Mac Mini Intel (Early 2006) - Won't start

Question

Level 1

8 points

Mac Mini Intel (Early 2006) - Won't start

I recently (about 3 weeks ago) allowed the software updater to run on my headless MacMini (used as a home media server). The system then did it's obligatory restart but never came back on the network, so last week I borrowed a VGA cable and monitor from a friend (everything else in the house is a laptop) and tried it out and the system will display a power-on light and the Superdrive does a homing calibration but the system doesn't seem to want to proceed-- no video, no happy/sad Mac chimes, etc.

A cursory review of Google and the Apple Forums indicated I should do a PMU reset (which I now know was wrong, but that bit of text is at the bottom of the article and not the top, thanks Apple!) which I did. Low and behold the system booted up beautifully, except for not being able to pair with my bluetooth keyboard. Thinking the problem was fully resolved I tried another restart (not a power off, just an Apple->Restart) and the system hung again. I tried the PMU-reset trick (still not realizing that it was for the wrong system) to no avail. Re-read the PMU reset document and noticed that I had to do a SMC reset instead, which I also tried. Again, no joy. The best I can get it to do now is run the fans full speed.

A trip to my local genius bar-- where we tried connecting it to his keyboard, mouse, monitor, and power supply-- resulted in the advise that it was cheaper to buy a new Mini than to get this one fixed. My problem is that I'm not convinced it's actually dead, as evidenced by its successful boot after the first PMU-reset.

I'm not worried about the data because I used an external drive for all of the media objects.

Am I being irrational holding out hope for a full recovery? Should my Mini have filled out an advance directive telling me to pull the plug?

Any advice?

Thanks,
Mike

G4 iBook, MacBook, Intel Mini, iPhone, AppleTV, Airport Extreme-N, Airport Express, Mac OS X (10.4.11), ...and a Dell Latitude D810

Posted on Dec 16, 2007 12:16 PM

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Answer 1

AndyO

Level 6

17,064 points

Dec 17, 2007 5:09 AM in response to errorsupply

You don't indicate what happened when the Genius tested your system and indeed, what tests the Genius ran. Did he, for example, attempt to boot from your original install disk, and if so, what happened? Did he test the system with a different power supply?

On the face of it, from what you have described, it would seem possible that your system could have suffered a logic board failure (which would indeed be an expensive repair, though not as expensive as a new mini), but the fact it started once does offer a glimmer of hope. However, it could require little more than a simple matter of something such as a PRAM reset, or a complex hardware disassembly and test in order to determine the problem.

If you (or the Genius) haven't tried booting to the original install disk, it would help to try that and let us know what happens (you will need a wired USB keyboard for this). Also let us know whatever other testing has been done and any symptoms apparent.

By the way, to reset PRAM (again, you'll require a wired USB keyboard):
-Shut down the computer.
-Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in the next step but one.
-Turn on the computer.
-Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
-Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
-Release the keys.

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Answer 2

errorsupply Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 17, 2007 9:14 PM in response to AndyO

Thanks for the suggestions. The genius really didn't try much, other than hooking it up to his monitor, power supply, wired keyboard and mouse. It exhibited the same problem in that the power light came on and I could hear the superdrive come to life but it never provided any video, nor did it provide any diagnostic chimes. I did show him what happens when I try to reset the PMU (which I know doesn't exist on the system)-- and the fans came on full.

I can try to scrounge up a USB keyboard and see if I can force a reset of the PRAM. I had also read that on some Mini's there's actually a PRAM reset switch on the motherboard. Does this include the Intel Minis? If not is there a battery backup of some sort I can reset to the factory settings? Maybe it's just coincidental that the motherboard failed after installing a software update but I'm somewhat of the opinion that there's some firmware configuration that's screwed up.

I may have to find a putty knife...

Thanks,
Mike

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Answer 3

AndyO

Level 6

17,064 points

Dec 18, 2007 4:01 AM in response to errorsupply

Clearly the Genius wasn't much of a genius since there are a number of things I would have expected him to try, including PRAM reset, booting in Safe mode (holding the shift key down during startup), starting up in single user or verbose mode (s and v keys respectively during startup) to see in each case if the system could be encouraged to produce any display, trying FW target disk mode when connected to a compatible Mac to see if the system is active when started up. Even connecting another system and using something such as VNC to attempt a remote login in to see if the mini was actually working.

There is a battery in the system, keeping a block of memory alive - that's the Parameter RAM (PRAM) reset by the bootup key sequence given above. However, the same boot failure you note could (possibly) be caused by failure of that battery, or another hardware component such as the Airport card. It's a bit of a stretch to point the finger at such components, but these things have been known to cause startup problems with other systems.

One way or another, a wired keyboard would be helpful in order to try almost anything!

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Answer 4

errorsupply Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 28, 2007 10:02 PM in response to AndyO

I borrowed a wired keyboard (and mouse) today and hooked the system back up. Still no joy-- I've tried single user mode, verbose, and resetting the PRAM via keyboard commands and nothing has gotten the system to proceed to the POST chimes. Sure the mouse lights up (receiving power from USB), the fans come on, the superdrive seeks, but then nothing. I'm starting to feel like this may be a lost cause but on the other hand if the system is doomed for the recycling bin there's no risk in opening it up and trying more drastic measures.

Any suggestions on what my next step should be? Eventually we may have to see if it blends. 🙂

Mike

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Answer 5

errorsupply Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 29, 2007 5:44 PM in response to errorsupply

I am so glad that I didn't give up when the keyboard options didn't work. I was able to find a putty knife and crack open the case. After removing the airport and drive assembly I removed the battery and hit the internal PRAM reset button and sure enough the mini fired on without any hesitation. I'm really surprised that the Genius didn't suggest this as it's a much better option than sending an 18 month old mini to the landfill.

This did happen after installing a system upgrade. I'm guessing somehow during the reset sequence the PRAM got scrambled enough to prevent a proper boot.

Thanks to everyone who tried to help.

Mike

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