Tori555
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: Mac Mini won't start

Been having troubles restarting my mid year 2010 Mini for several months now.   It will start the load bar, get about 1/2 way across and then slow down, and it will take 5 minutes to get to the end, then never loads the desk top.   To get it to load completely i will usually power down, unplug, and try again.  This will usually work and since i rarely turn off the computer it's not been a big issue.

 

After researching this, i thought maybe the hard drive was failing, so i replace it with a Samsung SSD.   No change, and i've also downloaded the Sierra with no effect.   The DVD drive appears to have failed and wonder if that is whats causing it to hang on startup.

 

Thoughts ?

Mac mini, iOS 10

Posted on Sep 25, 2016 12:25 AM

by lllaass,Apple recommended
lllaass lllaass
Level 10 (190,740 points)
Apple Watch
A:

A fresh install is when you format/erase the HD and install OSX.

It is not reinstalling OSX on top of existing installation or doing a complete restore from Time machine backup.

 

The following included removing the optical drive and thus would tell you how to disconnect the drive.

https://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini2010_dd/

 

From your description I suspect a hardware problem, likely a failing drive. One way to test this is to attach a USB external drive and do a fresh install of OSX. YOu do that by going to the Purchased section of the Mac App Store and downloading the Sierra install and click on it and direct installation to the external disk. You may have to format the external drive in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) formate in order to select to install on the external drive.

Then try booting from that drive. OIf no problem that would tend to indicate a problem with the internal drive.

 

If a problem with the internal drive is indicated I would:

- Backup data

- Try starting in Safe Mode

OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

- Boot to Recovery and repair the startup disk

OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

- If it is repairable reinstall the OSX

How to reinstall OS X on your Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

- If you do not have a backup use disk utility to restore the internal disk to an external disk so you can try to recover data.

Then format the startup disk and do a fresh install of OSX

Posted on Sep 26, 2016 9:33 AM

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Tori555

Q: Mac Mini won't start

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  • Helpful answers

  • by lllaass,Helpful

    lllaass lllaass Sep 26, 2016 8:42 AM in response to Tori555
    Level 10 (190,740 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 26, 2016 8:42 AM in response to Tori555

    How did you install OSX on the SSD?

    Did you do a fresh install?

    If not try that.

    If you boot to Recovery can you successfully repair/First Aid the SSD?

    I doubt the failed optical drive is causing the problem but you can disconnect it internally to be sure

  • by Tori555,

    Tori555 Tori555 Sep 26, 2016 8:51 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 26, 2016 8:51 AM in response to lllaass

    Thanks for the response,

     

    I had my I.T. guy do the OS install.  Since we couldn't use the DVD that came with the Mac,  we used a thumb drive with the OS.    Then went from there with the online Sierra update.

    I don't understand the question "Did we do a fresh install" ???

     

    He did check the HD via the Scan Utility and it shows good.

     

    Don't suppose the connector for the DVD (optical drive) is something easily attained ?   I've been as far into it as the HD, but looks like there's a fair amount of disassembly needed to reach the DVD drive.    Figured if i'm going that far, i'll put in a new one while i'm there.

  • by lllaass,Apple recommended

    lllaass lllaass Sep 26, 2016 9:33 AM in response to Tori555
    Level 10 (190,740 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 26, 2016 9:33 AM in response to Tori555

    A fresh install is when you format/erase the HD and install OSX.

    It is not reinstalling OSX on top of existing installation or doing a complete restore from Time machine backup.

     

    The following included removing the optical drive and thus would tell you how to disconnect the drive.

    https://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini2010_dd/

     

    From your description I suspect a hardware problem, likely a failing drive. One way to test this is to attach a USB external drive and do a fresh install of OSX. YOu do that by going to the Purchased section of the Mac App Store and downloading the Sierra install and click on it and direct installation to the external disk. You may have to format the external drive in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) formate in order to select to install on the external drive.

    Then try booting from that drive. OIf no problem that would tend to indicate a problem with the internal drive.

     

    If a problem with the internal drive is indicated I would:

    - Backup data

    - Try starting in Safe Mode

    OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

    - Boot to Recovery and repair the startup disk

    OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

    - If it is repairable reinstall the OSX

    How to reinstall OS X on your Mac - Apple Support

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

    - If you do not have a backup use disk utility to restore the internal disk to an external disk so you can try to recover data.

    Then format the startup disk and do a fresh install of OSX