key and the continue key.
Any help would be grateful as I want to keep the mac mini running for my daughter to use.
May

First off, you can't use an Intel Mac to boot a PowerPC Mac.
Secondly, 10.6 won't work on G4s.
Third, machines older than 4 years, may need a PRAM battery replaced for their optical drive to work again.
If the PRAM battery is not the problem, then you may need to find a safe cleaner for the drive.
USB DVD drives won't boot G4s either. Only Firewire will. See http://www.macsales.com/ for some drives that may help you.

Installing Snow Leopard on Alu iMac with broken disk drive

The disk drive in my 24" alu iMac is crap and has never worked properly and now wont accept most disks and I've had Snow Leopard for ages but not been able to install it.
Would this work - I have an old Powerbook G4 1.5ghz with 1.25gb RAM and a fully working superdrive. Could I put the snow leopard disk in that and share the disk to my iMac connecting them with a firewire cable and install this way? (They both have 400 & 800)
How would I do this?

Actually, pretty much any iMac later than the second generation iMac G5 ALS (the "Ambient Light Sensor" model) are quite challenging to take apart & put back together without damaging something. Taking apart any of them after the ALS involves removing delicate items held in place by adhesives, removing hard to reach connectors, & so on. Not impossible but definitely not something the average user should try.
For that reason, I suggest an even more obvious option: instead of paying to have the internal replaced, just buy an external optical drive instead. For instance, Other World Computing offers a lot of them. Although I don't know if it sells outside the U.S. it should give the OP some idea of what's available.

Need help installing snow leopard on mac mini 10.5.8 intel based

I need help need help installing snow leopard on mac mini 10.5.8 intel based so if u kno how pls message me thanks
<Email Edited by Host>

You need to purchase the upgrade disk (it is a DVD). Then just put it in and run the installer. When it was first released it was $29 USD, do not know if the price has changed or not.
The usual precautions about backing up your data apply. In fact I would recommend either making a Disk Image of your current boot drive or using something like Carbon Copy Cloner to copy it to an external drive. I upgraded 5 machines from Leopard to Snow Leopard without any issues, but better to be safe than sorry.

Installing Snow Leopard on Mac Mini Server

I recently purchased a 1Tb 4Gb Mac Mini Server, running Snow Leopard Server. I want to use it as a central repository for my other macs: storing music, movies, backup, screen sharing (it's hooked up to my 32-inch TV) but I also want to be able to run Logic Pro, Ableton Live, etc. I also have a Macbook Pro running Snow Leopard Client, which contains all of my programs, plugins, data, etc. I realize that Snow Leopard Server does not have migration assistant, so I have tried to install a retail copy of Snow Leopard onto the secondary drive, but when it gets to the restart stage it crashes every time. I think this is a firmware issue, because the Mac Mini has a different hardware configuration to other macs. I do not have access to the mid-2010 Snow Leopard Client for Mac Mini which would allow me to install Client and use migration assistant from there. What I would like to know is:
1/ Can I manually migrate my plugins/settings/programs to the server? If so, how? What is most crucial (and what I don't understand) is copying my audio units and audio programs (e.g. Logic Pro, Pro Tools). Because of the firmware issue, it seems more difficult than cloning my MacBook Pro to a time machine HDD and running from there... I would really like to purely clone my MacBook Pro, because I am very happy with the way it is set up.
2/ Should I just wait for OSX Lion (July/August) which seems to be a combined server/client os, install that on both machines and run migration assistant from there?
3/ Is there another method I can use? Something I am overlooking?
Thanks in Advance.

Thanks for your reply. I talked to the Apple Support again and they told me the server edition could only be used on that OS and if I wanted to use it as something else I could chose not to use the server applications, or buy a regular Mac mini. And that was all they said. Interesting since it was one of their sales persons who told me I could install Snow Leopard.
Anyway, I got hold of a client disc and it all worked like a charm.

Can I install Snow Leopard on Mac Mini Server hardware?

What I would like to do is buy the Mac Mini Server but I don't need the server OS. I want the desktop OS on the Mac Mini Server. Will installing Snow Leopard on the server hardware be just like installing it on a regular Mac Mini?
Or should I just wait and see how Lion shakes out?

Thanks Indy, I already had proceeded the installation according your tip. Just an objection related to the updates: I was able to install the OS updates only while in target mode, as when I made 2 attempts to update the version 10.6.6 to the current one (10.6.7 - the combo one and the MBP version too) it was not permitted. I had to plug the FW cable into the MBP again and update the Mini's OS (using the special MBP version of 10.6.7) in target disc mode. I want to use the Mini as a media server and intend to install Windows 7 on the other HD which now hosts the server OS. However, according to one poster (Sven G) there are some problems (I don't know exactly what they are) related to Boot Camp software. Have you any information about these problems?
I have maintained both OS (standard and server) living side by side on the Mini, is there any problem with that?
Again many thanks, you were succinct, right to the point, and your tip just proved itself correct.
Cheers
Marola

How to install OXS on a Mac book with broken CD drive.

I have a Mac book. The cd drive is broken, how do i reinstall the OSX software.. I want to do a complete system wipe.

did you try with the external cd/dvd drive ?
press the option button to select boot.
(this may not work because your mac may not see the cd/dvd drive)
do you have lion? that might be eaiser because you can boot from usb.

How to reinstall Snow Leopard on a Mini with no Optical drive

I have a Mini running 10.9 that needs to be wiped./reloaded. I have a set of discs from another Mini, a few months older than the one in triage, but when I set up via remote disc, I get a box saying I have to use Installer 23.1.1. The version number the discs report is 23.1.1. There's no menu to do a reformat since the installer program won't load. What is plan-B?

You cannot use Remote Disk to install Mac OS X. Quoting from Apple's support article on Remote Disk (emphasis mine);
Note: These types of discs or activities are not supported by DVD or CD sharing:
DVD movies.
Audio CDs.
Copy protected discs such as game discs.
Install discs for an operating system such as Microsoft Windows (for use with Boot Camp), or Mac OS X.
Burn a CD or DVD
You'll need a USB optical drive, either an Apple SuperDrive or a third-party unit.
Regards.

How to buy and install mac os x 10.6 in a late 2007 mac book with no dvd drive?

i want to buy snow leopard for mac book with no dvd drive, but the only choice in app store is dvd copy, no digital copy!

You'd have to have someone with a DVD drive make a Disk Image of the DVD, have them Restore that .dmg to a Flash drive that's big enough, the boot the MB using alt key to choose to boot from the USB Flash drive.

HT1338 install linux OS on Mac mini with USB flash

I have Mac Mini (2005) with RAM 1 Gb, HDD ATA 160Gb (Upgrade new hard disk). Now, i want install linux os on Mac mini with USB flash, but can't do it.
I not yet user MAC os, before (i only use iphone and ipad). :d
Help me do it!
Thanks

Thanks answer,
But not problem.
1. I use Rufus_v1.2.0 create usb boot with file iso. Insert USB to Mac, i startup my Mac mini...screen display gray color with icon folder change 'icon mac os and icon question (?)'.I think Mac mini unknown OS on hard disk (because new hard disk).
2. Don't first boot from USB flash (another devices, i can set up 'boot property' on bios, or press any key to load menu boot). On Mac mini, i don't known(i search internet i try press key 'c', but not run)
:d

HT5446 If I buy a mac mini with a fusion drive and add windows using boot camp, can I make the SSD function be dedicated to the windows partition?

If I buy a mac mini with a fusion drive and add windows using boot camp, can I make the SSD function be dedicated to the windows partition?

Additional information from Linc's post. Basically, only one additional partition can be added to a Fusion Drive and it resides on the HDD.
Do computers that come with a Fusion Drive support Boot Camp?
Yes. Use the Boot Camp Assistant to create a Windows partition and install Boot Camp. The Windows partition will exist on the hard disk drive, not the Flash drive, and is not part of Fusion Drive Logical Volume Group. 3TB Fusion Drive configurations need to update to OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.3 or later to install Windows 8. See iMac (27-inch, Late 2012): Boot Camp alert with 3T hard drive for more information.

Mac Mini Server w/DVD drive?

I'm considering adding a Mac mini with Snow Leopard server to my home setup, and I have several questions about the mini, since it looks like I might have to do something custom to get the setup I want...
1. Is it possible to change the OS installed by Apple when ordering? They don't offer the Mac Mini with Super Multi drive with an OSX server option, and I'm a little wary of having a server I have to use an external drive for to install from DVD or rip music or movies.
2. How large a single HD will the Mac mini support? If I'd only have one HD, I want to make it a big one...

1. I don't think it's possible to order it that way. You'd have to order the regualar mini and buy OSx Server separately. I recommend getting the server hardware. The faster processor, more memory and an additional 500G disk makes it most cost effective. I have the $99 external superdrive and use it on my MBair as well as the mini. I bought it 2 years ago with the MBair and it works just fine. No failures on either machine. Also, if it did fail, it's $99 to replace and just plug it in.
2. The largest drive Apple supplies is 500G for the mini. There might be something larger by 3rd party vendors but with 1T in my machine, I didn't need to go there.
Hope this helps...

Install Windows 8 on macbook pro with external dvd drive

My superdrive have broken, anyone have experience installing windows 8 on macbook pro with external dvd drive?
Last night, I tried but end of with black screen.

Bguzryanto wrote:
the main point is 'anyone have exprerince install windows 8 with external dvd drive on macbook pro'
Purchase new superdrive, takes 2-3 weeks for shipping at my city.
It can't be done. If your computer has an internal optical drive, working or not, that is the drive you must use. Only computers such as the Macbook Pro Retina/Macbook Air that have no internal optical drive can install Windows from an external drive.

How do I install Snow Leopard as a partition with Yosemite on a 2001 Mac Mini?

I have owned Mac's on and off since the 80's. I currently own (myself and my kids) a 2008 MBP, iPhone 4 and 4s, 2 old iPhone 3's, just purchased a 2011 Mac Mini and iPhone 6, and my work-from-home computer is a 4 month old MBP.
Several years ago, I upgraded the 2008 MBP to Mountain Lion. Then the one and only game that I have played since around 2001, Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds, wouldn't work on Mountain Lion so I successfully added a 50GB partition and reinstalled Snow Leopard and the game has worked great ever since.
Recently, I gave my son that 2008 MBP, so I purchased the Mac Mini (i5 dual, 8GB memory, 750 HDD) and immediately upgraded it to Yosemite. I proceeded to carve out a 50GB partition and have tried several times to install Snow Leopard to no avail.
After creating the 50GB partition, I rebooted, and held down the option key so I could then have the option install the Snow Leopard onto that 50GB partition - but it just keeps freezes up on me. I even went so far as to try to copy the 50GB off the 2008 MBP onto the Mac Mini and that (understandably) didn't work either.
While I know enough to cause trouble, I am completely flummoxed with this. I've run many searches and haven't been able to find a solution.
Can someone please walk me through the steps to make this work? When I do restart, I don't even see that 50GB drive like I do when I restart the 2008 MBP so I suspect something may be wrong from the get go. In Disk Utility, it shows the 2 partitions just fine, but not on reboot/restart with the option key held down.
Thanks in advance for your help.

Thanks very much for the quick reply. I figured it would something that simple. Like I said, I only know enough to cause trouble. LOL
Thanks again, Guess I need to find a new game to play. LOL

Install snow leopard on mac mini with broken DVD Drive

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