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I successfully completed a Boot Camp partition on my old MacMini, and then successfully installed Windows 10 Pro. I have successfully toggled between Mac OS and Windows boots. Now, however, I'm stuck in the Windows side and can't escape. At restart, with the option key held, the system asks for my key. I enter the key and nothing happens.
On restarts without the option key, I get perfect launches of Windows.
Anyone else have this experience and find a fix?
Mac mini, 13.4
If you're experiencing difficulties switching between macOS and Windows on your Mac Mini after installing Windows 10 using Boot Camp, there are a few steps you can try to troubleshoot the issue:
1. Reset NVRAM/PRAM: Start by resetting the NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) or PRAM (Parameter RAM) on your Mac Mini. To do this, restart your computer and hold down the Command + Option + P + R keys simultaneously before the gray startup screen appears. Keep holding the keys until your Mac Mini restarts again and you hear the startup chime twice. This process resets certain settings, including the startup disk selection.
2. Check Boot Camp Control Panel (Windows): Once you're logged into Windows, open the Boot Camp Control Panel. You can do this by searching for "Boot Camp" in the Start Menu or by navigating to the Control Panel and looking for the Boot Camp icon. In the control panel, make sure the macOS partition is selected as the default startup disk.
3. Use Startup Disk preferences (macOS): If you're able to access macOS, you can also try changing the startup disk selection using the Startup Disk preferences. Go to the Apple menu, select "System Preferences," then choose "Startup Disk." From there, select the macOS partition as the default startup disk and restart your Mac Mini.
4. Check your keyboard: It's possible that the issue lies with the keyboard or the keys you're using to access the boot menu. Try using a different keyboard or ensure that the keys you're pressing during startup are functioning properly.
5. Update macOS and Windows: Make sure both macOS and Windows 10 Pro are up to date with the latest software updates. This can help resolve compatibility issues and improve overall system stability.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, it might be helpful to reach out to Apple Support or consult with a technical expert who can provide more specialized assistance based on your specific hardware configuration. To contact Apple Support directly just select the "Support" link on the lower left-hand side of this forum's web page.
If you're experiencing difficulties switching between macOS and Windows on your Mac Mini after installing Windows 10 using Boot Camp, there are a few steps you can try to troubleshoot the issue:
1. Reset NVRAM/PRAM: Start by resetting the NVRAM (non-volatile random-access memory) or PRAM (Parameter RAM) on your Mac Mini. To do this, restart your computer and hold down the Command + Option + P + R keys simultaneously before the gray startup screen appears. Keep holding the keys until your Mac Mini restarts again and you hear the startup chime twice. This process resets certain settings, including the startup disk selection.
2. Check Boot Camp Control Panel (Windows): Once you're logged into Windows, open the Boot Camp Control Panel. You can do this by searching for "Boot Camp" in the Start Menu or by navigating to the Control Panel and looking for the Boot Camp icon. In the control panel, make sure the macOS partition is selected as the default startup disk.
3. Use Startup Disk preferences (macOS): If you're able to access macOS, you can also try changing the startup disk selection using the Startup Disk preferences. Go to the Apple menu, select "System Preferences," then choose "Startup Disk." From there, select the macOS partition as the default startup disk and restart your Mac Mini.
4. Check your keyboard: It's possible that the issue lies with the keyboard or the keys you're using to access the boot menu. Try using a different keyboard or ensure that the keys you're pressing during startup are functioning properly.
5. Update macOS and Windows: Make sure both macOS and Windows 10 Pro are up to date with the latest software updates. This can help resolve compatibility issues and improve overall system stability.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, it might be helpful to reach out to Apple Support or consult with a technical expert who can provide more specialized assistance based on your specific hardware configuration. To contact Apple Support directly just select the "Support" link on the lower left-hand side of this forum's web page.
That was a very helpful and comprehensive list of suggestions.
I think you're right: it's time to get Apple involved.
Update: It got even worse. Apple telephone support exhausted the list of usual corrective steps and suggested taking the Mini in for further attention. By that time, nothing seemed capable of getting past a Lock Screen that was now appearing when the Mini booted up. We don't have an Apple store in Roanoke, so they made the appointment with our local Best Buy. On arrival, the GeekSquad guy sent me home; "we only work on iPhones," he said. So I put everything back together at home and started trying to noodle my next step. A friend suggested I enter my password on the Lock Screen. That didn't work, but it prompted me to try every password I've ever used on a Mac. Sure enough, an old password did the trick and the Mini came to life as its old self. Now, however, I can see the partition but I'm unable to toggle back and forth from the Windows world to this one. More to come....
Footnote: Kudos to Apple support. My troubleshooter was patient, thorough and disappointed when her solutions didn't get the job done.
Sorry, that none of them worked out for you ... hopefully your results with Apple will provide you with a desirable resolution.
Did you ever use the Windows disk management tools? That will often destroy the Mac partition.
Boot Camp
