Mac Mini white screen, no recovery mode

You can also put the Mini into Target Disk Mode so you can access the data from another Mac.

Have you tried running the Apple Diagnostics?

I would be surprised if the hard drive is not worn out or even failing. Unfortunately the diagnostics don't detect most drive failures or other types of failures. If the diagnostics do report an issue, then you most likely have a hardware failure.

Personally I would try booting a Knoppix USB stick to see what happens. If Knoppix is able to run without issues, then it most likely means there is an issue with the internal drive or possibly macOS issue or file system issue. It is possible to check the health of the drive using Knoppix by launching the GSmartControl app and posting the complete text report here so it can be reviewed.

Here is how to create & use a bootable Knoppix USB stick to do this:

Download a Knoppix DVD .iso file for v8.6.1 (if still available, otherwise use the 9.x version) making sure to get one with "EN" in the name for "ENglish". Use the Knoppix .iso file as a source for Etcher (Mac/Windows/Linux) which will create a bootable Knoppix USB stick. Option Boot the Knoppix USB stick and select the orange icon labeled "EFI". While Knoppix is booting the Mac may appear to be frozen on the boot picker menu so make sure to give Knoppix lots of time to finish booting.

Once Knoppix reaches the desktop click on the "Start" menu icon on the lower left corner of the Taskbar and navigate the menus to "System Tools ---> GSmartControl". Within the GSmartControl app double-click on the drive icon for the drive you want to checl to access the drive's health report. Post the complete report here.

Removal of the hard drive from the 2011 mac mini is not terribly difficult.

Get it out of the mini and connect it to your MBP with either a USB to SATA cable or an external drive enclosure. Once connected to your MBP, you should be able to access and retrieve any data that is on it, assuming it has not failed.

If you google ifixit mac mini 2011 teardown you'll find guidance for removing the drive.

anna.sophie wrote:

• Hi all!

I have an old mac mini (mid 2011) and it was working well but a few days ago, it started to restart a lot, then the white screen death arrived.

...

Any help/recommendation?

If you have not already, I recommend that you budget and plan to replace that Mac. It is old, it is obsolete and it is telling you that it wants to retire. You should let it.

You may get advice here that gets you over this hurdle, but the writing is on the wall. If you can, make sure you prioritize backing up your important files and take steps to move forward from this vintage Mac.