Win Server 2008R2 x64 on Mac mini 2006 - SUCCESS

[SergeSF]

For whom it might be interesting)

I've upgraded my Mac mini late 2006 (macmini1,1) hardware as following:
- CPU Core2Duo T7600 2,33 GHz
- SSD WD 1000Gb Blue (AHCI MBR patch)
- 4Gb RAM
- Mac mini 2007 firmware (macmini2,1)

However, there is no direct way to install Win7/2008/2008R2 x64 on this Mac since it's firmware does not support x64 boot loader, so boot from x64 DVD or USB flash is not possible.

Microsoft has the same problem with x64 Windows XP/Server 2003 and it WAS solved using x32 installation routine.
So I installed Windows Server 2003 x64 and on first GUI boot just run Windows Server 2008R2 x64 upgrade installation from within Server 2003 x64 - and IT WENT SMOOTHLY! I'v applied AHCI patch and now this 15-years machine just flies! It runs x64 MDaemon e-mail server (latest version), supports TRIM command on SSD, supports TLS 1.2 with latest Server 2008R2 updates. This server gets "A" grade from www.ssllabs.com!

I wonder if Windows 10 x64 can be installed on this Mac...

 

[SergeSF]

I've successfully installed Windows 10 x64:

1. Run Windows 7 Professional x64 installation from DVD under Windows Server 2008 R2 x64, select "New installation", not in place upgrade of course. Actually this original DVD can boot on Mac mini late 2006, unlike later SP1 DVDs.

2. Activate Win7. This is original retail box DVD version, not SP1.

3. Re-apply AHCI Patch.

4. Run MediaCreationTool21H1.exe from Microsoft website and upgraded Win7 to Windows 10 21H1 x64.

Works perfectly!