Converting Mini9 back to Winblows. Will 8GB card be enough for minimal use -email, web surfing.

[olnacl]

I just got my 2nd Mini9 with 8GB and 1GB. I pulled the cards from my MacMini9 and switched them. Writing this from the "new" MacMini9.

I booted the other Mini9 and got into the setup screen, then force quit Windows. I want to send the Windows Mini9 to friends who hosted me and a friend at their vacation home in AR, and would like them to get the "new computer experience" hence my question. Will that 8 GB card work for them for the purpose described in the subject line? They liked my MacMini9 when they saw it and the perfect hostess gift was confirmed. They are committed Windows users, so converting it to OS X is not an option, nor is Linux.

If they later decide they want more than email and web browsing, they can update the SSD, but I want to send them a working computer for the need described. On the other hand, I don't want them to get a crippled computer.

Opinions from someone who actually played with a 8 GB Mini9 with windows is urgently requested. TIA.

Also, is there anything else I need to do to undo any changes made when I had the Mac OS installed that are not undone by changing the SSD?

[MacArtist]

When you switch out the SSD; there are no traces of OS X left on the Mini.

I can't comment on anything related to Windows on the Mini 9. All I have dealt with is putting OS X on the Mini 9.

[bwicklander]

i have the windows xp mini 9 with 8gb drive.

I had to dump windows works and it had 3gb of useable space. Works sucks anyhow so I didn't mind it and I am using my mini for other things than word processing. Works was the only app I dumped. I have added iTunes and VLC to play movies and the like. It's definitely useable with the 8gb drive. Wow! Wish I had you stay at my place to receive such a nice gift...

[olnacl]

MacArtist wrote:
When you switch out the SSD; there are no traces of OS X left on the Mini.

I can't comment on anything related to Windows on the Mini 9. All I have dealt with is putting OS X on the Mini 9.

OK, so the DellEFI.app makes no changes to the bios that need to be undone? I ran DellEFI.app on the new Mini9 after changing the SSD card, and in auto mode, all it suggested was the BT mod, which is new on this Mini9. The new one does not boot properly though - gets to the gray Apple screen but doesn't bring up the "gear" icon. Force power off and try again, and it boots properly. I have to guess something beyond what's on the SSD was changed during the original install.

I'm sick as a dog after spending a week in rain and cold in MO - teach a FL boy not to go north before June! I'll check the Mini9/Mac forum and see if I can find more answers.

MacArtist - thanks for that info. I guess I'll go through the boot process anyway on the Windows Mini9, put on AVG and do the Windows updates and make sure there are no surprises for my friends when they get it.

I appreciate the feedback!

[richorlin]

Run DellEFI again but choose the custom install. Select everything but the choices they DON'T recommend. The configuration of the newer Mini might be slightly different. The OS X install doesn't care but the DellEFI does. That should do it, I think.

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olnacl wrote:
They liked my MacMini9 when they saw it and the perfect hostess gift was confirmed. They are committed Windows users, so converting it to OS X is not an option

They liked your Mini because it was running Mac OS X. Send 'em that one.

[DaviDC.]

All of the stuff that makes running OS X possible is located on the invisible EFI partition.

Just use the XP restore disk that came with the mini 9 then restore the software from the other disk & all should be fine.

[olnacl]

DaviDC. wrote:
All of the stuff that makes running OS X possible is located on the invisible EFI partition.
.

OK, so, what I did was swap the SSD (and memory) between the two machines and you're saying nothing else on the (Previously OS X) machine was ever modified? Then there's no explanation for the first boot hang using those parts on the "new" mini9. I'll try richorlin's suggestion (can't hurt) and report back.

DaviDC. wrote:
Just use the XP restore disk that came with the mini 9 then restore the software from the other disk & all should be fine.

Hoping to avoid that since I already have a clean XP on the SSD I swapped to my old Mini9, but I'll run through setup to see if XP is somehow tied to the MB and acts strangely.

AA - No way. They are friends but buying a larger SSD and another copy of Leopard stretches my gift-giving limit.

[DaviDC.]

Swapping the SSDs out shouldn't have any effect on the mini itself.

Sometimes mine gets stuck on the gray startup screen with no swirly thing at the bottom. This seems to be a known problem according to what I've read on the mydellmini forum.

Running the latest version of DellEFI should fix any problems with Leopard.

Is it booting into XP okay? I have no idea how restore XP to that 'new computer' state. Maybe create a new account for your friend, providing as much info as possible then delete your account.

[olnacl]

DaviDC. wrote:
Swapping the SSDs out shouldn't have any effect on the mini itself.

Sometimes mine gets stuck on the gray startup screen with no swirly thing at the bottom. This seems to be a known problem according to what I've read on the mydellmini forum.

Running the latest version of DellEFI should fix any problems with Leopard.

Is it booting into XP okay? I have no idea how restore XP to that 'new computer' state. Maybe create a new account for your friend, providing as much info as possible then delete your account.

OK, Maybe I didn't make it clear what I have and what I did.
1. Bought a Black Mini9 16GB, 500MB, XP (no Cam, no BT) a few months ago
2. Updated the RAM to 2GB
3. Installed Leopard
4. Have been using it somewhat regularly ever since - no issues other than what had been reported.
5. Ordered a Red Mini9 8GB, 1 GB, BT, 1.3 Cam, XP
6. When I got home from MO yesterday I swapped the SSD and RAM between the two Mini9s
7. I now have the Red Mini9 with the 16 GB SSD with Leopard and 2 GB of RAM
8. The Black Mini9 now has the 8GB SSD and 1 GB RAM and the previously never booted Windows install on it
9. I reran DellEFI for the third time, this time manualy - checking all except those that were suggested not to run (Thanks for the suggestion richorlin) on the Red Mini9 and that seems to have solved the boot problem.
10. I wanted to send the Black Mini9, with the 8GB SSD and 1 GB RAM to my friends and hoped to give them a "new computer experience" by not running Windows setup (so they could do that themselves). I wonder if the Dell version of XP is linked to the MB and might give them problems. I have the restore CD for the original install.

So, what I have decided to do is to run through the Windows setup on the Black Mini9, delete the M$ Works applications and anything else I find superfluous, update the XP OS with whatever service packs need to be installed, put AVG on it and use it a couple days to be sure there are no hiccups. Then I'll box it back up, include the manual, CDs and accessories and send it, wishing my friends God Speed.

I appreciate the help on this - my head is so stuffed up with a cold that I really didn't want to slog through the mini9 forum looking for answers. Thanks to you all, I don't believe I'll have to now.