installing os on replacement mac mini HD

[tonyw]

hi!

had a mac mini hd fail - 3 months from new, light use - and so have just fitted a new sata drive and am trying to install the os from the dvd. It always fails on a random package midway through - failed to verify package, or some such.

I bought another mini, anticipating trouble fixing the first - but i note that it won't let me install from the os dvd's from the new machine! I also have a time-machine external connected to the new mini. I could also link the new and the old via firewire, i believe.

So my question is - how do I get an OS onto the new HD, given the flakyness of the old mini's os dvd's?

thanks
tony )

 

[smurfjammer]

You could order replacement discs from Apple.

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

You could have got the hard drive replaced in the original mini if it was only three months old. It's still covered under warranty.

Anyway, if you want to install OS X on the old mini then simply plug it in via target disk mode to the new one - i.e. connect them with a firewire cable and then hold down T on the Mini as you turn it on (at least I think its T). Then boot up your new mini with the OS installation disks and when the installer asks you where you want to install, simply choose the firewire disk listed. That should do it. It might be wise to boot up to the firewire disk on the new mini after installation is complete just so that you can run a software update but other than that you should be good to go.

 

[tonyw]

Then boot up your new mini with the OS installation disks and when the installer asks you where you want to install, simply choose the firewire disk listed. That should do it.

ah, this sounds good. I'll give it a go.

many thanks...