I recently acquired an older Mac Mini (Mid 2007).
I have partitioned the internal 120GB HD to create three 40GB HDs.
On the first one I have successfully installed it's Maximum OS Mac OS X 10.7.5
On the second one I have successfully installed it's Later OS Mac OS X 10.5.8
On the third one I would like to install it's Original OS Mac OS X 10.4.10
This is where I have run into a problem.
Apple ONLY made the Mac OS X 10.4 discs available in two ways:
1) As a two CD Restore Set, that was supplied with the purchase of the Mac Mini
2) As a Replacement Install DVD ( sold only with proof of Mac Mini purchase )
eBay prices for these are limited and unaffordable.
If you have either of these options available, could you provide the use of these discs
either at your place or mine in North Gower to complete the full restoration of this fine
Apple product.
Problem Solved
I was able to purchase, at a reasonable price on eBay, an original set of installation disks for a Mac mini (Late 2006) (Macmini1,1) which I thought would allow me to install Mac OS X 10.4.7 on my Mac mini (Mid 2007) (Macmini2,1) that I could then upgrade to Mac OS X 10.4.10
Using the disk set I purchased, I inserted Disk 1 and started installation which shortly quit saying installation was not possible on THIS mac.
Here's how I resolved this installation problem:
I used Disk Utility to "Erase" a QUID Partitioned Flash Drive
Then used Disk Utility to "Restore" Disk 1 to that Flash Drive
This created a Flash Drive titled Mac OS X Install Disc 1
Ejected Disk 1 and opened Flash Drive titled Mac OS X Install Disc 1
Opened System folder
Opened Installation folder
Opened Packages folder
Located OSInstall.mpkg and Control-Clicked on it
Selected Show Package Contents
Opened Contents folder
Opened OSInstall.dist file with TextEdit
In TextEdit menu, selected Edit, selected Find, typed in Macmini1,1
Edited Macmini1,1 to read Macmini2,1
Tried to Save, but was offered to Save Copy to Desktop instead, confirmed
Dragged Save Copy titled OSInstall.dist to Contents folder to "Replace" original OSInstall.dist
Shut Down Mac Mini with Flash Drive still inserted
Powered up Mac Mini while holding down Option key
Selected Mac OS X Install Disc 1 as startup disk
Proceeded with successful installation of Mac OS X 10.4.7 after inserting Disk 2 when requested
Downloaded and installed MacOSXUpdCombo10.4.10Intel.dmg from Apple website to achieve final objective