cant boot CD to install OSX

[DawnEdwards]

I have a mac mini A1114 1.86 with 1gb ram (I plan on getting 2gb if i can get this working)

I had to replace the HD it died and spinrite couldnt recover anything so I just bought a new one - I installed it with no problems except for I cant get it to boot to install OSX

I bought the newest OSX for my macbook pro and I tried to install it on the mini and it wouldnt even boot from the CD or recognize it, I then tried the original install discs I got with the computer which is OSX 10.4.7 and it wont install or even recognize the disc

then I put the Windows XP install disc I have and it installed just fine, so I have only windows installed - I didnt even install bootcamp it was a new HD that was not formatted at all and I installed windows xp with no problems which I thought was strange

I need to install OSX and holding the "C" key down during boot dont do anything

what can I do?

remove the HD and format it in HFS and then put it back in? - thats a lot of work so I would rather have a different fix

I had the same problem with our Mac Mini. First get the cd into the cd rom drive of your Mac Mini, then shut it off at the button.
HOLD DOWN DOWN THE OPTION/ALT KEY AND THE C KEY AT THE SAME TIME TILL THE APPLE COMES UP, THEN RELEASE AND LEAVE IT ALONE. It will take a few miniutes for it to boot up to the screen with the language option.
Choose your language and then click ok.
The Mac OSX screen box will come up. First you will need to partition the new hard drive. I partitioned 20gig on it. It will then ask if you want to erase it, click ok. Then after this is done. Click on the 20 gig HD, then click restore. You will see the MAC OSX install ESD on the left. You will want to click and drag this to the box of destination. Again it will ask if you want to erase the 20gig area, and click ok. The Mac should be copying the disc in the removable drive to the actual allocated gig area. I installed OSX Lion onto a new HD that we had to replace. Just holding down the C key is not going to do it.. you have to hold down ALT and C or Option, C Best of luck. Again, this also takes a LONG TIME to boot up but you should hear the Mac working on the CD you put in.