Q: Snow Leopard on Mac Mini Server

Theoretically you should be able to use the iMac's optical drive. You will have to experiment with that and tell use of the result.

However, the only thing that will be a in a target mode should be the iMac, in Target Display Mode and acting as the display for the Mac mini. In TDM the iMac's keyboard and mouse are automatically assigned to the mini's operation.

I'm pretty confident that Target Display Mode requires that the computer be booted into the operating system. And that does not happen when the imac is used in Target Disk Mode, in order to use it's optical drive to boot the Mini.

One possible alternative is to use CD/DVD sharing on the iMac, to allow the mini to access the system disc that you insert into the Mini.

You should connect the mini to your router with an ethernet cable when you do this.

Thanks for the clarifications.

I do have an old benq monitor and a dvi cable hidden away so I can dig them out if I need to and use that for the setup before the mac mini in the HTPC mode linked via hdmi and with no keyboard or mouse attached (ie using a logitech harmony remote and the ipad as inputs via remote buddy and rowmote).

Meanwhile, I'll experiment using the display target mode first with the mdp to mdp cable I have purchased. It would be awesome if that mode enabled use of the imac's dvd drive and keyboard and mouse (but again I have a backup usb windows keyboard and mouse).

I'll report back after I've installed it tonight.

Sorry that my English is not up to par for you to understand me, but that was what I was saying Target Disk Mode for the iMac to provide the display, keyboard & mouse for the mini, and optical drive sharing for the mini to use the iMac's ODD.

Thanks for the help but no joy for me.

I did hook up my benq but when I put the imac in target mode and think everything is going fine (ie waiting to install from system disc) the apple symbol changes to a "no entry" symbol and nothing further happens.

I wonder if my dvd is scratched somehow or I just need to either create a usb install or buy an external dvd drive

Well, it's easy to inspect the disc for scratches. Also make sure it doesn't have fingerprints or dirt on it. If it does, you can wash it with soap and water in medium temperature water. Don't scrub it. Dry it by patting it with a paper towel (don't wipe).

How did you create the disc? Did you drag the DMG into disk utility and then tell it to burn that? Or did you use toast and point it to the DMG file?

You could certainly use a flash drive if you have one that is at least 8 gigs in size. You will need to reformat it for mac and then use a cloning utility like disk utility or carbon copy cloner. so you would double click on the dmg so that it mounts in the finder and then use the disk that mounts on the desktop (not the dmg itself) as the source for the clone.

Thanks
It was scratched but I used remote install and all is fine. Client now installed and updated.

As promised, my findings for any of those that might need to use an imac 27 inch (either its dvd drive or the hdd mounting the install disc image) to install mac osx client on a new mac mini server model:

1. If you have another monitor, dvi cable, keyboard and mouse the two easiest install methods are:
- a) firewire target mode. Insert the install disc in the imac, power off and then put the imac in target mode by holding T down whilst powering down until the firewire symbol. You now have access to the imac dvd drive only. Then power on the imac whilst holding down the option key (alt on a windows keyboard) and wait till the disc option appears and then choose the install disc dvd option. From there you can format the disks as you choose at the next step (choose utilities then disk utility from the top of the screen) including putting the server drives in raid 0 or 1 if you see fit.
- b) remote mac osx install (assuming both the imac and mac mini are connected wirelessly or wired on the same network). Power up the imac and when fully booted up insert the install disc. (Alternatively mount the image if you have the dmg on the imac hdd). Then choose utilities, remote mac osx install. Then power up the imac holding down option. If you're on wireless, choose the network and enter the password. Then you'll get to the disc choice and choose mac osx install dvd. Continue as per a) above.

2. What happens when you use the minidisplayport to minidisplayport cable ? Well if you boot up the imac and then boot up the mac mini and plug this cable in you'll be using the imac screen for the mac mini (ie as a monitor) and you'll also have access to the dvd drive and hdd if file sharing and dvd sharing is enabled. You do not have access to the imac keyboard and mouse (bluetooth) unless you pair it with the mac mini in which case you may have conflicts later if the imac and mac mini are near each other

Congrats on the success Mobelby.

And thanks for posting instructions for others who find this discussion from a web search.

One further note.

The new mac mini's resolution detecting is a little too smart for its own good. It refused to output 720 or 1080 to an old plasma with ALIS rather than true HD.

Beware.

Did you try rebooting the Mac and using the "detect displays" function in the displays control panel?

What type of connection are you making to the old plasma?

Hi beautiful people.

I seem to have the inverse problem to everyone in this thread. I have a Mac Mini Mid 2010 desktop and I want to run Mac OS X server on it.

I've purchased a 10.6.3 server retail disk but no joy.

Does anyone know where I can get the server disks from or can anyone share the last four characters of their Mac Mini Server serial no. (model identifier) so I can work out a solution?

Thanks for reading

Do not ask for serial numbers on this forum. At a minimum, I would think it would get your post removed.

The retail server disc does not work on the Mini.

Do a web search with these words and you will probably find a solution...
Mac Mini 2010 OSrver Disc

Whooops... Tried to edit my post only to find that... I can't edit the post.

Either way, hope it doesn't get my banned. Didn't think the request was an offencen(as it's just partial and common to all units in the series), seems I should have thought twice...

Thanks for the advice though, in both matters. Much appreciated

I believe you'll find it's unlikely that someone will want to give their serial number. Because it is part of their unique license for OSX server.