Apple mac mini server mid 2010 User Manual

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 212010-10-29
Won’t Start Up
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Won’t Start Up
• No startup chime
• Error tones during startup.
• Grey screen with fan noise, or 
other noise.
• Will not progress beyond  
Apple logo or spinning gear.
1. Isolate by starting up from : 
-the original install DVD media inserted in Mac 
mini optical drive or  in the optical drive of 
another computer set up in FireWire Target Disk 
Mode ,  
-from the same Mac mini model setup...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 222010-10-29
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Insert Mac mini Install DVD in 
optical drive (or in the optical 
drive of another computer 
set up in FireWire Target Disk 
Mode) and boot the computer 
with the D keyboard key 
pressed to run Apple Hardware 
Test. Does the computer boot 
up to this volume?
YesRun the extended tests 
and proceed with results. If 
AHT passes or boots with a 
memory error, go to step 2.
NoGo to step 2.
2.  Remove the...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 232010-10-29
5. Power on system, press the C 
key on keyboard , insert the 
original Mac mini 10.6.X Install 
DVD in internal optical drive (or 
in the optical drive of another 
computer set up in FireWire 
Target Disk Mode) and attempt 
to boot from it.  Does it boot?
YesReconnect the hard drive 
cable to logic board and go 
to step 6
NoIf the optical drive is not 
recognized, go to Optical 
Drive not recognized.
6.  Power on system, press the Alt...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 242010-10-29
Intermittent Shutdown
Unlikely cause:  hard drive, optical drive
Troubleshooting Shutdown Causes
Always run the latest available service utilities, to look for the possible cause of a previous 
shutdown. These utilities will permit to isolate any abnormal value readings from the thermal, 
voltage, or current sensor(s), and from the fan(s) speed meter(s).
Collect all available info from user on shut down occurrence details: periodicity,...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 252010-10-29
- one of the current sensors reached a specified current limit, 
These shut downs are due to temperature, voltage, current, fan speed or other hardware related 
sensor values getting out of range, so the suggested steps for troubleshooting will be: 
- to check for all sensors connections and values using the latest available service utilities and  
Apple Service Diagnostics, 
- to check for fan(s) operation,  
- to check for cleanliness...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 262010-10-29
2. Activity related shutdowns: 
Reset SMC and PRAM and 
verify that shutdown issue still 
happens.
YesCheck with booting from 
known-good bootable drive: 
go to step 3
NoShutdown cause was related 
to SMC or Pram programmed 
shutdown settings or 
corruption, and was resolved 
by reverting them to default 
settings.
3. Boot from a known-good 
bootable drive (external 
bootable drive or similar 
system set as FireWire Target 
mode) ,...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 272010-10-29
5. Verify if a thermal sensor or 
fan failure is reported by latest 
available service diagnostics.
Yes- If a fan failure is reported, 
check for fan cable seating 
and retest. If same failure 
happens when retesting, 
replace fan with known-good 
one and retest. If issue does 
not happen anymore with 
the known-good fan, replace 
user’s fan. 
 
- If a thermal failure is 
reported, check for cause of 
excessive temperature, (like...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 282010-10-29
Kernel Panic, System Crashes
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Kernel Panic, System Crashes
• Kernel Panic on startup or 
desktop use.
• System freeze during use.
• System freeze upon wake from 
sleep.
1. Isolate OS by starting up system from original 
Mac mini Install DVD, from the same model of 
computer setup in Target Disk Mode, or from 
compatible known-good OS on an external drive. 
Both AirPort and Bluetooth services are available...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 292010-10-29
2. Remove all external peripheral 
devices including keyboard and 
mouse. Does computer now 
start without any kernel panic?
YesAdd peripheral devices one at 
a time and restart each time 
until the kernel panic repeats. 
Replace device whose 
addition causes the issue. 
NoGo to step 3.
3. Use known-good SDRAM in 
the system. Does the computer 
start without kernel panic now?
YesInstall user’s SDRAM and test. 
If kernel panic repeats,...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 302010-10-29
No Video
Unlikely cause:  hard drive, optical drive, speakers
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
No Video
• No image.
1. Inquire which video port and cable is used by 
customer.
2.  Check connectors and cables for pin damage. 
3. Check both computer DisplayPort and HDMI 
connections with known-good displays.
4.  (DisplayPort) If DisplayPort to DVI adapter cable 
is used in customer’s configuration, check it on a 
known-good computer
5....