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2011 Mac Mini Linux install help!

JeremiahChub
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Hey guys,

 

Need some help pretty please. I have a 2011 Mac Mini. I want to put linux on it, no arguments on why please. When I press and hold the ALT key on the windows keyboard that i'm using, like the directions i've found online say to do, to get it to boot from the USB, it doesn't work. I've changed the USB port the keyboard is plugged into, and still can't get it to let me boot off the USB. Any Apply wizards out there that can help me out. I'm at a loss here. I'm trying to set this thing up to run a police scanner off my RTL-SDR device but I have to have linux on it to do it. Thank you in advance for any help anyone can give me.

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3 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

Try holding the Windows key.

 

Some keyboards are finicky with Macs and it swaps the Alt/Windows key.

Give me just a few and i'll try it. will let you know.

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8 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

Try holding the Windows key.

 

Some keyboards are finicky with Macs and it swaps the Alt/Windows key.

Didn't work

 

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Just now, lieder1987 said:

I am pretty sure you hold option (or the windows key)

Directions I found online say to use the ALT key on a windows keyboard. I've tried holding ALT and Windows keys (separately of course) and didn't work. I'm about to say screw this and see if I can find a used Raspberry Pi 3b+

 

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35 minutes ago, JeremiahChub said:

Directions I found online say to use the ALT key on a windows keyboard. I've tried holding ALT and Windows keys (separately of course) and didn't work. I'm about to say screw this and see if I can find a used Raspberry Pi 3b+

 

When are you holding down left alt? Are you waiting until the startup bong?

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33 minutes ago, SenKa said:

When are you holding down left alt? Are you waiting until the startup bong?

yes. I've tried everything so far. I'm about to say F this, and just get a raspberry pi instead

 

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16 minutes ago, JeremiahChub said:

yes. I've tried everything so far. I'm about to say F this, and just get a raspberry pi instead

Are you able to source a cheap Mac keyboard?

 

What if you boot into macOS and set the USB drive as your startup disk?

Note: this runs the risk of not being able to boot back into macOS should you ever need to.

Quote or tag me( @Crunchy Dragon) if you want me to see your reply

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2 minutes ago, Crunchy Dragon said:

Are you able to source a cheap Mac keyboard?

 

What if you boot into macOS and set the USB drive as your startup disk?

Note: this runs the risk of not being able to boot back into macOS should you ever need to.

I haven't tried to do that yet. I just wanted to be able to dual boot the system

 

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On 1/27/2020 at 8:32 PM, JeremiahChub said:

I haven't tried to do that yet. I just wanted to be able to dual boot the system

Is the keyboard you are using wired or wireless?

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