Apple Mac Mini Mid2011 User Guide

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Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
	
ÂRestart	your	computer	while	holding	down	the	Command	key	(x)	and	R	key, 	until	
the	computer	restarts. 	When	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	application	appears, 	select	an	
option	to	repair	your	disk, 	restore	your	software,	or	reinstall	Mac	OS	X	and	Apple	
applications	from	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	pane. 	For	more	information,	see	“Repairing, 	
Restoring, 	or	Reinstalling	Mac	OS	X	Software” 	on	page	52.
	
ÂPress	the	power	button	(®)	and	immediately	hold	down	the	Command	(x), 	Option,	
P, 	and	R	keys	on	an	Apple	keyboard	until	you	hear	the	startup	sound	a	second	time. 	
This	resets	the	parameter	RAM	(PRAM). 	On	other	keyboards,	press	the	power	button	
(®)	and	immediately	hold	down	the	 Windows,	Alt,	P,	and	R	keys.
	
ÂUnplug	the	power	cord	and	wait	at	least	30	seconds. 	Plug	the	power	cord	back	in	
and	press	the	power	button	(®)	again	to	start	up	your	Mac	mini. 	
	
ÂIf	you	still	can’t	start	up	your	Mac	mini, 	see	“Learning	More, 	Service,	and	Support” 	on	
page	62	for	information	about	contacting	Apple	for	service.
If your Mac mini can’t connect to another computer’s optical disc drive
To	use	services	such	as	Migration	Assistant, 	DVD	or	CD	Sharing,	and	iTunes	music	
sharing, 	both	your	Mac	mini and	the	other	computer	must	be	connected	to	the	same	
network. 	If	your	Mac	mini	is	connected	wirelessly	and	the	other	computer	is	connected	
to	a	third-party	router	by	Ethernet, 	check	your	router	documentation	to	make	sure	it	
supports	bridging	a	wireless	to	wired	connection.
If your date and time settings get lost repeatedly
	
ÂYou	may	need	to	have	the	internal	backup	battery	replaced. 	For	information	about	
contacting	Apple	for	service, 	see	“Learning	More, 	Service,	and	Support” 	on	page	62. 
						

							52Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
Repairing, Restoring, or Reinstalling Mac OS X Software
If	you	have	a	problem	with	your	Mac	software	or	hardware, 	Mac	OS	X	provides	repair	
and	restore	utilities	that	may	eliminate	problems	and	can	even	restore	your	software	
to	its	original	factory	settings. 	You	can	access	these	utilities	from	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	
application, 	even	if	your	computer	isn’t	starting	up	correctly.
Use	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	application	to:
	
ÂRestore	your	software	and	data	from	a	 Time	Machine	backup.
	
ÂReinstall	Mac	OS	X	Lion	and	Apple	applications.
	
ÂRepair	your	computer’s	disk	using	Disk	Utility. 
						

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Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
	
ÂRestore	your	computer	to	its	factory	settings	by	erasing	its	disk	and	reinstalling	
Mac	OS	X	Lion	and	your	Apple	applications.
If	your	computer	detects	a	problem, 	it	opens	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	application	
automatically. 	You	can	also	open	it	manually	by	restarting	your	computer.
To open the Mac OS X Utilities application:
	
mRestart	your	computer	while	holding	down	the	Command	key	(x)	and	R	key.
Important:  If	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	application	doesn’t	appear	after	restarting, 	hold	
down	Command	(x)-Option-R	and	restart	the	computer	to	access	the	Mac	OS	X	
Utilities	software	from	the	Internet. 	Your	computer	must	be	connected	to	a	network	
that	has	access	to	the	Internet. 	
Some	utilities	in	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	pane	require	access	to	the	Internet	and	the	Mac	
App	Store. 	You	may	need	to	make	sure	your	computer	is	connected	to	the	Internet	via	
your	Ethernet	or	 Wi-Fi	network.	
To connect via a Wi-Fi network:
1  Choose	a	network	from	the	 Wi-Fi	status	menu	in	the	upper-right	corner	of	the	screen.
2  If	necessary, 	type	the	network	password.
To	join	a	closed	network, 	choose	Join	Other	Network. 	Enter	the	network’s	name	and	
password. 
						

							54Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
Repairing a Disk with Disk Utility
If	you	have	a	problem	with	your	computer, 	or	if	you	start	your	computer	and	see	the	
Mac	OS	X	Utilities	pane, 	you	may	need	to	repair	your	computer’s	disk.
1  Select	Disk	Utility	in	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	pane	and	click	Continue.
2  Select	the	disk	or	partition	in	the	list	on	the	left, 	and	then	click	the	First	Aid	tab.
3  Click	Repair	Disk.
If	Disk	Utility	can’t	repair	the	disk, 	back	up	as	much	of	your	information	as	possible, 	
and	then	follow	the	instructions	in	 “Reinstalling	Mac	OS	X	and	Apple	Applications” 	on	
page	55.
For	information	about	Disk	Utility	and	its	options, 	see	Help	Center,	or	open	Disk	Utility		
(in	the	Utilities	folder	in	Lauchpad)	and	choose	Help	>	Disk	Utility	Help.
Restoring Information Using a Time Machine Backup
If	you	previously	created	a	 Time	Machine	backup,	use	the	Restore	utility	to	restore	
everything	on	your	computer	to	its	previous	state.
Use	your	 Time	Machine	backup	only	to	restore	information	to	the	computer	that	was	
the	source	of	the	backup. 	If	you	want	to	transfer	information	to	a	new	computer, 	use	
Migration	Assistant.
1  If	your 	backup 	is 	on 	a 	Time 	Capsule, 	make 	sure 	your 	Mac 	mini 	is 	connected 	to 	an 	Ethernet	
or 	Wi-Fi 	network. 	( To 	connect 	to 	a 	Wi-Fi 	network, 	follow 	the 	instructions 	on 	page 	53.)
2  In	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	pane, 	select	Restore	From	Time	Machine	Backup	and	click	
Continue.
3  Select	the	disk	that	contains	the	 Time	Machine	backup,	and	then	follow	the	onscreen	
instructions. 
						

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Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
Reinstalling Mac OS X and Apple Applications
Under	some	circumstances, 	you	may	need	to	reinstall	Mac	OS	X	and	Apple	applications. 	
You	can	reinstall	while	keeping	your	files	and	user	settings	intact.
Important:  The	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	application	also	reinstalls	and	restores	Mac	OS	X	Lion	
Server	software, 	if	you	have	it	installed	on	your	Mac	mini.
1  Make	sure	the	Mac	mini	is	connected	to	the	Internet	via	an	Ethernet	or	 Wi-Fi	network.	
( To	connect	to	a	 Wi-Fi	network,	follow	the	instructions	on	page	53.)
2  In	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	pane, 	select	Reinstall	Mac	OS	X	and	click	Continue.
3  When	you’re	asked	to	select	a	disk, 	select	your	current	Mac	OS	X	disk	(in	most	cases, 		
it’s	the	only	one	available).
4  To	install	optional	software, 	click	Customize.	
5  Click	Install.
You	can	install	Mac	OS	X	without	erasing	the	disk, 	which	saves	your	existing	files	
and	settings, 	or	you	can	erase	the	disk	first, 	which	erases	all	your	data	and	leaves	the	
computer	ready	for	you	to	reinstall	Mac	OS	X	and	Apple	applications.
After	reinstalling	Mac	OS	X, 	you	can	then	go	to	the	Mac	App	Store	and	re-download	
the	applications	that	came	with	your	Mac	mini	and	other	apps	you	purchased	from	the	
Mac	App	Store. 	
Important:  Apple	recommends	that	you	back	up	the	data	on	the	disk	before	restoring	
software. 	Apple	is	not	responsible	for	any	lost	data. 
						

							56Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
Restoring Your Computer to Its Factory Settings
When	you	restore	your	computer	to	its	factory	settings, 	everything	on	your	computer	
(your	user	accounts, 	network	settings,	and	all	of	your	files	and	folders)	is	deleted. 	Before	
you	restore, 	back	up	any	files	you	want	to	keep	by	copying	them	to	another	disk. 	
Write	down	your	network	settings	from	Network	preferences	to	make	it	easier	to	get	
connected	again	after	reinstalling	Mac	OS	X.
1  Make	sure	you’re	connected	to	the	Internet	via	an	Ethernet	or	 Wi-Fi	network.		
( To	connect	to	a	 Wi-Fi	network,	follow	the	instructions	on	page	53.)
2  In	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	pane, 	select	Disk	Utility	and	click	Continue.
3  Select	the	disk	in	the	list	on	the	left, 	and	then	click	the	Erase	tab.
4  Choose	Mac	OS	Extended	(Journaled)	from	the	Format	pop-up	menu, 	type	a	name	for	
the	disk, 	and	then	click	Erase.
5  After	the	disk	is	erased, 	choose	Disk	Utility	>	Quit	Disk	Utility. 	
6  In	the	Mac	OS	X	Utilities	pane, 	select	Reinstall	Mac	OS	X	and	click	Continue.
7  To	reinstall	Mac	OS	X	and	Apple	applications, 	follow	the	instructions	in	the	Mac	OS	X	
Installer.
After	restoring	Mac	OS	X	and	Apple	applications, 	you	can	selectively	restore	your	other	
data	and	applications	from	a	 Time	Machine	backup. 
						

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Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
Checking for a Hardware Problem
If	you	suspect	a	hardware	problem, 	use	the	Apple	Hardware	Test	application	to	help	
determine	if	there’s	a	problem	with	one	of	the	Mac	mini	components. 	
To use Apple Hardware Test:
1  Disconnect	all	external	devices	from	your	Mac	mini, 	except	the	keyboard,	mouse,	and	
display. 	If	you	have	an	Ethernet	cable	connected, 	disconnect	it.
2  Restart	your	Mac	mini	while	holding	down	the	D	key.
3  When	the	Apple	Hardware	 Test	chooser	screen	appears, 	select	the	language	you	want	
to	use.
4  Press	the	Return	key	or	click	the	right	arrow	button.
5  When	the	Apple	Hardware	 Test	main	screen	appears	(after	about	45	seconds), 	follow	
the	onscreen	instructions.
6  If	Apple	Hardware	 Test	detects	a	problem, 	it	displays	an	error	code. 	Make	a	note	of	the	
error	code	before	pursuing	support	options. 	If	Apple	Hardware	Test	doesn’t	detect	a	
hardware	failure, 	the	problem	may	be	software-related.
Important:  If	Apple	Hardware	 Test	doesn’t	appear	after	restarting, 	hold	down	
Command	(x)-Option-D	and	restart	the	computer	to	access	Apple	Hardware	 Test	
from	the	Internet. 	Your	computer	must	be	connected	to	a	network	that	has	access		
to	the	Internet. 	 
						

							58Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
Problems with Your Internet Connection
Your	Mac	mini	has	the	Network	Setup	Assistant	application	to	help	you	set	up	an	
Internet	connection. 	Open	System	Preferences	and	click	Network. 	Click	the	“Assist	me” 	
button	to	open	Network	Setup	Assistant.
If	you	have	trouble	with	your	Internet	connection, 	try	using	Network	Diagnostics.
To use Network Diagnostics:
1  Choose	Apple	()	>	System	Preferences.
2  Click	Network	and	then	click	 “Assist	me.”
3  Click	Diagnostics	to	open	Network	Diagnostics.
4  Follow	the	onscreen	instructions.
If	Network	Diagnostics	can’t	resolve	the	problem, 	there	may	be	a	problem	with	the	
Internet	 service	provider	 (ISP)	you’re	 trying	to	connect	 to,	with	 an	external	 device	you’re	
using	to	connect	to	your	ISP, 	or	with	the	server	you’re	trying	to	access. 	You	can	try	the	
steps	in	the	following	sections.
Cable Modem, DSL Modem, and LAN Internet Connections
Make	sure	all	modem	cables	are	firmly	plugged	in, 	including	the	modem	power	cord,	
the	cable	from	the	modem	to	the	computer, 	and	the	cable	from	the	modem	to	the	wall	
jack. 	Also	check	the	cables	and	power	supplies	to	any	Ethernet	hubs	or	routers.
Turn	off 	your	DSL	or	cable	modem	for	a	few	minutes, 	and	then	turn	it	back	on.	Some	
ISPs	recommend	that	you	unplug	the	modem’s	power	cord. 	If	your	modem	has	a	reset	
button, 	you	can	press	it	either	before	or	after	you	turn	the	power	off 	and	on. 
						

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Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
Important:  Instructions	that	refer	to	modems	do	not	apply	to	LAN	users. 	LAN	users	
might	have	hubs, 	switches,	routers,	or	connection	pods	that	cable	and	DSL	modem	
users	don’t	have. 	LAN	users	should	contact	their	network	administrator, 	rather	than		
an	ISP.
PPPoE Connections 
If	you’re	unable	to	connect	to	your	ISP	using	PPPoE	(Point	to	Point	Protocol	over	
Ethernet), 	make	sure	you	have	entered	the	correct	information	in	Network	preferences.
To enter PPPoE settings:
1  Choose	Apple	()	>	System	Preferences.
2  Click	Network.
3  Click	Add	(+)	at	the	bottom	of	the	network	connection	services	list, 	and	choose	PPPoE	
from	the	Interface	pop-up	menu.
4  Choose	an	interface	for	the	PPPoE	service	from	the	Ethernet	pop-up	menu.
Choose	Ethernet	if	you’re	connecting	to	a	wired	network, 	or	Wi-Fi	if	you’re	connecting	
to	a	wireless	network.
5  Click	Create.
6  Enter	the	information	you	received	from	your	service	provider, 	such	as	the	account	
name, 	password, 	and	PPPoE	service	name	(if	your	service	provider	requires	it).
7  Click	Apply	to	make	the	settings	active. 
						

							60Chapter 4      Problem, Meet Solution
Network Connections
Make	sure	the	Ethernet	cable	is	plugged	into	your	Mac	mini	and	into	the	network. 	
Check	the	cables	and	power	supplies	to	your	Ethernet	hubs	and	routers.
If	you	have	two	or	more	computers	sharing	an	Internet	connection, 	make	sure	your	
network	is	set	up	properly. 	You	need	to	know	whether	your	ISP	provides	only	one	IP	
address, 	or	a	different	IP	address	for	each	computer.
If	your	ISP	provides	only	one	IP	address, 	then	you	must	have	a	router	capable	of	
sharing	the	connection, 	also	known	as	network	address	translation	(NAT )	or	 “IP	
masquerading.” 	For	setup	information, 	see	the	documentation	provided	with	your	
router	or	ask	the	person	who	set	up	your	network. 	You	can	use	an	AirPort	base	station	
to	share	one	IP	address	among	multiple	computers. 	For	information	about	using	an	
AirPort	base	station, 	see	Help	Center	or	visit	the	AirPort	Support	website	at		
www.apple.com/support/airport.
If 	you 	can’t 	resolve 	the 	issue 	using 	these 	steps, 	contact 	your 	ISP 	or 	network 	administrator.
Problems with Wireless Communication
If	you	have	trouble	using	wireless	communication:
	
ÂMake	sure	the	computer	or	network	you’re	trying	to	connect	to	is	running	and	has	a	
wireless	access	point.
	
ÂMake	sure	you’ve	properly	configured	the	software	according	to	the	instructions	that	
came	with	your	base	station	or	access	point.