HT201541: Update the software on your Mac
Learn about Update the software on your Mac
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Helpful answers
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Jul 10, 2012 2:16 PM in response to Big Fast Eddyby Kenichi Watanabe,Unexpected shutdowns are more often related to the power supply starting to fail. One thing you can try is to reset the power management, which is called "PMU" or "SMC," depending on your specific Mac mini model.
If it's Intel-based, this is the procedure
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
If it's PowerPC-based (a G4), this is the procedure
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2183
You should disconnect ALL cables when you do this. When you connect it back to power, if you were using a power strip of some type (especially if it's old or overcrowded), connect it directly to a wall outlet by itself (at least initially). Don't connect any peripherals except standard keyboard and mouse (and display). Use it that way for a while and see if there is any improvement.
If it's working better, it may be because of the PMU/SMC reset, or possibly because there was some conflict related to having the peripherals connected (or a faulty device). Add those devices back one at a time, to see if the problem recurs.
In case it is related to overheating, you should check the vents along the bottom for accumulation of dust blocking airflow.
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Oct 20, 2012 8:56 AM in response to Big Fast Eddyby hanu76,Sadly it's a well known problem amongst mac mini users, it's simply a design problem Apple wouldn't admit. They thought the heat would dispatch through the aluminium housing, but that's just not enough. I have the same, early mac mini i5 2.5, housing hot like **** when running games or pro audio apps, keeps freezing. Only way to avoid that is using a program like 'SMC fan control', driving the fan much faster and louder and/or putting something icey on top of it...
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by John Lockwood,Oct 31, 2012 5:31 AM in response to Big Fast Eddy
John Lockwood
Oct 31, 2012 5:31 AM
in response to Big Fast Eddy
Level 6 (9,309 points)
Servers EnterpriseA Mac can overheat and if it does would normally shutdown, it has various built-in sensors for this. I have not had it happen with a Mac mini but have had it happen with a very old PowerMac in which the heatsink compound between the CPU and heatsink had deterioated. In my case cleaning and applying fresh compound fixed the problem.
Other causes are having the vents blocked by for example paper, dust, fluff, cats,etc. or putting it too close to a radiator, or putting it on or under another device which adds to the heat. Or of course if the fan is faulty.
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Jul 12, 2014 12:12 PM in response to John Lockwoodby kd4ttc,Yes, look for dust in the air vents. Happened to me. Vacuumed the ports and all is well.
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Jul 12, 2014 12:25 PM in response to kd4ttcby lllaass,kd4ttc did you notice that the post is over 1 /2 years old? I think they resolved the problem by now
kd4ttc wrote:
Yes, look for dust in the air vents. Happened to me. Vacuumed the ports and all is well.
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Jul 12, 2014 2:44 PM in response to lllaassby kd4ttc,Well, you seem to have found it quickly. This thread turned up on the first page of a google search for <mac mini overheats and shuts down>. It is surprising how often an older link like this shows up as a first result, but without a beneficial response. While the original posters may have figured this out, I was posting to others that have found the same problem, and hope to save them a little grief. Just trying to make the universe a little better.
Steve