Install Mac OS X 10.6 on New 2012 Mac Mini

[Kitsune Akki]

Hi Guys, hope this is the spot, but is there anyway to install Mac OS X 10.6.8 on the new Mac Mini Late 2012 MacMini 5.3 ???

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Not trivially, since just getting the system to look at a Snow Leopard DVD isn't going to do it. You can follow this blog post about putting Snow Leopard on a Lion-based Mac Mini and mimic the same actions. Mountain Lion will work the same..

A word of caution, I'm not sure if there is some hardware thing that would make Snow Leopard not work at all..

 

[Kitsune Akki]

Thanks.

The whole reason is to run Final Cut Server on it.

Stumped

 

[pigoo3]

Hi Guys, hope this is the spot, but is there anyway to install Mac OS X 10.6.8 on the new Mac Mini Late 2012 MacMini 5.3 ???

Typically you cannot install an OS version on an Apple computer older than what it shipped with. A Late 2012 Mac-Mini shipped with something like OS version 10.8.1. So trying to install a version of OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) probably won't work…and if it does…it may not work well (since a Late 2012 Mac-Mini was not designed to be compatible with OS 10.6).

- Nick

 

[Kitsune Akki]

Typically you cannot install an OS version on an Apple computer older than what it shipped with. A Late 2012 Mac-Mini shipped with something like OS version 10.8.1. So trying to install a version of OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) probably won't work…and if it does…it may not work well (since a Late 2012 Mac-Mini was not designed to be compatible with OS 10.6).

- Nick

Yes it was possible! It worked up until the point I tried to install MultiBeast's Network Drivers - then - the black multi-language screen of death telling you to reboot...

Well, for one... it worked installing etc, had to boot using the iBoot Ivy Bridge Disc.
Installing 10.6.8 worked.
Everything installed fine, till I tried the selection to install all drivers because I got tired rebooting (every boot required the iBoot) after every single one by one driver install... time is running out so we binned it.

But I think if I had more time to play with the Mac Mini, I could find a way to use the 10.7 or 10.8 Kext Drivers on 10.6

 

[pigoo3]

Yes it was possible! It worked up until the point I tried to install MultiBeast's Network Drivers - then - the black multi-language screen of death telling you to reboot...

Well, for one... it worked installing etc, had to boot using the iBoot Ivy Bridge Disc.
Installing 10.6.8 worked.
Everything installed fine, till I tried the selection to install all drivers because I got tired rebooting (every boot required the iBoot) after every single one by one driver install... time is running out so we binned it.

It sounds like you are pretty knowledgeable regarding installing OS 10.6 on a 2012 Mac-Mini…if so...why did you post this in post #1?:

Hi Guys, hope this is the spot, but is there anyway to install Mac OS X 10.6.8 on the new Mac Mini Late 2012 MacMini 5.3 ???

I see a "disconnect" in the two posts?? Post #1 sounds like you haven't a clue…post #5 sounds like you're an expert???

- Nick

 

[Kitsune Akki]

Reasons for Post!

The reason for my post is because I was not sure how to go about asking for any tips or asking some know it all for some help...

So while I posted my question, I continued to trawl the net, like I was before posting, we all but nearly gave up, till someone on another forum gave me a tip, so I thought I would relay my findings.

I am quite knowledgeable on Mac and Linux. But this time I thought I would ask some folks for help on the matter.

Hence I posted my findings and doings and experiments....