Convert source file

Source file

If you have ISO or CDR, you are good to proceed without any hustle. If you have IMG or DMG, you have to convert to ISO or CDR

On Mac mini server, there is no CD/DVD. The boot camp assistant will create a bootable usb disk for you. But first of all, you MUST have a good ISO or CDR image file.

Tricky thing is: boot camp assistant asks for ISO, but takes CDR as well. So if you can convert to CDR, which is the default for Mavericks with CD/DVD master option, do not bother to convert to ISO at all.

Convert from CD/DVD to CDR (in case you have another Mac with DVD driver)

The converted file should have cdr as postfix in the file name, if not, just change it to .cdr.

Convert from IMG to CDR

Other cases

If you already have ISO or CDR in hand, no conversion needed.

Start Boot Camp Assistant

After the hard disk is partitioned, the Mac mini will restart automatically. And the windows installation starts.

Says and Rumours

  1. Some articles say that upgrade version of windows cannot activate if you do a straight install. I haven't had this issue at all. Installed 2 version, 32 bit and 64 bit, both worked.
  2. Some articles use dd to convert disks. Please do not use that on Mac. It does not save that much of time, and the chance of ruin the image file is high. It is recommended on Linux though.
  3. Remote disc from other Macs won't work! It is stated on Apple website

Shit happens