02-07-2008, 04:41 AM

I don't know what I did, Leopard was running fine on my MacMini and I also had Vista running as well. Now, when I start up MacMini, I get a message that says "Missing OS." I tried holding down the option key, the C key, I tried starting from the Leopard disk...I'm willing to start off from scratch but nothing seems to work. There is no option for me to select a disk to format and install Leopard. I'm no Mac/Apple expert. Any suggestions? I know my harddrive is Not malfunctioning.

02-07-2008, 04:59 AM

Boot from the Leopard DVD and run Disk Utility. Does it find the Hard Drive? If so try a repair. If it does not find the Hard Drive, the drive is dead. You can also run the Apple Hardware Test from the Install DVD that came with your mini and see what it tells you about your drive.

Did your Mini come with Leopard or you bought Leopard and upgraded?

It really sounds like the drive is shot but run those tests and it will tell you for sure.

On the Intel Mini I believe you hold down the D key at the startup sound till the hardware test comes up.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303081

02-07-2008, 05:21 AM

I upgraded my MacMini. It worked just fine and eventually I installed Windows Vista and that was working fine as well.

When I start from the install disk, there is no disks for me to select to install Leopard. I purchased my Mini about a year & a half ago. Is it really possible that the harddrive is shot? There is no way to start from the install cd disk and search for the hd?

02-07-2008, 05:37 AM

Like I said, boot from the install DVD and from the Tools or utilities drop down menu, select Disk Utility. Run it and see if it sees the drive. Report back.

And yes, drives do die. Some Mini's use the same Seagate 2.5" SATA drive that the Macbooks use and there have been many failures of late which were due to Seagate issues with the heads scratching the platters. Try what I suggested and let us know what happens.