Mac Mini Restore without disk drive

I bought a new mac mini and used migration assistant to move my old macbook profile over. Now it is running just as slow as the old laptop. How do I restore the mini to factory settings without a disk drive? Is it even necessary or is there a better way to figure out and fix what is slowing it down?
2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
4GB memory
500GB hard drive
1 Intel HD Graphics 4000
OS X Mountain Lion

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
If you had problems with your old computer, you shouldn't use Migration Assistant to transfer your data or these problems will appear on the new Mac.
To restore your Mac to factory settings, follow these steps:
1. Hold Command and R keys while your computer is starting to start into OS X Recovery, and open Disk Utility.
2. Select Macintosh HD in the sidebar, go to Erase tab and erase the disk.
3. Close Disk Utility and reinstall OS X.
New Macs don't come with discs because OS X Mountain Lion is only available as a download, so you have to use OS X Recovery to reinstall OS X now > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718

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Missing Mac Mini Restore DVD disk 2, need to Cancel Installation

hi, I'm a Mac newbie. I recently bought a mac mini from someone. Unfortunately, I didn't realize at the time that there should be 2 restore dvds instead of just one (I thought the Os X Tiger drop in dvd was the 2nd dvd).
I'm trying to reinstall the OS X along w/the software b/c I ran into some problems with the Mac mini. But when I get to the screen that says, "please insert Disk 2", I have no disk 2. I can't cancel the installation b/c the Cancel button is grayed out. I tried shut down and restart the computer from disc one directly, but after click through a series of Next buttons, it only leads me to the same screen.
Now I can't use my Mac mini at all. Short of fork over $40 for a replacement dvd from Apple, is there anyway I can restore to the previous point prior to my attempted installation/cancel the current installation?
Much thanks in advance.
Mac Mini 1.25 ghz Mac OS X (10.4)

"is there anyway I can restore to the previous point prior to my attempted installation/cancel the current installation?"
No, sorry. That is not a feature of Mac OS.
If you have an Apple retail store nearby head on over there, explain your situation and see if they'd be willing to copy the 2nd disc for you.

Mac Mini - Bootcamp; without CD Drive?

how do I install windows 7, through bootcamp, on my Mac Mini without a USB DVD drive. I've recieved an ISO file from Microsoft with Win7 on so would like to use bootcamp to mount this onto a partition. Help?

Just put the image on a USB drive
Install Win 7 on MacBook Air from a USB drive | How To - CNET
Also, have you looked at the previous discussions listed on the right side of this page under the heading "More Like This"?

Restore a mac mini from the disk but getting error

hi, im trying to restore a mac mini from the disk but its giving me the error "You cant open the app "Install Mac OS X" b/c Power PC apps are no longer supported. What can i do? Trying to sell computer.

Are you booting from the disk? That should work but then you will have to through the the OSX updates to get back to ML
I would try the mthod recommended by Eustace Mendis first. It just worked on me for ny 2010 Mini

Installing Win7 on a macbook pro using a mac mini as external optical drive

hi everyone,
My 2 year old son watches movies on my macbook pro. He stuck something in the optical drive making it unusable. Repairing it is 200 to 300 euros (ouch).
I want to install win7 via bootcamp and I'm using my mac mini (october 2009) as an external optical drive. These are my steps:
1.hold the "t" on the mac mini
2.connect it to the macbook with a firewire 800 to firewire 400 cable
3.Power up and hold the "alt" on the macbook
4.I see the optical drive on the boot screen and I choose it
5.Then I get a blank screen and a few seconds later the "missing operating system" message appears.
Am I missing something? Is it possible to install win7 using a mac mini as an external drive?
PS1:I already have partitioned the HD with bootcamp.
PS2:I've upgraded the hard disk drive of the macbook with a seagate momentus 500GB hard disk. Don't think this is the problem, thought I should mentioned it.

Hi Mike,
For reference it is called "IP over Firewire".
Connect the two computers with a fire wire cable. System Preferences > Network > Configure IPv4: > Manually > IP address: 192.168.3.1 (and .2 on other) > Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0. Leave the other fields blank. Do this on both computers on the computer you want to allow access to or both for two way access go to System Preference > Sharing > Select a service to change its settings. Turn remote Login on.
On the MBP go to the Finder Menu > Go > Connect to Server > Type in the IP address of the Mini 192.168.3.2 (Whatever you gave it)
With this configuration you still have full use of the Mini and certain apps can use Xgrid and use the processor of the mini when it is not doing anything. I would keep the Mini as 10.4 unless you really need both machines running Leopard. As noted before you cannot boot the MBP from a HDD that is Apple Partition Scheme and vice versa you cannot boot the PPC from a Guide Partition Table.
Sweet Polly

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...

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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.

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

Can I use my old MAC MINI as a hard drive, or do I need to transfer all the data to a new Mini?

I would like to get the new MAC MINI, but I was wondering whether I could somehow just keep my old mac mini as a storage drive and continue to use its DVD drive since the new mini doesn't have one. Has anyone out there done this? If not, what is the best way to transfer data from one mini to another?

See Here for Transferring from Old to New...
http://web.me.com/pondini/AppleTips/Setup.html

What's the easiest way to add storage to a mac mini. (1TB hard drive but only 32G of real storage). External device, internal or partitioning?

What's the easiest way to add storage to a mac mini. (1TB hard drive but only 32G of real storage). External device, internal or is there some way to partition? I tried doing so but received a message that there wasn't enough free space to partition. Seems like a 1TB drive should have more storage than my Ipad

Its worth confirming what free space you have on your drive:
go to: Apple Menu > About this Mac > More Info > Storage
The bar chart shows how much free space there is on the drive:
Please realise that partitioning does not create extra space so this wont help you.
If your free space is less than 20 % you should get extra storage with an external USB or Firewire drive, any make or model will work.

Mac mini solid state hard drive does that replace the 2 by 1T hard drive

mac mini solid state hard drive does that replace the 2 by 1T hard drive

There wouldn't be enough room in the Mac Mini enclosure for 2 Fusion Drives since they are really just a SSD and a Platter HD working in conjunction. Could really be smoking in a 4 Drive RAID box though. I am speculating here but there is only 1 additional partition allowed in the Fusion Drive. My thought is that the current Management Software would get thoroughly confused with multiple partitions probably due to mount points not being able to register in a normal manner. IMHO the Fusion Drive is another crutch for the normal/average user that doesn't want to be bothered with file management protocols.

I forget the adm password im macmini without disk drive. how can i reset?

i forget the adm password im macmini without disk drive. how can i reset?

Hello,
Reset Password 10.7, 10.8...
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20087723-263/how-to-run-the-password-reset- utility-in-os-x-10.7-lion/
Then Reset your Keychain...
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1544

New Mac Mini Server, two Hard drives, Can I install an older Mac OS on the second drive and switch start up disks to run PowerPc applications?

New Mac Mini Server, has two Hard drives, could I install an older Mac OS on the second drive and switch start up disks to run PowerPc applications?

I haven't purchased a Mac Mini at this time and I may not if I can't use it as a non server. I need to update my system I would be better off buying a new Mac with Snow Leopard the last app that will run Rosetta. The Mac Mini Server has a quad 2.0 processor and 4 GB RAM and two internal hard drives and should out perform my dual 1.25 G4. I can run PPC apps on my G4 but it is 8+ years old and seems to be getting noisy. I don't want to tie myself to another old machine. I want a machine that will work with Intel Apps I was hoping that the two hard drives would allow me to boot from the second with Snow Leopard and use Lion on the first drive to be able to keep up to date with all my other universal apps and Mac OS up grades. The application I use the most is my CanvasX app with drawing & vector effects, text & typography, sprite technology, painting, image editing, and multimedia tools are all in this one app but will not be updated to run Intel apps. I am frozen in time because my most valuable Application won't be updated and Apple has cut me off by not supporting PPC in Lion and onward; Apple used to backward support but I guess that they are no longer as user friendly and concerned with a happy user. I have always been a loyal Mac user and I will not migrate to Windows under any circumstance; I hate windows!
Thanks for your prompt response,
Dick Deaton

Mac Mini has crashed - Disk Warrior and External Hard Drive Question.

I have Mac Mini that has crashed. I purchased Disk Warrior and was able to boot from the CD. Disk Warrior allowed me to see my files again but there is no way I can move them back onto my hard drive. I cannot grab them. Before I go into specifics....If I purchase an external hard drive and try to hook it up to my Mac Mini, will I be able move these files to this new external hard drive? Is this a possibility?
Or will my new external hard drive need to go through a set up phase - which might be impossible since hard drive I'm trying to take the files from is technically dead?
Sorry - I'm a novice at these things.

Hello, no apologies needed for being a novice, great you asked!
YES, depends where you buy the Drive, it may need Formatting first to Mac OS Extended...
How to format your disks...
http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/partitioning_tiger.html
(To Install OSX on an IntelMac the Drive it needs the GUID Partitioning scheme mentioned at the bottom.)
Thanks to Pondini, Formatting, Partitioning, Verifying, and Repairing Disks...
http://Pondini.org/OSX/DU.html
These generally come Mac Ready, & get Firewire if you have a Firewire port, much faster...
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/eSATA_FW800_FW400_USB
Then in DiskWarrior, hold Option or alt key when selecting Internal to repair, that will do the best job of Scavenging the directory & provide a whole new Drive icon to copy or clone your info over to the external drive.

Slow boot up on 2012 Mac mini with DIY fusion drive

Hello everyone, I bought a Mac mini (2012) 2 months ago with a stock 500GB HDD.
I added another SSD to make a DIY fusion drive, and everything is working fine, except that I'm experiencing a very slow boot up.
I have confirmed both by information from the OS and some tests with command line tools, that the fusion drive itself is a success and absolutely working fine.
The slow boot up happens on cold boot only (a reboot does not have such problem).
Symptom: the Mac mini is stuck on the gray blank screen for about 40 seconds, and then finally shows up the apple logo.
Everything after this is pretty fast and fine.
I have tried the following methods and none of them seems to help:
1. Go Preferences -> Startup Disk, select the Machintosh HD. (Suggested by Apple in the Fusion Drive FAQ)
2. Verify the whole disk along with the partition with Disk Utility.
3. Reset NVRAM by holding Command+Option+P+R during boot up.
4. Reset SCM/PMU.
Does anyone have an idea on the cause of my problem?
Best regards and thank you.

If you have more than one user account, these instructions must be carried out as an administrator.
Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
Step 1
Make sure the title of the Console window is All Messages. If it isn't, select All Messages from the SYSTEM LOG QUERIES menu on the left. If you don't see that menu, select
View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar.
Enter "BOOT_TIME" (without the quotes) in the search box. Note the timestamps of those log messages, which refer to the times when the system was booted. Now clear the search box and scroll back in the log to the last boot time when you had the problem. Select the messages logged after the boot, during the time something abnormal was happening. Copy them to the Clipboard (command-C). Paste into a reply to this message (command-V).
For example, if the problem is a slow startup taking three minutes, post the messages timestamped within three minutes after the boot time, not before. Please include the BOOT_TIME message at the beginning of the log extract.
If there are runs of repeated messages, post only one example of each. Don’t post many repetitions of the same message.
When posting a log extract, be selective. In most cases, a few dozen lines are more than enough.
Please do not indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Important: Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.
Step 2
Still in Console, look under System Diagnostic Reports for crash or panic logs, and post the entire contents of the most recent one, if any. In the interest of privacy, I suggest you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header of the report, if present (it may not be.) Please don’t post shutdownStall, spin, or hang logs — they're very long and not helpful.

Mac Mini Restore without disk drive

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