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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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25 replies

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.

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.

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.

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 ...


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Mac mini sometimes won't wake up

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