We have a Mac Mini that has Windows 7 on it and we can't remember the password. I'd like to wipe the Mac Mini and start over with OS X instead of Windows 7. How can I do that?
Thanks.
When I turn on the computer Windows 7 starts. Forgive my ignorance, but I don't even know if OS X is even on this mac mini. Is there a way to find out? Right now I am stuck on the Windows 7 log in. I also have no CD, the mac mini came to us with Windows 7 installed, and that is all we ever ran on this mini.
Depress the Option key when booting. What boot option are displayed?
If you have a PC keyboard this will give you the "option" key on a PC KB
Keyboard mappings using a PC keyboard on a Macintosh
What model Mini?
How to identify Mac mini models
You may have to get a Mac install DVD.
I hit the Option key and it showed 2 hard drive icons, windows and mac. I highlighted the mac icon and started, I saw the apple logo, but then the screen went black, it restarted itself (it took about 4 minutes) and I was back at the same log in windows 7 start page and no password. I restarted it and tried the same thing again, This time the screen went black and it did not restart.....it seemed to freeze.
My Mac Mini is a mid 2011 core i5 2.3, model A1347
Try booting into Recovery and then go to Disk Utilty and repair the Mac disk
Do you have another Mac with FireWire?
I ended up making a bootable USB drive and when I hit Option it showed up. In Disk Utility I erased the disk and installed OS X Lion. I appreciate all your help. If it wasn't for you I never would have solved this.
Thanks, you rock!!!!!
Tom
Restoring a Mac Mini that is running Windows 7 and forgot password
