Blog | OSX | mechdrew

The current guide will now lead you through the installation process from scratch to a fully-functional 10.6.4 installation. There are a few subtle differences throughout the guide. An important note is that there currently isn’t a 10.6.4 friendly version of NetbookBootMaker, so I had to include the newer NetbookInstaller app that meklort released in the package. Just follow the guide, it will help tell you what needs to happen.

You may notice there is a slight naming and style change with the this guide. I’m trying to trim out all of the useless fluff, especially since I can’t write a one-size-fits-all-netbooks guide without going into too much detail. I’m also preparing to convert the guide over to a wiki format so that other users can pitch in with corrections and handy articles without my intervention. That part is still in the works, but for now this will do.

The donation page has been updated, I’m not taking PayPal donations anymore but I do have some other ways to payback, check the page for details. I decided that with the neglect this site has been under I shouldn’t accept money donations until there is substantial work done here again.

And for anyone wondering how the 1012 handles OS X: it works, but… meh. I still prefer the 10v experience. The 1012 could get better soon with meklort’s further development, but for now the 10v is better.

I’ve been pretty busy, but I’m off for a few weeks! I’m working on a major overhaul, starting with reinstalling OS X from scratch (it’s been a while and needs cleaned up) so I’m starting there. Follow my twitter feed for any updates (I won’t blog most of them) Also, meklort has updated on his progress so go give that a read.

I am dreadfully aware that the other guides have not been updated and there may be some errors lingering in the first. I’m also scared to death of my inbox because of the e-mails (over 100) that I still need to answer. I’ve compiled a list of random site-related info after the break. Continue reading

Just so everyone is aware, the Mini 10v that many of us have come to know and love is officially discontinued. Unfortunately Dell did not release a newer system with as Mac-friendly hardware to replace it.

That leaves two options if you still want to obtain one from Dell: 1) The Nickelodeon edition for your kid or the kid at heart, or 2) Dell Outlet. I recommend option number 2, primarily because every Dell system I have purchased has been a refurbished model from the outlet and all have been outstanding. Plus, if there is a problem (I had sound issues on one netbook) the support team can usually rectify it quickly.

From my own experience you can “lurk” or “stalk” the the Home laptops page sorted by price and every once in a while a real steal will come up. I’ve seen some lately for as low as $209, although I have purchased a 10v in the past for $199 plus a discount coupon. Oh, and there is a 20% off coupon running right now until the 30th, so this is an excellent time to get a 10v.

UPDATE: For clarification, the Dell Mini 10v is also known as the 1011. This is will probably be the most helpful for the Dell Outlet to find the correct model. Also, the Dell Mini 9 is still available if you like cramped keyboards, but there aren’t as many of those floating around.

Well that was quick. Most of my editing consisted of deleting tons of now-irrelevant lines. If you need to update to 10.6.3 then follow the three simple steps in the OS Update guide. Make sure to backup before you update!

The title says it all… almost. Since NBI 0.8.4 RC1 no longer provides support for 10.5 Leopard, I decided to break the guide in two. The new guide features instructions only for Snow Leopard, so the list is much shorter and there should be less confusion. The Leopard instructions are still preserved (sans 10.6.x instructions) in the Guides sections should you still desire to install the older OS.

I’m working on an update guide next for those of you who already have a working Snow Leopard system.

Yesterday Apple unleashed the 10.6.3 OS update to everyone. While there are a lot of bug fixes (the download is huge) there are a fair number that don’t apply to netbooks. There is no pressing need to upgrade immediately, so don’t panic about the guides being updated yet.

Meklort has updated NBI with a new release candidate for 0.8.4. The primary benefits are support and fixes for 10.6.3 and a new auto-reinstall feature should any updates be applied in the future.

In case you can’t wait, you need to install this new NBI and then the 10.6.3 update afterward. I’m scattered between finals, a bad battery and corrupted applications right now but I should have the guides updated shortly.

Oh, NetbookCD will be getting tested during my reinstall trials. I’ll post more about that later too.

While nothing is necessary quite yet, meklort has released an updated NetbookInstaller to fix issues with the upcoming 10.6.3 update. You should install this newer version before installing 10.6.3 on your netbook.

View more information and release notes over at Meklort’s Blog.

I’ll update the guide once 10.6.3 is released (since I can’t test out a guide if I don’t have the software) and also any further updates to NBI that may happen before then.

A huge gap has occurred since my last post or, for that matter, a major update to the site. Let me share a few things to explain.

First of all, there have been no significant improvements to any of the software or guides during this time period. The Mac OS version has remained consistent, and to my knowledge no new problems (read: nothing out of the ordinary) have cropped up, or for that matter been solved. I have no new solutions, no new special fixes, just the same old stuff.

Second, a recurring theme is my inbox that keeps filling up with questions. I do try to answer them as frequently as I have time, but that’s come to around every week or two instead of my normal schedule. Also related to that is my inactivity on MyDellMini; I do plan on getting back to posting, but now is not a good time.

The underlying reason to this is my going back to school. Most of you may not have realized this, but I actually don’t know how to program yet. Okay, I know how to make basic calculators and stuff, but that’s it; part of my curriculum is to progress further into programming. Besides a hectic class schedule I am also working, so overall my free time is almost nonexistent. I might also mention that meklort, who does the actual programming for NetbookInstaller, is also currently busy with a new job yet he’s been doing a better job than me at keeping up on the forums.

So that’s what has been going on. Don’t worry, not much has happened so you haven’t missed anything.

When I moved two weeks ago, I didn’t anticipate how busy I would be afterward. With a rigorous school schedule and early-morning work duties, my free time has been occupied with homework and inadequate sleep. I’ve maybe spent a total of ten minutes on MyDellMini during that time.

As such, my inbox has steadily filled, and the comments here have gone unanswered. I’m really sorry about that, but I have finally caught up on a few things so I should be able to complete them by the end of the week.

On a final note, I have seen a few message subjects about the NBI 2 guide. I’ll answer them still, but really everyone should be trying all three methods for Windows, not just one. There are three posted because no single method works for everyone.