New Mac Mini ethernet drivers for SL Server ???

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New Mac Mini ethernet drivers for SL Server ???

In august 2010 I bought a *new Mac Mini* in standard configuration, and then partitioned to get 3 volumes: one for factory preinstalled Snow Leopard, one for *Snow Leopard Server*, and one for data.
All SL Server installation ran well, but at the point to configure the server *the ethernet card is not an option. It simply isn't available to the configuration software*, neither to the guided procedure, nor to the system preferences, nor to any other tool.
Upgraded SLS to version 10.6.4 (the last available at the moment) but got no progress with this problem.
So, somewhere else in discussions I've read someone saying that Snow Leopard Server out of the shelf don't include Mid 2010 Mac Mini new drivers.
I've tried to search internet for the correct drivers, but without success. Surely Apple doesn't encourage do-it-yourself methods and consequently doesn't make available so much single elements downloads. But this one is a major issue...
Also, I don't know if on the Snow Leopard (not Server) partition, where I kept all the factory installed elements, is there any driver that can solve me out, where could it exactly be found, and where exactly would I have to copy it on Snow Leopard Server.
Can anyone help in any way?
Thanks

MacBook Pro 17", Mac OS X (10.6.4), 4GB/250GB, various peripherals

Posted on Sep 2, 2010 7:04 AM

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Answer 1

Dah•veed

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64,627 points

Sep 2, 2010 7:36 AM in response to santelia

The two files others have mentioned should be;
Macintosh HD/System/Library/Extensions/IONetworkingFamily.kext
Macintosh HD/System/Library/Extensions/IO80211Family.kext

Copying them from the Client installation to the same location on the Server installation, repairing permissions and restarting may give you ethernet.

Dah•veed

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Answer 2

santelia Author

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Sep 2, 2010 7:58 AM in response to Dah•veed

Thank you dave, I'll try and come back...

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Answer 3

santelia Author

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Sep 2, 2010 8:29 AM in response to santelia

No hope, David.
Tried exactly what you suggested, with permission repair, but the only result is not to be able to launch network preferences at all (the application doesn't answer anymore. Force quit).
In my enthusiasm I did forget to make a backup of those two SLS drivers...
**** my hurry...
Guess I'll have to reinstall SLS from scratch...

Any other idea?

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Answer 4

lsturner

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Sep 3, 2010 3:08 PM in response to santelia

Same deal here. Made a trip up to the ol' Genius Bar to try and figure this out, to no avail. Everything is 'as it should be'. Even better, I can't return or exchange the thing as I 'customized' it (ordered it with 4gb RAM –eek!).

It's totally insane that installing SL Server disables the frigging ethernet - how basic does it get? I'm running it on older hardware without a hiccup. It's even more insane that I can't exchange it or get help from the Apple Store, even with Applecare.

Pardon my rant. The store is a long drive away.

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Answer 5

sfatula

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Sep 3, 2010 8:29 PM in response to santelia

You would likely need an install disk for SLS that came with a 2010 Mac Mini. No reason the Genius bar could not use one to load your machine if you own SLS.

I loaded mine jut fine, but it was from a disk that came with a 2010 Mac Mini server.

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Answer 6

santelia Author

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Sep 4, 2010 1:48 AM in response to sfatula

So, it seems that correct drivers are - hopefully - included in the factory setup of the 2010 Mac Mini Server, and maybe in the install disks that come with it, but nothing to do with Snow Leopard Server disks that come from an "out of the shelf" package.
So the very simple poiint could be: why Apple didn't yet make available a solution in the form of an upgrade or any downloadable file? Isn't any moderator ever taking a lazy look at this discussions?
Obviuosly, I've gone to buy an external usb-to-ethernet adapter (they sell it mainly for MacBook Air), and in such a way I've at least put a slow 10/100 interface at work, but this cannot be the right way for connecting a Mac Mini to network!!!

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Answer 7

sfatula

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Sep 4, 2010 11:04 AM in response to santelia

There is no hopefully or maybe, they ARE included on the install disks that come with it. The reason is simple - The SLS disks you purchased in the retail package were made before the 2010 mini had drivers.

As far as moderators, no, no one from Apple monitors these forums. This is NOT where you suggest an enhancement request such as you want, which makes sense BTW. These are user to user forums.

As I said, go back to the genius bar (which has always helped me here in Dallas, more than competent) and maybe ask them to use a Mini 2010 SLS install disk for you, and show them a receipt for the SLS server license you purchased. They will almost certainly load it for you.

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Answer 8

Sep 9, 2010 5:26 AM in response to santelia

I have had that same problem installing SL server on _a mac mini 2010 Non-server_ (with DVD drive). I decided after reading all problems that it was not worth the effort to try and run SL server on it. So tried re-installing SL 10.6.3 client.

But that did not work.

After re-installing SL (client), marked 'new' 10.6.3 (because the previous build gave the grey screen of death) I was able to install Sl client, but am still not finding ethernet port. Even after update to 10.6.4 no ethernet.

I could not find a thread with a solution.

Should I also try and copy some files somewhere deep inside the OS?

Michiel

PS
Should i change my topic to:
Mac Mini 2010 ethernet drivers for SL client ???

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Answer 9

Dah•veed

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64,627 points

Sep 9, 2010 5:36 AM in response to Michieljs

Welcome to the Apple Discussions!

You have created this mess for yourself. You should not install a version of Mac OS X on a Mac that is older than the version with which the Mac was shipped. The Mid '10 Mac mini's shipped with *their own version of Mac OS X 10.6.4* which has the specialized software that Mac OS X needs to interface with the mini's new hardware.

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Answer 10

Sep 9, 2010 5:48 AM in response to Dah•veed

So I have been told before. I have kicked myself plenty of times for this.

In my defence: I installed the latest available OS. Not a previous version.
New mac, newest OS in store (number-wise) at that point. Shoot me, but as long as the hardware accepts it, I guess it shouldn't fry it.

So I ordered that new newer newest OS version. (the original disks were lost)
Nowhere in the in the apple store I can find 'OS SL for macmini2010'.

So here I am. Knowing I created the mess, willing to solve it, not convinced it was all my mistake.

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Answer 11

Dah•veed

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Sep 9, 2010 6:06 AM in response to Michieljs

You have a brand new Mid '10 Mac mini and you have lost the Restore DVD(s) that came with it? You can get new ones. I think Apple will charge you US20 for shipping hand handling. Call Apple Care.

When the "newest" retail version of Mac OS X came out before a new Mac, then it does not have the software needed to interface with the hardware.

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Answer 12

Apr 5, 2011 10:13 AM in response to Dah•veed

2010 Mac Mini shipped with 10.6.3.

Maybe stop lecturing people just to get your post count up?

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Answer 13

windmere

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Nov 11, 2011 7:00 AM in response to santelia

Hi, if anybody still cares about it, I have solved the problem.

The Ethernet port did the very same disappearing act on my 2010 2.66 GHz Mini Server after I erased SLS to install SL client (10.6.3) from the DVD purchased from Apple Store. Not even System Profiler was able to see that port after the procedure.

I tried the procedure suggested by Dah*veed but I just managed to mess up network preferences (and had to reinstall SL again).

Then I realized I have a wireless modem. I connected the Mini via wireless, downloaded the SL update to 10.6.8, and the Ethernet port was "magically" back.

So it's just a question of connecting to Apple Support in whatever way available, download the 10.6.8 (or newer) combo update for SL and install it on the Mini. Whatever is needed to see the Ethernet port sits in that behemoth of a package, which I strongly suggest storing it away for future use.

Happy computing!

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Answer 14

Nov 14, 2011 6:23 AM in response to windmere

Typically installing a combo Mac OS X update will add all the drivers for any Mac models released prior to that combo update. Mac OS X 10.6.8 combo update currently (unofficially) supports even new Macs that only came with Lion.

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