[JnC]

We expect our refurbished 10v to show up from Dell tomorrow.

We have many questions before we get started. I am sure these are answered elsewhere, but we have read so much information here and we are overloaded and don't know which way to begin.

1. Currently we are running Tiger on our MacBook Pro. We have two alternatives before we begin - install Snow Leopard on an external HD for the MBP (we don't want to install SL directly onto the MBP at this time) OR find directions for Tiger users.
Which way is better/easier/possible?

2. Which install guide should we use? And which version of NetBookMaker and NetBookInstaller should we use? We've seen several mentioned here and elsewhere and are very confused.
Is this the best source for a guide?
Guides | OS X | mechdrew

or this?
Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.2 on Dell Mini 10v Guide
(I'm pretty sure this set of directions doesn't actually install SL onto the MBP - but I'm not certain; I do like the visuals here but it doesn't seem to specify which versions of NBM or NBI to use)

or some other?

3. Make a copy of the pre-installed Windows OS first?
Will the Mac OS X install write over the Windows on the 10v?
Is there a way to save that in case we need/want to sell the 10v - or to get warranty Dell Service.
We assume we will have to return to Windows format if we have to send the mini in to Dell for servicing (Is this correct?)
We use SuperDuper for backup on our Macs, and don't know what to use for Windows.
Dell said there was a "Recovery Partition" on the HD. Is this overwritten when we install OS X?
The 10v comes with an operating system reinstall CD but unless we could go in by way of our Macs we have no way to connect to a CD/DVD drive.

4. If we run into trouble are we dead in the water - or can we reinstall SL until it works?

5. I have read something about changing the BIOS version or not being able to change the BIOS version (a Windows thing? I don't really don't know) Do we need to do anything about the BIOS version on our 10v before we begin?


Sorry for putting all the questions together, but it seemed like the best way to get going. If someone thinks we should separate these, please inform and we'll write 5 separate questions.

Thanks so much for any and all help.
JnC

[akajack]

Hoo boy, that's a lot of stuff...

Just as a general precaution I'd say don't even start until you understand every part of whatever guide you choose. If terms like "partition" or "GUID" are unfamiliar then look them up and understand them as much as possible. i'm not trying to "talk down" to you but honestly have no clue what your comfort factor is with this stuff.

Ok a brief opinion on each item.

1. Forget about your MBP. If possible use one of the guides for people without a mac. I'm not sure but I would suspect you CAN make a bootable SL INSTALL drive from your present MBP, but someone who has done exactly that would have to weigh in. That's all you really need your MBP for is to prepare the OSX install drive from the purchased SL disc.

2. Yes use one of MechDrew's guides and follow it exactly - it will tell you which version of netbookmaker/installer to use.

3. I have no definitive answer. I found no answer and no way to back up the Windows 7 starter so i just blew it away along with any restore partition. Unknown if Dell will have a problem with OSX,upon return for repairs, but search around some more on that specific subject if it's important to you. At the very worst you might have to spring $40 on an external USB drive in order to reinstall the original OS before sending it back. Oh and if you actually get a Windows 7 Starter install disc with your 10v i'd be shocked. Yeah i know it's listed, but I've only heard of a few that actually got it. Feel free to call Dell and complain - they will send you a disc after lots of arguing.

4. Rinse and repeat as often as necessary. Shouldn't be any problem. I suppose there is the possibility of some fatal error that is unrecoverable, but hey - you're doing something that is totally cutting edge and unsupported by any manufacturer (software and hardware) involved.

5. No you don't need to do anything with the BIOS other than check that it IS A06 (while you still have Windows on the machine.) Personally I upgraded to A06 on both 10v's I did before I started any OSX install.

[DivinePower]

It seems like the people who use macs to prepare their install drive have a higher success ratio and less problems.

I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to upgrade your MBP. You will free up space on your HD due to SL having a smaller foot print. When I recommended it to my neighbor who owns a MBP and had nearly filled her HD, not only did she free up space on her HD - but she also noticed an increase in performance. It's highly worth the $30 that your going to be spending anyway to put SL on your 10v.

If you still dont want to upgrade your MBP - find someone else with a Mac that is running SL and use that machine to prepare your drive.

---------- Post added at 11:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 AM ----------

Also - when you install SL it doesn't touch any of your personal files and programs. Those remain untouched. It only removes and replaces the system files.

[JnC]

Success. Done and done well.

SL installed on 10v without a hitch.

Comfort level is fine with Macs been with them for 20+ years; I should have said so. It's Windows and this netbook thing that's new to us. The male half of this team is fine with both - he just keeps punching buttons till things work.

1. Installed SL on a blank/new external HD formatted properly and partitioned into 4 for later use. Meklort encouraged us to use this method with the external for best/easiest results when we contacted him.

2. We used MechDrew's #1 install guide from SL on a Mac .

3. Get ready to be shocked! Dell sent us 3 different install disks including the Windows 7 Starter.

4. Worked fine as I said above. We now have 10.6 installed and have to update. I have to read to see if the issues earlier mentioned for 10.6.3 update are really issues...

5. A06 was where we began. Our biggest problem was getting into the BIOS screen - we followed the directions, but we actually had to hit the function key sooner than we were told ie immediately, before the Dell logo appeared.

Thanks for your help.
JnC

[JnC]

Dear DivinePower

Install worked fine as I said above. Thanks for your input.

"I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to upgrade your MBP."
We just wanted to test out our printer and scanner and a few necessary apps on SL on an external before doing the update.

"You will free up space on your HD due to SL having a smaller foot print. .. increase in performance."
Good selling points!

"Also - when you install SL it doesn't touch any of your personal files and programs."
I read about font issues (esp Verdana my favorite) when SL first came out and I need to study more on the solution to this issue, before proceeding. My install disk is 10.6.0

Thanks for your info,
JnC

[akajack]

Glad to hear you prepared well and it all worked out. I'm jealous that Dell blessed you with the Windows 7 starter disc!

[JnC]

Originally Posted by akajack

Glad to hear you prepared well and it all worked out. I'm jealous that Dell blessed you with the Windows 7 starter disc!

I also received an Applications Already Installed on your Computer disc AND Microsoft Works 9 disc.

None of which I need since we made our mini a single boot to OS X.

Where Dell did displease us is they sent us a 3 prong AC adapter and we need a 2 prong. I am trying to get customer care to do a swap, but it's not worked yet. I may have to buy a generic 2 prong (I refuse to pay Dell's price)

J

[Slothtyper]

I just use a 2 prong adapter. You can go immediately to 10.6.2 Via the combo-update download with no problems. For 10.6.3 you'll have to apply the audio tweaks covered here, I would follow the Akki thread. I've decided just to stay at 6.2, audio is perfect.

[JnC]

Originally Posted by Slothtyper

I just use a 2 prong adapter. You can go immediately to 10.6.2 Via the combo-update download with no problems. For 10.6.3 you'll have to apply the audio tweaks covered here, I would follow the Akki thread. I've decided just to stay at 6.2, audio is perfect.

Can you please give me a link to the thread you mention? I can't seem to find it.
Or is this the one you mean?
10.6.3 / No Sound..

I've read here that many have trouble with 6.2 and others with 6.3 or that 6.3 works fine so I don't know what I'll do but I'd prefer to be up-to-date to do current security updates.

I have a 2 prong adapter for the 3 Prong charger, but since I'm going into a foreign power adapter or my foreign surge protector it just makes too many connections and being able to eliminate one will be better.

J

[JnC]

Dell is still blessing us with its support.

After 2 hours on the phone over a period of 2 days, escalating the request to higher and higher levels of customer care and technical support, Dell is sending us (by overnight express, they say) a 2 prong AC adapter for our 10v.

They have given us good service and I wanted to report that here.

J