[71CH]

Hi all
I'm a longtime lurker and first time poster. I finally caved in and purchased a mini 9 with 16gb ssd. I would like to put Leopard on it and have a couple of questions.

What is a good external dvd drive to purchase? I saw some posts where people mentioned some dvd drives wouldn't recognize the leopard dvd and would like to avoid this problem. I'm almost tempted to purchase a xbox360 external dvd player because of that one video floating around.

I plan on using this guide http://www.mydellmini.com/forum/howt...32--t1106.html and was wondering if I should use 7.7 or 7.6 or if it mattered.

Also, I saw some posts about static coming from the speakers and the SD card slot not working and was wondering if there was any advice about those issues. I would like to avoid them from the get-go.

I also saw some posts about saving space by not installing printer drivers and language support but was wondering if I could install individual drivers for specific printers and specific languages later on.

Thanks for any and all help.

[David S.]

The Sony DRX-840U works. Runs $99.00 new, but some refurbs are available for less at Sony's site.

The LG GSA-E60L 20x DVD±RW DL USB 2.0 also works. About $42.00 from computer geeks.

You can also install using the USB method if you have a windows machine.

Depending on which XBox, make certain it comes with a proper USB cable

[71CH]

Thanks for your reply. I'll probably purchase the Sony one. I had another question. Does it matter if I purchase a used retail version of Leopard?

[UnaClocker]

Originally Posted by 71CH

Thanks for your reply. I'll probably purchase the Sony one. I had another question. Does it matter if I purchase a used retail version of Leopard?

Nope, Leopard doesn't have a CD key of any sort, so used will work fine. Apple just doesn't get to directly benefit.. (Oh darn... Author's have been living with the reselling problem for 100+ years)..

[71CH]

Hi all
I went with the LG drive and I am stuck at the point where it says "Using default boot device 9f"
Does this part take a long time? I'm not sure what to do.

[71CH]

BTW, my Leopard retail version is 10.5.1
Could that be the issue?

[G2244]

I am by no means an expert, but I beleive the version shouldn't be an issue. However it needs to be a full retail version (can't be one that came with some macs). If it still does nothing, it could be an issue with the drive not working well with the mini. A number of people have reported having up power off/up the cd drive again to get it to pick up.

[fartpowered]

had a old internal Sony NEC Optiarc drive I converted to a external drive and it works fine.

[juice]

I tried to use a pioneer 106 .. no luck.. tried a samsung dvd burner.. same issue.. all my other drives are sata so no luck there.. pain in the ass! I thought the disk was bad but my mac mini booted it and recognized it so not sure what the deal is..

I think i'm going to go with the method of pre-installing it to runcore 32gb from my mac mini.. such a pain

[71CH]

Ok I tried the other dvd drive mentioned (Sony DRX-840U) and it doesn't seem to be working. Anybody have any suggestions? Could it be the version number? And yes I did check to make sure its a retail DVD. Thanks.