[zebh13]

Hello,

I've been lurking around here for a couple months now. Much thanks to everyone who's been working at getting all these issues sorted out and getting OSX to run on the minis.

I got a 10v the other day and have been trying to get OSX to install. Problem is that every time I try the install freezes a few minutes into the install. The progress meter is maybe an eighth of the way through when it freezes. It gives a kernal panic style window indicating I must reboot.

I've tried NetbookBootMaker and DellEFIBootMaker both without any luck. I've re-restored the Leopard DVD to the thumb drive several times and still no luck. It's a 10.5.0 disc if that makes any large difference.

The thumb drive I'm using to restore the DVD to is a 16gig Kensington with an MBR table.

Has anyone else had this problem? Or does anyone have some ideas for solving it? Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks!

[drumma92]

I had exactly the same problem - I managed to fix it by downgrading the BIOS from A06 to A04...
Is your Mini running BIOS version A06? (You can find out what version in the BIOS setup).
I received mine 3 days ago and it had BIOS version A06 installed, which kept freezing with the OS X install.
The only other thread on these forums suggest using a USB DVD Drive, which was not viable for me.

Here's what I did:

*** I don't take any responsibility with your BIOS... This worked for me. YMMV.
*** When updating the BIOS, the mini makes a VERY LOUD BEEPING NOISE!
While normal, it can be annoying for people trying to sleep

1) Download the BIOS A04 update from Dell Support (the DOS version):
Drivers and Downloads
2) Create a DOS Environment on a USB Stick using the instructions here:
Creating A DOS Bootable USB Key (All-in-One Package) - Dashken's I-Blog
(the link is to Google's Cache of the webpage as the website appears to be having problems at the moment)
I used the Windows95 DOS files.
3) Copy the BIOS update .exe file to the USB stick
4) Rename the update .exe file to something easier to remember. I suggest "biosupd.exe".
5) Connect the Mini to AC Power, as you don't want to interrupt the BIOS process...
6) Plug in the USB Drive to the Mini, booting from the USB Stick. This will boot you into the DOS environment (looks like Command Prompt)
7) Type (without the quotes) "biosupd.exe", then hit enter. It should say something about not being able to continue because the version you are trying to install is lower than the version currently installed.
8) To force the installation of the A04 BIOS, type (without the quotes) "biosupd.exe /forceit /forcetype", then hit enter.
9) Beeping commences (brings up blue screen showing progress). This took about 2 - 3 mins for me.
10) Once the downgrade of the BIOS has finished, computer will reboot, probably back into the DOS environment if it automatically booted from USB.
11) Remove the DOS USB Drive, reboot the Mini, and check the BIOS to see if it installed the correct BIOS update - it should read A04.

After downgrading the BIOS, my OS X installed perfectly, without any freezes or Kernel Panics.
Please note that THIS WORKED FOR ME.... Your mileage may vary.

I believe that the A06 BIOS doesn't like the OS X install as after downgrading the BIOS to A04, the install worked great.

If you try this, I hope that it all goes smoothly and I'll try to answer any questions you have!

[zebh13]

Thanks you! The bios trick worked great!

[drumma92]

Thanks for that feedback - it confirms that what I did wasn't just good luck!

Enjoy your Macbook Mini

[bigmike1k]

I seem to be encountering the same problem I have a dell mini 9 Im doing for a friend and the bios is A05. Is the A05 Bios having the same problem?

Im going to try the install once more and then do the bios downgrade.

Any thoughts?

Mike

[drumma92]

Hmmmm I'm sorry - I don't think I can help you there... I don't have a Mini 9.
I haven't heard of any problems with the Mini 9 BIOS, but then again I don't usually look at the Mini 9 forums.
If the BIOS is a reasonably new update, then it may be the culprit.
If you were to follow my instructions above, make sure you download the Mini 9 BIOS, not the linked one (thats for the Mini 10v), otherwise THEORETICALLY it should work.
I'm no expert on this though!

Others have found that their installation method is the problem - You may want to try different installation media (USB Stick/USB HDD/USB DVD) before downgrading the BIOS.
I only downgraded the BIOS as a last-resort.
Sorry I can't provide specific help! - good luck on your install.

[zeropage]

Hi, I just wanted to add my experience to help others...

as downgrading from A06 to A04 (couldn't find A05 for german Dell Mini 10v) made my installation from USB HDD possible. Before the downgrade, the install would kernel panic at about 1/3 progress bar.

Thanks again to this thread,


cheers,

Z

[charley]

Originally Posted by bigmike1k

I seem to be encountering the same problem I have a dell mini 9 Im doing for a friend and the bios is A05. Is the A05 Bios having the same problem?

Im going to try the install once more and then do the bios downgrade.

Any thoughts?

Mike

BIOS A05 on the Mini9 is no problem see my sig.

[scrotty]

After completing the install, do you (can you) go back to the A06 BIOS?

[drumma92]

My 10v has been running OS X 10.5.8 on the A04 BIOS for just over a week now - no issues have surfaced.
"If it isn't broken, why fix it?"

Are there any advantages of restoring the A06 BIOS?