Mac mini mid 2010 struggling to boot then runs slow

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Mac mini mid 2010 struggling to boot then runs slow

Hi

Last week my Mac mini just froze when I was using iPhoto. After waiting more than an hour I forced the reboot by pressing the power button. Since then it boot with a loading bar below the Apple logo ( like an update in progress) this loading take at least 10 to 20 min then it runs very slowly.

I check the monitor activity and I can see reportcrash one after another.

I can't use my wireless keyboard anymore which is not recognized as my usb cable one. (More fun with a screen keyboard...)

Then I checked my system information and on the overview I have : memory 8Gb ???

And on the memory tab : Your mac contains 0 memory slots, each of which accepts a ??? memory module. No user- installable memory slots exist.

I did upgraded 6 month ago my RAM from 2x1Gb to 2x4Gb but so far it was working fine.

Any advise to help me coming back to normal ?

Mac mini (Mid 2010), OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Jan 5, 2015 1:45 PM

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Answer 1

lllaass

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210,519 points

Jan 5, 2015 2:32 PM in response to Massox

Reset the SMC and PRAM

Open Disk Utility and repair the startup disk. Boot to Recovery if necessary

OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

Try reseating the RAM

Reinstall the original RAM

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Answer 2

Jan 5, 2015 3:08 PM in response to Massox

I, too have a 2010 Mac Mini-it's my 3rd. Be sure to have everything backed up. (I'm sure you do) Do you have a fan keeping it cool? I think that has been the lifesaver of Li'l #3 here in Texas.

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Answer 3

Massox Author

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Jan 6, 2015 4:52 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks !

I did try to reset the SMC, try to reset the RAM, so far no success.

To help no keyboard is detected when it works so I'm not able to use the boot recovery or to reset the PRAM.

Now I'm trying to repair the startup disk, it looks like it will take ages.

Not sure I kept the original RAM but i'll try to find them and keep you updated.

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Answer 4

Massox Author

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Jan 14, 2015 3:12 AM in response to lllaass

Hi,

I tried a couple of times to repair my startup disc, but first after finding a lot to repair the disc utility stopped, then the only line is : open error 5 :"Input/Output error" on usr/lib/libextension.dylib

then the disc utility stopped again without finishing properly.

I went to an Apple Store to see one of the geniuses, and he told me that the startup disc need to be replace...

DO you agree on that diagnostic ?

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Jan 14, 2015 3:20 AM in response to Massox

Very likely yes. Can you repair the disk if you boot to Recovery and then try repairing?

OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

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Answer 6

Massox Author

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Jan 14, 2015 3:39 AM in response to lllaass

Not able to use my keyboard to boot On recovery. my Mac boot with a loading bar below the apple logo right away.

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Answer 7

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Jan 14, 2015 3:45 AM in response to Massox

Are you using a wired KB?

You can use a USB PC KB

Keyboard mappings using a PC keyboard on a Macintosh

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Answer 8

Massox Author

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Jan 14, 2015 3:48 AM in response to lllaass

Yes I'm using a usb one but no success

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Answer 9

lllaass

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Jan 14, 2015 3:58 AM in response to Massox

Sounds like the EFI firmware was not updated to add Internet Recovery and that the Recovery partition on the HD is corrupted in addition to the OS part of the HD.

Computers that can be upgraded to use OS X Internet Recovery - Apple Support

Sounds like the HD has to be replace and yo have to use your installation DVD to reinstall the OS and then update to Yosemeite.

If you are up to it you can replace the HD yourself

http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini2010/

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Answer 10

Massox Author

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Jan 14, 2015 12:09 PM in response to lllaass

Yes never updated the EFI Firmare.

Thanks for the assistance and the useful links, I just gave it to a pro to replace the HD.

Do you recommend me to do the EFI update when all is replaced and reinstall ?

Best regards

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Answer 11

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Jan 14, 2015 12:36 PM in response to Massox

Yes, update the EFI. That will allow you to reinstall the OS via Internet Recovery with a new HD

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Answer 12

Massox Author

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Jan 20, 2015 3:55 PM in response to lllaass

All solved Thx,

after changing my HD first I re-instal the OS 10.8 and my friend who replaced the disc told me not to upgrade to the OS 10.10 what do you think about that ?

Then in I tried to update the EFI but no success after the download the system says not compatible ...

Thks

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