Windows Only Mac Mini

Question

Windows Only Mac Mini

I would like to install Windows 7 on one of my Mac Minis without using OSX. Although a bit of an unusual deal for a dedicated Mac guy like me, I have found the minis to be incredibly efficient little desktops, quiet, reasonably fast for non-graphic applications, with their only serious shortcoming the slow hard drive. I have an Intel 80Gb SSD that will solve this problem. I have need of a continuously running Win 7 machine for several apps that require Windows, and want the additional speed that changing the HD will allow.

But I won't have much space on the SSD to spare, and would like to install Windows alone on one Mac Mini, and OSX on the other Mac Mini that sits on my desk for most of my work. I will switch between them for my 30" display using the Belkin DVI Flip (isn't it sad that Belkin discontinued this DVI switching device!).

I have an original and new version of Win 7, so that is not a problem, and I assume that the boot camp Win 7 drivers will work fine if I can get Win 7 to install.

So, my question is: can I install Windows 7 alone on a Mac Mini without OSX, and if so, how?

Mac Mini Mid 2010, 4Gb RAM, Windows 7, substituted Intel 80gb SSD

Posted on Dec 24, 2010 6:21 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Dec 24, 2010 7:37 AM in response to William Mcclatchey1

William Mcclatchey1 wrote:
can I install Windows 7 alone on a Mac Mini without OSX, and if so, how?

what should work is to install OS X on an external HD connected to the Mini, boot from the external, then use boot camp assistant to create one giant (winsloth) partition on the Mini.

J GG

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 24, 2010 7:49 AM in response to Jolly Giant

Now that is a cool idea.

The only thing wrong with it is that I did not think of it first!

I will give it a try and report back...

Thanks for your reply!

Reply

Answer 3

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Dec 24, 2010 8:56 AM in response to William Mcclatchey1

You don't need to do anything other than boot from Windows 7 DVD and just let it format and use the entire drive. You do not need Boot Camp Assistant even (XP did).

Clone OS X to whereever you want or need, if at all, for future use & backup or safe keeping.

There are reviews by a number of sits on how well a Mac (more often Air or MBP) serves as a Windows-only machine.

there only downside with Windows 7, thermal control of fans seems to be lacking and missing quite a bit. Shorter battery (not an issue for you).

Reply

Answer 4

Dec 24, 2010 1:32 PM in response to William Mcclatchey1

That sounds great, and too simple to be true.

I will swap out the SSD and run the install tomorrow with Windows 7.

Thanks for your reply....

Reply

Answer 5

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Dec 24, 2010 2:34 PM in response to William Mcclatchey1

please let us know how it goes.

Reply

Answer 6

Dec 25, 2010 1:19 PM in response to William Mcclatchey1

Well, good news and bad news, I guess.

I performed the Win7 native installation, then ran the boot camp drivers. The Windows 7 32 bit installation appears to have run without a hitch. But the Mac Mini fans runs continuously. I snooped around the net, and discovered that this problem had been previously described, and there are a few user developed Win7 utilities to address this on a MacBook Pro. But I decided that the better part of valor was to simply install a minimal OSX installation and run boot camp as designed.

It remains possible that I did not reinstall a wire or something when replacing the drive, and if this problem persists after a repeat OSX install, I will have to open the case again to double check my installation and be certain I did not leave any wires unconnected. If I identify a problem of my own creating, I may start over and try to install Windows 7 natively again. But the fan running continuously is not an acceptable problem because of the noise.

Will keep you informed....

Reply

Answer 7

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Dec 25, 2010 2:08 PM in response to William Mcclatchey1

InputRemapper works on most systems in the past.

Your not understanding - why in heaven's put a mini OS X? it won't help, and I said above, thermal fan control is a joke on Macs running Windows.

Designated? is that Apple-speak for using Boot CAmp Assistant? that just a weak partitioning tool. Apple Boot Camp drivers? those off the OS X DVD are of course essential drivers services and hardware abstraction.

The Mac Pro fans run @ default and just never ramped up when needed w/o InputRemapper.

SpeedFan never worked - all this business as if EFI was a modern feature (it is if you need to boot from 2.5TB volume I guess) is more a thorn in the side.

The only way for you is not Boot CAmp or runnning Windows natively, but in a VM probably.

Reply