elvira Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Much excitement! I have ordered a 1.66 GHz Mac Mini with 1 GB of RAM and a 60 GB HDD, which will arrive on Wednesday. It is to replace my wonderful workhorse 1.25 GHz G4 Mac Mini. I have my current G4 Mini booting off of an external Firewire drive (MiniStack from Otherworld Computing). I intend to do the same with this new Mini. I'd really appreciate any advice on the best way to prepare this new Mini. I have OS 10.4.9 already installed on the external drive (for the G4 Mini), but I'm guessing that this new Intel Mini is not going to boot straight from that version of 10.4.9, is it, since the OS is configured for a G4 and not an Intel. Right? Or am I wrong? I toyed with the idea of just keeping all my data on the drive, erasing the OS, and reinstalling the Intel version of OS 10.4.9 on the firewire drive. (I realize that my personalized settings from the G4 would be lost, but my iTunes folder, as well as Documents and Movies folder contents would be intact.) But then I thought—maybe it would be better to scrape the external drive completely clean (after backing up my data, of course) and start afresh. Is this a better idea or is it really necessary? I don't mind re-installing everything . . . I've done it before and it's not that huge of a problem. But of course I'm lazy and if I didn't have to do it, I wouldn't. Also, about Boot Camp. I don't have a viable copy of Windows XP XP 2 to use, so it's going to have to wait. What I want to know is, what version of XP would be best? I assume that an OEM copy would require me to validate and then it would be tied to that particular Mac. Maybe I wouldn't mind that, if I thought I'd be keeping this Mac Mini for years, but I might not. (I might use it for a year or so and then sell it and get a faster model.) Do any of you have recommendations about where to get a cheap copy of XP, and what version (OEM, full) do you recommend? I have purchased Parallels and have a copy of Windows 2000 that will suit. I'm not sure what questions I have about Parallels, other than to ask other Mini users how they've liked it, and how fast it runs with a GB of RAM. Also, USB support (USB 1 is fine) is important to me, as I have a specialized USB device I'd love to use, if it would work. Is this going to be an issue? I thank you for any advice you can give me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macgirl Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Yes the 10.4.9 for G4 mini does not contain any universal system files, so it wont boot on te intel Mac mini. but once you have teh new Mac mini you can update right away. I pass on the XP thing to another user here... and BTW welcome to the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zulu.Walker Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 You can get a Windows buddy to help you find a cheap OEM Windows Pro and "slipstream" Service Pack 2 onto it. It'll work great in Parallels and Boot Camp and should save you all the hassle of updating with Microsoft's horrid update site. I can't help you out much with the slipstreaming, a hardcore windows bloke should be able to help you easily though. And it's all legal, if that's of any concern to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvira Posted April 3, 2007 Author Share Posted April 3, 2007 Thank you for the advice! I really appreciate it. Ah well, I knew I'd have to reinstall Tiger! And yes, I do happen to have a PC Guru friend who says he'll look for a cheap copy of XP for me. He grumbles because it's going to in some way "help" a Mac, but he's a great guy so he's going to look anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbz Posted April 9, 2007 Share Posted April 9, 2007 well I would just migrate everythin over... it's always worked for me! Firewire cable, new mac, old data, you're good to go! And the slipstream thing is incredibly easy to do, I know, I've done exactly that. But it was a long time ago and i'm not sure how. :S Google it and you'll be fine! I remember finding step-by-step instructions. -Urby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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