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)
	
ÂUnbuffered	and	unregistered
You	can	purchase	Apple	memory	from	an	Apple	Authorized	Reseller, 	the	online	Apple	
Store	at	www.apple.com/store, 	or	your	local	Apple	Retail	Store.
WARNING: Always	shut	down	your	Mac	mini	and	remove	the	power	cord	before	
installing	memory. 	Do	not	install	memory	while	your	Mac	mini	is	plugged	in.
Step 1:  Turn off your Mac mini.
Choose	Apple	()	>	Shut	Down.
Step 2:  Disconnect all cables.
Disconnect	the	power	cord	and	all	other	cables	from	your	Mac	mini. 
						

							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	down	
your	Mac	mini, 	verify	the	module	specifications	against	the	requirements	listed	on	
page	 41,	and	 then	 repeat	 the	memory	 installation	 instructions	 to	make	 sure	the	modules	
are	installed	correctly. 	If	you	still	have	problems, 	remove	the	memory	and	consult	the	
support	information	that	came	with	the	memory, 	or	contact	the	vendor	who	provided	
the	memory. 
						

							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	before	the	problem	occurred	will	help	you	narrow	down	possible	causes	
and	find	the	answers	you	need. 	Things	to	note	include:
	
ÂThe	applications	you	were	using	when	the	problem	occurred. 	Problems	that	occur	
only	with	a	specific	application	may	indicate	that	the	application	is	incompatible	with	
the	version	of	Mac	OS	installed	on	your	computer.
	
ÂAny	new	software	that	you	installed, 	especially	software	that	added	items	to	the	
System	folder.
	
ÂAny	new	hardware	that	you	installed, 	such	as	additional	memory	or	a	peripheral.
WARNING: Do	not	attempt	to	open	your	Mac	mini, 	except	to	install	memory.	If	your	
Mac	mini	needs	service, 	see	“Learning	More, 	Service,	and	Support” 	on	page	62	for	
information	about	how	to	contact	an	Apple	Authorized	Service	Provider	or	Apple	for	
service. 	Your	Mac	mini	doesn’t	have	any	user-serviceable	parts, 	except	the	memory. 
						

							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 Mac mini won’t respond or the pointer won’t move
	
ÂMake	sure	the	mouse	and	keyboard	are	connected. 	Unplug	and	then	plug	in	the	
connectors, 	making	sure	they’re	secure. 	If	you	have	wireless	input	devices, 	check	that	
the	device	batteries	are	charged. 	Try	turning	off 	and	on	any	wireless	device.
	
ÂTry	to	force	problem	applications	to	quit. 	On	an	Apple	keyboard,	hold	down	the	
Option	key	and	Command	key	(x)	and	then	press	the	Esc	key. 	On	other	keyboards,	
hold	down	the	 Windows	key	and	Alt	key	and	then	press	the	Esc	key. 	If	a	dialog	
appears, 	select	the	frozen	application	and	click	Force	Quit. 	Then	restart	your	Mac	mini	
to	be	sure	the	problem	is	entirely	cleared	up.
	
ÂHold	down	the	power	button	(®)	on	the	back	of	your	Mac	mini	for	five	seconds	to	
shut	it	down.
	
ÂUnplug	the	power	cord	from	your	Mac	mini. 	Then	plug	the	power	cord	back	in	and	
press	the	power	button	(®)	to	turn	your	Mac	mini	on. 
						

							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	reinstalling	your	system	software	using	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	application	
(see	 “Repairing, 	Restoring,	or	Reinstalling	Mac	OS	X	Software” 	on	page	52).
If your Mac mini freezes during startup or you see a flashing question mark
	
ÂWait	a	few	seconds. 	If	your	Mac	mini	doesn’t	start	up, 	shut	it	down	by	holding	down	
the	power	button	(®)	for	8	to	10	seconds. 	Then	hold	down	the	Option	key	and	
press	the	power	button	(®)	again	to	start	up	your	Mac	mini. 	Keep	holding	down	the	
Option	key	until	your	Mac	mini	starts	up, 	then	click	the	arrow	under	the	icon	of	the	
hard	disk	you	want	to	use	as	your	startup	disk.
After	your	Mac	mini	starts	up, 	open	System	Preferences	and	click	Startup	Disk. 	Select	
a	local	Mac	OS	X	system	folder.
	
ÂIf	the	problem	occurs	frequently, 	you	may	need	to	reinstall	your	system	software		
(see	 “Repairing, 	Restoring,	or	Reinstalling	Mac	OS	X	Software” 	on	page	52).
If your Mac mini doesn’t turn on or start up
	
ÂMake	sure	the	power	cord	is	plugged	into	your	Mac	mini	and	into	a	functioning	
power	outlet.