2011 Mini Bootcamp issues and tips

i got around installing win7 via bootcamp on 2011 mini server weekend. process not smooth had expected or had experienced in past when doing on mbp.

followed usual steps in bootcamp, did not create usb installer. have external lg br drive figured use this. makes sense, right? got bootcamp create dvd of drivers , created 60 gb partition via bc.

when computer restarted greeted blank screen. put, windows installer not run off external drive, no matter tried. searched internet similar issues , looked though way solve create windows install usb stick. luckily had 1 lying around. great, needed iso image of windows 7 installation.

not obvious, disk utility can create iso optical disk. saved dmg file, can rename extension iso , work.

ok, got bootcamp create install usb stick , restarted again . same blank screen. getting annoyed. more searching internet , trying various things - getting nowhere. found post on forum suggested disconnecting other usb drives , external br/dvd drive. disconnected lg , time windows installer started , managed complete installation perfectly. finally!

ran setup of drivers , great, except things looked laggy, on gui front. people love bash intel hd3000, but, seriously, it's enough drive 2d gui smoothly. started check out settings , found culprit. since mini uses mobile parts, windows thinks it's laptop! , assigns "balanced" power profile. means cpu , gpu (and wifi , other things) run in reduced mode. make sure use "max performance" power profile - no more lag when dragging windows around.

before of did try vmware fusion well. install painless, if use unattended express option. occasional use windows vm ok, prefer performance of running windows natively if you're going doing more taxing working documents.

 

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