Finally got SL Client installed on my mini server!

[radiohed]

I have wanted to install SL Client on my 2010 mini server since I got it back in early May, but never had any luck using a retail SL disc. I read various forums which suggested that you need a 2010 standard Mac Mini restore disc to best accomplish this.

I got my hands on a restore disc for a Mac Mini client and using my usb superdrive, I was able to install it, apply all of the updates, and viola! I migrated my account and apps over from my time machine backup. Everything seems to be working fine! I also changed the dual drives to a raid 0 stripe set so that I would have a single big drive.

Now when Lion comes out, I should be able to upgrade easily to the client version. Can't wait to try out Lion!

 

[Undo Redo]

Nice job. I don't know why Apple doesn't make this a standard BTO option. Many people seem to want the mini server's hardware without the server software.

 

[radiohed]

I agree. The server mini on the refurb store was a better deal with the dual 500gb drives, faster processor and 4GB ram. I didn't need any of the server functionality, but didn't realize at the time that changing over to SL client was not a simple process. But it works fine and is a really nice little machine that has plenty of space and power for what I use it for.

 

[rj86]

Interesting. Didn't realise it was such a challenge (relatively speaking) to install SL client on a MM server.

 

[Nanker/Phelge]

I read a lot about this back in December when I was looking at getting a Mini Server...I guess the issue is that none of the older retail SL client versions (<10.6.3) have the Kexts for SD Card, dual Sata HDDs, etc. for that hardware configuration since it hadn't been released as of their issue date and the Mini Client restore discs did. Apparently once you upgrade to a newer version (10.6.4 or higher...?) those Kexts are part of the package and everything starts to play nice together.

Either way, I agree with the BTO version of the client sans optical drive. I think the RAID0 configuration would be beneficial to a lot of people, I remember the transfer speeds hitting something around 150 MB/s...not to mention the added cost that's undoubtedly factored in for SL Server.

 

[radiohed]

I read a lot about this back in December when I was looking at getting a Mini Server...I guess the issue is that none of the older retail SL client versions (<10.6.3) have the Kexts for SD Card, dual Sata HDDs, etc. for that hardware configuration since it hadn't been released as of their issue date and the Mini Client restore discs did. Apparently once you upgrade to a newer version (10.6.4 or higher...?) those Kexts are part of the package and everything starts to play nice together.

Either way, I agree with the BTO version of the client sans optical drive. I think the RAID0 configuration would be beneficial to a lot of people, I remember the transfer speeds hitting something around 150 MB/s...not to mention the added cost that's undoubtedly factored in for SL Server.

The copy of SL I bought at the Apple store is 10.6.3, but would not install. It would reboot to start the install process, then the "no entry" symbol would pop up. After trying a few things, it started to feel like a Windows install! I ran with SL server and then got the mini client restore disc. That installed easily so no worries now.