Using mac mini in line with a PC

I was thinking of buying a mini Mac for my 83 yo mother who currently uses a PC. Knowing that she likely would not like to just get rid of her PC for an OS she's totally unfamiliar with, I thought I might get her a Mini Mac. However, space in her home is limited so I was trying to learn if there was a way that the Mini Mac could be used in a "shared" fashion with her existing PC. In other words, someway to use it without having to physically transferring her keyboard, mouse and monitor connections each time she were to use one or the other system.
Thanks

What you're looking for is a "kvm switch." This thing let's you share a keyboard, mouse and monitor between 2 systems. I'd checkout some site like newegg to see what people are buying to get an idea of what features to look for.
Does your mom's pc use a "ps/2" connection (round plug) for either the mouse or keyboard? If it does you might want to get a kvm that has "ps/2" connections.
If both the keyboard and mouse use usb plugs then I'd get a kvm with usb connections.
I'm doing the same thing and I got a usb kvm with vga for video. I'll need to get a "mini-dvi to vga" adapter for the mac mini though. The adapter that comes with the mac mini doesn't work with a "vga to dvi" adapter. I also should have picked a kvm with audio support so I can share the speakers too.
You can save yourself the cost of the adapter by connecting the pc to the vga port and connect the mac to the dvi port on the monitor, but that means having to press another button on the monitor to switch input modes =P
Message was edited by: Kl l

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Used Mac Mini and reinstalling OS X

I bought a used Mac mini (late 2009) with mountain lion installed. The previous owner didn't do a factory reset, so I attempted to by using OS X Utilities and reformatting the hard drive. I then attempted to reinstall OS X, but since I'm not the original registered owner, I can't get past the login dialog during the license verification stage. What should I do at this point?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

The first thing to do with a second-hand computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. You—not the original owner—must do that. Changes made by Apple over the years have made this seemingly straightforward task very complex.
How you go about it depends on the model, and on whether you already own another Mac. If you're not sure of the model, enter the serial number on this page. Then find the model on this page to see what OS version was originally installed.
It's unsafe, and may be unlawful, to use a computer with software installed by a previous owner.
1. If you don't own another Mac
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you need a boxed and shrink-wrapped retail Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) installation disc from the Apple Store or a reputable reseller—not from eBay or anything of the kind. If the machine is very old and has less than 1 GB of memory, you'll need to add more in order to install 10.6. Preferably, install as much memory as it can take, according to the technical specifications.
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the installation media that came with it: gray installation discs, or a USB flash drive for a MacBook Air. You should have received those media from the original owner, but if you didn't, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.
To start up from an optical disc or a flash drive, insert it, then restart the computer and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, you don't need media. It should start up in Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.
Some models shipped with OS X 10.6 and received a firmware update after 10.7 was released, enabling them to use Internet Recovery. If you have one of those models, you may not be able to reinstall 10.6 even from the original discs, and Internet Recovery may not work either without the original owner's Apple ID. In that case, contact Apple Support, or take the machine to an Apple Store or another authorized service provider to have the OS installed.
2. If you do own another Mac
If you already own another Mac that was upgraded in the App Store to the version of OS X that you want to install, and if the new Mac is compatible with it, then you can install it. Use Recovery Disk Assistant to prepare a USB device, then start up the new Mac from it by holding down the C key at the startup chime. Alternatively, if you have a Time Machine backup of OS X 10.7.3 or later on an external hard drive (not a Time Capsule or other network device), you can start from that by holding down the option key and selecting it from the row of icons that appears. Note that if your other Mac was never upgraded in the App Store, you can't use this method.
3. Partition and install OS X
a. If you see a lock screen when trying to start up from installation media or in Recovery mode, then a firmware password was set by the previous owner, or the machine was remotely locked via iCloud. You'll either have to contact the owner or take the machine to an Apple Store or another service provider to be unlocked. You may be asked for proof of ownership.
b. Launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive—not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive.
c. An unusual problem may arise if all the following conditions apply:
OS X 10.7 or later was installed by the previous owner
The startup volume was encrypted with FileVault
You're booted in Recovery mode (that is, not from a 10.6 installation disc)
In that case, you won't be able to unlock the volume or partition the drive without the FileVault password. Ask for guidance or see this discussion.
d. After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. If you're installing a version of OS X acquired from the App Store, you will need the Apple ID and password that you used. When the installation is done, the system will automatically restart into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.
e. Run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. To upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, get it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the original owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed—you have to repurchase them.
4. Other issues
a. If the original owner "accepted" the bundled iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, and Garage Band) in the App Store so that he or she could update them, then they're irrevocably linked to that Apple ID and you won't be able to download them without buying them. Reportedly, Mac App Store Customer Service has sometimes issued redemption codes for these apps to second owners who asked.
b. If the previous owner didn't deauthorize the computer in the iTunes Store under his Apple ID, you wont be able to authorize it immediately under your ID. In that case, you'll either have to wait up to 90 days or contact iTunes Support.
c. When trying to create a new iCloud account, you might get a failure message: "Account limit reached." Apple imposes a lifetime limit of three iCloud account setups per device. Erasing the device does not reset the limit. You can still use an iCloud account that was created on another device, but you won't be able to create a new one. Contact iCloud Support for more information. The setup limit doesn't apply to Apple ID accounts used for other services, such as the iTunes and Mac App Stores, or iMessage. You can create as many of those accounts as you like.

Editing a document done in Word 2004. I can't remove lines done in Word. Using Mac Mini with 10.9.4

I am unable to a remove lines from a document originally done in 2004 using Mac Word 2004 while running it on Pages. Using Mac Mini with OSX 10.9.4.
Tried to delete lines. Delete is not highlighted in Pages.
Message was edited by: francinefromkent, 08/8/2014, 5p.m. EST. Edited to give more information.

The version of Pages is the most useful extra information, it hardly matters what Mac you are using.
Menu > Pages > About Pages
The line could possibly be an underline or a paragraph border or a line which is a separate object underneath the rest of the text.
Probably it is a paragraph border.
Peter

Using Mac Mini with 16:9 CRT Standard Def TV by RCA connection!

Hello all,
I realise that there are others who have experienced similar problems but after spending quite a bit of time searching this forum, I wasn't able to find an answer for my particular circumstance. In summary, I can't get my new Mac mini to work with my TV at all. I need to figure out where the problem might lie. Please find the specifics of my setup below.
I have a 1.42GHz Mac Mini G4 with all the possible add-ons . It actually did not come out of the box for the first three months I owned it. I finally got it out this weekend and went to purchase a DVI-Video connector. I connected it to the TV by means of an RCA to Scart cable (which I know for a fact works fine with my Powerbook and iBook) and the TV just showed a blank screen (though there was a second or two of static each time I started up, as if settings were being re-adjusted). The TV only has Scart inputs so there RCA is going to have to be the connection method. The TV is a standard def Sanyo 16:9 CRT.
To make sure the mini was working, and enable VNC access (brand new mini so hadn't been set up at all), I took it to my office (I have no other monitors here) and connected it to a normal Dell LCD monitor. It worked fine, and I set up VNC access so now I can use my powerbook to control it headless.
I brought it back home and connected it to the TV again and VNCed to it expecting to find options to re-adjust resolution, refresh rate etc. All I found was 800x600 or 640x480 and I could not change the refresh rate at all. The TV is PAL but there was no mention of PAL or NTSC options. I took the opportunity to run software update and apply all the necessary updates as well.
After some initial research, I downloaded displayconfigx. It crashes every time I try to open it... so no luck there. Then I tried another application recommended on these fora whose name escapes me now (but it started with an s and also ended with an x) and to keep a long story short, I found it very confusing and wasn't able to find a setting that made things work.
The TV works fine as a secondary display for both my powerbook G4 and iBook G3. In fact, I'm using it with my powerbook now and my powerbook switches to the right settings as soon as I plug it in! However, my powerbook's place is in my lap and this Mac mini is sitting there unused when I really want to be using it as my media center and EyeTV box!
Please help me. Is this a problem with the DVI-Video adapter. Is this a problem with the mini? Should I call Apple Support (I don't have Applecare but it was purchased three months ago)? Please help me solve this problem!
Thanks,
Phaedon

Thank you very much for these helpful suggestions and questions!
I'm at work at the moment but I do remember the answers to most of these questions off the top of my head and will get the rest when I get home.
When everything is working fine for the PowerBook, the resolution list shows a variety of interlaced resolutions ranging from 680 x 480 to 1024 x 768. There are about five or six options. The refresh rate options are PAL 50Hz or NTSC 60Hz.
As for how it identifies the TV when connected, I have to admit I don't remember, but I believe it just identifies it as a generic TV.
The Mac mini doesn't identify it at all. I can confirm this because I tried booting it without the monitor attached and then attaching it and I also booted it with the monitor attached. In all cases, the same options for resolution were shown (1024 x 768 and 800 x 600) and refresh rate is geyed out. To me, this indicates that it is not communicating with the display at all.
I think that adapter may well be broken as it's never been tested with another display so this is the argument I'm going to make when I go back to the Apple Store this evening!
I'll keep you posted on whether the new one works or not.
Please do let me know if you think there are any other tests I should run or not.
Cheers,
Phaedon

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H.Kiran wrote:
Thank First
I just plug it to any plug in my house or my friend house before powering mac mini there is electric stock near power button
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I checked my house ground with technician everything is fine
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I want to install Snow Leopard Server on our MacPro (2.66) using Mac Mini Snow Leopard Server disks? I kept getting an error for backwards compatibility. Is this possible or do I need to purchase another copy of Snow Leopard Server?

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How do i reformat my hard drive on mac mini late 2011 with yosemite before selling my mac

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As posted previously:
Reinstall OS X without erasing the drive
Do the following:
1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
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2. If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with reinstalling OS X. Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files. After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
If installing Leopard the process is similar in some respects. If you wish to begin anew then after selecting the target disk click on the Options button and select the Erase and Install option then click on the OK button. To install over an existing system do the following:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
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Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
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3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

Thinking about using Mac Mini's as desktops for 20 employee business. Pro's Vs. Con's

Thinking about using Mac Mini's as desktops for 20 employee business. Pro's Vs. Con's

Your best bet would be to buy a single 2012 MacMini Server model that you can use to manage the balance of the other machines. Either that or upgrade one of the MM's to OS X Yosemite Server . You can find information about the Server edition at:
https://www.apple.com/osx/server/
However I would STRONGLY recommend visiting your local Apple Store and ask to speak to their business specialist, they are trained to manage customer needs such as yours.
The major advantage of using Macs over any PC is the stability of OS X itself and the overall quality of support that you will never get with HP.

Using mac mini in line with a PC

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