Brand new mac mini won't boot

I bought a mac mini for my teenaged daughter because the lap top options simply weren't in our price range. I have a high end dell monitor that is about five years old. It hasn't been used regularly so I felt this was a good fit. I was reassured by several that my peripherals would work with the mac mini... no problem. We had to buy a new keyboard, mouse and adapter for the monitor. This took several days and two trips to two different stores to accomplish. We finally got everything set up and working properly or so we thought. The system struggled to download office suite for mac. The system stopped working completely after attempting to download norton anti-virus for mac. Now the system won't boot at all. I've only tried to turn the system on and off to get it working again. I had it up for five minutes yesterday but again it shut down for no reason and now I can't get it back up at all. I usppose a trip to the Apple store is next on the list. Any suggestions are appreciated.

That is good news...the genius bar folks are generally great to deal with. Especially when you make an appointment and don't get all upset while waiting for someone to get free
As was said at the outset, be careful about software you install, not all is really good or necessary. If in doubt, just pose a question on here and you will get sound advice. We are all fellow users, many of whom have learned the hard way.
Keep in mind, this is a Mac OS X machine, not Windows which has everyone in the world writing viruses to attack.
Have a Happy New Year.

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BRAND NEW Mac Pro won't boot from Leopard DVD, kernel panics!

I just received my brand new Mac Pro today. It's a BTO machine with the upgrade to the NVIDIA 8800GT, a second optical drive and a Mac OS X Server license. The system has Mac OS X server installed on the default 320GB drive. I decided to use the server license as a virtual machine running in Leopard client. So, I installed 2 new 500GB Seagate 7200.11 (Retail) drives in the machine, zeroed them out in prep for installing Leopard client.
At this point, I pop in a freshly-purchased retail copy of the Leopard DVD and restart. When I try to boot from the DVD and install Leopard to one of the new Seagate drives, I get kernel panics - need to restart the machine. Also tried booting from the Mac OS X Server DVD and this too only caused kernel panics. The DVD's read perfectly from within Mac OS X Server and boot from hard disks is flawless.
I spent an hour on the phone with a level 2 tech at Apple - Tried swapping out the RAM and moving around the DIMMS to no avail. I am at a loss to what this could be. Seems to be a hardware issue and the tech thought it was likely a problem with one of the memory risers but couldn't send replacements. Anyone else with a similar issue?
This is my first Mac and it looks like this Mac Pro is going back for an exchange and I'll have to wait yet another 10-12 days for a replacement to arrive. Bummer.
Am I missing something simple here? Does this seem to be a hardware issue?
If anyone has any ideas before I ship this one back, please write!!!

New Mac Pros will not install the Leopard retail disc. They will only install the Leopard disc which shipped with them labeled Mac Pro. That has always been true. Macs can only boot the system that ships on DVD in the box that came with them, and newer retail releases. They can never boot from an older retail release than what shipped in the box.

New mac mini won't boot.

Sorry I couldn't wait for a refresh. So I went to FRYS and got the last 529 mini. Under 600 and I got a mini 2.3ghz i5 and and 16gb flash stick for under 600 which is normally 600 plus tax.
Good deal. I'm so happy. Sorry I got impatient and couldn't wait for the refresh.
But 1 issue. It doesn't work. When I turn it on it all I get is a picture of a blinking trackpad and mouse. My mouse is wireless and battery is fine. Or mac is picky and need brand new battery.
What do I do. I don't have any corded mice.

What happened was I plugged the keyboard and mouse into my hub by mistake and it was not plugged. But the mini should of booted anyway without anything. I guess not however. So all is good now. But my wireless mouse still won't work even with unplugging it. But sliding the switch at the bottom on and off worked and now all is good thanks.

My brand new Mac Mini won't start up

the light comes on, but thats it. No sound, no program. It did work for about an hour. What happened? I tried everything...Take it back.
Opinions please.
SP

Having the same issue with my brand new Intel Mac Mini. Happened earlier this week for the first time it went into sleep mode and wouldn't wake up (the light came on, but no chime, no video) - even after shutting it down and trying to boot it up again.
I called tech support and they had me reboot the bios by unplugging it, pressing and holding the power button and plugging the power back in then releasing the button. After that I pressed the button and it came on - when I turned it on again the fan came on full tilt. I called tech support again they had me unplug it for 3 minutes then it came back on again and seemed fine.
Today it happened again - I was able to get it rebooted it but called tech support anyway. I am very concerned that a brand new machine is acting this way. While working with tech support it again became unresponsive. After trying a few things I was connected with another product specialist that agreed that their was a problem and has arranged to get me a new machine.
I am very disappointed as this is my first Mac experience, but hoping it is an isolated issue. Tech support seemed very responsive and I am happy with Apple's response thus far - although it would be nice if they would send the new Mac overnight!
Anyway since others are having a similiar issue I was curious if there are any common threads to our experiences? If you have a chance list your specs - might see something interesting.
Ok here are mine:
- Mac Mini Intel Solo Core
- Upgraded the RAM to 1 Gig (Ordered it this way)
- Upgraded to the SuperDrive (DVD Burner)
- Using a KVM (Also have a PC on the same KVM)
- Acomdata 160 GB Mini Pal Hard Drive / Ports
- iPod dock connected
- USB Camera cable connected
- Keyboard and mouse are USB wireless PC based
Anyway post your specs if you are having an issue - maybe we will see a trend.
Guy
Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.5)
Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Brand new mac mini won't start up

Hi guys, I've read a few threads but nobody seemed to have encountered the problem I have with this new mac straight out of the box.
It starts with the chime, white screen, wheel, apple pops up but then suddenly the screen turns blue, then grey n displays two images alternately. Both indicate i need to do something with the power button but the power cable is definitely plugged in. What's more bizarre is that neither image features the mini, one is of a MacBook and an arrow points at the power button, the other image of a full size mac hardrive with a power slide on top front. I've never owned a mac until now so really unsure what to expect but the fact that the power light is solid and I can hear the disk spinning must be a good sign?
I've tried turn off n unplug, wait for 30sec then restart, reboot the RAM but nothing works.
Would be very grateful for any help you could give.
Thanks,
Sheryl

since the Mac is brand new, i'd take it to the nearest Apple Store or AASP.
a new Mac shouldn't behave like this.

Brand new Mac Mini will not boot after 10.6.6 Update

Problem is exactly as described here: http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,1069909,1070656
The 1st restart was fine then it restarted for the 2nd time & it got to the gray screen with Apple logo & spinner. It sat there much longer than it ever had before then the Apple changed to a circle with a slash.
I tried booting into single user mode and it is hanging "waiting for root device"

Sounds like maybe your disk died.
I suggest that you boot from the install DVD that came with your Mac and run AHT to check it out.
Allan

My brand new mac mini won't recognise the password I set two days ago

the question says it all -- in the Apple store I specifically set one pass word for the computer and one for my Apple id. I'm utterly certain of what the computer password is (and yes, I've tried the Apple id one and various others) but it's not recognising it.

Restart your Mini and press Command-R until you see the Apple logo and spinning gear. You should then be booted into your recovery partition. Alternatively, you can hold down the Option key right after you hear the startup chime to bring up the startup manager to choose the recovery partition.
Choose Terminal in the Utilities menu at the top of the screen. Type in resetpassword. That will bring up a GUI interface where you should be able reset your password. You can use the same password you used to set up your computer.
If that doesn't work repeat the above instructions and reset your password as well as your home folder ACLs and permissions.
The same directions can be found in this CNet tip.
How to run the Password Reset utility in OS X 10.7 Lion

Why won't a new Mac Mini won't boot?

It will boot to the point of the power light being on, the screen is white with the gray apple and the pinwheel is spinning...but that is it! I have reset the NVRAM, the PRAM, and the SMU. Is there anything else I can do?

It maybe the hard disk is corrupted. You could try booting to the special Restore partition by holding down the letter R when you turn on your Mac and then running Disk Utility to check and repair the hard disk directory.
A similar but different method is to hold down Command and S when you turn on the Mac, this boots in to a special single user mode and if successful you can then type the command
/sbin/fsck -fy
and then press return, this is an alternative way to again check and repair the hard disk directory.
Worst case, you would again use R when booting to get in to the Restore partition, but then reformat the drive, and then restore from your backup. (You do have a backup?)

Brand new Mac mini only boots into recovery mode...

I just picked up a brand new mac mini a couple of hours ago and right from the start, it asked only for a language perference and then after that having been selected, promply went straight to the OS X Utilities screen.
I cant seem to get it out of this mode. And because I do not have an internet conncetion set up on it, I can't, for example, re-install anything or restore or...
It's basically a boat anchor right now.

Startup holing the Option key and see if the Startup Manager will allow you to select the Macintosh HD.
see > Startup Manager: How to select a startup volume
If not, then return it for either a full refund, a replacement system or help.

FileMaker Server problem on Mac Mini Server - Mac Mini won't boot

I just installed a brand new Mac Mini Server today, and also FileMaker Server 11. A first-timer for both Mac OS X Server and FileMaker Server, I made an error as explained below, and right now I don't know how to get back on track with the system. It won't boot.
So, how did this happen?
At first everything was proceeding according to plan. I configured the pre-installed Mac OS X Server on the Mac Mini with users, groups and services. This was tested from clients and this seemed to work just fine. Then I installed and configured FileMaker Server. This was also tested from a client, and the example database that came with FMS was served up just fine.
The problem arose when I tried to install my existing FileMaker databases. I simply checked to see where in the file system the example database was located, and then copied my old databases to that location (I think it was Library > FileMaker Server > Data > Databases or something close to it - can't check it now...). I had the FileMaker Server Admin Console running, and hit the Refresh button hoping that this would make FileMaker Server find the databases.
This was my first error. I should have read ahead in the instructions to see that one is supposed to use an Upload Database assistant instead...
What happened when I hit refresh was that the FileMaker Server Admin Console became completely unresponsive with a spinning ball as cursor. I left it for about an hour hoping it would terminate, but gave up and tried to shut it down. It wouldn't close, so I force quit it from the Finder. Then I tried to shut down FileMaker Server, but I needed to force quit this as well. After this I thought it would be best to reboot the Mac Mini, so I shut it down, but now it won't even boot, it just stays on the screen with the spinning wheel for ever!
I have tried all the keyboard options while booting, but nothing seems to help. In safe mode, the grey progress bar just grows to about one third, then disappears and leaves the eternally spinning wheel.
The server version of the Mac Mini doesn't have an optical drive, only two internal hard drives. I tried to reinstall from scratch using the optical drive on another Mac on the network. The startup disk appeared when I tried to boot the Mac Mini holding down the option key, and after about 20 minutes or so of the spinning wheel I could actually access the discs. I started by running Disk Utility to check disk permissions. There were a lot of repairs concerning permissions and groups, especially on "Library". It said "ACL differs on Library", I don't know what this is but this was repaired. I then ran Repair Disk. The volume appeared to be OK.
When I tried to reinstall Mac OS X Server however, this failed with the message
"You can't upgrade this version of Mac OS X because a newer version is installed. Mac OS X Server couldn't be installed on this disk." I don't know how this can be, but I may have run software update earlier today.
What should I try next? Should I erase the primary HD and try to install again? Or should I install the system software on the secondary HD? Or should I just try to reboot as is in the hope that the disk permission repairs did the trick...?
Any helpful pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Hello there, I came across your post when browsing the forum for passive advice. I am in the same boat as you and am a first timer for both of these tools. I work for a company who now needs to expand its network and database capabilities. I have been assigned this task and these are the tools i have opted for. I have not yet purchased them and i am pleased to find someone who has my desired setup. Could you please advise on the simplicity of the setup and whether an advanced knowledge is required.
I want to use it in a mixed operating system environment. Is this possible?
Regards
Matthew

Mac mini won't boot anymore

My Mac mini won't boot anymore. It's been running fine for months.
It's running Leopard Server 10.5.2 Build 9C31
It starts to boot, I get the first spinning gear with the gray screen, then the blue desktop blinks, then a second spinning gear on a gray screen and it appears to hang (the gear stops spinning).
I booted off the install DVD, ran disk utility, repaired the HD, repaired the permissions: the behavior is the same.
Safe mode doesn't work (same hang as above).
Single user mode does work.
I can connect to it via Server Admin while it appears hung.
The last few lines of the system log are:
May 15 18:38:58 server emond[67]: SetUpLogs: uid = 0 gid = 0
May 15 18:38:58 server emond[67]: SetUpLogs: opening /Library/Logs/EventMonitor/EventMonitor.error.log
May 15 18:38:59 server kextd[23]: writing kernel link data to /var/run/mach.sym
May 15 18:39:09 server KernelEventAgent[59]: tid 00000000 received unknown event (12)
May 15 18:39:20 server kernel[0]: display: Not usable
May 15 18:39:20 server com.apple.KerberosAutoConfig[126]: Kerberos configuration is up to date
May 15 18:39:20 server com.apple.ATSServer[125]: FODBCheck: New annex file created
May 15 18:39:21 server ARDAgent [130]: ******ARDAgent Launched******
May 15 18:39:21 server com.apple.KerberosAutoConfig[132]: Kerberos configuration is up to date
May 15 18:39:22 server ARDAgent [130]: call logout from LoginLogoutProxyCallBackFunction
May 15 18:39:22 server com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.RemoteDesktop.agent): Throttling respawn: Will start in 9 seconds
May 15 18:39:24 server loginwindow[58]: Login Window Started Security Agent
May 15 18:39:29 server servermgrd[53]: servermgr_calendar: created default calendar virtual host
May 15 18:39:31 server ARDAgent [146]: ******ARDAgent Launched******
May 15 18:39:32 server ARDAgent [146]: ******ARDAgent Ready******
May 15 18:39:33 server mdworker[109]: (Error) SyncInfo: Boot-cache avoidance timed out!
May 15 18:39:54 server Python[47]: CGImageSourceCreateWithData data parameter is nil
May 15 18:39:54 server com.apple.wikid[47]: Thu May 15 18:39:54 server.jeff.carpenter.name Python[47] <Error>: CGImageSourceCreateWithData data parameter is nil\n
May 15 18:39:56 server kernel[0]: AppleYukon2 - bad packet received. length: 1440, packet status bits: MII error
May 15 18:39:56 server kernel[0]: AppleYukon2: 00000000,00000001 sk98osx sky2 - - sk98osx_sky2::replaceOrCopyPacket tried N times
May 15 18:49:54 server kernel[0]: serialnumberd 194 FSWRITEDATA SBF /dev/dtracehelper 13 (seatbelt)
May 15 18:49:54 server kernel[0]: serialnumberd 194 FSREADDATA SBF /dev/autofs_nowait 13 (seatbelt)
May 15 18:49:54 server kernel[0]: serialnumberd 194 FSREADDATA SBF /usr/sbin 13 (seatbelt)
May 15 18:55:12 server kernel[0]: AppleYukon2 - bad packet received. length: 23, packet status bits: MII error
Any ideas?

Yes, it's been running Server since I purchased it.
I doubt the serial number is in use elsewhere: I purchased the 10-user version at a retail store in a sealed package and I've only installed it once.

Cannot install windows 7 on brand new mac mini with 256 g sdd? Please help.

Cannot install windows 7 on brand new mac mini with 256 g sdd? Please help.
Have tried all tricks found on the net and followed every advice from apple support.
Still black screen with blinking curser when mini is rebooting following partitioning via bootcamp.
Very nice and fast mashine, wouldnt like to return it.
thanks allan

Is that an Apple SSD?
what model is it?
Is there a firmware update if non Apple?
Lion is not server version.
Windows is ? ISO or retail?
Google macmini Windows 7 SSD Apple Boot Camp

How do I know if my brand new Mac mini (late 2012) really has Mac OS X 10.9 Maverick preinstalled?

How do I know if my brand new Mac mini (late 2012) really has Mac OS X 10.9 Maverick preinstalled, as stated when I bought it, without opening the box and booting the device? It says "Copyright 2012 Apple Inc." on one of the sides of the box, which makes me uncertain.
If it does not have Mac OS X 10.9 Maverick preinstalled I might have bought an old device, in worst case as old as a year or more.
/Birger

The late 2012 does have USB 3 !!
I specifically waited to purchase a Mac Mini
until USB 3 was made available.
Look at the diagram (picture) on the bottom of the box. The diagram that details which ports are available on the unit.
If you see 3 after USB.. then it is a late 2012 Mac Mini.
Looking at my box it clearly says USB 3.
I don't think there has been any changes to the Mac Mini since late 2012.
other than the pre-installed OS being Mavericks now..
You will want USB 3!!!
My box also indicates it is version 2.6 (just above the Airport ID).
(Mine is definitely a late 2012 model).

Spotlight is not working on brand new Mac mini

Hi,
I got an issue with two brand new Mac minis running 10.7.3 (11D50d):
Spotlight is not working. I'm only getting the Wikipedia-Search.
Here's what I did:
Installation:
- took the stock Minis and set up two users, admin and user (limited account)
- updatet the System
- installed manually: Adobe Reader X, Office 2011, Firefox 12, Flip4Mac, Perian, Cyberduck, Google Earth 6.2 (the installer without the updater), VLC 2
- installed using AppStore: CalendarBar, TextWrangler, Unarchiever
- copied a few documents (Word and Excel files) from a PC to the Desktop
Troubleshooting:
- tried to restart Spotlight by adding the entire harddrive to privacy using »Spotlight« within the System Preferences
- that threw an error "no priviliges"
- started the System from the recovery system (on an USB-thumbdrive) and repaired permissions
- that did not help
- tried to restart Spotlight through the Terminal, running the command: sudo mdutil -E /
- that command returned: No index.
- the tried: sudo mdutil -i on /
- returned: Error: unable to perform operation. (-400) No index.
- went the hard way
- unloaded the daemon: sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist
- erased the Spotlight folder: sudo rm -fr .Spotlight-V100/
- loaded the daemon: sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist
That made everything work fine until I did a restart of the System. After the mini restarted I was back at square one...
Does anyone have an idea how to fix this issue?
Apple support suggested to reinstall the system. Something I can't do right now, as people need to work on those computers and cannot take a tow hour break...

Hi Ray Land,
We can help narrow down the cause. What operating system are you using on your new Mac Mini?
If you are running the Mountain Lion OS, you can download the latest driver here. An important note is that the current print queue must be deleted before installing the new driver. This will ensure proper communication.
If this doesn't work or you need further assistance, please contact us here.
Did this answer your question? Please click the Accept as Solution button so that others may find the answer as well.

How do I pair an apple key board to a brand new mac mini?

How do I pair an apple key board to a brand new mac mini?

Have you tried a wired keyboard to turn on the BT system? Macs can require some special key-combinations that *must* be seen before the OS starts and BT sometimes does not activate before the OS.

Brand new mac mini won't boot

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