Can I install Snow Leopard on the new Mac Mini

Well I think I have tracked the problem down - are you using version 1.6.36 of AppleIntelHDGraphics and AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB under Snow Leopard when you get the extra detected display?

If so, you need 1.6.42

If you look here: http://www.mediafire.com/?hb77kh4q65abye9,yyictmsfvs59msx you might just the files you need 😉

Oh, install instructions:

1. Download and extact each kext

2. Go to /System/Library/Extensions and delete the existing AppleIntelHDGraphics and AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB (eg. move to trash)

3. Copy the ones you extracted into /System/Library/Extensions (you might get a warning after kextcache kicks in automatically, ignore this)

4. Using terminal do:

sudo su -

cd /Sys*/Lib*/Ext*

chown -R root:wheel AppleIntelHDGraphics.kext

chown -R root:wheel AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext

chmod -R 644 AppleIntelHDGraphics.kext

chmod -R 644 AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext

kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel

kextcache -system-caches

(then restart the mac)

Second display should be gone, and version of those kexts should be 1.6.42

CORRECTION, should be 755:

newfoundglory wrote:

Oh, install instructions:

1. Download and extact each kext

2. Go to /System/Library/Extensions and delete the existing AppleIntelHDGraphics and AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB (eg. move to trash)

3. Copy the ones you extracted into /System/Library/Extensions (you might get a warning after kextcache kicks in automatically, ignore this)

4. Using terminal do:

sudo su -

cd /Sys*/Lib*/Ext*

chown -R root:wheel AppleIntelHDGraphics.kext

chown -R root:wheel AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext

chmod -R 755 AppleIntelHDGraphics.kext

chmod -R 755 AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext

kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel

kextcache -system-caches

(then restart the mac)

Second display should be gone, and version of those kexts should be 1.6.42

Unfortunately I copied and pasted from another post 😟

My Mini seems to work fine after all the instructions above, Thanks a lot !!

but when i run

"kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel"

i got this message..

kext doesn't support architecture x86_64; omitting from prelinked kernel.

is that bad?, it seems to work fine anyway.

/System/Library/Extensions/IOSerialFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/InternalModemSup port.kext doesn't support architecture x86_64; omitting from prelinked kernel.

InternalModemSupport.kext isnt 64-bit compatible, and so is always automatically omitted.

Thanks NewFoundGlory!! - That did the trick.

Thank you so much this is really a releif. Lion did not work as server for me. Now after 2 month the new MacMini can do som real work.

No more second display, no mouse problem, dual display output is working, HDMI output can be disconnected and reconnedted withtout problems, video playback is silky smooth, geekbench is good and cinebench runs good.

Seems everything is the way it should be: New quad MacMini with Snow Leopard.

Say, NFG, what mac where those kexts distributed with?

Best wishes,

Kasper

Thank you so much ! Those 2 kexts were the final thing I needed to get my 30 inch ACD working on my Mac mini server ! It was already running fine without them on my 2,5 gHz i5 mini...

I did had some difficulty to get them to work. When I tried to change the ownership to wheel, when I did the kextcache thing, I got the error that the IOPlatform extension was suspiscious, and was unable to prelink them. ( or something like that, don't remeber the actual error ).

Than I made a root account, logged in on that one, and was able to change the ownership and to run the kextcache rule.

Now it is working fine.

The first thing I did with my new Mini (i7) was to use a clone of my 2010 MIni with 10.6.8 to see if it works.

It (slowly) did.

Then I tried several things, even a clean installation in Firewire-Target-Modus, this works (slowly) too.

When I saw NewFoundGlory solution I used my Macbook pro (2009) with 10.6.8 for a clone, used the Resources as described and everything was fine.

If you plan to use the same applications, to clone is the easiest way!

My method was:

* I've booted the macmini in target mode and connected to a Pc via Firewire.

* Booted a hackintosh (it might be done with a real mac) with the 10.6.0 original SL disk inserted.
* Installed the 10.6.0 in the macmini HD -> no hangs, no reboot.

* rebooted the hackintosh normally with the macmini still connected in target mode.

* Update the macmini to 10.6.8 (combo).

* Installed the video kexts

All done!

My experience:

1) Installed 10.6.6 that came with a 2011 MBP 15" on the Mac Mini Server using it on target disk mode. I'm actually doing this on a RAID-0 array I've created on the Mini (which means I erased the factory Lion partition...)

2) Updated to 10.6.8 at first reboot, still on the MBP

3) Rebooted the Mini by itself. Graphic glitches, phantom display, mouse issues.

4) Fixed this using the kext files method discovered by newfoundglory (cheers dude!) and the files downloaded from megaupload

So far, no apparent issues. I have not, however, tested the thunderbolt port, graphics acceleration or resolutions above 1080p

From what I've read on this thread, I've noticed that I'm supposed to copy some .plist files to the Mini. I don't know exactly what these files will fix (CPU issues?). Although I have a Lion install disc, I can't find these files inside the mentioned kext. I'm guessing I'll have to actually install Lion on some other disk, because the kext on the install disc (ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin.kext) does not contain the plist files ≈

...or perhaps someone can share the plist files? 🙂

Anyway... conclusion: SUCCESS, apparently. Thanks a bunch to everyone involved in the process, and special greets to newfoundglory.

Intuit announces upcoming availability for Lion compatible version of Quicken 2007:

http://mso.intuit.com/w/webView?cid=15752672012&mid=1157577906&pid=533722&vid=13 558&ee=cGhpbGdlbGxlckBhb2wuY29t&si=&mv=R&bv=H&oc=O&sc=&k=14*poo

I'd like to report to the thread that everything works perfectly now (HDMI port at 1920x1080 and mDP at 2560x1440).

Step 1: Partition mini HD and install retail SL DVD 10.6.3 via Target disk mode using 2008 (10.5.8) MBPro host.

Step 2: Boot MBPro from Mini SL partition.

Step 3: Install combo updater to 10.6.8v1.1

Step 4: Copy plist files from Lion to SL (as per newfoundglory's instructions).

Step 5: Terminal commands to change ownership and to update kernal.

Step 6: Download 1.6.42 Apple Intel Grpahics kexts from NFG's post.

Step 7: Replace 1.6.36. with the newer ones.

Step 8: Terminal commands to change ownership and to update kernal.

Step 9: Download "modified Dock" which contains 10.5 version of SL expose and follow instructions from here:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=869611

Step 10: Reboot

I now have a fully functioning 2.0Ghz i7 quad Mac mini server with 8GB Kingston HyperX RAM 1867MHz - complete with my favoured 10.5 Expose function (proportional window scaling, not grid).

32bit Geekbench in SL = 9173!

http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/548287

Awesome! Hats off to all involved, especially newfoundglory.

Cheers!

Full instructions for installing Snow Leopard 10.6.8 on a 2011 Mac Mini, v1.0.

This is an assembly of what has been discovered and posted by newfoundglory, Kasper E, and others, with much detail added.

The problem: The 2011 Mac Mini ships with Lion (10.7), which is unusable for many users. Snow Leopard (10.6.8) can be installed, but without some alterations it will be slow and will have the Phantom Display* issue.

To do the installation, you'll need the following:

1. A second machine, preferably (and confirmed by several posters, including me), an early 2011 MacBook Pro (prior to Lion), and the original 10.6 install DVD that came with the machine. I'll use 'MBP' to refer to the second machine in these instructions. Other machines may work, one user (CarloBandini) even reported success using a hackintosh and the original 10.6.0 install DVD.

2. A Firewire cable. The Mini has FW800, so you need either a FW800-FW800 or a FW800-FW400 cable, depending on the second machine.

3. 10.6.8 Combo update, downloaded to the MBP.

4. A few kernal extension (kext) files from 10.7 and 10.6.8 (specific versions). Available here in a folder called "MacMini2011 Snow Leopard kexts":

MacMini2011 Snow Leopard kexts

Install Snow Leopard:

1. Start Mini in Target Disk Mode (TDM) by holding the T key, connect to MBP with the Firewire cable. The Mini's hard drive will show up on the MBP's desktop.

2. Boot MBP from the Mac OS X install disc it came with, 10.6.6 for 2011 MBPs. The next several steps will be performed on the MBP.

3. Use disk Utility to erase the Mini's HD (you can't install over 10.7)**. You may want to use a different name from the MBP's HD, so you don't get them confused. In any case, the Mini's HD will have the Firewire icon.

4. Install 10.6.6 on Mini's HD. Be sure customize the install to add Rosetta and QT7.

5. The reboot at the end of the install will boot from the Mini't HD. If for some reason this doesn't happen, option-boot from the Mini's HD.

6. Create a new user, again still on MBP booted from Mini's HD.

7. Install 10.6.8 combo update v1.1.

8. Shut down MBP and Mini, and remove the Firewire cable.

9. Now connect Mini to a monitor and boot from its own HD. It should work, but it may have Phantom Display issues.

10. (optional) For good measure, and to make sure no drivers were missed, Install 10.6.8 combo update v1.1 again, this time directly from the Mini.

Fix kernal extensions:

1. Copy the "MacMini2011 Snow Leopard kexts" folder and these instruction to the Mini's desktop and open the folder.

2. Also open this folder:

/System/Library/Extensions/IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin.kext/Contents/Resources/

An easy way to do this is to open a new finder window, copy the path above (from first to last '/'), and choose Go to Folder from the Go menu, and paste the path.

NOTE: in step 3 and a few other steps, you'll be required to Authenticate.

3. Drag Macmini5_1.plist, Macmini5_2.plist and Macmini5_3.plist from "MacMini2011 Snow Leopard kexts" to the Resources folder.

4. Now open this folder:

/System/Library/Extensions/

5. Find AppleIntelHDGraphics.kext and AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext, and move them to the trash.

6. Drag AppleIntelHDGraphics.kext and AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext from the "MacMini2011 Snow Leopard kexts" folder to the previously opened Extensions folder. After a several seconds you may get a warning, but you can ignore it.

7. Open the Terminal app in the utilities folder, and type the following:

sudo su -

It will then ask for your password.

8. Paste the following into terminal:

cd /System/Library/Extensions/IOPlatformPluginFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin.kext/Contents/Resources
chown root:wheel Macmini5*
chmod 644 Macmini5*
cd /System/Library/Extensions
chown -R root:wheel AppleIntelHDGraphics.kext
chown -R root:wheel AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext
chmod -R 755 AppleIntelHDGraphics.kext
chmod -R 755 AppleIntelSNBGraphicsFB.kext
kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel
kextcache -system-caches
exit
echo 'Finished'

the last steps will take some time (a minute or so), and you will get an error about a modem that you can ignore.

9. Now reboot your Mini, and you're done!

Known problems:

Bluetooth may not work as well as it does in Lion.

*Phantom Display issue:

The Phantom Display is a duplicate of the main display (the computer thinks there are two identical displays attached), and causes the following:

1. Cursor updates are erratic.

2. There's an extra screen off to the right that you can move windows to. And if you play with it, the extra screen can become the only one displayed.

3. Monitor wakup from sleep can fail.

4. The second monitor port (Thunderbolt) won't work.

**Installing over Lion

Of course the prudent thing to do, and to preserve the recovery partition, would be to boot from the Lion install DVD that came with your Mini and...

Dear David, thanks for posting thhe full detailed instructions. I would like to make two further clarifications.

1. In my experience, an offical SL retail DVD 10.6.3 also works fine (so long as the host hardware can boot that version of SL. See point 2.).

2. I used an "Early 2008" MBPro running 10.5.8 as the FW host machine. It works fine so long as all the updates are then run and the modifications made exactly as you describe.

3. From reading the thread, I think that only Mac minis with the HD3000 card (2.3 i5 and 2.0 i7 server) may require the updated Intel kexts for the graphics card (although they probably don't hurt). All models appear to benefit from the 5_1, 5_2, or 5_3 plist files.

I think these details are important, as many people with a new mini may not have access to an early 2011 MBPro and the 10.6.6 restore DVD.

Although I cannot exclude that there will be future problems I uncover with my installation, using the retail SL 10.6.3 and potentially any host FW mac that can boot 10.6.3 seems to work fine, and is a much more flexible solution.

Cheers, Matt

Matt,

I'd be happy to update my instructions. Regarding the points:

1 and 2. I'd like to be as certain as is reasonable that the instructions will work. If you've been reading this thread from the beginning, you'll see that even the best posters have declared victory but then later found a problem. I was cautious because I had not seen a post that indicated full testing. If you feel you’re up to the task, many would be grateful if you could test all of the hardware and report on it. I will certainly update the instructions. All hardware includes: intel HD audio in/out, SD card slot, Thunderbolt as Thunderbolt, Firewire, Bluetooth, Airport, etc.

3. Regarding the Mini 2.5 with AMD graphics, as you say I don’t think there’s any harm in using the correct driver, and there could be a very subtle problem with not using it. The intel HD3000 graphics is integrated into the CPU, so the hardware is still there. For example, the wrong driver might not put the HD3000 GPU in a full sleep state. I don’t have a Mini 2.5, so I can’t test it. Including all three Macmini5_* files is similarly not harmful (take a look at the contents of that folder).

Thanks, David