DellEFI | mechdrew

In case anyone has this blog in an RSS newsreader and hasn't check the site lately, dellefi.mechdrew.com is effectively done. While the address will remain and all applicable links will still work, the site has been moved to and renamed osx.mechdrew.com. The decision was made because the DellEFI moniker is not only limited to Dell netbooks but has also been replaced by new software. As such, effective immediately all readers should switch to osx.mechdrew.com for any further updates. After all, most links/bookmarks will redirect to the new site anyway.

In anticipation of the new OS X-centered site, I have made some modifications. Instead of listing my e-mail address for messaging, I've included a handy Contact page that will make sure I have all the necessary information. The e-mail still works, I'm just trying to make this easier for me to respond to messages.

As a way of note, I am not deactivating this site (DellEFI | mechdrew) when the new site arrives. I will simply be focusing my efforts there and transitioning as much information as I can from here to there. All the old links will still work. The new site is not operational yet, but it will be soon.

Sorry there have been no updates lately. Life at a school has been a little hectic lately, and with the upcoming 4th of July weekend there will likely be few updates. But there have been some exciting developments that everyone should know about.

First and foremost, DellEFI is changing names. The software has been enhanced to support multiple netbooks, including not only Dell machines but also the Lenovo S10. As such it is being renamed NetbookInstaller. Along with that is the change of the DellEFIBootMaker to NetbookBootMaker. Among bug fixes, driver updates, and general software improvements, the most exciting feature (personally) is that the NetBootMaker software will make the Mac OS X Installer install the NetbookInstaller components at the same time, so a typical install will no longer require any user intervention for a fully working install. It's still in testing stages, and the there is the slight problem of 10.5.7 upgrades still needing the NetbookInstaller app, but it's pretty awesome.

So how do you check out the awesomeness? bmaltais and meklort have started a new website, Netputing.com, which acts as a both a netbook blog and a development forum. As always the MyDellMini forums are still abuzz with information on this subject.

There are a few consequences from these actions, of course. This site is inappropriately named if it is to continue to cover the software, but it would be reckless to ditch the effort. Instead, after the weekend I will be transitioning the site over to a more general address, probably osx.mechdrew.com (it's not up yet, so don't bother.) I am in no way trying to compete with Netputing.com, but I still like to maintain my own site for these functions. Don't fret about broken links, I will be making sure that all links to the guide and other portions of the DellEFI | mechdrew are fully operational. the transition should be seamless.

Sorry if I have not responded to e-mails or forum questions, I will try to catch up before my camping trip tomorrow. Be advised that since I will be out in the wilderness for a few days, I will not be able to respond back.

Hopefully all of you enjoy the holiday, and if you are outside the United States then thanks for your patience. See you next week! (or sooner...)

In preparing my Advanced 3 guide article, I was well aware that there were other modifications that could be made to the Installer, but hoped that no one would use it as a base reference to use an illegitimate copy such as the grey OEM discs that come with real Macs. A problem has recently arisen that there are several places, especially on MyDellMini, where individuals are instructing others exactly how to do such a completely illegal thing. While I appreciate that others can learn from these methods, I will publicly state here (as well as responses to e-mail, forums, etc.) that I in no way endorse these techniques and discourage linking to my site for this purpose. I cannot stop anyone from hacking their OEM discs, but I will not encourage it. Thanks for understanding.

Regardless of whether this works on the Mini line or not, Apple just announced a single license price of $29 for Snow Leopard, with the five license price of $49. NICE!

The Introduction section, which was posted just a few days ago, now has four new additions. This should be helpful for those who are wanting to learn more about what is going on when one installs Mac OS X.

Labels: introduction, mac, osx

I know that a lot of you out there have some great experience with the install process on Dell Minis. I would love to post any guides or articles that are relevant and well-written. I give credit where credit is due, so all work would be attributed to the original author. If you would like to submit an article, just send it to dellefi@mechdrew.com

Also, if anyone still wants to blog about Mac OS X and the Dell Mini line, just send me an e-mail and I'll hook you up. The blog is run through Blogger so I will never see you passwords or anything.

My inbox receives a few e-mails everyday, usually with questions and some with answers. I just wanted to thank those who have taken the time to report back to me on their progress and issues, and even a few solutions! I try to respond to every one, but sometimes they get lost in the archive. If I don't respond within a day, you can always try the forum at MyDellMini, especially since there are other users there who may be able to help you with your issues should I be absent. Feel free to contact me. Thanks again for all the mail!

Quick sidenote: no luck on the DVD bootloader yet. Rats! And Advanced 3 has been updated.

Labels: advanced 3, comments, e-mail, mydellmini, questions

I've noticed that there has been no boot CD produced since DellMiniBoot 8.02b1, which is based on DellEFI 1.07. Right now I'm working on making a boot CD according to the instructions on the mydellmini Google Code site, as well as figuring out how to update the guides for Windows and such. Also of note is that the MyDellMini forum now has a guide section, to which my Method 1 guide has been moved. Maybe now I can upload more of the guides there...

Labels: boot, cd, dellefi, dellminiboot, google, guide, mydellmini, windows

A sad day in the tech world, probably the most popular netbook is now the shortest-lived. The Mini 9 was unroyally discontinued by Dell late last evening, with an official announcement to supposedly come Monday. Meanwhile, one of my theories has come to pass: the 10v, which is essentially a Mini 9 with some modifications, is the 9's successor and according to some initial reports, is very much compatible with Mac OS X. I had been evaluating these two models over the last week and was very much leaning towards replacing my current 9 with a 10v, and now it looks likely to happen.

If anyone has tips on how to get everything working on the 10v and the steps they took, I'd be glad to add those to the guide.

Labels: 10v, dell, eol, guide, mac, mini 9, osx