I have an Apple Mac Mini G4, and I accidentally erased its hard drive. I had a Mac OS X Tiger Upgrade DVD in it, and it wouldn’t let me install because it couldn’t find OS X 10.3 on the computer. I had 10.4 installed already, but then I wiped the drive. Unfortunately, the problem was now that I could not get the computer to eject the disc. I tried F12, Disk Utility, commands in the Terminal. None worked. The only solution I couldn’t try was Open Firmware, because I have a Logitech PC keyboard.
Well, a little Googling showed me that Alt = Option and Windows = Apple or Command, so Windows (Start) - Alt - O - F was the keystroke required to start Open Firmware. From there, I thought that I read that the eject command was eject-cd. That didn’t work. Turns out the actual command is eject cd (with a space). What troubled me most during this whole process was the secret key c that must be pressed during bootup for a Mac to boot from CD. Now that’s all taken care of, I’m going to reinstall OS X 10.3 and then upgrade to 10.4.
Anyone want a Mac Mini? It has 1 GB RAM, and it’s the faster model with a 1.42 GHz processor. It also has a 56K modem built-in, along with Ethernet of course.
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Can the Mac Mini be ejected without using a keyboard? We’re using it as a stand alone DVD play of sorts but it doesn’t have a keyboard connected (nor do we have one available…)
Thanks,
Mike
FYI - “Open Hardware” strategy does not work with Intel Mac Mini. However, neither did Disk Utility or any other method. Instead I had to repeatedly restart my computer and hold down both mouse buttons (Windows mouse) and the space bar during restart process.
For the record I think I found what might be a manual eject button behind the felt on the left side, but it didn’t work either. Happy mac’ing everyone.
Thanks, this was a lifesaver.
Hi Chris,
Im trying the boot my MiniMac with both mouse button/spacebar an nothing happens. Can you help me please? On CD is stuck on drive and im unable to take it away.
Theres a keystroke to access EFI?
Best regards,
Leo
I will be willing to take the mini. It would be a good project computer for me.
i need one faster than the one I have. its only a 1.07 ghz with 768 ram and it crashes constantly.
oh and maybe the Mac doesnt think there is anything is in the drive
Thanks!
Also, holding down the F12 button will eject the CD. I wasn’t aware of the other two methods on this page.
Thanks!