Migrating from G5 to Intel Mac Mini

I have an old dual G5 2GHz, running OSX 10.5.8 with:
+ old Apple 23" Cinema Display (1920x1200)
+ HP L2065 LCD display (1600x1200)
+ 2x 500GB internal hard disks and lots of PPC Applications.
+ 2x External Firewire 400 disks.
I am going to buy a new Mac Mini 2.5GHz i5, runningOSX 10.7 with 8GB RAM and 750GB hard disk.
How well will the Migration Assistant perform for me?
1. iTunes library on external 500Gb hard disk. Will the library XML etc be migrated automatically?
2. Old PPC applications, will it make a list of those that won't work on the Mini?
3. Preferences, settings and other data usable (?) for Intel versions of software I will need to upgrade
4. Both machines have FireWire 800 ports, so I will need to buy one FW800 cable, right?
5. Are there FW800 cables that will run FW400 drives?
6. Does anyone know the actual performance of any Thunderbolt hard disks with the Mac Mini 2.5GHz i5 ?
Is the Mac Mini itself slower than (forthcoming) Thunderbolt hard disks?
7. Will I need to buy any cables to run the two monitors?
8. Anything else I missed?
Thanks!

I just did this.....and at first it was a disaster.  My new Mac Mini server with a 250GB SSD and 750GB HD was runnin' at light speed under Lion, I had installed MS Office 2011 and Photoshop Elements from the app store.....all was great. 
Then I tired to use the migration assistant on the Mini to transfer stuff from the G5 that I started up in firewire target disk mode. Ran for hours (mostly overnight) transferring apps (which I mistakenly thought that the migrations assistant would purge of non-lion compatible stuff) and then after re-start the mini would have kernal panics about every 30-90 seconds.
Had to restore the system over the internet, again a long process, but now all is fine again.  And the Mini screams, once you get through this you will love the new machine.   Again, I stated the G5 in firewire disk mode and this time only transferred the contents of my user folders to some new folders on the mini.
But basically what I learned the hard way is that pretty much no apps will transfer, and that the migration assistant is pretty dumb.  I've heard they've updated the migration assistant for Leapord (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1434  you would use this on the G5) and maybe this will help, but for my money the basic info is that your files will transfer, and that your apps and app realted things won't.  And for that I don't need a migration assistant.....
I did copy my itunes libraries (manually) and they work fine on my mini, anlong with all my mailboxes too, and iPhoto libraries, etc.  It was a little work, but I did it manually.
I connected the mini to my G5 with one FW800 cable.  And yes you'll need an adapter or a FW400 to FW800 cable (basically the adapter is in the cable) to use FW400 stuff.

Similar Messages

  • Can't Migrate from G4 to Intel Mac Mini

    Hi
    I have been unable to migrate files from my old G4 destop to my new Intel Mac mini. I wonder if anyone could help.
    I first tried first using the migration assistant on the Mac mini and used the G4 as a fire wire drive. Failed twice, the process froze both times.
    Erased Intel Mac mini and tried to do a restore from G4 using Disk Utilty. Failed twice. Didn't complete process.
    I then tried the same twice using Supe Duper. Completed process (took hours) but in both cases couldn't boot Mac mini. Get the folder icon on boot indicating can't find system (I think).
    I though I would then clean re-install system files from restore disks that came with MIni mac and start a fresh, but won't allow me to do this !! Spent two days and no further forward.
    Any suggestions ?
    Would erasing Mac mini and and trying Carbon Copy Cloner work ?
    Can I add files manually from G4 to mac mini ?
    Thanks in advance.
    G4 ibook. G4 desktop, mac mini (intel)   Mac OS X (10.4.7)  

    Exactly which model G4 tower do you have? The
    PCI-graphics G4 towers do not support FireWire Target
    Disk Mode.
    If FWTDM works, have you replaced the hard drive that
    came with the G4? Technically, Apple claims FWTDM
    will only work with the OEM (original) hard drive
    that came with the G4 tower. If you've replaced it or
    added a second drive, it might not work correctly in
    "target" mode.
    If you do have a new hard drive, you should be able
    to put it into a FireWire (or USB) external hard
    drive case and use the Migration/Setup Assistant to
    copy your files over.
    If you're still having trouble, you can copy your
    files over manually. Do you know which files you're
    interested in copying? If your G4 tower works in
    "target" mode, but the Migration/Setup Assistant is
    having trouble, you can usually just drag all the
    files and folders from your user's old home folder to
    the new folders on the new computer. (Macintosh
    HD/Users/YourUserName/Pictures > NewMacintosh
    HD/Users/YourUserName/Pictures)
    -Doug
    Yes I did change the hard drive to a bigger one so that may be the problem.
    When I use the Traget mode I do see my "old" drive (both partitions) on my desktop so it suggests firewire is working.
    Won't take everything across including applications, library etc.
    Will let you know how I get on.
    Thank you for your time. Geatly appreciated.

  • ? migrating from Logic 8 on Mac G5 to Logic 9.1 Mountain Lion on new Intel Mac

    I'm migrating from a non-Intel Mac G5 PPC  with retail Logic Pro 7 installed and also the upgrade to Logic 8.
    What is the best way to install Logic on my newly acquired July 2011 Quad-Core Mac Mini Server ( MMS ) ?
    I have the original install disks for Logic Pro 7 retail and also the upgrade disks for Logic Studio 8 Upgrade Box retail.
    Can I install Logic Pro 7 first onto the MMS and then install the Logic 8 disk and then install the Box set Logic Studio 9 upgrade ?

    An important piece of information is required.
    What version of OSX is on the 2011 Mac-Mini?
    If it's Snow Leopard you're probably ok, if any version of Lion or ML is installed you're in for some work.
    Might want to read this discussion.
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/19441924#19441924

  • Retro Migration: Intel mac mini to PPC G4 powerbook

    I have a perfectly good top of the range G4 powerbook sitting around and my partner wants to use it to to go mobile, is it possible to use the leopard migration assistant to move data from an intel mac mini to a G4 powerbook, is it all just a normal transfer or is there anything special i need to do?

    You want to be careful about using the migration assistant when it comes to copying items from the user library. Rather than use the migration assistant, I'd do a Finder copy of the Documents, Pictures, Music and Movie files and install the programs manually. If you want to give her her bookmarks, contacts, and mail, you can safely copy the Safari folder from the Library to the G4's Library. I'd set up Mail Accounts on the G4 manually and then export the mail from each mail folder and copy them over for import. I'd export the contacts and then import them as well.

  • Someone tell me why is it so difficult to print from my Intel Mac Mini

    I'm so frusrated at this Intel Mac Mini of mine. I wish honest to God that I never bought this evil little machine.
    I have the following printers:
    HP Photosmart 7550
    HP Laserjet 1012
    Canon MP830
    I can't get anything to print! It so **** frustrating. I switched my wife from her WinXP to a Intel Mac Mini (10.4.6). She hates the Mac Mini because she can't print anything.
    Why is it so difficult? Please someone enlighten me.
    After months (not kidding) of searching on the web I was able to get the Photosmart 7550 to print using one of the gimp drivers, but I couldn't get it to change the paper type or quality. So that tells me I can't print any photos from my Mac. Need to use the WinXP box.
    Then I was able to get the 1012 printing by selecting "open using rosetta" for the Printer Setup Utility, and selecting the "HP LaserJet 4 series - Gimp-Print v5.0.0-beta2". So now I could at least print BW docs. Great the Mac Mini is not a total waste. Then I updated software, which include the Mac mini SMC Firmware Update. I don't know what did it, but now I can't print to the 1012 anymore. ARGHH!
    I tried deleting the Library/Printer/HP directory, Reseting the Printing System, Restarting the CUPs, Installing PDDs, Installing the gimp drivers. What the ****! Why do I need to do any of this? I thought the Mac was suppose to be so easy. With all those **** commercials talking about how the Mac can do anything a PC can do, you would think one of those things is being able to print.
    Those people making those commericals should try using the "Printer Setup Utility" program. That will change their tune. First you have to search for your printer, then pick the Printer Model, and then pick the specific model. And God forbid you click to fast, oops you've now picked a generic printer, needs to start all over again. There's no back button. You've already committed to the generic printer type. Now you have to open the Printer Setup Utility again and delete the generic printer and go search for your printer again. Lame.
    Don't get me started with the Canon MP 830. I thought, ok maybe its because the 1012 and 7550 are older printers. I'll go buy a new printer - they must have current drivers for that. Canon tells me that the MP 830 is only a single OS machine, meaning you can only connect it to a windows machine and only other windows machines can print from it, or connect it to a Mac, and only other Macs can use it - Again, Lame.
    Really I wanted to love the Mac OS. When I first got it, I was loving it. But what good is it if I can't print. I searched the web and it seems I'm not the only person having issues with printing.
    I hate this Intel Mac Mini with every fiber of my being. Ok, maybe my printing woes are only because it's a Intel chip, and the PPC macs are golden. But come on, if you can't print from a computer, what good is it?
    Please, someone help me. Otherwise, anybody want to buy a Intel dual core Mac Mini?
    mac mini duo core Mac OS X (10.4.6)

    You have two different issues: HP and Canon.
    I don't know if I believe the Canon people. Windows XP has lots of different print options. Try installing Bonjour on Windows and then setting up a networked, Color Apple Laserwriter PS printer using "http://macmini.local:631" (assuming macmini is the name of your Mac). I have done this before (though not on a Canon). I am sure Canon will only support a standard configuration and this is not quite standard. Give it a try. It doesn't sound like it can hurt anything in your current setup.
    For the HP, you might have to just wait for an updated driver from HP. HP has always had this problem. They are a huge printer company and I'm sure they get Apple hardware and OS versions before anybody else in the world. And yet, it seems as if they don't even begin working on their drivers until Apple officially releases a new OS. HP drivers are always the last to show up for a new OS and the first to break. If you get it working under MacOS 10.4.6, and then upgrade to 10.4.7, it is very likely that the HP drivers will stop working.
    Unlike some of the other big companies, HP seems to have made the transition from Classic MacOS to MacOS X seamlessly. Their printer driver software works just as well on MacOS X as it did under MacOS.

  • TM and Migrating from G5 to Intel RAID Mac.

    The good news: I have a new Mac Intel Pro and all my previous G5's data is backed up by Time Machine to a fast Newr Tech FW RAID.
    The funky news:
    1. I'd read a User Tip Contribution by Kappy that suggested how to migrate from a Motorola -based system to the new Intel. It seemed that Migration Assistant is not useful here, much less via Time Machine. True? (while I can no longer find this tip, I have a Web Archive of it)
    2. Also, I've read here that I cannot continue using my old Time Machine backup account on the new Intel Mac. I'll have to wait while TM backs up up my new Mac entirely to a new TM account. I only have 300 GB left on my TM backup drive. Will I lose my G5's data when I add my Time Machine/FW disk to the new Intel. How, then, can I access my old data? If I can access my old data, must I retain my Username from my previous G5's accounts to be able to access TM backup data from my old Mac?
    3. Another variable: I got three ATA disks and an Apple RAID card for the new Intel Mac. I assume that setting up the array will be the first task when booting my Intel Mac for the first time, yes? I'm also guessing that I would want my OS/Apps on one disk, and a RAID array from the remaining two for files, as in OS9 days when one couldn't install an OS on a RAID disk, yes? Does this suggest that all my Home directory's files, such as Documents, Movies, Music, etc. should be aliased to the RAID array disks, to keep the Apps on non-RAID, files on RAID discrete?
    4. I gather I'll have to re-install all my 3rd Party software: Adobe CS3, Intel -compatible games, Final Cut Pro, Toast, etc. instead of using TM. Wow, no wonder I've been putting off setting up my new Mac.
    All advice is welcome.
    Message was edited by: John Dwight

    John Dwight wrote:
    The good news: I have a new Mac Intel Pro and all my previous G5's data is backed up by Time Machine to a fast Newr Tech FW RAID.
    The funky news:
    1. I'd read a User Tip Contribution by Kappy that suggested how to migrate from a Motorola -based system to the new Intel. It seemed that Migration Assistant is not useful here, much less via Time Machine. True? (while I can no longer find this tip, I have a Web Archive of it)
    the fact that you'd be migrating from TM backup is irrelevant here. the fact that you'd be migrating from PPC to intel is relevant. You can try doing that but there may be problems. definitely do not migrate applications.
    Here is one of kappy's posts on the issue
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1571689&tstart=0
    2. Also, I've read here that I cannot continue using my old Time Machine backup account on the new Intel Mac. I'll have to wait while TM backs up up my new Mac entirely to a new TM account.
    yes
    I only have 300 GB left on my TM backup drive. Will I lose my G5's data when I add my Time Machine/FW disk to the new Intel.
    I would suggest you use a different disk or reformat the existing one. You should format TM disk with GUID partition map for intel TM backups and yours is most likely formatted with Apple partition Map.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1550?viewlocale=en_US
    You can try using the old TM disk but you might run into problems later. if you do use the old drive TM should give you an option of keeping the stuff already on the drive so that you can ahve your old TM backups there too.
    How, then, can I access my old data? If I can access my old data, must I retain my Username from my previous G5's accounts to be able to access TM backup data from my old Mac?
    not username but userid. It's most likely 501 in both cases so that should not be a problem.

  • Can't find Laserwriter 4/600 on network from Intel Mac mini

    Problem: Cannot find/print to networked LaserWriter using Airport network.
    Kit: Mac mini 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo, 512 MB running Mac OS 10.4.5; Silver Apple Airport Base Station unExtreme; Netgear 814 combined switch/router/DSL modem; Asanté LocalTalk-to-Ethernet Adaptor; Apple LaserWriter 4/600PS.
    Method: Airport bridges from wireless (Mac mini) side of network to wired (LaserWriter) side via hub/router.
    This setup worked perfectly for many years but did not survive the encounter with Intel Mac mini.
    Resolution attempted: Carried out detailed instructions involving switching devices off and on in strict order, using Printer Setup Utility etc.
    These instructions are posted on Asanté website:
    http://www.asante.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3164
    Getting this to work requires that the Ethernet connection be switched from AirPort to Built-in Ethernet and that the computer be physically connected to the hub by an ethernet cable. The unwanted effect of this is that it denies wireless access to network/internet services formerly enjoyed by Mac & PC computers.
    Running the identical Asanté routine with AirPort rather than Built-in Ethernet as the connection method results in the loss of the LaserWriter to the network.
    Any ideas?

    You can rest assured that printing to a AppleTalk
    printer through wireless network is way down on the
    list of things that is ever going to be tested in the
    labs.
    Point taken. I'm just curious about what might be going on.
    Since I can't test here - the only thing I can do is
    think of possible differences between your two
    networks (wired and wireless)
    I'm not an expert but as I understand it the Intel Mac mini should "see" the network as a single contiguous entity. In other words the AirPort Base Station that bridges between the wireless and the wired parts of the network should be entirely transparent, so I think the answer to your next question is yes.
    Is your network flat (sameIP address range and routes
    wireless as wired)? I could see issues if there were
    a firewall or you had separate networks set up (you
    can have different networks that talk to each other
    through gateways and routing - but things like
    Bonjour/Rendezvous and if my rusty memory is to be
    trusted - Appletalk too - depends on things being in
    the same "network" for broadcast packets to get to
    everyone.)
    Again, I don't know if it proves anything but when I had another computer on network here, the IP address assigned to it by the router was within the specified range. This machine is getting on for three whole years old, has begun to self-destruct and so it's gone for repair under the last gasp of its AppleCare warranty extension.
    The Intel Mac mini can also "see"/print to a Bonjour wireless printer. This may also answer your question about the possibility there being two networks here rather than one. On the other hand, I guess that the ability to print to the Bonjour device does not involve any bridging between the wireless and wired parts of the network, so this may not be relevant.
    If the concept of different networks does not make
    sense - open up the Network Utility application and
    post the results of your "Display routing table
    information" from the netstat section...
    Finally, here's what Network Utility, Netstat comes up with:
    Routing tables
    Internet:
    Destination Gateway Flags Refs Use Netif Expire
    default 192.168.0.1 UGSc 20 55 en1
    127 localhost UCS 0 0 lo0
    localhost localhost UH 17 199665 lo0
    169.254 link#5 UCS 0 0 en1
    192.168.0 link#5 UCS 2 0 en1
    192.168.0.1 0:9:5b:46:64:3 UHLW 19 17 en1 1177
    192.168.0.3 localhost UHS 0 0 lo0
    192.168.0.255 link#5 UHLWb 1 12 en1
    Internet6:
    Destination Gateway Flags Netif Expire
    localhost link#1 UHL lo0
    localhost Uc lo0
    localhost link#1 UHL lo0
    link#5 UC en1
    ray-thomsons-compu 0:14:51:ef:99:b1 UHL lo0
    ff01:: localhost U lo0
    ff02::%lo0 localhost UC lo0
    I hope it makes more sense to you than it does to me!
    Kind regards,
    Ray
    PowerBook G4•1GHz•512MB•15•AirPort unExtreme   Mac OS 9.2.x  

  • Need Advice: New Intel Mac Mini Still In The Box

    Hi!
    Okay.. I know... I have several posts going here as I have several issues I am trying to solve rather simultaneously. Thanks for being patient with me.
    I have my old 1.25 Ghz PowerPC Mac Mini running 10.4.11 and all was well and happy. Then Security Update 2007-009 happened and all went to ....well... you know and, yes, it was bad! Went to Apple, got it running of sorts as they re-installed the OS, but they used an old version of OS X. (10.4.7. Can you believe that?) This caused other problems. It continues to have all sorts of difficulties, as I have had to get applications to re-recognize that the computer is back up to 10.4.11. Currently, I am struggling with trying to get iTunes to access it's music folders on the external hard drives. Realized that I hadn't even gotten around to figuring out whether or not some of my other applications work, like some of the games and third party, etc.
    The thing is I got a new Intel Mac Mini for Christmas and it's still in the box because as I suspected I need to get my old mac perfect again before I can even think about migrating stuff over to the new Mac. But.. here's the thing... it's starting to look pretty much like 2008 will come and go before I can get the old Mac ready enough to take the new Mac out of the box. This really is rather silly!
    Now... I can't get the old Mac to see the music and it made me think. I have all of my iTunes music and iPhoto backed up on an external hard drive (I used Apple's "Back-up" software to do it) and in addition to this two complete copies of the iTunes music and iPhoto photos albums on two separate external hard drives. Should I just forget using migration assistant? Can I get my music and my photo albums into the new mac directly from the external hard drives?
    Or...can I use "back up" to restore the music and photos into the new Mac?
    I am starting to think that the best way to get my new Mac running is not risk it by attaching it to my old Mac. What do you think?
    Thank you so much for any advice or experiences you can give. -Charlotte

    I know that I am vacillating back and forth as to what to do. Thanks so much for being patient with me. All of your advice is really appreciated and I am at least closing in on deciding on my strategy. Probably will follow your first response advice, especially considering that some of the third party apps may not have updates to handle Leopard quite yet. Anyway... it's a good strategy since everything is on the externals anyway.
    You can say that fine.
    Ha ha ha.... yes, I've been messing around with computers since my parents bought our first Apple computer back in 1979. Just like you, I've never had a serious problem with any of the computers and we've had them all, running all sorts of things from the Original Apple and Apple IIc (which my parents still have and it still runs!) to the Commodore and all the Windows permeations and then on to the Macs running Jaguar, Panther and Tiger, probably because we've always been careful with the machines and what we install in them and how we update them. I have always kept my computers on UPS' and un-plug them when storms brew outside. As it is I am still using my eight year old Windows 98 computer, (for games mostly) and it still runs quicker than most peoples windows pcs and it's only a 740 Megahertz.
    I haven't had to re-install anything, especially on this lovely little Mac Mini until now and wouldn't have in this situation, had I known more. I had taken the little Mac Mini in for a Procare "Tune-Up," only four days before the big up-date disaster. Not sure what they did to my mac in the tune-up but the guy gave me back the machine assuring me that the computer was perfect with no problems in answer to my asking "were they sure?" Even after the Genius Bar techs at the Apple Store re-installed the OS to fix the big problems it seems that no one ever thought to run verify disk. Had the Genius Bar techs at the time of the tune-up done this, or at least told me to do this, the last security update would not have wrecked so much havoc. It was only after I got the machine back from Apple that second time that I found that the directory had been corrupted when I ran disk verify. Actually it is amazing that I have had this little Mac Mini for so long and so not have had any problems on it that I would be able to go so long without having to know this really pretty important aspect of keeping one's mac in good running shape. I had been running maintenance scripts and permissions verify and repair and thought that was all there was to it. Silly! You know... that really is a testimony of how nice these little machines are.
    Anyway... experience is a good teacher and I have learned so much it's actually been great! This stuff is pretty interesting.
    Now... on to Leopard!
    Thanks so much and you have a great New Year! -Charlotte

  • Intel Mac Mini & Speedtouch 330 USB

    Ok..
    I was delighted to have my mac mini shipped to me the other day.
    It took nearly three hours to do a migration from my emac.
    Then I tried to connect to the net using my speedtouch 330 usb.
    Doesn't work. Single red flashing led.
    Spoke to wanadoo, and speedtouch, both declare that speedtouch does not work with the intel mac mini (os 10.4.6). Need a router (which one?)
    Fact or fiction? I don't know.......
    Has anybody had the same problems with the same hardware.
    Any feedback would be ace.
    Cheers World..

    It might well be correct in that the driver may not be Intel compatible. What I suggest you do is go to the SpeedTouch web site…
    http://www.speedtouch.com/
    … and download the latest driver for your modem and see how it goes. I just checked and there one for Mac OS X 10.4.
    If it fails to work then you might just be stuck with an Ethernet modem/router. As for which one, the simplest, though not necessarily the cheapest, is to get one from Wanadoo as it will have a profile for easy setup otherwise you can get pretty much any one you like.

  • Intel Mac Mini stuck in reboot loop

    I just upgraded the hard drive in my 2007 intel mac mini core duo. Drive formatted successfully, contains GUID Partition Table.
    OSX 10.5 installed successfully.
    Machine rebooted, I ran software update to 10.5.7 successfully.
    Upon installing Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat Reader, machine began to react slowly to commands.
    Rebooted machine, went to Grey Apple Screen with spinning dash wheen icon.
    Machine rebooted itself, once again going to the grey apply screen with the spinning wheel.
    After about 15 minutes of letting the continual reboot cycle happen, I inserted the installation DVD for 10.5, held the power button in to power off the machine, and booted from the disk.
    I ran disk utility. Disk Utility shows the hard drive, shows the partition (GUID Partition) correctly.
    I Verified Disk, which verified as "OK"
    Repaired permissions.
    Restarted machine.
    Once again, it loaded to the grey apple screen, stayed there with the spinning dash wheel for about 3 minutes then continued to reboot over and over (everytime it reboots it sticks on the grey apple screen for 3 minutes before rebooting.
    I once again powered off the machine and reset the PRAM.
    Machine stuck again on reboot cycle.
    I powered off the machine and reset the mini's SMC.
    Machine is still stuck in reboot cycle.
    I have also taken the mini back apart and verified that all RAM and connections are seated properly.
    Any advice on what to do at this point will be very helpful.

    +And I promise I will not download and install a hundred different programs this time.+
    Good idea.
    Any time you install software in OSX, there is a small, but finite, chance that the installation process won't be able to access a needed file because it is in use. This can mess up pre-binding, or even prevent files from being updated.
    So the best advice is not to run any other programs while doing software installs or updates. And when in doubt, run DiskUtility afterwards and fix permissions one more time.
    I cringe whenever I think of a post I read a while back about a Mac user who boasted about what music he likes to run in iTunes while doing system software updates. Not a good idea. It's "Russian roulette" with maybe 99 blanks in the "gun", but one real bullet that can kill your Mac's installation.

  • Bluetooth Not Available on Intel Mac mini

    I keep losing the Bluetooth wireless connection between my Apple wireless mouse and keyboard and my Intel Mac mini (which is running Mac OSX 10.5.5)
    Tried re-booting but it doesn't always come back.
    Looked in System Preferences, but if the connection is lost, Bluetooth has disappeared as if not installed. If the connection is present then all seems OK. You can check battery levels etc.
    Left to itself Bluetooth can re-appear sometime later as mysteriously as it disappeared, maybe after half an hour or so. Very annoying as I have to result to using an Apple USB mouse and keyboard when the connection is lost.
    Tried running Bluetooth Updater but it says I haven't got Bluetooth if the connection is lost! But it came pre-installed on purchase. Problem only seems to have started since upgrading to Leopard. Never had this problem with Tiger.
    Any thoughts would be most welcome.
    regards,
    BJ

    Ok, I've resolved this on my machine, at least for the time being.
    Here is what I did. I am not advising anyone else to do this and I am in-no-way stating this will fix your problem. I'm just relaying what worked for me. If anyone chooses to try this then it's on their own head!
    I opened my Mac Mini and located the Bluetooth circuit board just in front of the rear power button. I removed the small phillips screw holding the board in place and noticed that the connector that connects the board to the main motherboard was not seated well. I removed the connector and reattached it, making sure I felt the 'click' as the connector was pushed home.
    I had also read on the net that the routing of the bluetooth ariel cable may cause problems due to interference from the USB ports. I took the opportunity to extract the ariel and run it over the disk and away from the USB ports. Before putting the lid back on I booted up to check Bluetooth was working again.
    So, I now have my Mac Mini with Bluetooth working again. We shall see how long this lasts - perhaps the root cause was a loose connection, in which case it may be fixed permanently now. I shall report back in a few weeks.
    Be aware that opening your Mac is going to invalidate any warranty. Mine was out of warranty anyway so I was not bothered. I've also got a degree in software and electronic engineering so know my way round the insides of computers. Please make your own assessment of your level of expertise before deciding to try what I did. It may not work for you anyway!

  • Intel Mac mini and widescreen TV output (analog)

    I just replaced my 1.25 GHz mini with a dual-core Intel one, and are really disappointed that the wide-screen resolution options are nowhere to be found. I'm using the Apple DVI-to-Video adapter with an S-Video cable.
    On the G4 Mac mini, I would get 640x480 (NTSC 4:3), 800x480 (NTSC 16:9), 768x576 (PAL 4:3) and 1024x576 (PAL 16:9). Together with Overscan and Best for Video, I got a really nice picture on my 16:9 CRT TV (can display PAL and NTSC in either 4:3 or 16:9).
    With the Intel Mac mini, I only get 640x480.
    (The other available resolutions do not match with the actual NTSC or PAL frequencies or aspect ratios. For example, 720x480 or 720x576 is used as the pixel format for some digital media, but the pixels are not square, and so far, all software expects display pixels to be square. So it's actually quite useless.)
    Is there a trick to get those resolutions to show up in Displays and become usable?

    1.) I am using either 1920x1080 (interlaced) which is the resultion that has the worst problem with text sharpness. Now, I have discovered the Zoom feature in OSX and I can use it to some degree to make things readable. This may be my best option.
    2.) I have done the calibraton and it does look quite a bit better. Those the DVD output is good but not great.
    3.) Apparently, from what I have read, this is a common problem. Maybe a driver upgrade from Apple or Intel could fix?
    I bought a Philips DVI cable. I know it's not the best but it should suffice. Monster cables seem to be overpriced. I plan to hook my PC to my HDTV with the same cable. My ATi card supports HD resolutions as well.
    I also hooked the mini to my CRT that I have on my Dell and it looks very good there. I am impressed that OSX adjusts the resoltions that it can display upon boot. Even which switching displays.
    Intel Mini Duo Core Mac OS X (10.4.5) 512MB RAM

  • Using External Boot Drive with New Intel Mac Mini

    I have a 1st Gen MacMini and use an external 7200 RPM Lacie drive as the system boot drive along with all the applications.
    If I were to purchase a new Intel Mac Mini, is it possible to use the current external drive as the system drive or is there some conversion steps that would be necessary ?
    Thank you.

    You can use the hardware, but will have to repartition and reinstall the OS from the disk shipped with the new Mac Mini.
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303220
    If you create a disk image of the Lacie on your Mini, you can later use setup assistant to restore users and applications from that image.

  • How can I tell if I have the right restore disks for Intel Mac Mini

    I have an "early 2006" (confirmed by S/N YM609***) Intel Mac Mini 1.66mhz Core Duo. I bought it used and the hard drive had been wiped. Both the HD and the DVD drive seem to work fine; hard drive passes SMART tests. I was able to boot using "Drive Genius" and can access the pre-install items like Disk Utility (and know that I need to use GUID formatting to create a bootable disk). Not knowing I could order restore disks from Apple I bought a set on eBay, p/n AHT VERSION 3A102 DISC VERSION 1.1 2Z691-5828-A, copyright 2006 on disks and included documentation (OS 10.4.6), but the install always fails 10-15 minutes along. I got the same results when trying to install via internal optical drive to a FW or USB external HD (told it to use GUID for the external HD), or external FW optical drive both to internal HD and to external USB hard drive. A friend tried to install full retail versions of 10.5 and even 10.6 for diagnostic purposes, using the built in HD and DVD drives, but those installs did not complete either; they did not try external drives. Is that the wrong restore version for this model, or even if the right "generation", does a set of restore disks only work with the specific Mac mini they were issued for like for example XP restore disks would? I've been told I can provide my s/n to Apple and for about $30 they will send me the "right" restore disks... anyone know anything about this? Could there be a hardware/firmware explanation for why the install fails like that? PS ran the extended version of the Apple Hardware Test with that restore disk set and it reported "no problems."
    <Edited by Host>

    Thanks. Actually I got the Mini from a computer recycling company I work with so I knew it might have problems and that I was taking an "as-is" risk. If the original disks were turned in with it, they'd been lost (that outfit took in huge piles of stuff every day; it was often luck of the draw for me to find something before it would be buried, damaged, etc., and not everyone who worked there had any idea of the possible value of things they received) for me to find things. The disks I got on eBay apparently were separated from the mini they'd been packaged for. An Apple Store rep said I could order restore direct from Apple just by providing my serial number; just wish I'd known that before I went to eBay. Since posting this I've seen another seller specifically claiming that the same-part-numbered-as-mine disc set they are selling will work with my specific type of Mac mini. I have an appointment tomorrow morning at the Genius Bar at an Apple store near me in case they have more suggestions. Will share what I know as things develop.

  • The Intel Mac Mini uses on-board graphics... how good are they?

    I'm seriously considering getting an Intel Mac Mini and telling all my friends to get one, too. However, there's one problem - the graphics.
    The whole reason I'd want an Intel Mac would be so that I could dual-boot into Windows Vista (when it comes out) in order to play the latest games.
    How suitable are the on-board graphics for gaming? Would it be able to play Halo and Command & Conquer Generals well?
    Basically, I want to know if it's the equivalent of a 64 MB graphics chip in speed, or if having on-board graphics makes it a bit slower. Does it have hardware acceleration? And is it suitable for smooth casual gaming at an average resolution?

    I am very uneasy about finding integrated graphics in the new mini too.
    When I first saw the new Mini website on Apple's website I was so excited "intel processor", "4 usb ports", "faster drives" but something was missing from the website; the "graphics" sub-category. I instantly wondering what was up with that, thinking right away obviously the graphics weren't good enough to brag about. I was right. On Apple's MacMini website, on the "Intel Core" sub-category page, bottom of the page, right side there's a weee comment on integrated graphics, "oh." was my only thought.
    It's really disappointing to see integrated graphics in the new Mini. That AND the increase in price. The price of the Intel iMac dropped by $100 when it got introduced, but the Intel Mini's price goes up $100 upon introduction, further closing the price between the iMac and the Mini and making the iMac looking more and more attractice in terms of features-performance-price-value. I better run out and buy a Intel iMac before Apple removes the miniDVI-out port (which I'm predicting it will be removed in the next iMac revision)
    Hopefully some Intel MacMini review tests in the coming weeks will reveal better-than-expected graphics performance.
    I'm surprised nobody else has mentioned this but... doesn't anyone here see that Apple has given us a preview of what's to come by putting integrated graphics in the new Intel MacMini? -- Anyone? I'll tell you -- we're going to see the exact same integrated graphics in the upcoming Intel iBooks, that's what.
    Mac Mini   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  

Maybe you are looking for