Unfixable Mac Mini challenge

[stevejoneshbs]

My Mac Mini, running windows server 2003 (I know!) has crashed

Diagnosed the fault to either hard drive or corrupt OS - So I though, no problem, just re-install Mac OS (Don't need theWin anymore)

All boot scenarios I can think of give me the same result - A windows Black screen saying no boot drive - please insert

Tried SMC - Booting from CD, Safe boot - Taking OUT the hard drive and booting from CD - Taking out the battery - Target disk mode - Safe Mode - Booting from an external - Even left a tempting packet of custard creams next to the mouse overnight

No response to keyboard commands held down at all (T, shift, alt, pram etc)

My thing is this - With no battery, no hard drive and No CD - How can the Mac posibbly still think it's a windows machine?

I would say there is no such thing but is this an unfixable Mac - ?

 

[ActionableMango]

If you are using the Apple aluminum keyboard, especially with a "roughly 2006" model Mini, I'd borrow any random USB PC keyboard and try the keyboard commands again with that.

 

[ActionableMango]

Any word? Did you fix this?

 

[philipma1957]

My Mac Mini, running windows server 2003 (I know!) has crashed

Diagnosed the fault to either hard drive or corrupt OS - So I though, no problem, just re-install Mac OS (Don't need theWin anymore)

All boot scenarios I can think of give me the same result - A windows Black screen saying no boot drive - please insert

Tried SMC - Booting from CD, Safe boot - Taking OUT the hard drive and booting from CD - Taking out the battery - Target disk mode - Safe Mode - Booting from an external - Even left a tempting packet of custard creams next to the mouse overnight

No response to keyboard commands held down at all (T, shift, alt, pram etc)

My thing is this - With no battery, no hard drive and No CD - How can the Mac posibbly still think it's a windows machine?

I would say there is no such thing but is this an unfixable Mac - ?

pull the ram sticks. use a ram stick from a mini. and boot with an external hdd with a good osx on it. if there is no hdd in your home with a good osx on it I can mail one to you. as for the ram stick try owc. It is possible you fff'd up the firmware but I doubt it.