[jacques1171]

SL won't install the normal way with A06 BIOS it gives KP all the time I didn't want to downgrade Bios as I have had a mini 10 stop responding on the downgrade and the MB is "Fornication Upon Consent of the King" after this happens so I won't take the chance again apparently this happens to every few hundred or so Mini 10's. So I wanted to get a way to install it, this is what worked for me.

You need a Intel Mac and external drive enclosure (2.5 inch SATA)

UPDATE FROM Sat 17 October 2009

Remove keyboard (you can find pdf on Dell's web site but it's easy)

1. Remove the 3 screws on the back behind the keyboard
2. Unclip the keyboard on the sides
3. From the top fold the keyboard onto the trackpad (be careful with the ribbon cable)
4. Undo the ribbon cable (or you can leave it connected but be careful)
5. Remove the screw that holds the HD and slide the HD to the left
Done

Setting up the Dell mini 10v BIOS A06 (this is what you need a Intel Mac for)

1. Fit the mini 10v HD into external enclosure and plug into you mac
2. Pop in the SL DVD and restart hold in the c key on you mac and boot into SL setup from the DVD
3. Install SL as normal but not onto internal HD install onto the external drive (your dell mini 10v drive) remember to format as GUID Partition
4. Reboot into this drive and setup as normal and do all updates (you can install the res of you applications, move over music and files as you would normally setup your Mac) Download the Netbookbootmaker 0.8.2 (don't use 0.8.3 it causes Kernal Panic) and Netbookinstaller 0.8.2 and 0.8.3 rc3 files expand and save to desktop u will need them later.
5. This step is the most important one install the Netbookbootmaker 0.8.2 and shut down DO NOT RESTART WHILE IT'S CONNECTED TO THE MAC
6. Fit the HD back into the Dell mini 10v and bootup into setup (F12) Make sure USB BIOS Legacy Support, USB Wake Support and Bluetooth is DISABLED (if you have Bluetooth fitted leave it on Enabled) save settings and reboot. The first time it starts it takes long just wait if it take longer than 10 minutes or it gives KP reboot again or try safe boot
7. When in the OS audio won't work so now install the NetbookInstaller 0.8.2 (tick generate dsdt file and leave all the other ticks as is)
8. Reboot, install NetbookInstaller 0.8.3 rc3 (don't generate dsdt file) and repair Disk Permissions
9. Reboot again and every thing works except restart after sleep.

Remember this has worked for me but it's not my fault if any thing goes wrong.(you could leave the drive in the external case and restart selecting USB and boot into the USB Drive, test everything first before you fit it back in the dell mini, you need USB legacy enabled for this and sleep won't work, but at least if any thing go wrong you don't have to remove the drive from the dell mini, this is from step 6)

[bmcclure937]

Moved from Mini 9 Guides to Mac Guides

[jacques1171]

Originally Posted by bmcclure937

Moved from Mini 9 Guides to Mac Guides

Thanks!

SORRY I put it in the wrong place.

[Max_Carnage]

Thanks jacques1171. I was thinking this would be the easiest way for me to upgrade if it works, so thanks for confirming that for me!

I'll try this over the weekend.

[lugesm]

Since my 10v is still in production at Dell, I tried this exact process on a Mini9. I know, I know, the Mini9 does not have the BIOS issue; I just wanted to confirm the PROCESS before trying this out on a new Mini 10v.

It worked perfectly. No problems. No Issues. Thanks jacques1171 ! ! ! .

Of course, this didn't fix audio on the Mini9, but that was not to be expected.

Can't yet state that the process has been confirmed on a 10v, but I will know in a couple of weeks and report back.

[Bear Hunter]

Sorry for the newb question, but I have been reading everything I can because I plan on buying a 10v and installing 10.6.

All my computers are MACs so I do not have access to a PC. If I use this method, I don't need to mess with USB's, or boot from a USB when doing the Mac Hack on a new 10v?

Thanks

[lugesm]

Originally Posted by Bear Hunter

Sorry for the newb question, but I have been reading everything I can because I plan on buying a 10v and installing 10.6.

All my computers are MACs so I do not have access to a PC. If I use this method, I don't need to mess with USB's, or boot from a USB when doing the Mac Hack on a new 10v?

Thanks

That was my experience in loading SL on a Mini9. No PC or USB Stick needed, but you must be able to mount your 2.5" SATA (SSD or Hard Drive) from the 10v in an external USB-connected case.
I will try and duplicate this experience with my Mini10v which is due on the 30th, and I will report the results on this string.

Good luck, and please report back your experience here.

[chomber]

But what's the point on doing it so complicated? Why not force the BIOS downgrade to 04 and everything works smoothly by eg. Merklot awesome instructions? (except the known things which are being worked on)

Is there really something in 06 firmware that you "need". I doubt as it's not even available on Dell to upgrade. Also as there is so much trouble on installing the updates are you sure it's going to work on next upgrade or will you see a KP again...

[Max_Carnage]

Well... for starters, you can do an install in ~40 minutes rather than 2-3 hours depending on the speed of your USB stick.

Also, because we're geeks. It's what we do.

[lugesm]

Originally Posted by Max_Carnage

Also, because we're geeks. It's what we do.

Good answer.

Actually, one has to wonder why Dell might have released A05, then A06.
Software development resources are far too valuable to waste on the development of unnecessary BIOS upgrades.