Mac mini shut down on its own, will not restart, grey screen, spinning wheel. Unplugged everything, will still not restart. Did safe boot, will not restart after safe boot, only grey screen with spinning wheel.

Thank you for getting back to me. I am running Snow Leopard OSX 10.6.4, but my start up disc is Leopard OSX 10.5.4, does this make a difference. If I put the start up disc in, does if put me back to Leopard, and will I have to upgrade to Snow a Leopard. Not sure yet that I want to update further at this time, seems there are still some problems with the new software.

Cheri

Hi BDAqua,

When I bought the Mac Mini it had Leopard installed, very shortly after they brought out Snow a Leopard, which only had a few changes. I did an up grade through Apple, by download.

When I start in safe boot, can I download and burn to disc a copy of Snow Leopard and use that to do the repair to disc. If I can, how would I do this.

Cheri

Hi Illaass,

When they came out with Snow Leopard, Apple advertised the program and offered upgrades, which I downloaded.

They have done the same with the newer programs but I decided to wait on them as there seemed to be problems. So I have not upgraded past Snow Leopard as yet.

Cheri

Hi BDAqua,

I just did the repair as you suggested. T ran the disc repair, and twice it cam back, the volume macintosh seems ti be okay, I also ran the verify and permissions repair, both came back okay.

I was actually hoping that they would find something, so they could repair. I shut the computer down, and restated with out holding a key, and I started up great. I'm baffled. I have moved 20 GB to an external hard drive, as I only had 10% open space.

I have Tech Tool 6, would you recommend to run a repair check on that, or just leave well enough alone.

I agree with you on the new Mac's, I have problems with no disc for back up, until they realize their mistake I will stay with Snow a Leopard. This is the first problem I have experienced, so I can't complain. Their last programs are not as perfected as under Steve, prior to his handling over the reins, hope this is not going to be the future we can expect from Apple.

I will wait to here back as to your suggestion regarding the Tech Tool check

Thanks for all your help.

Gratefully,

Cheri

Hi BDAqua,

Yes it still have it on my hard drive, to make a copy do I just burn safari to a disk.

Also,

Do you have any idea why the computer would just shut down on it's own, and could that be what has caused my problem. I'm hoping clearing space on the hard drive will help.

Cheri

Hi David,

I was able to safe boot, which allowed me to move movies to my LaCie. This allowed me to clear up space on my hard drive.

I have 120 G, which is now showing 33 G available, so a little over 25% available space.

I followed BD Aquaa advice on the using disc utilities with start up from my installation disc. I was able to insert the disc in the safe mode, then shut down. Restarted, ran disc repair and permission repair. Disc Utilities found nothing, but when I shut down, no problems restarting.

I have had tech tool pro for several years and never used it because since 2008 this is my first problem. I do keep it updated, currently have Tech Tool Pro 6, have not purchased 7 yet. You should still be able to use yours, just update.

Just ran it, and it found no problems.

Your thought on the available space could be possible. I had been getting warnings that I only had 10% space left! but it never shut down on it's own before. To me 12 G of space left would take ages to use, so I wasn't too concerned.

As for me, 5 1/2 years with snow leopard, and no problems, I'll stay with it. A friend has to always have the most current, and has experienced many issues. When your not a geek, to me it's best to remain on a secure program.