Snow Leopard on 2011 mini?

Can Snow Leopard be installed on a new 2011 mini? Has anyone tried this?

Neil -- your reply is a deal-killer for me, just as I was about to click to finalize a high-end (I know, I know...) Mini order with the i7 and HD 6630M graphics, plus 8 gigs, etc.  Goal was to be able to run FCP X on the road without having to carry a MacBook Pro -- I have two and they are in some ways more problematic for me in running previous FCP than a Mini properly configured.
In fact, the question I was about to ask in this forum was, "Will the HD 6630M work properly on a 2011 Mini if I temporarily dump Lion and go back to Snow Leopard, pending some bug fixes and tweaks in Lion...?" You just mooted those questions, for sure. No purchase until or unless there's a way around this conundrum.
Anyway, I have been watching LOTS of pain in these discussions from folks running FCP X under Lion, and so I had planned to drop back to Snow Leopard immediately upon arrival of the 2011 Mini. Is incompatibility of Snow Leopard and 2011 Minis final, locked in stone, or situational and over-come-able? The no-Snow is in the specs and chip compatibility of the machine, a 64-bit-kernel gotta-have issue, or based on user experience...??  What breaks it?  Thanks...

Similar Messages

  • 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'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.

  • Re-installing Snow Leopard - early 2011 Macbook Pro

    I recently sold my early 2011 15" MBP, and before sending it away wanted to clean off the harddrive. I followed the instructions for erasing it, but it has now failed 5 times to reinstall Snow Leopard from the disc. It gets about 3/4 of the way through the installation and then I receive an error message "Mac OS X could not be installed on your computer. The installer encountered an error that caused the installation to fail. Contact the software manufacturer for assistance."
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    Thanks!

    There is a menu bar on the second screen when you run the installer.
    Click Utilities in the Menu bar and select Disk Utility. Use DU to erase the hard drive and format it as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
    When that is done, quit DU and continue the installation.

  • 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

  • Snow Leopard with Mac mini?

    I'm about to purchase my 2nd Mac mini, Today is June 1st, do you think it's a good day to buy or should I wait for a few days until Snow Leopard comes out?

    buy now...apple will upgrade you to snow leopard for free in a couple days when it comes out.
    obvious sarcasm here...there is no release date for snow leopard, so if you need a computer today then buy one, if you can wait...then wait.

  • Installing Snow Leopard on 2011 (newest) MacBook Air?

    I was wondering if it is possible to install Snow Leopard on my July 2011 MacBook Air that came with Snow Leopard (I know that Apple does not recommend installing earlier versions of OS X on your Mac but I simply have too until some of the bugs are ironed out of Xcode for Lion). I do not have any physical installation media - only the developer disk image that contains to OS and I was wondering if I was to simply partition a hard drive and 'mount' onto the partition and installing it via 'Option' at startup would work at all.
    Thanks a lot for your time in advanced,
    ~Daniel

    I'm confused.
    The July 2011 MBAs came with Lion not Snow Leopard.
    Unless you bought a "closeout" earlier MBA in July 2011 which would of come with Snow Leopard.
    Which is it?
    If it's the new 2011 MBA, then Snow Leopard will not install on the MBA. For one it doesn't have all the right drivers. Apple doesn't support it, and I believe it will not actually install correctly.
    Steve

  • Convert Snow Leopard server mac-mini to basic Snow Leopard Mac-Mini?

    I have recently purchased a Mac Mini with Snow Leopard Server installed.  I have decided not to use it as a server and just maximise its capacity by using it just with Snow Leopard.  How do I reformat to install basic Snow Leopard software?  Thanks

    Without an optical drive of its own, a Mini Server model would require the use of an external optical drive capable of supporting OS X installation and booting. This could include another Mac capable of supporting Target Disk Mode and the use of the second computer's optical drive. Or a supported external optical drive.
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    There may be a way to do a Custom installation from the Snow Leopard Server version DVD you have. This would likely be the best bet if possible. Given the higher level tools and processes available to the Server version of OS X Snow Leopard, being able to use that is a better preference overall than Client version.
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    When Lion 10.7 arrives, if your computer is supported, it should be relatively easy to upgrade & install the standard version (vs Server) via an upgrade where you keep user account settings etc from the previous OS.
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    Good luck & happy computing!

  • Snow Leopard on Mac Mini Server

    Hi All - I have a new 2010 Mac Mini Server and would like to install Snow Leopard (non server version) on it. When I boot from the retail SL DVD on an external USB drive, it boots ok, then I get the error screen and have to hold down the power button to restart.
    does anyone have any idea how I can achieve this?
    Nev.

    Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
    Do not boot from the Install Disk. The Server has two drives. The second one is blank. Just tell SL on the ext HDD to install SL on the blank drive. Then download the 10.6.4 Update for the Mid '10 Mac mini and install it over the new installation of SL. That should bring that out-of-date version of SL up to date with all the specialized software for SL to interface with the new hardware of the new Mac minis. When the installation is complete set the 2nd drive as the startup drive in Sys Prefs/Startup Disk.
    Dah•veed

  • Snow Leopard taking 10 mins to boot!

    Hi everyone,
    I have a Macbook Pro 3.1 17", after upgrading to snow leopard today the boot times have gone from 5 minutes when I had leopard to 10 minutes with SL!
    I was wondering if I perhaps wipe my hard drive it will resolve the blue screen and the horendous boot times..?
    Any help would be appreciated

    Use the original install disk and start up your MBP as if you ere to reinstall the OSX.
    When you see a menu bar on top of the display, click on UTILITIES.
    From the drop down menu, select Disk Utility.
    Run Disk utility>First Aid, Verify and Repair.
    If the HDD cannot be repaired, a new one will have to be installed.
    Even 5 minute logon times are excessive.
    Ciao.

  • Admin tools on Lion to Snow Leopard Server on Mini

    I recently purchased a MacMini Server with Snow Leopard Server and have everything working fine - except when I went to install the Server Admin tools on my Lion laptop - it would not let me!  How do I manage my server?  Currently, I have been using screen sharing to do everything - not the most efficient way - but I have my server up and running.
    If I got the Remote Desktop on my Lion laptop, would that help me manage my server - just want to know, before I go and buy it.
    Thanks,
      -- Nash

    I believe you can only use 10.6 Server Admin tools with 10.6 OS.
    With Lion OS, you can only install Lion Server Admin tools: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1419 - however, this may perhaps worth with 10.6 Server, although I haven't tested, but it may be worth a shot.
    Apple Remote Desktop is not going to help you much in what you're trying to achieve - it is not designed to replace Server Admin tools, it has a completely different function.  It simply allows you a convient way to do screen sharing, copying files, executing unix commands - all of which can really be done through the built in screen sharing applications or via ssh in Terminal.
    Apple Remote Desktop will not allow you to directly change DNS, Mail, etc. settings.  It will only allow you to get onto your server's screen where you can open Server Admin tools and change the settings directly on the server - no different from screen sharing.

  • Migration Assistant: dual G5 Leopard to 2011 Mini Lion?

    I have just set up my new 2011 Mac Mini (Intel) with Lion 10.7.1
    I have an old dual G5 (PowerPC) with Leopard 10.5.8
    I am getting lots of new Intel software for the Mini, but I'm wondering if I can import/transfer the settings and prefs from Leopard to Lion.
    Should I use Migration Assitant, or is it (a) not worth the trouble, (b) dangerous.
    Thanks!

    The best time to migrate is when you are in Setup Assistant. Migrating afterward can be problematic.
    Folks wind up with new Home folders, which is never good.
    If you have the settings and prefs on the the G5 I'd just enter them by hand to set up mail accounts, etc. There are some plists you can try to grab from the G5, the com.apple.mail.plist for instance and any others you see like com.apple.addressbook. Mind you, I don't know if these prefs will work or not so keep the old ones on your desktop, if they don't.

  • 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

  • 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);
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    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.
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