Mac Mini-A Huge Mistake!!!

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Mac Mini-A Huge Mistake!!!

i decided to try a mac mini and boy am i sorry. i have had it 2 days now and it hasn't worked properly yet. i purchased a model: mac mini 1.83/2x256/80/SD/AP/BT

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: Mac mini
Model Identifier: Macmini1,1
Processor Name: Intel Core Duo
Processor Speed: 1.83 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per processor): 2 MB
Memory: 512 MB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MM11.0055.B08
SMC Version: 1.3f4
Serial Number: <edited by moderator>

Software:

System Software Overview:

System Version: Mac OS X 10.4.11 (8S2167)
Kernel Version: Darwin 8.11.1
Boot Volume: Macintosh HD

i received it on 1/17/08 and hooked it up to my nice, brand new apple 30" display. as soon as i turned it on, i was directed to do software updates. i did them. no problems. then, i was ready to explore my new mac. i clicked on idvd. an error message popped up informing me that no dvd burner was present. i thought that was odd, as i know that i had just purchased a machine w/ a superdrive; at least that's what i paid for. i ran the system profiler and sure enough it stated that no disc burning devices were present. i looked at the model description on the bottom of the unit and noticed it had "SD" as part of the model. i assume that means superdrive. i loaded a dvd into the drive and could hear it spinning, but it was never recognized. since the drive wasn't present, i could not get the dvd to eject. i got on the apple support forum and found people having similar problems and someone suggested a reset procedure. i followed that and was able to get the system profiler to recognize the drive. i ejected the disc and inserted another. it was a store-bought movie. dvd player launched and started to play the movie. about 30 seconds into the movie, dvd player quit and ejected my disc. i checked the system profiler and the dvd drive had disappeared from the list once again. i also noticed that in the ata bus section, it stated that there were no ata devices either. i did another reset and was able to get the following info. although, this info disappeared again.

ATA Bus:

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-85J:

Model: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-85J
Revision: FEW7
Serial Number:
Detachable Drive: No
Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal
Low Power Polling: Yes

Disc Burning:

MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-85J:

Firmware Revision: FEW7
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipped/Supported)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -RW, +R, +RW, +R DL
Burn Underrun Protection CD: Yes
Burn Underrun Protection DVD: Yes
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, DVD-DAO
Media: No

i tried another dvd with the same error, reset and eject procedure. i then thought that maybe the software updates that i had done when i first set it up had some compatibility problems w/ the dvd drive. i inserted the system restore disc and tried to revert back to the original configuration. the problem is: it won't restore from the disc and keeps trying to boot from it without success. and to top it off, i can't eject it. i'm not too pleased with my purchase and if anyone asked me what i think about apple computers right now...well let's just say that i wouldn't have nice things to say. (i'm trying to practice my anger management here, so i'm omitting the foul language.)

any ideas? anyone? help!!!

typhon

Dual 1.25 Ghz Power PC g4, Mac OS X (10.3.x), 2 Gigs RAM

Posted on Jan 18, 2008 11:58 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 19, 2008 4:58 AM in response to typhon

Hi typhon-

It's new. It doesn't work. What am I missing?

Take it back and get one that does work.

It is also a bad idea to post your actual serial number.

Luck-

-DaddyPaycheck

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Answer 2

Boece

Level 5

6,264 points

Jan 19, 2008 6:06 AM in response to typhon

Typhon, could you tell us where/how you bought this Mini. The specs indicate that it is not the current model.

So did you buy this new but old stock, refurbished, or used?

It apparently does have a superdrive, but your remedies will depend out how you bought it.

BTW your serial number appears to indicate that you bought a Mini of the kind listed in the right column of this page:

http://support.apple.com/specs/macmini/Macmini_Late2006.html

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Answer 3

Boece

Level 5

6,264 points

Jan 19, 2008 6:18 AM in response to typhon

+i received it on 1/17/08 and hooked it up to my nice, brand new apple 30" display+

If I'm not mistaken, you would need a dual-link capable Mac to drive this monitor at its full resolution. No Mini is dual-link capable, so it will display at half-resolution AFAIK.

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Answer 4

Boece

Level 5

6,264 points

Jan 19, 2008 6:36 AM in response to typhon

+i inserted the system restore disc and tried to revert back to the original configuration. the problem is: it won't restore from the disc and keeps trying to boot from it without success. and to top it off, i can't eject it. i'm not too pleased with my purchase and if anyone asked me what i think about apple computers right now...well let's just say that i wouldn't have nice things to say+

Generally you can eject a disc by holding down the mouse button during start-up. Usually you have to hold it for 30-40 seconds for the disk to pop out.

(Until we know a bit more about how you acquired this mini, it may be unfair to blame Apple for the problems you are experiencing. The used computer market is often a dumping ground for broken computers.)

The serial number appears to indicate that your Mini was built during or slightly before the 16th week of 2007.

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Answer 5

typhon Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 19, 2008 8:07 AM in response to Boece

(It's new. It doesn't work. What am I missing? Take it back and get one that does work. It is also a bad idea to post your actual serial number.)

hi all, hope i can give enough info to help my situation. the unit was purchased as a "brand new" unit. it was not used or a refurb. it was ordered through the mail as a closeout item, so i cannot send it back or exchange it. just curious...why is it a bad idea to post the serial number?

( BTW your serial number appears to indicate that you bought a Mini of the kind listed in the right column of this page:

http://support.apple.com/specs/macmini/Macmini_Late2006.html)

yep. that looks like the exact one.

( If I'm not mistaken, you would need a dual-link capable Mac to drive this monitor at its full resolution. No Mini is dual-link capable, so it will display at half-resolution AFAIK.)

i'm not really having a problem w/ resolution quality. the monitor plugged in and worked fine. if i can get the computer working, the monitor may be a problem for another day, but thanks for the info.

(Generally you can eject a disc by holding down the mouse button during start-up. Usually you have to hold it for 30-40 seconds for the disk to pop out.)

i will try that and let you know how it turns out.

(Until we know a bit more about how you acquired this mini, it may be unfair to blame Apple for the problems you are experiencing. The used computer market is often a dumping ground for broken computers.)

since this machine was purchased "new" i do blame apple 100%. one thing that i am wondering is: is this a hardware problem or os problem?

again, thanks for all of the input.

typhon

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Answer 6

Boece

Level 5

6,264 points

Jan 19, 2008 8:24 AM in response to typhon

If the computer truly is new and not a demo or returned unit, you should have no problem getting any authorized Apple dealer or store to service it under warranty.

New Macs have a one-year warranty and the serial number indicates it was built less than a year ago.

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Answer 7

BGreg

Level 6

17,558 points

Jan 19, 2008 9:07 AM in response to typhon

it was ordered through the mail as a closeout item, so i cannot send it back or exchange it

As Boece said, you can, however, take your new machine to an Apple store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, or call Apple support and have it repaired so it works properly. The closest Apple store or Apple Authorized Service Provider can be found at http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/ . Apple support is at 1-800-APL-CARE (1-800-275-2273).

Message was edited by: BGreg

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Answer 8

typhon Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 19, 2008 3:27 PM in response to typhon

i'm taking it in for service on tuesday. monday is a holiday here, so the shop is closed. i'll post what they find.

thanks everyone for your input.

typhon

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Answer 9

typhon Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 26, 2008 6:19 PM in response to typhon

picked it up from the repair shop. they said that the optical drive was defective. they replaced it w/ a brand new one. got it home...same problem. guess i'm taking it back first thing monday morning. what a bummer.

typhon

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Answer 10

Jan 27, 2008 5:03 AM in response to typhon

Hi typhon-

This time, before you leave the shop, have them hook it up and demonstrate that it is working properly.

Out of curiosity, did you try another DVD or is it always the same one with a problem?

Luck-

-DaddyPaycheck

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Answer 11

typhon Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 28, 2008 8:23 PM in response to DaddyPaycheck

DaddyPaycheck wrote:
Hi typhon-

This time, before you leave the shop, have them hook it up and demonstrate that it is working >properly.

this time i will definitely have them hook it up while i'm there and have them demonstrate that it is functioning properly.

Out of curiosity, did you try another DVD or is it always the same one with a problem?

Luck-

-DaddyPaycheck

i have tried dvd's that i have burned as well as store-bought movies, etc. same problem.

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Answer 12

Jan 28, 2008 9:16 PM in response to typhon

I have a friend that owns 2 mac minis and he loves them both. They have worked flawlessly. Don't give up on it! BUT...I would contact the company you purchased it from and demand a replacement or refund due to it not working correctly out of the box. Regardless whether it was a demo or new discontinued if it arrived defective they should replace it.

This is the main reason I only purchase Mac products from an Apple Store.

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Answer 13

typhon Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 29, 2008 8:47 AM in response to Doug Campbell

got a call from the tech yesterday. he said that he could not duplicate the problem, so i went to the shop this morning. as soon as the system was booted, we ran the system profiler. the optical drive was not recognized under ata devices or burning devices. i am starting to think that the mother board might be the problem...or is it possible that it is a glitch in the os? whatever it is, i'm glad it failed at the shop this time.

typhon

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Answer 14

AndyO

Level 6

17,064 points

Jan 29, 2008 9:07 AM in response to typhon

A glitch in the OS would not generally result in the exclusion of the device from the system profiler. While it is possible the drivers failed to load, the profiler queries the hardware in addition to MacOS, so the drive should appear. There are circumstances where components can 'vanish' as a result of the system management controller failing to function correctly, in which case an SMC reset would fix it. Since an Intel system is reset by disconnecting everything to take it in for service, the SMC reset has already been done, so it isn't that.

All in all, it sounds to me very much like a hardware issue, and I'm puzzled as to why it's taking so long to get it resolved. You commented previously that you blame Apple 100% for the problem, but the point is that in the 6 months that specific unit has been in the dealer channel, between coming off the production line and being sold to you as a 'closeout' item, there's no way to know what has happened to it, and who has done what. What we do know from the speed at which Leopard upgrade disks began to appear, and then Leopard itself began to be installed, in minis being sold, is that 6 months is a lot longer than most minis hang around in the supply chain, so that one has some history to it that may be very telling - but which sadly of course no-one but the dealer who sold it to you will know!

You also haven't mentioned with whom you are trying to get the problem resolved, and that may be quite important. It's hard to imagine Apple themselves being so reticent to fix it, and I must admit that my choice would have been to call them and report the problem, and have them arrange to ship it back to them. It generally take a tad longer to get it back from Apple in that situation, but it's more likely to be fixed - particularly when the fault is such a clear one as an optical drive which isn't being recognized.

Given you're dealing with a local shop, you might ask if, when they said the fault could not be replicated, they mean that the drive at that point was functional. An intermittent fault is far more likely to be cabling or something similar, or an SMC that functions correctly immediately after reset, but then fails subsequently. The latter would mean a new logic board.

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Answer 15

typhon Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 8, 2008 8:47 AM in response to AndyO

"You commented previously that you blame Apple 100% for the problem, but the point is that in the 6 months that specific unit has been in the dealer channel, between coming off the production line and being sold to you as a 'closeout' item, there's no way to know what has happened to it, and who has done what."<</div>

the unit was received still sealed in the factory packaging, so i feel that no matter how long it has been sitting in the box, it is still a "new" machine.

"You also haven't mentioned with whom you are trying to get the problem resolved, and that may be quite important. It's hard to imagine Apple themselves being so reticent to fix it, and I must admit that my choice would have been to call them and report the problem<</div>

actually, i did report it to apple and they are the ones that referred me to the computer shoppe for service. a new logic board was ordered and installed as of today 3-7-08. now i am told that the machine will not even power up. the technician that was working on it advised me to get in touch with apple and request a replacement mini. he said that he is totally baffled at this point. how exactly do i request a replacement? is there a number that i should call or someone specific that i should speak with?

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