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I just migrated a Mac Mini to a Power Book, went fine. I zeroed out the mini and installed OS Lepeord now won't boot Folder w/ ?

Yes, the Mini will not recognise it's hard drive, after I zeroed it's HD out while mounted in Target Mode. I then took the Mini home. Using my iMac I then remotely installed Snow Leapord from an install disk.

I am running my Imac from the drive installed in the Mini via Fire Wire and installed all upgrades, works fine from here! For some reason (stupidity, most likely) it no longers boots itself User uploaded file ; dumb luck vs computer skills. I'm quite sure all is well with both computer and it's Hard Drive. Possibly, I formatted it wrong/incorrectly. Someone out there knows what I did ... will you tell me now?

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Nov 19, 2012 9:06 PM

21 replies

kevelme1 Author

Level 1

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Dec 5, 2012 11:14 AM in response to a brody

Okay, here I have the original install disks for the mini I've been battleing with: I erased the Mini, blinking folder "?" on monitor screen, I shut down Mini. I insert Install Disk 1 - Disk version 1.3 2Z691-5533-A disk and start up while depressing C, a few noises follow then install disk kicks out Shall I try a remote install, via FireWire/iMac?

BDAqua

Level 10

239,363 points

Dec 6, 2012 2:15 PM in response to kevelme1

iBook G4 OS X Tiger/ OS 9.2 Install...

Disk 1 2Z691-5532-A

DisK 2 2Z691-5533-A

(Mid 2005), (Late 2006) Model (A11133 Early 2006), Machine ID PowerBook6,7

Compatibility  A1133 (12.1 inch), A1134 (14.1 inch), M9846LL/A (12.1 inch), M9848LL/A (14.1 inch)

a brody

Level 10

82,991 points

Dec 6, 2012 3:57 PM in response to kevelme1

In other words, you can't use the iBook installer discs on a Mac Mini. If you need the original Mac Mini software, you'll have to shop around for it. And no you can't use Firewire target disk mode to install it using those discs either. They must either be Mac Mini installer discs for PowerPC Mac Mini of your age, or newer retail installer discs. All PowerPC Minis support up 10.5.6 retail which looks like: , and can be upgraded to 10.5.8 using the 10.5.8 combo update once installed. Some also support up to 10.4.6 retail, which looks like: . Using the Target Disk Mode installation only works if the PRAM battery has been replaced on the Target machine in the last 4 years, and the machine supports booting from the installer disc that is compatible with both Macs in question. Additionally you may run into issues with Target Disk Mode if the Mac models are of a different vintage or make as the target Mac is assumed to be nothing but an external hard disk to the source Mac. It is better to make sure your PRAM battery of your Mac is up to date, and your optical drive is too. A Firewire optical drive is the only kind that will reliably boot a Mac externally if the internal drive is broke. http://www.macsales.com/ sells replacement internal drives as well as Firewire external drives. http://www.ifixit.com/ has directions for replacing most PRAM batteries. Lastly if you do have the correct discs, and everything else is in order, your 'C' key booting may not work, and instead you have to use the Startup Manager as described in this link.

kevelme1 Author

Level 1

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Dec 6, 2012 5:50 PM in response to BDAqua

I assure you that I have tyhe original Mac Mini install disks for this very model. got them from previous owner. This is a poor photo but: OS 10.4.2 AHT ver 1.1 2Z691-533-A I will go through all of your suggestions one by one, which will take some time it seems. I will not throw a MAC away, or give it away if it's not working. Thanks all.

a brody

Level 10

82,991 points

Dec 6, 2012 6:17 PM in response to a brody

If you have the correct discs, be sure to read the rest of the post regarding PRAM batteries and startup manager.

BDAqua

Level 10

239,363 points

Dec 6, 2012 10:20 PM in response to kevelme1

Are you trying to install this on the Mini,or the PB, Gray discs are Machine specfic???

I just migrated a Mac Mini to a Power Book, went fine. I zeroed out the mini and installed OS Lepeord now won't boot Folder w/ ?