Mac Mini small issues

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Level 1

10 points

Mac Mini small issues

Before dving into a newer Mac Mini a friend sold me an older G4 unit (1.33). I increased the memeory to 1G. It has Tiger 10.4 on it. I have some strange things my ignorance of Mac's seems to exacerbate.

1. When I go to Abou This Mac the "box for more info" box does not work, its grayed out.

2. My unit has no wifi in it. I purchased the Edimax USB unit recommended by a lot of folks. I downloaded the software for install. I get a "no installer for this product" message and am stuck.

3. What OS can I move this up to that will help it, if any?

Any and all help appreciated. I have an a older MacBook (Intel) and love it but need a desktop and before I drop Mo Money, I would ike to get some experience with this Mini.

Thanks,

Pat

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jun 17, 2013 5:09 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

Jun 17, 2013 10:20 AM in response to VAcommsguy

Hi Pat,

Could be many things, we should start with this...

"Try Disk Utility

1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.

2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at the top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)

Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.

3. Click the First Aid tab.

4. Select your Mac OS X volume.

5. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.

(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)

Did this EdiMax say it had Mac Drivers at all, many don't, & I don't think I've seen any with PPC support yet...

Here's one with PPC support for 10.5...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/MXP3802NU2C/

Here's one for PPC * 10.4 & up...

http://store.bearextender.com/products/bearextender-mini

Leopard requirements/10.5.x...

* Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor

minimum system requirements

* 512MB of memory (I say 1.5GB for PPC at least, 2-3GB minimum for IntelMacs)

* DVD drive for installation

* 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)

Classic/OS9 Apps no longer supported.

May be available from Apple again...

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4720126?tstart=0

Trouble is Apple no longer sells it, check eBay & such for the Retail version, not the Gray Discs...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mac+os+x+leopard+retail+10.5

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Answer 2

VAcommsguy Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 17, 2013 11:29 AM in response to BDAqua

Bummer, I received the machine without the disc for OS X. Thanks for checking on the PPC support. OWC sells the Edimax so let me see if they say it has PPC support. Strangely enough the Edimax website shows my OS version but I guess that is no guarantee of working.

Thanks for the help so far, at least I am pointing the right direction versus wondering int he wilderness!

Pat

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Answer 3

VAcommsguy Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 17, 2013 4:17 PM in response to VAcommsguy

Update, after accidentally deleting Safari I was able to get in contact with the folks at Edimax. They claim the download they sent me should work. But, I seem to either be Mac daft and unable to load the software. I get .pkg files which I evidently have no way to open and/or I do not know how to do it. I did open the packages and did not see an executable. Am I off my game here? I still have a lot to learn about how OS X works so I will admit stupidity for my transgressions....

Pat

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

Jun 17, 2013 4:52 PM in response to VAcommsguy

Hi, double clicking on the PKG should automatically open Instaer.app.

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Answer 5

VAcommsguy Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 17, 2013 6:24 PM in response to BDAqua

The message I get is "unable to read dictionary of the application or extension because it is not scriptable." I opened the .mpkg and no "installer" app was shown just the installer.mpkg file was listed. When I click on that i get the same message. I am clueless.

Thanks,

Pat

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

Jun 17, 2013 9:15 PM in response to VAcommsguy

See if you can locate this file & drag & drop that .mpkg on it.

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Answer 7

VAcommsguy Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 18, 2013 4:32 AM in response to BDAqua

I think you were trying to point me to a file but its not in your response...??

Pat

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Answer 8

BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

Jun 18, 2013 11:46 AM in response to VAcommsguy

Hmmm, lucky it didn't post the path, I was on 10.5.8 at the time & that's a different location than on 10.4.11, anyway...

/Applications/Utilities/Installer.app

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Answer 9

VAcommsguy Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 19, 2013 7:25 AM in response to BDAqua

It's not there. Getting really frustrated. I have experienced a bunch of odd things with this unit such as the "more info" button in the about this mac box is not working and now what appears to be some files and applications not there. Since this is an old PPC I wonder if I should try and find another OS X version and clean it and start over. I hate giving up my Office for Mac I got with it, but I would prefer a fully functional machine. I have an other issue it reads 512 in memory when there is a 1G stick in there.

Thanks for any help!
Pat

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Answer 10

BDAqua

Level 10

238,979 points

Jun 19, 2013 6:26 PM in response to VAcommsguy

About the Archive and Install feature, which can give you a new OS, yet preserve your files and settings if you have enough room on your HD...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1710

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