Mac Mini won't boot after 10.6.6 / Airport update

I just reinstalled 10.6.3 on a unibody Mac Mini, updated to 10.6.6 - and it booted fine. I ran another software update, and it suggested two more updates - which I believe was an Airport Utility update and a Java update. Now the Mac Mini fails to boot, stopping at the Apple logo.
The last lines of verbose startup goes like this:
Airport: Link Down on en1. Reason 8 (Disassociated because station leaving).
Aut result for: (MAC address) succeded
AirPort: Link Up on en1
AirPort: RSN handshake complete on en1
AppleBCM5701Ethernet: 0 0 setFixedSpeed - logic error, speed any?
Suggestions?
H

I experienced a similar problem today after a recent upgrade to 10.6.6. I ran Tech Tool Pro 5 on the machine, which reported everything as just dandy after about 6 hours of testing, but it still wouldn't boot. Next, I tried booting in Verbose mode, which revealed that my iMac was hanging on:
AppleBCM5701Ethernet: 0 0 setFixedSpeed - logic error, speed any?
I used Safe Single User mode (turn on power, then immediately press and hold Shift-Command-S until text starts appearing) to boot to a command line. Single User mode provides instructions on how to mount the file system read/write. I executed the `fsck` command as instructed, and after a few minutes it reported that it had made changes to the file system. At that point, I skipped the `mount` command and went directly to `exit` to continue the boot process, which completed. I turned AirPort back on (I had it turned off), then rebooted normally without any trouble.

Similar Messages

Mac Mini won't boot after applying 2009-001 Security Update

I'm stuck at the gray startup screen with the Apple logo and the "gear wheel" progress indicator. Still stuck there after 60 minutes of "letting it brood."
How to I fix this?

The easiest way to solve the problem is to restore the drive from the backup you made just before installing any update or software on your computer, then do the installation again following the suggestions at the end of this post. Failing that...
First, try the routine repair disk and repair permissions with Disk Utility on your installer disc. Boot from the installer disk, select language if applicable, choose utilities, run Disk Utility and verify (and repair if necessary) the drive. You can verify a drive from DU on your main drive while booted but I have found this can result in incorrect reporting of errors. To repair your drive you have to run it from a drive other than the boot drive anyway.
Next, boot from your drive in [Safe Mode|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393] and repair permissions. You can repair permissions while booted from the installer disc but this uses the permissions configuration on the installer disc which may be out of date if you have run any updates on your computer. Booting your computer to Safe Mode restricts the number of things running on your computer while permissions are being run and done a bit of spring cleaning at the same time.
[Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214]
[Using Disk Utility in Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302672]
[Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751]
From BDaqua (couldn't have said it better):
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer (Edit: Do not use this disc if it is not the same general version as what you have currently on your computer, e.g. use a Tiger disc for a Tiger drive, not a Panther disc), then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk.
Then Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes."
If you don't have an installer disc available you can try effecting repairs using [fsk in Single User Mode|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214].
[Post by japamac about using fsk|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1649143&tstart=0]
If the above don't work, two things seemed to be solutions for Security Update 2008-008 problems.
One is Archive and Install which will replace the corrupted system but then requires you reapply all your updates. Select the keep settings and preferences when doing A&I. Make sure you select that option when doing A&I if you want settings and preferences kept. Some third party applications may need reinstalling if they have special components.
[Mac OS X: About the Archive and Install feature|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1710?viewlocale=en_US]
[X-Lab Archive and install|http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/archiveinstall.html]
[Kappy's A&I instructions|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1823034&tstart=0 ]
[How to get files from a previous home directory after Archive and Install|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107297]
The other is to try to re-install the security update on the main drive while booted from a secondary drive or in Single User Mode. This could be from another Mac computer while your first one is in Target Disk Mode, perhaps a bootable backup drive, or possibly from your installer disc. Here's references for those methods:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8728797#8728797
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8733921#8733921
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8634535#8634535
Updating
There's been recent discussions as to what steps are truly necessary in doing a minimal problem update.
I think #1 to which all agree is to make sure you have a backup of your computer in case you do need to back out of it again.
Some like to boot from their installer discs or an external backup and verify (and if necessary repair) their internal drives as well as drive permissions. This is done with Disk Utility. You can verify a drive while booted from the same drive but sometimes this produces spurious errors. Repairing a drive (if necessary) has to be done while booted from another disk. Permissions repair can, and is probably best, done when booted from your internal drive.
[Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214]
[Using Disk Utility in Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302672]
[Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751]
You can also go to the step of booting into safe mode to do the install.
[Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393]
[What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? (Mac OS X)|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107392]
[Safe Boot takes longer than normal startup|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107394]
I like to download the update onto my computer and install it from there rather than let Software Update do it. I know a few people who had problems with doing the update via software updater found a manual install to work.
Repair permissions again afterward.
It also helps to only install one update at a time and to run the computer for a while to make sure it is behaving well.
Almost all of the above steps (except backup) have been questioned as to necessity because probably many people have done successful updates without doing them. I say they can't hurt, they can very likely do good (especially if your computer isn't regularly maintained), so why not do them to be safe.
[BDaqua's comments on updating problems|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8948595#8948595]

Another Mac Mini won't boot after applying 2009-001 Security Update

I installed 2009-001 Security Update last night. Now it is stuck at the Apple Logo and Progress Indicator screen. I booted to Single User mode, and ran "/sbin/fsck -fy", it reported no problems. I also booted in verbose mode, which results in:
/System/Library/CoreServices/Loginwindow.app/Contents/MacOS/loginwindow: Login Window Appliation Started
It shows this message, waits 5 seconds (or so) shows it again, waits 35 seconds (or so), and repeats this loop ad infinitum.
I am not able to boot into Safe Mode, still gets stuck at Apple Logo and Progress Indicator screen.
I do not have immediate access to my installation media - they are in another state.
Much of this information is already in another thread, but, that one was started by someone else who did resolve there problems, and the thread is marked answered - so I am started a new thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1904960&tstart=0
Thanks,
Chris

No, because it isn't clear what really caused the problem. There's lots of different bits of computer code on your computer from many different programmers and companies and all those people have to interact with their coding. Then too, maybe there was a power flicker at some stage and a file wasn't closed properly and couldn't be replaced by the update so not all the files were replaced. Also, you are one out of maybe a couple of dozen who have posted about this problem, vs. how many million Mac users who haven't had a problem and haven't posted here to say, "No problem!"
Here's my boilerplate post on updating:
Updating
There's been recent discussions as to what steps are truly necessary in doing a minimal problem update.
I think #1 to which all agree is to make sure you have a backup of your computer in case you do need to back out of it again. This is the easiest way to resolve any problems an update may produce.
Some like to boot from their installer discs or an external backup and verify (and if necessary repair) their internal drives as well as drive permissions. This is done with Disk Utility. You can verify a drive while booted from the same drive but sometimes this produces spurious errors. Repairing a drive (if necessary) has to be done while booted from another disk. Permissions repair can, and is probably best, done when booted from your internal drive.
[Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214]
[Using Disk Utility in Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302672]
[Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751]
You can also go to the step of booting into safe mode to do the install.
[Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393]
[What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? (Mac OS X)|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107392]
[Safe Boot takes longer than normal startup|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107394]
I like to download the update onto my computer and install it from there rather than let Software Update do it. I know a few people who had problems with doing the update via software updater found a manual install to work.
Repair permissions again afterward.
It also helps to only install one update at a time and to run the computer for a while to make sure it is behaving well.
Almost all of the above steps (except backup) have been questioned as to necessity because probably many people have done successful updates without doing them. I say they can't hurt, they can very likely do good (especially if your computer isn't regularly maintained), so why not do them to be safe.
[BDaqua's comments on updating problems|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8948595#8948595]

Mac mini won't boot after RAM upgrade.

Tried installing new RAM in my Mac Mini, 512MB stock to 2GB of Crucial. Followed the directions to a T, grounded myself the whole time.
Things I've tried so far:
1. Resetting the PRAM, no luck.
2. Holding option at start-up, shows no icon.
3. Holding shift, no luck.
4. Holding X, nothing.
How do I get it to accept a CD if it won't boot?

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
You clearly have a problem, but you don't describe exactly what that is other than that your mini won't boot after the upgrade. What happens when it starts up? Does it attempt to start and hang up on the grey or blue screens, or does it start beeping at you almost immediately after you try and start it up, and also flash the power light?
If the former, then you may have dislodged a connector while working inside the system, in which case opening it up and checking that everything is firmly connected would be the first thing to do. If the latter, then the beeping/light flashing is the system telling you it has failed the power-on self test and the pattern of beeps/lights indicates why. In your case likely the system can't find workable memory. In that instance, opening the system and ensuring that the RAM is firmly and fully seated would be a good step, and if the mini continues to fail, then replacing the new RAM with the original to test that the system will then start.
It is not likely that anything had damaged your MacOS install in the process of upgrading, thus normally no reason to need to boot to CD as a result of a RAM issue.

Mac Mini won't boot after update

I have a Mac Mini that won't boot after the most recent software update. Since the Mini has only a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, a number of the usual options (hold down shift, etc.) won't work. I've tried a reset, also no luck. At the moment, I can't locate my Tiger install CD either.
When holding the power button on during boot, I get a series of flashes from the status light on the front (a set of very rapid flashes, followed by a slower set, followed by a slow set) but no startup chime, or fan, or video. My display and power source are both known-good (work fine with my Powerbook)
Any suggestions, other than buying a hardwired keyboard/mouse?

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
The 'newer version of OS X" error occurs because the installer on the DVD you have booted to has by default been set to update the version of MacOS on the hard drive, which of course it can't do because the version of MacOS it is installing is newer. The only way to install in this situation is to select a different option. However, that isn't what you want to do at this point, because as it says, you'll loose your data if you do an 'erase and install'.
Instead, you should see menus at the top of the screen when it's booted to that install disk. Click the Utilities menu, select Disk Utility, and then click the top entry for the internal hard drive on the left. Once done, click on the 'Repair Disk' button (not Repair Permissions). This will test the drive to make sure it's OK. If it reports errors, and then reports 'error or exit' with the drive not repaired, you will either need a 3rd party application such as Alsoft's Disk Warrior, or to perform an erase and install (which of course you don't want to do at this point because your data is not backed up).
If the Repair Disk process completes with no errors, next select Repair Permissions, and let that process complete, then reboot the system as normal to see if you can now access the drive.

Mac Mini won't boot after failed XP installation

Recently upgrade HD to 320GB 7200 rpm and 3GB ram. Running 10.5.8 fine.
I tried to install Windows XP through Boot Camp, but wasn't successful, I terminated the installation. Then Mac Mini won't boot up. When powered on, you heard the chime, then grey screen showed and stayed. Tried starting with "C" (boot from CD), "OPT" (boot option), "T" (target), and reset PRAM. None of them worked.
What should I try next?
Thanks
Message was edited by: Yijian Cao

If you install XP on Bootcamp, your startup disc will be changed to XP Windows partitioned you did. To restore your startup disc back to Mac OS, make sure your Mac is turned off. 1. Plug the power back and press the power button ON. When you hear the power On sound, press and hold the ALT key on your keyboard until you see the hardrives. 2. Select the HD that says MAc OS, then your mac will boot back to Mac OS.
Let me know if you have more problems, maybe I can help.
Abel

Mac OS won't boot after 2007-009 1.1 update

Hi all
Fairly major problem here. Mac OS X won't boot after the 2007-009 1.1 security update.
What I am left with is the mac boot screen, and not a lot happening. No rotating loading animation.
Any help would be really appreciated.
Thanks

I have been booting up for...2.45 hours now
Good grief!
Here are a few hints about what you should have done:
There are no guarantees, but following this procedure when installing updates and upgrades on your Mac will go a long way towards avoiding unpleasant after effects and ‘post-update stress disorder’.
It is also worth noting that it is an extreme rarity for updates to cause upsets to your system, but they may well reveal pre-existing ones, particularly those of which you may have been unaware. If you are actually aware of any glitches, make sure they are fixed before proceeding further.
So before you do anything else:
If you can, make a full backup first.
Turn off sleep mode for both screen and hard disk.
Disconnect all peripherals except your keyboard and mouse.
1. Repair Permissions (in Disk Utility)
2. Verify the state of your hard disk using Disk Utility. If any faults are reported, restart from your install disk (holding down the C key), go to Disk Utility, and repair your startup disk. Restart again to get back to your startup disk.
At least you can now be reasonably certain that your system does not contain any obvious faults that might cause an update/upgrade to fail.
3. Download the correct version of the COMBO update from the Apple download site. If your car runs on gasoline you would not want to fill the tank with diesel, so don’t try to install the PPC updater on an Intel Mac!
If you prefer to download updates via Software Update in the Apple menu (which would ensure that the correct version for your Mac was being downloaded), it is not recommended to allow SU to install major (or even minor) updates automatically. Set Software Update to just download the updater without immediately installing it. There is always the possibility that the combined download and install (which can be a lengthy process) might be interrupted by a power outage or your cat walking across the keyboard, and an interrupted install will almost certainly cause havoc. Once it is downloaded, you can install at a time that suits you. You should make a backup copy of the updater on a CD in case you ever need a reinstall.
Using the Combo updater ensures that all system files changed since the original 10.4.0 are included, and any that may have been missed out or subsequently damaged will be repaired. The Delta updater, although a temptingly smaller download, only takes you from the previous version to the new one, i.e. for example from 10.4.9 to 10.4.10. Software Update will generally download the Delta updater only. The preferable Combo updater needs to be downloaded from Apple's download site.
Now proceed as follows:
4. Close all applications.
5. Unplug all peripherals except your keyboard and mouse.
6. Install the update/upgrade. Do not under any circumstances interrupt this procedure. Do not do anything else on your computer while it is installing. Be patient.
7. When it ask for a restart to complete the installation, click restart. This can take longer than normal, there are probably thousands of files to overwrite and place in the correct location. Do nothing while this is going on.
8. Once your Mac is awake, repair permissions again, and you should be good to go!
If your Mac seems slightly sluggish or ‘different’, perform a second restart. It can’t hurt and is sometimes efficacious!
9. Open a few of your most used applications and check that all is OK. In this connection please remember that not all manufacturers of third party applications and plug-ins, add-ons, haxies etc, will have had time to do any necessary rewrites to their software to make them 10.4.10. compliant. Give them a weeks or two while you regularly check their websites for updates. This applies particularly to plug-ins for Safari 3.
N.B. Do not attempt to install two different updates at the same time as each may have different routines and requirements. Follow the above recommendations for each update in turn.
Lastly, Apple's own article on the subject of Software Update may also be useful reading:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106695
If you are updating Safari (or just have):
Input Managers from third parties can do as much harm as good. They use a security loophole to reach right into your applications' code and change that code as the application starts up. If you have installed 10.4.11 and Safari is crashing, the very first thing to do is clear out your InputManagers folders (both in your own Library and in the top-level /Library), log out and log back in, and try again.
So, disable all third party add-ons before updating Safari, as they may not have been updated yet for the new version. Add them back one by one. If something goes awry, remove it again and check on the software manufacturer's website for news of an update to match your version of Safari. Remember: Tiger up to 10.4.10 used Safari 2.0.4 or, if you downloaded it, Safari 3.0.3 beta. Safari 10.4.11 uses Safari 3.0.4 which is not a beta. If Safari 3.0.4 on 10.4.11 is not the fastest browser you have ever used, then something is wrong!
Moreover, trying to revert to Safari 2 when running 10.4.11 can have repercussions, as Safari 3.0.4 uses a completely different webkit on which other applications like iChat, Mail and Dashboard Widgets etc also rely.
Most errors reported here after an update are due to an unrepaired or undetected inherent fault in the system, and/or a third party ad-on. Two such add-on that have been frequently mentioned here for causing such problems are Piclens and Pithhelmet. If you have them, trash them.
Additional tips on software installation here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106692

Mac Mini won't boot after PRAM reset

My mac mini has been running very slow, VERY VERY SLOW, then it would seem it would catch up with itself and run fine for a few minutes, then slow down again. It got to the point where I would have to do hard resets, but it still wouldn't work all that great. So I read on here to do a PRAM reset, which I did by holding down controloption+PR, and i got a gray screen with a status bar. But now the mac won't even boot up, even when I try safe mode. I turn it on, and i hear the start up tone, and get to the gray screen with status bar, but then it just shuts off. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Message was edited by: akiemele

From your user guide:
1 Disconnect all external devices from your Mac mini, except the keyboard and mouse.
If you have an Ethernet cable connected, disconnect it.
2 Restart your Mac mini while holding down the D key.
3 When the Apple Hardware Test chooser screen appears, select the language you want
to use.
4 Press the Return key or click the right arrow button.
5 When the Apple Hardware Test main screen appears (after about 45 seconds), follow
the onscreen instructions.
6 If Apple Hardware Test detects a problem, it displays an error code. Make a note of the
error code before pursuing support options. If Apple Hardware Test doesn’t detect a
hardware failure, the problem may be software-related.
If this procedure doesn’t work, you can insert the Applications Install DVD that came
with your Mac mini to use Apple Hardware Test. For more information, see the Apple
Hardware Test Read Me file on the Applications Install DVD.
When prompted, choose the extended test.

Mac mini won't boot after latest update Maverick

My Mac mini running Maverick after an automatic update won't boot. " no bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key"
What option do I have here?

Reinstall Mountain Lion or Mavericks
OS X Mavericks- Reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Reinstall OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is
three times faster than wireless.

Mac Mini Won't Boot after 2008 008 Security Update

I have 2 mac mini's both identical systems - ran the security update at home - rebooted and noticed the movements of the mouse and the mail application was 1/2 to a second slow/behind - decided to restart - it took 3 restarts and it finally came back and then locked up
I ran Disk Warrior and version 4.0.1 could not fix the problem - version 3.0.3 said it could and replaced the directory - but upon restart it would not boot - I became mesmerized by the spinning dial
I will not run the update at work and had to substitute my titanium at home in the meantime
ugly...

Hi thecincykid, and a warm welcome to the forums!
If you have another Mac around, try FW Target Mode, which will turn your iMac into an External Firewire Drive...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583
To either reapply the Security update, or the big Combo update...
The combo update for PowerPC-based Macs...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateppc.html
The combo update for Intel-based Macs...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateintel.html
Repair Permissions before & after re-install, then reboot again each time.

Mac Mini won't Boot after Target Disk Mode

We just bought a new iMac and used target disk mode via firewire from our older Mac Mini running OSX 10.4 to transfer data. Now when we go to restart the mini, the grey screen appears with apple logo and it seems to try to boot up but after a long time alway just ends up with a blue screen. I don't think I "ejected" the mini properly from the imac after the target disk mode transfer. Could the mini be stuck in target disk mode? I've tried to restart in different modes eg. safe mode, pram by holding down keys on start up but doesnt make a difference at all almost as if the keyboard isn't registering (and its a wired keyboard). Any ideas???
Thanks

Try starting up from the Recovery Partition holding the Option (Alt) key and see if you can Repair your Macintosh HD, as per > OS X: About OS X Recovery

Mac Mini won't boot after wind storm flickered lights

My Mac Mini running OS X 10.5 will start up but won't go beyond the Apple logo.
I can't even get it to start in Safe Mode. Is there any way around this problem besides
buying a new computer?

Usually, if there is a power disruption (or a static shock to the computer) and it does
not work correctly, you may be able to perform a power management unit re-set;
if the computer is a G4 PPC Mac Mini, that would be a PMU reset. If the computer
happens to be a later Intel-based Mac Mini, the procedure would be an SMC reset
and different rules would apply. I have added links to both methods in this post.
There is a chance some hardware damages may have occurred to the computer due
to being unprotected and not isolated from grid power fluctuations; such as provided
by use of an 'uninterruptible power supply' or 'backup power supply' which would be
able to switch to battery backup automatically when the main power goes haywire.
Which model Mini do you have? Since I have a G4 PowerPC Mini, I know something
about resetting Power Management Unit procedures since I've notice the Mini is more
likely to need a reset due to static shock when normally touching the computer; with
winter weather and less indoor humidity. (Otherwise, I have UPS power protection.)
Links to both kinds of power/system management reset procedure are below.
• PPC-based G4 Mac Mini: How to reset the PMU
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2183
• *Intel-based Macs:* Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 (mini reset instructions, as follows)
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
4. Release the power button.
5. Attach the computers power cable.
6. Press the power button to turn on the computer.
{You may wish to read through the entire Intel-based Mac article if your Mini
is of this architecture, since there may be applicable hints for all Intel-Macs.}
Not sure about your other continuing issues; I'd have to re-read the posts,
since I have been interrupted three times during this post, locally...
If the computer does run, eventually, it may be some directory damages or
other sector or data errors have occurred in the computer's hard disk drive;
and you may have to consider buying Disk Warrior on disc so you can boot
the computer from its disc to repair the Directory on the hard disk drive.
Restoring is easier if you should have a complete clone of the computer on
an external hard disk drive; one that is capable of booting the computer.
Good luck & happy computing!

Mac mini won't boot after accidental loss of power during firmware upgrade

i accidentally hit the power switch on the wall during an upgrade (might even have been a firmware upgrade, I didn't really look at what was going on). Anyway, now it hangs on the silver Apple logo screen with a spinny wheel on reboot. It's only 3 months old, it's the $599 model.
What to do? I see that you can download firmware restoration disks but they appear to be limited to earlier versions of the Mac mini.

I took it to the Mac store today and they fixed it for free by booting from an external drive and finishing the half-baked system update. Now that I know how to do that, I can fix it myself next time.
Thanks to Alan at the Salem, NH store!!

Mac mini won't boot after power outage

I have a Mac Mini Server which runs all the time in my house. We had a power outage a couple fo days ago but I didn't happen to check the mac mini until today. I found it at the login screen, and proceeded to log in. Everything was slow and taking way too long. Finally it froze. I restarted, but this time I got to a grey screen with a progress bar (no progress shown).
At this point one of two things happens - either it switches to a spinning wheel forever, or it just shuts itself off. I've restarted many times and it seems to randomly choose one of those outcomes. I tried resetting the SMC by unplugging, waiting, and then plugging it back in, but this had no effect. I want to reset the PRAM, but it doesn't seem to work, although that might be because my keyboard is not an Apple keyboard. I'm trying to get another ekyboard to try, but besides resetting the PRAM, does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks.

Try booting to the OSX disk that came with the Mini
and run disk utility and try Repair Disk on the boot drive.
Also, if you have a bootable clone, try that.
If you have another Mac, another thing to try is
getting the Mini to start in Target Disk mode and connect
via Firewire to the other Mac and try a repair disk that way.

Mac mini won't boot after 10.6.8 Update

I've recently installed the latest update and now I'm stuck on the grey logo with the spinning wheel.
I've reset the pram etc and when sarting in verbose mode it seems to be stalling at the following stage.
CSRUSBBluetoothHCIController::setupHardware super returned 0
and won't move on from there.
I've unplugged all usbs so all there is plugged in is power and the monitor. Even tried formatting the drive and restoring from time machine to the backup taken before the update.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

Hi, I was having a similar problem.
When I restarted in 'verbose' mode, it would get as far as:
CSRUSBBluetoothHCIController::setupHardware super returned 0
still waiting for root device
still waiting for root device
... etc...
The same thing happened when I tried to boot from a DiskWarrior DVD, so at that stage I assumed there was a hardware fault.
However, the system would boot into 'safe mode'.
Then I had a completly random stroke of luck:
I plugged in an external USB HD (to get some files off), and it complained that the kext:
/System/Library/Extensions/IOStorageFamily.kext was broken.
So I took a copy (from a friends laptop), installed it, and guess what !!
It worked! The machine now boots happily again.
(although I can't explain why the DiskWarrior DVD failed to boot, but frankly, who cares)
Horray for me.
Mark

Mac Mini won't boot after 10.6.6 / Airport update

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for