20 June 2009 @ 21:20Mac OS X on Dell Mini 10v, not so easy
Installing Mac OS X on the Dell Inspiron 1011 (Mini 10v) proved to be more difficult than expected. Using a retail version of v10.5.0 and following this single USB method here, I was able to get the OS installed and mostly functional (sound doesn’t work). The natural next step was to update to 10.5.7 using the Combo Updater. All seemed to go well until the reboot which stuck at the gray screen with the spinning icon. After several reboots and finally using the verbose option (-v), I realized that the boot process was crapping out with a kernel panic and a mention of power management. Unless I can find a workaround, the Mini is going back to v.10.5.0 (or maybe even Windows XP).
Little did I know, this update would make the Mini 10v unusable.
Update: Thanks to the detailed steps by 10vfan, I was able to get the Mini 10v updated to 10.5.7.
by Jon | 22 comments | Tags: dell mini, inspiron 1011, leopard, mac os
Posted in computers, mac | Link to this
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What mini 10 is it? Is it the 1010? (as in not the 10v?)
I heard this doesn’t work?
How did you get round the driver for the graphics card?
Adam,
The Mini 10 and Mini 10v seem to be confused a lot, even by Dell themselves. The model that was on the box was “Dell Inspiron 1011″, but a quick Google search of that phrase finds it referred to as both a “Mini 10″ and a “Mini 10v”.
I followed the instructions mentioned here.
The Mini works with 10.5.0 with the exception of audio in/out. Nothing special was done regarding graphics drivers. Attempting to upgrade to 10.5.7 resulted in kernel panic during boot.
Ah right,
You have the 1011 (10v) which has the GMA 950 chip set from Intel.
That works OK (Obviously).
Its the Mini 10 (1010) that has troubles because it runs the GMA 500 video card chip set.
Still no solution as far as I can see either. Anyone know anyone that’s working on this?
I can’t figure out how to get this working either. I have been sucessful installing using Mechdrew’s method with both a 10.5.0 and a 10.5.6 DVD, but now the 10v won’t even boot off USB. 10.5.7 never worked on the 10v.
Now when I try to boot into OSXDVD to attempt for the 14th time an install (this time trying 10.5.0 again), all I get is an apparent kernel panic. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
So, 10.5.6 worked? I might have to try that instead of 10.5.7.
Did you change something in the BIOS that might affect booting off the DVD? For me, I had to turn on Legacy USB support for installation, but then I had to turn it off in order for the USB ports to work after installation.
I think it is time to throw in the towel. I have tried everything and it just won’t reboot successfully into 10.5.6 or 10.5.7. Any suggestions I’m all ears.
UPDATE:
Installed 10.5.0 from USB drive
Rebooted into safe mode (-x)
After giving safe mode instruction, waited a long time
Booted into 10.5.0
Ran DellEFI 12a5, first 7 options checked (incl. remove .dsdt file)
Immediately updated to 10.5.6 while in safe mode using combo installer
Rebooted into 10.5.6 regular
Ran DellEFI 1.2a5, only generate .dsdt file checked
Reboot into 10.5.6 to ensure success
Reboot into BIOS and disable legacy USB support (for sleep)
Reboot and use.
Successful!
Thanks for the update, 10vfan.
10vfan, do you have sound (mic & speakers) working on your installation?
Not yet, I’m still in shock that it boots.
Can you direct me to a site with downloads / instructions? I’ll see if I can get it to work right now.
Sorry. I haven’t actually found instructions strictly for the 10v. About all I can find are instructions for the Mini 9, which I believe has a different sound chip.
Start here maybe:
http://mydellmini.com/forum/mac-os-x/8694-mini-1011-mini-10v-os-x-info.html
10.5.0 Successful Mini 10v install Instructions
Installed 10.5.0 from USB drive
Rebooted into safe mode (-x)
After giving safe mode instruction, waited a long time
Booted into 10.5.0
DellEFI 12a5, first 7 options checked (incl. remove .dsdt file)
Immediately updated to 10.5.6 while in safe mode
Rebooted into 10.5.6 regular
DellEFI 1.2a5, only generate .dsdt file checked
Reboot into 10.5.6 to ensure success
Reboot into BIOS and disable legacy USB support
Reboot.
Update to 10.5.7 from software update
Reboot into safe mode after 10.5.7 installer
Run DellEFI 1.2a5, only Reinstall Dell Mini 9 extensions, and remove .dsdt file
It will tell you it needs to rebuild boot caches–hit ok
Reboot into safe mode
Run DellEFI 1.2a5, only Generate .dsdt file
It will tell you it needs to rebuild boot caches (again)–hit ok
Reboot normally–success!
Still working on sound…
Hey 10vfan,
I followed your step-by-step instructions and successfully updated to 10.5.7. Thanks. I think part of my issue was that I wasn’t waiting long enough for safe mode to finish booting. I thought it had stalled, so I would always just reboot.
More good news — audio out works. The built-in mic doesn’t seem to work however.
If you are already have a mac and (please) purchase a retail copy…http://dellefi.mechdrew.com/guide/method1.shtml is about as easy as it gets.
I have never disassembled a laptop – the 2Gb ram upgrade was long but not technically difficult. Just take your time.
Melkorts v18.2 touchpad driver makes a huge difference in the pads performance (this was my one complaint).
My audio out (both speakers and headphone jack) has always worked – although it gets a bit wonky if the computer comes out of sleep. Simply requires a restart. The only thing that does not work is the internal mic. Connect an external mic (I do when using iChat) and works well.
Thanks for the tip on the Melkorts v18.2 touchpad driver, Jimmy. I’ll have to give it a try.
Hey,
Is it better to buy the Dell Mini 10, or 10v when converting into a Mac OS X system?
Also does the sound and/or mic working now when using as a Mac?
Lu,
i’ve heard that Mac OS X will not run on the Mini 10, only the 10v.
Yes, the speakers, headphone jack, and mic work after I upgraded to 10.5.7. The sound quality from the built-in mic doesn’t seem very good though.
Jon-how did you get the built-in mic to work?
Maybe “work” is the wrong word. I don’t have the 10v with me now to check, but the time I tried it, the built-in mic was picking up some audio, but very poorly (very crackly).
I see you deleted my previous post. Embarassed? I’ll write it again.
Embarrassed? No. Your comment added no value except in your own mind. I’m leaving the remainder of this comment, because somebody who might be able to overlook your immature attitude might find it useful. –Jon
EVERYONE: THIS PROCESS IS REALLY SIMPLE, BUT THE AUTHOR IS A MORON.
There are just 2 main steps :
1) Get a bootable OSX onto the Dell drive :
- remove the HDD (mine is 160GB) from the Dell (10 min)
- put it in a USB enclosure, plug into existing Mac (5 min)
- run “Carbon Copy Cloner” to clone the OSX boot drive (3 hours for 65GB)
- run NetbookMaker to make the drive bootable in the Dell (2 min), eject drive from Mac
2) Tell the Dell that everything is going to be alright:
- put the drive back into the Dell, shut off USB legacy support adn blutooth in the bios, boot into OSX (15 min)
- run NetbookInstallers to adapt OSX to the Dell, reboot, repair disk permissions (10 min)
EVERYTHING works besides the ethernet port and I am running Snow Leopard with the A06 bios. $280 all said and done.
DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS GUY — HE DOESN’T WANT YOU SAVING MONEY.
Saving money? That’s just bizarre. Did the voices in your head tell you to say that? –Jon
First of all, Grimmer, I’m not telling anyone to spend money. I’m not sure where you’re getting that. Second, if you actually read the post and comments, you would see that I pointed out my error so that other people might not make the same mistake.
Grimmer, find some other way to stroke your ego.