Apple mac mini User Manual

							
12 - Mac mini Troubleshooting
 Reset PRAM and NVRAM
Reset PRAM and NVRAM
Procedure
1. Shut down the computer.
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.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. 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.
7. Your computers PRAM and the NVRAM are reset to the default values. The clock  settings may be reset to a default date on some models.  
						

							
Mac mini Troubleshooting - 13
 Symptom Charts
Symptom Charts
How to Use the Symptom Charts
The Symptom Charts included in this chapter will help you diagnose specific symptoms 
related to the product. Because cures are listed on the charts in the order of most likely 
solution, try the cures in the order presented. Verify whether or not the product continues 
to exhibit the symptom. If the symptom persists, try the next cure. 
Note:   If you have replaced a module, reinstall the original module before you proceed to 
the next cure.
No Power
The Mac mini won’t turn on, no startup chime, no drive or fan sound, maybe 
no power on LED
1. Make sure that the power cord is plugged into a working wall outlet, and that its  properly connected to the power adapter. (To check if the wall socket is working, plug 
in a lamp or other electrical device.)
2. Make sure that the power adapter is properly connected to the power port on the back  of the computer.
3. Disconnect all accessories that are plugged into the computer, such as a printer, hub,  or iPod.
4. Reset the PMU. (Refer to Reset the PMU mentioned in this chapter.)
5. Check and reseat  the internal connectors. Note: If the fan connector is disconnected,  the unit will quickly flash the LED and shut off.
6. Try plugging a different power cord into the computer (if you have a working one  available). If the computer starts up, replace the old power cord.
7. Try connecting a different power adapter to the computer (if you have a working one  available). If the computer starts up, replace the old power adapter.
8. Replace the logic board. 
						

							
14 - Mac mini Troubleshooting
 Symptom Charts
No Video
Computer starts up, but no video on display, there is a startup chime, fans 
and drive spins up, and the power LED is on 
1. Make sure that the monitor is turned on and has power. Make sure that the displays 
power cord is plugged into a working wall outlet, and that its properly connected to the 
power adapter. (To check if the wall socket is working, plug in a lamp or other electrical 
device.)
2. Check that all video cable connections to the computer video port and to the monitor  are properly connected.
3. Examine the pins on the video cable connector to make sure they are not bent or  damaged in any way.
4. Connect a known working display (if you have an extra one available). If you see no  video after doing so, proceed to the next symptom, “No video on the display.” If you 
see video, go on to step 5.
5. Reset the computers parameter RAM. (Refer to Reset the PRAM and NVRAM  mentioned in this chapter.)
6. Reset the computers PMU. (Refer to Reset the PMU mentioned in this chapter.)
7. Reseat the Mac minis memory. Make sure the memory chip is a PC2700 (333) or  PC3200 (400) DIMM.
8. Remove the DIMM and try replacing it with a working DIMM to test.
9. Reset the PMU on the logic board. (Refer to Reset the PMU mentioned in this  chapter.)
10. Replace the logic board.
Other displays work with the Mac mini, but your display show a black screen 
or “Out of Range” message
1. Verify that the monitor used in testing is known good and is supported by this  computer. Refer to Apple Knowledge base article: 300652, “Mac mini: Compatible 
Apple Displays” and article 300985: “Mac mini Compatibility with Third-Party Displays.” 
2. If your display is not listed in either of the above documents, try using the steps in  Apple Knowledge base article 301345, “Mac mini: Troubleshooting “Out of Range” 
Alert Message.”
3.  If you still have no video on your display when connected to a Mac mini, try another  display of the same type (either same model or same connector and native 
resolution). If you have the same result with the same type of display then you are 
experiencing an incompatibility with the particular display. 
4. Contact Tech Assist through Service Source if you require further assistance. 
						

							
Mac mini Troubleshooting - 15
 Symptom Charts
Display shows ghosting (signal re flection) 
1. Verify monitor that is used in testing is known-good and is supported by this computer.
2. Verify that the cables are correctly installed and firmly seated.
3. Connect a known-good display (if you have an extra one available). If it solves the 
issue, replace your display.
4. Try and known-good DVI to VGA adapter.
5. Replace the adapter cable.
6. Replace the logic board. 
						

							
16 - Mac mini Troubleshooting
 Symptom Charts
AirPort
AirPort Extreme card not recognized
If the Mac mini does not recognize an AirPort Extreme card, the card may not be seated 
correctly or it is inoperable. 
1. Depending on which Mac mini model you have, reseat the AirPort Extreme card and/
or cables making sure it is securely connected to the mezzanine card (top pho\
to) or 
check the AirPort Bluetooth combo card cable connections shown in lower photo. 
						

							
Mac mini Troubleshooting - 17
 Symptom Charts 2. On the older Mac mini models, make sure the kapton tape is applied properly to hold 
the AirPort Extreme card in place.
3. Make sure that the mezzanine board is properly seated on the logic board. This shows  the older mezzanine board, but the location is the same on the newer models.
4. Reassemble the computer and test. Again, depending on the Mac mini model, if the  AirPort Extreme card is still not recognized, test with a known good AirPort Extreme 
card or AirPort Extreme/Bluetooth card. If the known good card is recognized, replace 
the AirPort Extreme card or the AirPort Extreme/Bluetooth card.
5. If a known good AirPort Extreme card or the AirPort Extreme/Bluetooth card is still not  recognized, replace the mezzanine board and test the computer again
6. If a known good AirPort Extreme card or AirPort Extreme/Bluetooth card and  replacement mezzanine board does not resolve the issue, replace the logic board. 
						

							
18 - Mac mini Troubleshooting
 Symptom Charts
Poor AirPort reception, the Mac mini is able to connect to the network, but 
the signal strength is poor
1. Dont put anything on top of your Mac mini or stack Mac minis on top of each other 
either. If the Mac mini is configured with AirPort or Bluetooth, it could hamper the 
signal strength since the antennas are located in the top of the compute\
r.
2. If your Mac mini is still experiencing poor AirPort reception, try the steps outlined in  Knowledge Base article 58543: AirPort: Potential sources of interference.
3. Remove the top housing and test the reception. If the reception is always good with  the top housing removed, check to make sure that the antenna cable and receptors 
are not damaged or hindered when installing the top housing.
4. Reseat AirPort antenna and cable.
5. Try a known-good AirPort Extreme card or AirPort/Bluetooth combo card.
6. Reseat the mezzanine board.
7. Replace the AirPort antenna.
8. Replace the AirPort Extreme card or AirPort/Bluetooth combo card.
9. Replace the mezzanine board.
10. Replace logic board. 
						

							
Mac mini Troubleshooting - 19
 Symptom Charts
Can’t Connect to the Internet over AirPort
The Mac mini recognizes an AirPort Extreme Card installed, but cannot connect to the 
internet over AirPort.
1. If your Mac mini recognizes your AirPort Extreme card, but you are unable to connect 
to your network, try the steps outlined in Knowledge Base article 106858: AirPort 
Troubleshooting Guide.
2. Reseat and replace the AirPort antenna if the above information does not resolve the  issue. 
3. Make sure that the AirPort antenna is seated correctly to the AirPort Extreme Card.  Refer to Knowledge Base article 108039: Properly attaching the antenna on an 
AirPort Extreme card.
4. Make sure that the AirPort antenna is not damaged or warped on the receiver end of  the cable. Make sure that this end is properly seated to the internal frame (as shown 
below).  
						

							
20 - Mac mini Troubleshooting
 Symptom Charts
5.
Note:  The airport antenna board contained in the finished goods upgrade kit has too 
large a hole for the internal frames to clip onto. Use additional kapton tape to secure 
the antenna to the internal frame. Place a little kapton tape beneath the antenna or 
place a strip of tape going from the optical drive to the internal frame, where the 
antenna connects to the antenna board. 
6. Replace the AirPort antenna and test.
7. If the issue persists, replace the AirPort Extreme card.  
						

							
Mac mini Troubleshooting - 21
 Symptom Charts
BlueTooth
The Mac mini does not recognize the Bluetooth board 
If the Mac mini does not recognize Bluetooth, the board may not be seated correctly or is 
inoperable.
1. Depending on the Mac mini model, reseat the Bluetooth board or cable on the AirPort/
Bluetooth combo card (lower photo), making sure they are securely connected.