Apple mac mini User Manual

							
22 - Mac mini Troubleshooting
 Symptom Charts
2. On the older model, check that the Bluetooth antenna is securely connected to the 
Bluetooth board.
3. Make sure that the mezzanine board is properly seated on the logic board.
4. Reassemble the computer and test. If the Bluetooth board is still not recognized, test  with a known good Bluetooth board. If the known good board is recognized, replace 
the Bluetooth board or the AirPort/Bluetooth combo card on the new Mac mini. 
						

							
Mac mini Troubleshooting - 23
 Symptom Charts 5. Replace the mezzanine board and test the computer again.
6. Replace the logic board. 
The Mac mini recognizes a Bluetooth board, but cannot pair with wireless 
devices.
If the Mac mini recognizes the Bluetooth board, but you are unable to pair your Apple 
Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Apple Mouse, try the steps outlined in Knowledge Base 
article 86496: Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse: Troubleshooting Connection Issues.
1. Make sure that the Bluetooth antenna is firmly connected to the Bluetooth board or the 
AirPort/Bluetooth combo card on the new Mac mini model. 
2. With the top housing removed, make sure that the Bluetooth 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 of the Mac mini.
3. Check to make sure that the antenna cable and receptors are not damaged or  hindered when installing the top housing
4. Replace the Bluetooth antenna and test.
5. If the issue persists, replace the Bluetooth board or the AirPort/Bluetooth combo card  on the new Mac mini model. 
6. Replace the mezzanine board.
7. Replace the logic board. 
						

							
24 - Mac mini Troubleshooting
 Symptom Charts
Battery
The computer won’t keep date and time, the date and time reset when the 
computer is powered off or unplugged
1. Make sure the electrical outlet works by plugging in a different device, or plug the 
computer into a different outlet.
2. Check the power cord. Use a known good power cord.
3. Check the connection of the power cord on both ends. Make sure that the plug is  securely plugged into both the electrical outlet and the back of the computer.
4. Disconnect the keyboard, mouse, and all other peripherals such as speakers.
5. Remove the top housing and if necessary, remove the internal frame.
6. Measure the voltage of the battery in the battery holder (see graphic below). The  battery should measure 2.6V to 3.0V. If the battery does not have minimum voltage, 
replace the battery. After replacing the battery, wait 10 seconds and then reset the 
PMU (refer to Reset the PMU mentioned in this chapter). 
7. If the battery voltage is good, reset the Power Management Unit (PMU). Refer to:  Reset the PMU mentioned in this chapter.
8. If the issue continues after resetting the PMU, replace the logic board. 
						

							
Mac mini Troubleshooting - 25
 Symptom Charts
Error Beeps
The computer automatically performs a power-on self test when it is turned on after being 
fully shut down (not a restart). This section describes what to do if beeps are heard during 
the startup.
Computer beeps at startup
1. Check that the memory DIMM is compliant. The Mac mini computers have a single 
memory slot. The slot accepts a standard PC2700 or PC3200 184-pin DIMM with the 
following specifications:
• PC2700 or PC3200 Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)
• 2.5 volt
• 8-byte
• non-parity
• 64-bit wide
• 184-pin module
• maximum of 16 memory devices on the DIMM
• unbuffered—do not use registered or buffered SDRAM
• maximum height of 50 mm
The Mac mini has a 256 MB base memory configuration, which can be expand\
ed up 
to a maximum of 1 GB. 
2. Reseat the memory into the slot.
3. Replace the memory.
4. Replace the logic board. 
						

							
26 - Mac mini Troubleshooting
 Symptom Charts
Optical Drive
The optical disc drive does not accept discs (mechanical failure)
1. Verify disc is not warped.
2. Try another known-good disc.
3. Reseat the optical drive to the interconnect board.
4. Replace optical drive.
5. Replace the interconnect board
6. Replace the logic board.
The disc icon does not show up on the desktop, or a dialog box appears to 
initialize disc
1. Verify the correct type of disc is being used for the type of drive (a CD-ROM or CD-RW 
drive reads CD discs only; a DVD-ROM or Combo drive reads CD or DVD discs).
2. Try cleaning the disc. If it is dirty or scratched, it may not mount.
3. Try a different disc. 
4. Reseat optical drive to the interconnect board.
5. Replace optical drive.
6. Replace the interconnect board.
7. Replace the logic board.
The optical drive does not eject the disc
1. Check the disc. Nonstandard discs should not be used with the Mac mini. Refer to  Knowledge Base article 58641: Using nonstandard discs in CD-ROM or DVD-ROM 
discs
2. Verify disc is not in use by quitting any applications that may be using the disc.
3. Press and hold Media Eject key at top right corner of Apple keyboard. If that does not  work, hold down Function (fn) key and Media Eject key.
4. Drag disc icon to trash or select it and press Command-E.
5. Choose Restart from Apple menu while holding down the mouse button.
6. Refer to Take Apart to remove the stuck disc and replace the optical drive. Related article:
106752: Macintosh: How to Eject a Disc When Other Options Do Not Work 
						

							
Mac mini Troubleshooting - 27
 Symptom Charts
Hard Drive
Hard drive fails to boot to the desktop
1. Boot from Mac mini Mac OS X Install DVD and see if the hard drive mounts on the 
desktop.
2. Run Apple Hardware Test (AHT), located on the install DVD.
3. Run Disk Utility and correct any directory and permissions issues.
4. Erase and reformat the drive.
5. Verify that the hard drive is firmly connected to the interconnect board.
6. Try a known-good hard drive.
7. Erase and reformat the original drive.
8. Try a known-good interconnect board.
9. Replace hard drive.
10. Replace interconnect board.
11. Replace logic board.
The internal hard drive does not spin
1. Disconnect any connected peripherals.
2. Try known-good power outlet.
3. Try known-good power cord.
4. Boot from a Mac mini Mac OS X Install DVD.
5. Run Apple Hardware Test (AHT), located on the install DVD.
6. Run Disk Utility and correct any directory and permissions issues.
7. Verify that the hard drive is connected to the interconnect board.
8. Try a known-good hard drive.
9. Erase and reformat the original drive.
10. Try a known-good interconnect board.
11. Replace hard drive.
12. Replace interconnect board.
13. Replace logic board. 
						

							
28 - Mac mini Troubleshooting
 Symptom Charts
System hangs during normal startup process
1. Boot from the Mac mini Mac OS X Install DVD that came with the computer and see if 
the hard drive mounts on the desktop.
2. Run Apple Hardware Test (AHT), located on the install DVD.
3. Run Disk Utility and correct any directory and permissions issues.
4. Verify that the hard drive is connected to the interconnect board.
5. Try a known-good hard drive.
6. Erase and reformat the original drive.
7. Try a known-good interconnect board.
8. Replace hard drive.
9. Replace interconnect board.
10. Replace logic board.
Flashing question mark appears on the screen
1. Boot from the Mac mini Mac OS X Install DVD that came with the computer and see if  the hard drive mounts on the desktop.
2. Run Apple Hardware Test (AHT), located on the install DVD.
3. Run Disk Utility and correct any directory and permissions issues.
4. Verify that the hard drive is connected to the interconnect board.
5. Try a known-good hard drive.
6. Try a known-good interconnect board.
7. Replace hard drive.
8. Replace interconnect board.
9. Replace logic board. 
						

							
Mac mini Troubleshooting - 29
 Symptom Charts
Keyboard
No response from any key on the USB keyboard
1. Check that the mouse and keyboard are compliant. The Mac mini has two USB 2.0 
ports, which can be used with any USB 1.1- or USB 2.0-compliant keyboard and 
mouse. 
2. Remove any connected peripherals.
3. Boot from the Mac mini Mac OS X system DVD to verify that it is not a software  problem.
4. Disconnect the keyboard connector and inspect connectors.
5. Replace the keyboard.
6. Replace the logic board.
No response from the Wireless keyboard
1. Check System Profile to determine if the AirPort/Bluetooth are present.
2. Try a known-good wireless keyboard.
3. Replace the batteries in the wireless keyboard.
4. Replace the keyboard.
5. Remove the top housing.
6. Check for kinks in the Bluetooth antenna cable. Test the reception before replacing the  top housing.
7. If the reception goes away when the top housing is replaced, remove the top housing  and reseat the Bluetooth antenna on the internal frame. Test the reception again.
8. Make sure that the Bluetooth antenna is firmly connected to the Bluetooth board. 
9. Make sure that the Bluetooth antenna is not damaged or warped on the receiver end  of the cable. Make sure that the antenna is properly seated to the internal frame of the 
Mac mini.
10. Replace the Bluetooth antenna and test.
11. If the issue persists, replace the Bluetooth board. 
12. Replace the mezzanine board.
13. Replace the logic board. 
						

							
30 - Mac mini Troubleshooting
 Symptom Charts
Modem
No modem dial tone
1. Check that the internal modem is selected. Check System Preferences: Network 
setup.
2. Verify known-good analog (not digital) telephone line.
3. Verify known-good RJ-11 telephone cable.
4. Verify RJ-11 cable is not plugged into Ethernet port.
5. Inspect RJ-11 connector and modem port for pin damage. 
6. Verify RJ-11 telephone cable is firmly installed in the modem port.
7. Verify RJ-11 connector is plugged into the modem board on the logic board.
8. Replace RJ-11 connector/cable. 
9. Replace modem.
10. Replace the logic board.
Cannot send fax
1. Check that Network connection in System Preferences is set to Internal Modem.
2. Refer to Knowledge Base article 25746: Mac OS X 10.3: Fax doesnt send.
Cannot receive fax
Check that “Receive faxes on this computer” is selected in the Print & Fax area of System 
Preferences.
Related articles: 25731: Mac OS X 10.3: Receiving faxes and connecting to the Internet
25596: Mac OS X 10.3: About Receiving Faxes.
Modem drops connection
1. Try known-good phone line.
2. Refer to Knowledge Base article 106748: Mac OS X: Troubleshooting a dial-up/PPP Internet connection. 
						

							
Mac mini Troubleshooting - 31
 Symptom Charts
Ports
The FireWire or USB port is not recognizing devices
1. Completely shut down, then press the power button to start the computer.
2. Use Software Update in Mac OS X system preferences to verify that the latest 
software is installed.
3. Use Apple System Profile to verify that the computer is recognizing the bus.
4. For USB, test ports with a compliant keyboard or mouse.
5. For FireWire, test by connecting another computer in FireWire Target Disk Mode.  Refer to article 58583: How to Use FireWire Target Disk Mode.
6. Verify that drivers are installed properly for third party, if needed.
7. Try a different cable.
8. Try known-good device.
9. If self-powered make sure that the power supply is connected and devices LED  indicates that it is getting power.
10. Replace logic board.