Apple mac mini server mid 2010 User Manual

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 512010-10-29
Mass Storage
Hard Drive(s) Not Recognized
Unlikely cause:  power supply, wireless card, fan, speaker
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Drive Is Not Recognized 
Drive Does Not Boot 
• Flashing Question Mark
• Boots to Grey Screen
• Boots to Blue Screen
1. Use a known good mouse. A stuck mouse button 
will not allow boot.
2.  Boot from original Mac mini Install DVD inserted 
in internal optical drive (or in the optical drive of 
another computer...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 522010-10-29
3. Reboot computer. Verify that 
system boots successfully 
and rerun Disk utility ‘Verify’ 
function to verify that it reports 
no errors.
YesData error Issue resolved. 
Return computer to user.
H07
NoGo to step 4.
4.  Erase disk and reinstall Mac OS 
using original Mac mini Install 
DVD. Verify that installation 
process completes.  
Note: Make sure data has been 
backed up before erasing hard 
drive. 
YesGo to step 9
NoGo to step 5
5....

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 532010-10-29
Hard Drive Read/Write Error
Unlikely cause:  power supply, wireless card, fan, speaker
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Drive Read/Write Error 
Drive Bad Sector/Defective 
Drive Formatting Issues
• Cannot save documents
• Read/write error message
• Hang when accessing or saving 
data
1. Boot from Install DVD inserted in internal optical 
drive (or in the optical drive of another computer 
setup in Target Disk Mode), or from an external...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 542010-10-29
5. After cable was reseated, verify 
that system boots successfully 
to hard drive, and that Disk 
utility ‘Verify’ function reports 
no errors.
YesIssue resolved by cable reseat.
NoReplace hard drive cable and 
go to step 6.
X03
6.  After hard drive cable was 
replaced, verify that system 
boots successfully to hard drive, 
and that Disk utility ‘Verify’ 
function reports no errors.
YesIssue resolved by cable 
replacement.
NoRemove user’s...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 552010-10-29
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Disconnect hard drive and 
optical drive (or second hard 
drive) cables from logic board, 
and startup computer to 
determine if noise is caused by 
the computer fan.
YesGo to Fan Failures/Thermal 
issues symptom flow.
NoGo to step 2
2.  If an optical drive is present, 
reconnect optical drive cable to 
logic board, insert the Mac mini 
Install DVD in optical drive and 
startup computer to verify if 
noise...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 562010-10-29
7. With replacement hard drive 
installed verify whether noise 
level is noticeably quieter than 
customer’s hard drive.
YesCustomer‘s drive appears 
noisy: Replace customer’s 
hard drive and return system 
to customer. 
H06
NoCustomer hard drive noise 
level is similar to a known-
good one and does not 
require repair. Reinstall user’s 
hard drive and return system 
to customer.
Uncategorized Symptom- Hard Drive
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 572010-10-29
Deep Dive-Hard Drive Uncategorized Symptoms
CheckResultActionCode
1. Verify whether an existing 
symptom chart applies to the 
issue reported by the customer.
YesJump to appropriate 
symptom chart flow.
NoDocument failure symptom 
and send feedback to 
smfeedback@apple stating 
that a suitable symptom code 
could not be found.
Optical Drive Not Recognized
(For systems with optical drives)
Quick Check 
SymptomsQuick Check
Drive Not...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 582010-10-29
2. Test both CD and DVD media. 
Verify that optical drive can 
read both types of CD media 
and DVD media.
YesGo to step 6
NoDrive has a laser issue. 
Replace the optical drive and 
retest
J03
3. Remove bottom cover, 
disconnect AirPort antenna 
and remove shield, disconnect 
and remove fan and cowling, 
then reseat the optical drive 
flex cable on logic board and 
optical drive ends. Reinsert 
logic board and verify that 
optical drive is...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 592010-10-29
Optical Drive Won’t Accept/Eject Media
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Drive Won’t Accept Media  
Drive Won’t Eject Media
• Cannot insert a disc into the 
drive
• Cannot eject a disc placed into 
the drive
1. Use Apple System Profiler Serial-ATA section to 
see if  the optical drive appears. If not see Optical 
Drive not recognized.
2.  Restart computer and hold down mouse button 
or keyboard eject key to cycle optical drive. 
3. Inspect...

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 602010-10-29
4. With known good optical drive 
installed, test for media inject/
eject. Verify drive accepts and 
ejects known-good media.
YesKnown-good optical drive 
resolved issue
Replace user’s optical drive: 
-for an inject issue, 
-for an eject issue.  
J01 
J02
NoOptical drive cable verified or 
replaced, optical drive verified 
or replaced. Replace logic 
board and retest.
M19
5. Inspect optical drive slot during 
disc insert/ eject. Verify that...