Apple mac mini server mid 2010 User Manual

							Mac mini (Mid 2010) Basics — Overview 112010-08-31
Service Part Configurations
• Logic board assembly removal requires a special tool:
 -Logic board removal tool (922-9588)
• Although the thermal sensor on the flex cable of the top hard drive can be replaced by 
replacing the flex cable, the other thermal sensors on the hard drives or optical drive are not 
replaceable. To replace the sensor, a replacement drive must be ordered.
• The logic board assembly consists of:
 -logic board, with battery
 -I/O wall, including two antennas
 -speaker and screws
 -wireless card flex cable
 -wireless card screws
 -cowling snap screw
System Serial Number Location
The Mac mini (Mid 2010) serial number is located on the bottom of the housing.   
						

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 Apple Technician Guide 
Troubleshooting
Mac mini (Mid 2010) 
Mac mini (Mid 2010) and Mac mini Server (Mid 2010)   
						

							Mac mini (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 132010-10-25
General Troubleshooting
Update System Software
Important: Whenever possible before beginning troubleshooting, ensure the latest software 
and firmware updates have been applied.
Firmware is the name given to software that is written into memory circuits such as flash 
memory, that will hold the software code indefinitely, even when power is removed from the 
hardware. Firmware on Intel Mac computers is designed to be updated if necessary by running 
the Mac OS X Software Update check (available in the Apple menu) while the computer is 
connected to the Internet. For more information about firmware updates, refer to: 
About firmware updates for Intel-based Macs—kBase # HT1557
Apple Diagnostics
Run diagnostics to determine if any of the modules are malfunctioning.
• Mac mini (Mid 2010): Apple Diagnostics: 3S139
• Mac mini Server (Mid 2010): Apple Server Diagnostics: 3X107
• Apple Hardware Test: 3A191 (not used for server)
Troubleshooting Theory
For general information on troubleshooting theory, go to GSX and find the Service Training 
course menu link. From there you can access the Troubleshooting Theory self-paced course.
Hardware vs. Software
For information on how to isolate a hardware issue from a software issue, refer to: 
Isolating issues in Mac OS X—kBase #TS1388
For information on how to troubleshoot a software issue, refer to: 
Mac OS X: How to troubleshoot a software issue—kBase #HT1199
Mac OS X: Troubleshooting installation and software updates—kBase #TS1394 
Troubleshooting Mac OS X installation from CD or DVD—kBase #HT2956  
						

							Mac mini (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 142010-10-25
Common Reset Procedures
When a reset procedure is required for troubleshooting, follow the applicable steps:
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
To reset power management via the SMC chip:
1. Unplug all cables from computer, including power cord.
2.  Wait at least 15 seconds. The SMC reset occurs automatically once the Mac mini has been 
unplugged from AC power source for several seconds.
3. Plug power cord back in, making sure power button is not being pressed. 
4.  Reconnect keyboard and mouse to computer.
5. Press power button on back to start up computer.
Resetting the SMC means you will also need to reset the date and time (using the Date & Time 
pane of System Preferences).
Resetting the Parameter RAM (PRAM)
To reset PRAM, 
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2.  Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to 
hold these keys down simultaneously in Step 4.
Note: If the keyboard does not have an Option key, use the Alt key instead.
3. Turn on the computer.
4.  Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. 
Important: You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the 
second time.
6.  Release the keys.  
						

							Mac mini (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 152010-10-25
Starting Up in Safe Mode
A Safe Boot is a special way to start Mac OS X when troubleshooting. To start up into Safe Mode 
(Safe Boot), 
1. Make sure the computer is shut down.
2.  Press the power button.
3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
Note: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not 
before.
4.  Release the Shift key when you see the screen with the gray Apple and progress indicator 
(looks like a spinning gear). During startup, ”Safe Boot” appears on the Mac OS X startup 
screen. To leave Safe Mode, restart the computer normally, without holding down any keys 
during startup.
For more information: 
http://www.apple.com/support 
Mac OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?—kBase #HT1564 
Safe Boot takes longer than normal startup—kBase #TS1884
Wireless Troubleshooting
If you’re having issues with AirPort and wireless mouse or keyboard connectivity issues, refer to 
the following Knowledge Base articles:
• Troubleshooting wireless mouse and keyboard issues—kBase #TS3048
• AirPort and Bluetooth: Potential sources of interference for wireless devices and 
networks—kBase #HT1365
• Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse: How to install batteries—kBase #HT3903  
						

							Mac mini (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 162010-10-25
Block Diagram
Refer to this diagram to see how modules are interrelated.
FSB
1066Mhz
Dual-channel 
128 bit Memory 
Controller
DDR3 1066MHz
Core 2 Duo Processor
Ethernet
10/100/1000 Mbit
Ethernet/
SD Controller
RGMII
Serial  ATA
6 devices USB 2.0
12 portsPCIe x1
HD  AUDIO
SMBus
FW800
SA
TA
Optical
System
Management Controller
4 rear USB Connectors
Audio
Codec
Internal 
SpeakerInternal
speaker  amp
Line In/
Digital In
Line Out/ Digital Out
DDR3 DIMM  
DRAM Channel-1
T emp/V olt/
Current 
Sensors
System  Clocks
FireWire
PCIe x1
USB
IR Receiver
USB
USB
PCIe x1   
PCIe x1
HMDI 
ConnectorDP1/TMDS0
MDI
SPI ROMSPI ROM 
Interface
 ODD  PCI (4 ports)
GeForce
320M
GPU 
Power
system 
management 
DDR3 DIMM  
DRAM Channel-0
 HDD 
 HDD 
SATA
Mini-DP  
ConnectorDP0/TMDS0
AirPort/Bluetooth Card
2x AP  antennas
Delta
LFE
SD/XC Card
Reader
SIL  
						

							Mac mini (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting 172010-10-25
Functional Overview
Internal Speaker :
- no internal speaker sound
-distorted sound from internal 
speakerHeatsink Thermal Sensor :
- fan running fast
-intermittent shutdown 
- system freezes
Power ON button :
(on opposite side of logic 
board):
-no power on when button 
is pressed
Backup Battery (on opposite  
side of logic board) :
-lost date and time settings
- lost other settings
- no startup/video
ODD Thermal Sensor :
- fan running fast
- slower burning speed
- system freezes
Functional Overview:Connector locations, and the 
possible symptoms when cable is 
disconnected, mis-connected or 
shorted.
Ambient Thermal sensor  :
- fan running fast
-system freezes
- intermittent shutdown
HD Thermal Sensor :
- fan running fast
- hard drive failure
- system freezesFan :
-not running or running fast 
- system freezes
- intermittent shutdown
SATA Hard Drive :
-no HDD visible in profiler
- no boot from internal hard 
drive
Airport/Bluetooth Card :
- cannot enable Bluetooth
- cannot enable AirPort
-kernel panic (when loading 
wireless driver)
SATA Optical Drive 
(or 2nd SATA Hard Drive):
- no ODD visible in profiler
-no boot from optical drive
- media does not insert
- no second HDD visible in 
profiler
InfraRed Sensor + sleep 
LED :
- no infrared reception
-no power ON (shorted 
cable)
- no sleep led status.
Memory Modules:
- no boot
- system freeze or kernel panic
- video artifacts
Power Supply (on opposite 
side of logic board):
- no power on
- intermittent shutdown
- fan running fast (power 
supply thermal sensor not 
read).                    
						

							Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 182010-10-29
Symptom Charts
Follow the steps in the order indicated below. If an action resolves the issue, retest the system 
to verify.
Note: A compilation of Quick Check tables is available at: 
http://service.info.apple.com/QRS/en/quickreference.pdf
Startup and Power
No Power, Dead Unit
Unlikely cause:  speakers
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
No Power, Dead Unit
• No power
• No LED
• No fan spin
• No startup chime
• No image on external display
• No hard drive or optical drive 
activity 
1. Verify power source.
2.  Verify power cable.
3. Listen closely for signs of activity from system 
including: rotating fans, hard drive or optical drive 
activity, startup chime, etc. If there is activity then 
go to the ‘Startup and Power Issues’ symptom 
flow.  
						

							Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 192010-10-29
Deep Dive
Unlikely cause: speakers
CheckResultActionCode
1. Connect AC to computer and 
press the power button on 
system. Verify if there is any 
indication that the system has 
powered up (fan rotation, hard 
drive or optical drive noise, ...).
YesThe system is powering up. 
Jump to Won’t Start Up 
symptom flow.
NoGo to step 2.
2.  Reseat the installed SDRAM 
memory module(s) and retest. 
Does the computer start up 
properly now? 
YesBadly seated SDRAM memory 
module. Reseating it resolved 
issue.
NoGo to step 3
3. Replace installed SDRAM 
memory module(s) with 
known-good one. Does the 
computer start up properly 
now? 
YesReplace defective user’s 
SDRAM memory module.
NoGo to step 4
4.  Remove bottom cover, 
disconnect AirPort antenna 
and remove shield, disconnect 
and remove fan and cowling, 
then disconnect the following 
cables from logic board before 
being able to extract it :HDD, 
ODD/HDD, Ambient sensor, 
HD sensor, ODD/HD sensor, IR/
LED cable. Check and reseat 
power button cable connection 
to logic board and verify if the 
unit powers on.
YesReseating the power button 
connector on logic board 
resolved the issue.
NoGo to step 5.
5. Remove the coin battery on 
the logic board, and leave out 
for approximately 1 minute. 
Then reinstall the battery. This 
will reset the logic board. Does 
the computer startup properly 
now? 
YesIssue resolved by logic board 
reset. Measure DC voltage 
on the battery touching the 
battery with the red probe, 
and grounding with the black 
probe. If voltage is 2.7v or less, 
replace the battery. See KBase 
article http://support.apple.
com/kb/HT3250 for details 
on using a digital multi-meter.
M20
NoGo to step 6.  
						

							Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 202010-10-29
6. Disconnect power button 
connector from logic board and 
short the two power button 
connector pins on logic board. 
Verify if the unit powers on.
YesReplace Power Button 
assembly
X03
NoGo to step 7
7. Disconnect AirPort/Bluetooth 
card, Hard Drive, Optical Drive 
and LED/IR Sensor cables from 
logic board. Connect AC cable 
and press the power button to 
verify if  a startup error tone is 
heard.
YesReconnect one by one each 
device and retest to identify 
the shorting one. When 
found, replace affected device 
cable first, and retest.
X03
NoGo to step 8
8.  Disconnect the power supply 
cable from logic board , 
connect AC cable and use 
a multimeter to verify that 
a 12 Volts voltage is present 
between the two outer pins 
of cable. See KBase article 
http://support.apple.com/kb/
HT3250 for details on using a 
digital multi-meter
YesPower supply is present. 
Replace logic board and 
retest.
M01
NoReplace cable between power 
supply and  logic board and 
retest.  
If issue persists after cable 
was replaced, replace power 
supply and retest.
X03 
 
 
P01