Ellen Higgins
Level 1 (25 points)

Q: Mac mini sometimes won't wake up

Intermittently, my Mac Mini won't wake from sleep.  No matter how many keys I hit on the wireless keyboard or how I move the wireless mouse, it just doesn't wake up.  I just replaced my monitor as the old one died, but it used to happen with the old monitor, too.  When it happens, the only thing I can do is hold the power key until it shuts down, then wait, and power back up.  Anybody got any ideas?  Thanks.

 

Ellen

Posted on May 30, 2011 4:06 PM

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Ellen Higgins

Q: Mac mini sometimes won't wake up

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  • by RoryMac,

    RoryMac RoryMac May 30, 2011 8:39 PM in response to Ellen Higgins
    Level 3 (810 points)
    May 30, 2011 8:39 PM in response to Ellen Higgins

    Hi Ellen,

     

    I had the same issue that you're having, I ended up getting a new monitor and that seems to have fixed my problem. It could be a monitor specific issue with the graphics card/software. Post a bug to Apple.

     

    You can also try resetting the pmu

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2183

  • by Ellen Higgins,

    Ellen Higgins Ellen Higgins May 31, 2011 4:30 PM in response to RoryMac
    Level 1 (25 points)
    May 31, 2011 4:30 PM in response to RoryMac

    Well, I just replaced my monitor and it still happens with the new one.  I just now reset the PMU.  The computer came up, but the tiny power light on the front of the Mac Mini didn't come on (and it was working when I shut it down), and there's a fan noise that began as it started up and is still running.  Not sure if I have a new problem now or what.  Time will tell whether it cured the "won't wake up" problem.

  • by RoryMac,

    RoryMac RoryMac May 31, 2011 5:06 PM in response to Ellen Higgins
    Level 3 (810 points)
    May 31, 2011 5:06 PM in response to Ellen Higgins

    Yeah, something strange is going on.

    I would try zapping the p-ram.

    1. Hold the power button in until the computer shutsdown

    2. Locate the command - option - P - R keys.

    3. Press the power button and hold the command - option - P - R keys down.

    4. You should hear the standard start up sound, keep holding the keys down until you hear that sound twice.

     

    If the new problem persists, unplug any additional equipment you may have hooked up to it (printers, external HD's...) so you only have the monitor, mouse and keyboard hooked up to it and try starting up holding down the shift key and if you still don't get anywhere, unplug the machine for 5 minutes and the plug it back in and try starting it up.

  • by Ellen Higgins,

    Ellen Higgins Ellen Higgins May 31, 2011 5:13 PM in response to RoryMac
    Level 1 (25 points)
    May 31, 2011 5:13 PM in response to RoryMac

    I just now did the whole thing over again, resetting the PMU.  Now it appears everything is as it should be as far as no fan noise and the light on the Mini is shining it's little heart out again.  Now, I will just have to wait and see if the original problem is cured.  I'll be back.....

  • by Ellen Higgins,

    Ellen Higgins Ellen Higgins Jun 6, 2011 7:41 PM in response to Ellen Higgins
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jun 6, 2011 7:41 PM in response to Ellen Higgins

    Well, I thought the problem was solved, but it happened again tonight where I had to force power down the Mini to get it to wake up.  Should I try zapping the PRAM?

     

    Ellen

  • by RoryMac,

    RoryMac RoryMac Jun 6, 2011 8:47 PM in response to Ellen Higgins
    Level 3 (810 points)
    Jun 6, 2011 8:47 PM in response to Ellen Higgins

    Yes, I'd start with zapping the pram and if that doesn't do it, reset the pmu again. Send a bug report to Apple also so they are aware the issue is out there, you're not the first or only person with this issue...

  • by Ellen Higgins,

    Ellen Higgins Ellen Higgins Jun 7, 2011 4:04 PM in response to RoryMac
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jun 7, 2011 4:04 PM in response to RoryMac

    Is there a "best way" to send a bug report?  Or do I just go to "contact us" on the Apple website?

  • by RoryMac,

    RoryMac RoryMac Jun 7, 2011 4:09 PM in response to Ellen Higgins
    Level 3 (810 points)
    Jun 7, 2011 4:09 PM in response to Ellen Higgins

    http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

  • by Vernon Alexander,

    Vernon Alexander Vernon Alexander Jun 7, 2011 5:01 PM in response to Ellen Higgins
    Level 2 (450 points)
    Jun 7, 2011 5:01 PM in response to Ellen Higgins

    Hold your horsey their missy.  It might not be that big of a deal. 

     

    BIG question. Do you have an external drive attached to the MINI via FW800? 

     

    Have you tried to create a bootable external drive with a fresh install of OS X from your back up disk and see if the problem still exists?

     

    How about booting from the install disk (don't install anything) let it just run and see if you have the same problem?

     

    If your Mac won't wake up booted from the install disk then you can suspect a hardware issue.

  • by Velona,

    Velona Velona Jul 31, 2011 7:15 PM in response to Ellen Higgins
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 31, 2011 7:15 PM in response to Ellen Higgins

    Hey Ellen, I am having the same problem.  Have you gotten any further trying to resolve it?  Seems like a software bug to me...

  • by sdp33,

    sdp33 sdp33 Jul 31, 2011 8:34 PM in response to Velona
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Jul 31, 2011 8:34 PM in response to Velona

    Mine was doing the same thing (I have a mid 2010). I have a 3 TB external hard drive connected to it, I thought that was the cause. All until last week when I upgraded the memory from 4 GB to 8 GB. It works like a charm ever since.

  • by iVmichael,

    iVmichael iVmichael Jul 31, 2011 9:01 PM in response to Ellen Higgins
    Level 6 (13,730 points)
    Jul 31, 2011 9:01 PM in response to Ellen Higgins

    Mine doesn't see the Bluetooth Keyboard and Magic TrackPad and refuses to wake, doesn't see the keyboard on a restart with Option held down either. Have to keep a USB mouse connected to wake it in the morning, this never happened with my MacBook Pro and the same screen, keyboard and mouse so it's specific to the MacMini hardware I'd say.

     

    I've got an 8GB kit in the mail so it would be nice if this upgrade fixes the Bluetooth issue but I'm a tad sceptical there's any relationship ...

     

  • by sdp33,

    sdp33 sdp33 Jul 31, 2011 9:43 PM in response to iVmichael
    Level 1 (45 points)
    Jul 31, 2011 9:43 PM in response to iVmichael

    Try replacing the batteries, it might help.

  • by Velona,

    Velona Velona Aug 1, 2011 12:38 AM in response to sdp33
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 1, 2011 12:38 AM in response to sdp33

    oh did you upgrade from a single 4gb chip to 2x4GB?

     

    I think the problem might have started after i upgraded from by 2x1Gb to a single 4GB chip..

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