Marcel2011
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: I have a Mac Mini Server (mid 2010) running plain El Cap, and when I try to use Boot Camp it tells me I need a super drive. The Mac Mini Server (mid 2010) does not have a super drive. Is this a bug?

I have a Mac Mini Server (mid 2010) running plain El Cap, and when I try to use Boot Camp it tells me I need a super drive. The Mac Mini Server (mid 2010) does not have a super drive, but the Mac Mini (mid 2010) does have a super drive.  So my 2010 mac mini version is without a place for a superdrive, so why is it requiring me to use one to install windows?  Is this a bug?

OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Jul 27, 2016 9:01 PM

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Marcel2011

Q: I have a Mac Mini Server (mid 2010) running plain El Cap, and when I try to use Boot Camp it tells me I need a super drive. The Ma ... more

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  • by kaz-k,

    kaz-k kaz-k Jul 27, 2016 10:25 PM in response to Marcel2011
    Level 5 (5,650 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 27, 2016 10:25 PM in response to Marcel2011

    Is there any other way to install Windows without DVD drive?

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Jul 28, 2016 12:41 AM in response to Marcel2011
    Level 10 (188,027 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 28, 2016 12:41 AM in response to Marcel2011

    What version of Windows?

    Without knowing that maybe this will help:

    http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/install-bootcamp-without-optical-drive/

    Bootcamp without Optical disc drive

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jul 28, 2016 7:28 AM in response to Marcel2011
    Level 7 (23,633 points)
    Safari
    Jul 28, 2016 7:28 AM in response to Marcel2011

    OSX Server and the standard OSX Macs will behave differently. The non-Server 2010 versions came with an Optical drive (that last mini with Optical drive - How to identify Mac mini models - Apple Support ).

     

    On Minis which do not have an Optical drive, you can either use an external Apple Superdrive or use a USB Installer (only if you see the option to create a USB Installer). 2011 Minis support USB Installers.

  • by Marcel2011,

    Marcel2011 Marcel2011 Jul 28, 2016 3:13 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 28, 2016 3:13 PM in response to Loner T

    Kaz-k

     

    Yes, USB if it is supported.

     

    Illaass,

     

    Windows 7 Pro.

     

    Loner,

     

    Even though my Mac Mini Server 2010 does not have an optical drive, it will not allow me to use a USB key. I am speculating here, but it seems like Apple did not make software or hardware changes needed for me to be able to use boot camp without a superdrive... which is crazy since this model does not have an internal superdrive.

     

    I unfortunately do not have an external superdrive, but I do have an external DVD drive but it would not work with boot camp.

     

    I am guessing that I am out of luck with this issue...

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Jul 28, 2016 3:19 PM in response to Marcel2011
    Level 7 (23,633 points)
    Safari
    Jul 28, 2016 3:19 PM in response to Marcel2011

    Marcel2011 wrote:

     

     

    Even though my Mac Mini Server 2010 does not have an optical drive, it will not allow me to use a USB key. I am speculating here, but it seems like Apple did not make software or hardware changes needed for me to be able to use boot camp without a superdrive... which is crazy since this model does not have an internal superdrive.

    I have used an external Apple Superdrive to install W7 on a 2010 Mini Server. There are specific boot ability requirements, which the Superdrive supports.

     

     

    I unfortunately do not have an external superdrive, but I do have an external DVD drive but it would not work with boot camp.

    What is the brand/model of this external Optical drive? If you connect to the Mini, and power up the Mini and hold Alt/Option key, do you see the CD/DVD in the external drive?