Need to Start Over - Help Please

[leftheaded]

I have a mac mini with bootcamp installed, and a OSX 10.6 disc. However, I cannot boot into OSX, only Win7. When I use the Alt key (no option key) my computer freezes on an all white screen - like right before it gives me the option to choose which OS to boot.

Given that, how do I reinstall OSX?

ps - I'm not going to lose any data. I just want to blow everything away and start over

 

[spinnerlys]

Clean Install of OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

 

[leftheaded]

Clean Install of OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard

thank you for the quick reply and that link.

step 2 worked for me this time - held down the Alt key BEFORE I turned the macmini power back on. if it helps anyone else...

 

[spinnerlys]

thank you for the quick reply and that link.

how long could step 2 take? that's where i got stuck for about 10+ minutes :/

i'll put a weight on the key and leave for the day if it'll eventually do something. just thought it must not be working if it took 10 min.. idk

2. Boot from the install disc by holding alt key (⌥) and select the install disc with arrow keys and hit enter. It may take up to several minutes to load everything, so please, be patient.

It should not take longer than 10 minutes and the Alt key on a Windows keyboard is the equivalent of the Option key.

Does that 10.6 DVD belong to that Mac mini or is it a grey Restore DVD from another Mac or is it that Upgrade DVD for 29 USD? And if it is the latter, what Mac OS X version did the Mac mini came with?