Apple Mac Mini Mid2011 User Guide

41
Chapter 3      Boost Your Memory
Installing Memory
Your	Mac	mini	has	two	memory	slots	in	which	you	can	install	a	pair	of	1	GB, 	2	GB,	or	
4	GB	memory	modules, 	for	a	maximum	of	8	GB	of	memory. 	For	best	performance,	don’t	
mix	modules	of	different	sizes; 	always	install	two	identical	memory	modules.
Memory	modules	for	your	Mac	mini	must	meet	the	following	specifications:
	
ÂSmall	Outline	Dual	Inline	Memory	Module	(SO-DIMM)	format
	
Â1333	MHz, 	PC3-10600E, 	DDR3	compliant	(also	called	DDR3	1333)...

42Chapter 3      Boost Your Memory
Step 3: Remove the bottom cover.
Lay	your	Mac	mini	upside	down	on	a	soft	cloth	or	towel, 	and	then	rotate	the	bottom	
cover	counterclockwise	to	the	unlocked	position.
Unlocked
Press	on	the	cover	to	pop	up	the	opposite	side, 	and	then	remove	the	cover.
Press here
Lift here 

43
Chapter 3      Boost Your Memory
Step 4: Remove the original memory modules.
Gently	spread	the	clips	at	the	ends	of	the	top	memory	module	just	enough	to	let	the	
free	edge	pop	up.
Retainer
clips
Pull	the	module	out	of	the	slot.
Repeat	to	remove	the	second, 	bottom	module. 

44Chapter 3      Boost Your Memory
Step 5: Install the new modules.
Carefully	press	the	notched	edge	of	the	new	memory	module	into	the	bottom	slot	
while	keeping	the	opposite	edge	slightly	raised.
Notch
Press	down	on	the	raised	edge	until	the	clips	snap	into	place.
Repeat	to	install	the	top	memory	module. 

45
Chapter 3      Boost Your Memory
Step 6: Replace the bottom cover.
Replace 	the 	bottom 	cover, 	using 	the 	alignment 	dots 	to 	place 	it 	in 	the 	unlocked 	position.
Align
the dots
Rotate	the	cover	clockwise	to	lock	it	in	place.
Locked
WARNING:  Don’t	connect	the	power	cord	or	turn	on	your	Mac	mini	until	you	replace	
the	bottom	cover. 	Never	operate	your	Mac	mini	without	the	cover	in	place. 

46Chapter 3      Boost Your Memory
Step 7: Reconnect the cables.
Reconnect	the	power	cord	and	any	other	cables	you	disconnected.
Step 8:  Check the new memory.
Press	the	power	button	to	turn	on	your	Mac	mini.
When	you	see	the	Mac	OS	X	desktop, 	choose	Apple	()	>	About	This	Mac	and	check	
that	the	reported	amount	of	memory	is	correct.
If	the	reported	memory	size	isn’t	correct, 	or	if	your	Mac	mini	repeatedly	sounds	three	
tones, 	it’s	having	trouble	recognizing	a	memory	module. 	If	this	happens,	shut...

www.apple.com/support 
Help Center       help 
Problem, Meet Solution
4  

48Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
Occasionally, 	you	may	have	a	problem	while	working	with	your	Mac	mini. 	Read	on	
for	troubleshooting	tips	to	try	when	you	have	a	problem. 	You	can	also	find	more	
troubleshooting	information	in	Help	Center, 	or	on	the	Mac	mini	Service	&	Support	
website	at	www.apple.com/support/macmini.
When	you	have	a	problem	with	your	Mac	mini, 	there’s	usually	a	simple	and	quick	
solution. 	Think	about	the	conditions	that	led	up	to	the	problem. 	Making	a	note	of	
things	you	did...

49
Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
An Ounce of Prevention
If	you	have	a	problem	with	your	computer	or	software, 	having	kept	up-to-date		
Time	Machine	backups	ensures	that	your	data	won’t	be	lost. 	If	you	make	regular		
Time	Machine	backups, 	you	can	restore	your	software	and	all	your	data	to	exactly		
the	way	it	was	at	the	time	of	the	backup. 	Even	serious	issues	are	of	less	concern		
when	you	safeguard	your	information	with	 Time	Machine.
Problems That Prevent You from Using Your Mac mini
If your...

50Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
If	the	problem	reoccurs	when	you	use	a	particular	application, 	check	with	the	
application’s	manufacturer	to	see	if	the	application	is	compatible	with	the	version	of	
Mac	OS	X	installed	on	your	Mac	mini.
For	support	and	contact	information	about	the	software	that	came	with	your	Mac	mini, 	
go	to	www.apple.com/downloads	or	to	the	manufacturer’s	website.
If	the	problem	occurs	frequently, 	try	repairing	your	disk,	restoring	your	software	from	
a	backup, 	or...