Can’t install Linux Mint 15 on Mac Mini 2.1 w. Lion
I’m trying to install Linux Mint 15 on a Mac Mini 2.1 running Lion but I can’t get started at all. Lion can’t read the dvd. The option-reboot screen shows the dvd icon but when I select this icon to boot from I get to this screen, with the keyboard not recognised (see snapshot).
Are you by any chance trying to install Mint 15 64bit edition ?
See here:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4246996?start=0&tstart=0
Then try the Min15 32bit edition.
Thanks for quick reply, Mark. Yes, I’ve got the 64 bit Mint 15. I was wondering about that point but I checked carefully and my Mini has the Intel Core 2 Duo processor which is supposed to be 64 bit. Having spent the princely sum of £1.84 on the dvd + postage, I don’t want to admit that I’ve wasted my money. Is the 64 bit version of Mint really not usable with this processor?
It’s fully usable with that CPU, problem seems to be and Apple hardware issue and/or Bootcamp.
Why not just download the Mint 15 32bit ISO image and burn your own disk ?
There’s NO benefit in using 64bit over 32bit unless you have more than 4GB RAM … and even then it would probably be unnoticeable as Mint 15 will have a PAE kernel
Why not just download the Mint 15 32bit ISO image and burn your own disk ?
I’ve now done that. The result was a disk that Lion could read but which was not bootable. Tried burning a different way—another unbootable disk.
Have you tried creating a LiveUSB stick instead of a LiveCD ?
Have you tried creating a LiveUSB stick instead of a LiveCD ?
Yes, I’ve just been trying that, with an equal lack of success. Thanks for trying to help but I’ve decided to leave it for now. Maybe in a year or two I’ll have another go. Maybe by that time somebody will have brought out some kind of Linux starter pack that actually works.
Nothing needs fixing in Linux … it’s the Apple hardware that’s the issue here if it can’t boot a LiveCD/LiveUSB.
Good luck in the future though … all the best.
It works!! I turned the Macmini over and took it apart with 2 puddy knifes, cleaned it out, updated the memory to 2-2GB. Took the HDD out and put it into a 2.5 USB box and installed Mint 17.3 64 bit using my laptop. Put it back together and installed reFIND on the Apple OS. It has a 320 gb HDD and 160 gb for Mint. Still couldn’t see Mint after it was together, almost gave up and took a 32 bit Mint 9 CD and put it the macmini. It saw it so I pushed over the partition 20 gb and installed Mint 9 using it for a boot loader for the Mint 17.3 64 bit OS. It runs fast using the 17.3 64 bit WiFi.
Great stuff, glad you got it working and thanks for taking the time to post your solution I’m sure someone will find it useful 