2010 Mac Mini and OSX Lion

Hi Everyone,
Hoping I can get some advice.
I have a 2010 Mac Mini and am thinking about upgrading to OSX Lion.
Although I know my Mac meets the system requirments (Intel Core 2 Duo, 2Gb RAM), I was wondering what the performace is like on with these specs.
I mainly use my Mac for iTunes, Safari, Twitter and iPhoto if that makes any difference.
Thanks!

It works ok for me, I've got a 2010 mini (base model) and am using it as a server for web, iTunes and VPN. It handles lion fine, the only quibble is that being always on it heats up during the day a lot, more so than when I had Snow leopard installed. It's not to unacceptable levels though. But as dingy and beezelbubba say, Ram is cheap nowadays and if you've got the spare cash it's always worth it.

Similar Messages

2010 Mac Mini and HDMI question

Just bought a new Mac mini and have it hooked up to a Samsung px2370 HDMI to HDMI and as good as the picture looks I'm thinking it could look better ... And I've heard that generally a computer shouldn't be hooked up that way... The Mac mini has another mdp and the Samsung has dvi also, what are my options? All these adaptive have me stumped... Plus like I've heard On another thread the mini is thinking I have a television hooked up... Plus when the monitor was on 16/9 the menu bar was not visible and I changed it to screenfit on the monitor which worked but should I of kept it on 16/9 and adjusted it with underscan? Plz help

It works ok for me, I've got a 2010 mini (base model) and am using it as a server for web, iTunes and VPN. It handles lion fine, the only quibble is that being always on it heats up during the day a lot, more so than when I had Snow leopard installed. It's not to unacceptable levels though. But as dingy and beezelbubba say, Ram is cheap nowadays and if you've got the spare cash it's always worth it.

Audio issues on Mid-2010 Mac mini upgraded to Lion

I'm using a Mid-2010 Mac mini that came with Snow Leopard but I recently upgraded it to Lion. Every app works pretty well except for audio playback. Whenever I play a game or play a movie, audio stutters every 8 to 10 seconds for like a sec and it comes back in. Video keeps playing fine. It's pretty annoying since I can't properly play games or watch movies anymore. The rest of my apps are working very well except for Boxer which seems to have taken a performance hit.
Currently, the hardware hasn't been upgraded in any other way - meaning it still has the original 2 GB RAM memory. It's connected to my HDTV via HDMI. It didn't manifest this issue until the upgrade to Lion.
I've tried closing every app but it doesn't seem to help. Hope you can help me out. Thanks!!

You need a newer model Mac to use AirDrop between an iOS device (e.g. iPad) and a Mac
System Requirements
To see if your Mac works with AirDrop, make sure you’re in the Finder by clicking the desktop (the background area of your screen), or by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock. Then, check to see if AirDrop is listed as an option in the Go menu. If you don't see AirDrop listed, your Mac doesn't support this feature.
In order to transfer files between a Mac and and an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
your iOS device needs to include a lightning connector
your iOS device needs iOS 7 or later installed
your Mac needs to be a 2012 or later model with OS X Yosemite installed
Your Mac and iOS device both need bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on. You do not have to be connected to a specific Wi-Fi network.
To transfer files between two Mac computers, you need the Mac models listed below with Wi-Fi turned on and OS X Lion or later installed.
MacBook Pro (Late 2008 or newer)*
MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
MacBook (Late 2008 or newer)*
iMac (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac Mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2009 with AirPort Extreme card, or Mid 2010)
Mac Basics: AirDrop lets you send files from your Mac to nearby Macs and iOS devices - Apple Support

No Sound from Mac Mini Under OSX Lion 10.7

I had to reinstall OSX Lion Server 10.7 on my Mac Mini late 2011 due to partition and boot record corruption. Since reinstalling I have not have sound. The only sound device that shows under Utilities||Sound is "Internal Speaker". Previously, "Headphones" also appeared. I have a Harman Kardon Soundsticks 2.1 sound system. It has only one sound connector. I always plugged it into the green port on the Mini. It worked fine. Since reinstalling I have no sound at all. Any ideas out there ? Solutions ? I've been through the Cmd-P-R deal, reinstalled OSX Lion Server, - all to no avail. HELP !!!
TIA.
Best regards,
Brian Corll

You have almost 25 GB of free disk space not memory which isn't really very much at all. It is time to consider cleaning up your disk to increase your free space.
If you tell us the specs of your MacMini we can tell you why you are getting the error message.
Allan

New MAC Mini w/OSX Lion - will not boot from USB or external optical drive when attempting to use BootCamp to install Windows 7?

The University recently purchased 6 brand new MAC minis for deployment in classrooms I support. I am attempting to create a dualk--boot environment comparable to our existing computer systems, only these machines wil be running MAC OS X Lion and Windows 7. After following the procedures outlined in the BootCamp on-screen prompts, and attempting a few techniques I found in the tech support user-base, I am still unable to get the MAC mini to boot up from the USB flash drive, or from an external optical drive, so that I can complete the installation of Windows 7. When using the Boot option key at start-up, all devices are displayed suggesting that they are being properly recognized, however the computer boots to a black screen with an error message indicating that "No bootable devices are found - press any key to continue." I am able to boot into the computer's internal drive, but not from any external devices. I fully expected that the semi-automated BootCamp procedure properly prepares the USB device for booting, and for installing the Windows 7 OS.

Meh, with the price they take for a drive in Denmark, I don't think it's worth it... They take around 160 $ for the drive (that's the cheapest MacBook drive I could find), and I am not even sure that's the one I need.

New HD and new motherboard on Mac Mini and OSX will not start.

Long story but will do my best to keep it short...
Purchased Mac mini #1 at CompUSA years back and bought their extended warranty. Mini died 2+ years later which coincided with CUSA going out of business. Problem was a flashing folder with the Mac logo and a "?" at startup. My CUSA store was closing out and would not service my machine and gave me a phone number for the outsourced warranty/repair department. The tech took my info and decided a new HD was in order. I rec'd the new HD in the mail and a local tech came out and installed it (but refused to test it). After the tech left the same problem was found. Called warranty department immediately (literally 5 minutes later) and they siad they would send another HD as well as a mother board which I recieved a few days later. However, this time the local tech never showed back up and after a few weeks of calling the warranty number went dead. We ended up getting a new Mac mini which has been running fine since.
My daughter needed a computer so I figured I would give it a shot. It was actually very easy to replace the HD and MB. I tried starting the mini and it powers up but I got the same flashing folder so I put in the OS intall disc and after I select the language, I get a prompt that says "This software cannot be installed on this computer". I am using the original discs that came with this particular mini. I cannot get disc #1 out of the drive now but disc #2 says "Mac OSX Install Disc 2", "includes Mac OS9.2", and Disc version 1.3 2Z691-5533-A" on it. The mini itself says Mac mini 1.25G4/512MB/40GB/Combo/Modem on the underside.
Is this due to the fact that the entire inside of the Mini is new and now not compatible with the original software? How would I know what software to buy? Am I better off just taking it somewhere to get serviced or calling it a total loss? Any guidance would be much appreciated.

One the one hand I am being told that my OS discs are not working because they are unique (or keyed) to the original machine and since that machine essentially no loger exists due to repalacing the MB, I will need to purchase new software with a new license agreement.
It is true that computer specific install software is specific to the software with which it shipped. However replacing the logic board means that the new logic board is part of the computer. Unless the logic board was not an exact replacement, it should not make a difference; the original disks should work. In other words it has to do with the hardware not the license. The software license agreement allows the installation of a certain OS to one computer at a time, unless you have a multi-user license such as a family pack, which allows installation in up to five computers in the same household. The original computer specific software can be installed on a single computer no matter how many times. If that OS in that computer has been upgraded to a later OS, that installer can be used to install to another computer of the identical model so long as it is not simultaneously installed elsewhere. However, even then, it can technically be installed on another computer of the same model although installation of a single user licensed software will be a violation of the terms of the Software License Agreement.
The second opinion was that the original mini was equippmed with a powerpc processor and that the new MB I received is equipped with an intel processor.
True. Models of the mini released in 2005 and Early 2006 have PowerPC processors. Late 2006 and later have Intel processors.
Therefore, that pesron recommended that I purchase OSX 10.5 Leopard as this OS will cover both of those processors.
Partly true.
i. If your mini was released with Tiger it will support OS X 10.5x and later. If it was released in Early 2009 with Mac OS X 10.5.6 (9G2030) it will only support versions of Leopard earlier than 10.5.6 and, certainly OS X 10.6x.
ii. It will only both computers if you have a multi-user license.
iii. New Leopard installers will only install on your old mini if the original installer itself was the problem. If the problem is elsewhere, it is not quite as certain. Unfortunately there is no sure way to know that unless you buy the Full Retail Version of Leopard and attempt installing it.
cornelius

New 2010 Mac Mini and LG 37" Full HD (via HDMI) query..

Hello all! I have just bought the new Mac Mini which I want to use along with my LG 37" (LH5000) full HD LCD TV.I have hooked them both up together via HDMI. When I first turned the Mac Mini on it detected various resolutions and choose 1080p. However, on this resolution the menu bar, dock finder windows etc all look too small when im sitting on the couch. Im only around 3 metres away from the TV.
Ive changed various resolutions, in fact the 720p resolution looks bigger and better....but surely I should be using 1080p? I was wondering if any one else out there has a similar setup and what res you would recommend I should use? There are other resolutions but I assume the other ones are all Mac (computer LCD) base.
Thanks in advance
Ben

Yes, this is a significant issue. And since Apple doesn't allow adjustment of type sizes throughout the OS, it can be very problematic.
One solution is to do as you have done and run the display at a lower resolution.
Another solution is to use the magnification tools that are provided in the Universal Access control panel (system preferences).
Screen zoom works with any scroll mouse (you do not need to buy the MS mouse that was mentioned). Just hold the Control key on the keyboard and turn the mouse's scroll wheel. I use this a lot on my Mini connected to an HDTV.
I also have the size of the mouse pointer arrow increased twofold using the universal access controls.
In the Finder, you can set the Finder preferences so that file names are listed as 16 point type (and click on the set default button). Of course the menus and sidebars are still small and Apple really needs to start offering more versatile adjustments for these other interface areas (like, dare I say it… Windows allows for).
When web browsing, you can magnify the web page in question using the COMMAND key with the + key. You can zoom back again using COMMAND and - . I use that a lot. And yes this shortcut key combo works in both Safari and Firefox.
Lastly, make sure that the sharpness adjustment on your TV isn't turned up significantly, as this will hurt the legibility of type on the screen. The lower the sharpness is set, the more readable the text will be. You'll have to strike a balance that you're happy with between text sharpness and a satisfying sharpness for the video content you watch. On my sony tv, I have the sharpness set at about 25%.
I should also mention that the type on the screen being to small to read is a sign that your screen size to seating distance ratio is outside of the ideal range. In other words, you're sitting too far from your current TV, or you could stand to have a bigger TV for the room in question. To better understand viewing distance versus HD display size, read this:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-L3GoEoljGNL/learn/learningcenter/home/TV_placement. html

Hi, I upgraded my 2010 mac mini server to lion today.

The upgrade went fine, but on the last reboot, all I am getting is the dreaded prohibited sign. So I tried to use the Snow Leopard install disk to get to disk utility, but the dvd will not load.
The DVD & the superdrive are OK as I have checked them on my other Mac mini server of the same vintage.
Has anyone come across this before?

Try to refer these resources:
http://techprudent.com/how-to-fix-the-prohibition-sign-in-mac-os-x-startup/
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1307600?start=0&tstart=0

2010 mac mini - monitor goes dark every few sec's problems since Mavericks Install

My Wife updated her 2010 Mac mini from Mountain Lion to Mavericks and ever since, after start, up the display intermittently flashes a dark screen, every few seconds. (within 3-10 seconds or so, there will be another period of dark screen, that may last aprox. 1- 6 seconds. The timing of this changes constantly. The finder and all apps I have seen are affected in the same way. it seems to be an all-the-time problem
the monitor is an OptiQuest Q9, and the system connects via an Apple mini display to VGA adapter (supplied with the mac mini) , then a vga cord into the monitor, which has a native resolution of 1280 x 1024.
The only workaround we have found is to boot the mac with the monitor cable disconnected, then reconnect the monitor cable after boot up is complete. In that case, the monitor does not flash, until the mac is shutdown or restarted again.
Steps I have already tried:
Zapped P-Ram
Reset SMC (shutdown, waited with power unplugged, then reattached power and rebootted
Repaired disk permissions,
repaired disk
re-download and reinstalled mavericks fresh.
changed display prefs for resolution, detected displays, etc.
Changed background picture.
I don't know where to go with this anymore, and it has already taken a lot of time.
Who's got a Fix?    And if there is no fix, how do I revert from Mavericks to Mountain Lion?   The mac mini came with Snow Leopoard.

Problem Fixed!
I found another page that referred to resetting the PMU (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2183) , which controls things like wake and sleep:
"If the settings in the PMU become corrupted, it can result in operational anomalies such as your computer not turning on, not displaying video, or not waking from sleep, among other things. In these situations, you may need to reset your computer's PMU."
Anyway, it is pracitcally the same proceedure as resetting the SMC (SMC reset= Shut down, disconnect power cord for 10 seconds, reconnect power cord, wait 5 more seconds, turn computer back on)
but it is slightly different:   (PMU REST = Shut computer down, disconnect power cord for 10+ seconds, reconnect power cord WHILE SIMULTANEOOUSLY PRESSING POWER BUTTON, let off power button for a few seconds, then press power button again to restart the mac mini.)
After this the display problem was fixed, but the fan ran at high speed, so I did one more SMC reset as described above. Now everything is in order.   This also fixed the issue of the mac mini not waking from sleep unless the power/sleep button on the mini was pressed (it wasn't responding to the keyboard to awaken). Now it's all good.
Hope this helps somebody else...

Install Windows 7 on a Mid 2010 Mac mini using USB or SD media?

Is is possible to install Windows 7 on a Mid 2010 Mac mini using USB or SD media? I have not figured this out. Here's what I have observed:
I can install OS X Lion using USB or SD media. Both are detected in the boot menu, and will boot.
An SD card with Windows 7 installation files formatted MBR/FAT32 using diskpart appears (with an SD card icon) in the boot menu but when selected as a boot device, the boot fails and the existing OS X instance on the Macintosh HD starts. A USB stick formatted as described does not appear in th boot menu at all.
An SD card or a USB stick formatted as described will boot on a Mid 2011 MacBook Air, and can be used to install Windows 7.
Is this due to EFI differences between a Mid 2010 Mac mini and a Mid 2011 MacBook Air?
Thanks.

The Mac Mini Mid 2010 has a DVD player built in, you can startup and install from a Windows 7 DVD. The Mac Mini Mid 2011 does not have a DVD player built in. I am happy that in new computers I can make use of an USB-stick to install Windows 7. Windows 7 uses MBR and Mac OS X uses EFI and that is why it was not possible on a Mac Mini Mid 2010. I think the EFI on a Mac Mini Mid 2011 is different.
I should like a firmware update on my Mac Mini Mid 2010 if possible. In that case I could choose between DVD or USB stick if I want to install Windows 7.
I also have a FireWire CF Card Reader. I think it is not possible to install Windows 7 via FireWire too.
I do have an external USB HD with 2 partitions: Mac OS X 10.6.8 and Windows 7, but is is not possible to start up Windows 7 from the external HD. It is possible to start up Mac OS X 10.6.8 from the external HD on a Mac Mini Mid 2010.

No QE/CI on Mid 2010 Mac Mini

I recently purchased a Mid 2010 Mac Mini and have it connected to a 32" Insignia NS-L32X 1080p television via HDMI. I've upgraded it to Lion and noticed that QE/CI are not enabled. In fact they aren't listed at all under Graphics/Displays in System Information. Unfortunately I didn't check the setting before the upgrade so I don't know if they were enabled under Snow Leopard. Has anyone else experienced this?

OK, I've got my Firewire connection working again! Yay!
It turns out that I'm an idiot. A smaller man would not own up to his stupidity, but I'm not that guy.
Here's how I solved my problem.
I did a Google search on "mac min 2010 owners manual". I found the PDF file for the manual and started looking through it:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Mac_mini_Mid2010_User_Guide.pdf
On page 11, there is a drawing of the *BACK* of the Mac Mini. This is important because I had been plugging in the cables blindly, while facing the *FRONT* of the box. :facepalm:
Turns out that I was jamming the Firewire plug into the Ethernet port! The port is big enough to accomodate the male end of the Firewire plug, and it seemed to fit snugly.
Once I saw the drawing in the manual, I realized what was up. I spun the Mac Mini around, turned the Firewire plug sideways, and inserted it where it belongs: right between the Ethernet and HDMI ports! Voila! Everything worked as expected.
I wish there were a lesson in here somewhere, other than the fact that I am an idiot. "But when in doubt, try asking yourself: 'Did I plug everything in the right way?'"
:facepalm:

2010 mac mini RAM error

I have a 2010 mac mini and it is displaying that I only have 1gb of ram, but it should display that I have 2gb. Please help!!

Do a proper shut down from the apple menu
Then flip the mini upside down and open the bottom cover
check and see if there are 2 ram DIMMs installed
if there are, I would take them out and swap their positions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5uvIBpTSaQ
Then do a pram zap by holding down these keys on power on:
COMMAND OPTION P R

DVD-R stuck in my 2010 Mac Mini

Today I got an unformatted DVD-R disk stuck in my 2010 Mac Mini and nothing I do will eject the disk. I'm using OS X Mavericks 10.9.4. I tried F12, command - E without results.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
-Joe

Sometimes there is a little pin-hole on the front of the drive. If it has one, straighten a paperclip and push it into the hole. You'll feel a little resistance, but it should pop the disk out manually. However, there doesn't appear to be that hole on the pictures I've found.
Other than that, I have no idea.
Give some of these a try: http://guides.macrumors.com/Force_Eject_a_Stuck_CD_or_DVD
http://macs.about.com/od/usingyourmac/qt/eject-stuck-media-boot-manager.htm

Have downloaded Mountain Lion on my 2010 Mac Mini. Now when starting up, after a while I get a message that says, "You must restart your computer." I do that but get the same message again and again. Any ideas? Thanks!

I am having issues trying to start up with Mountain Lion on my 2010 Mac Mini. Here's the scenario:
1) After starting up, I get the usual gray screen with Apple logo.
2) After a few minutes, a darker gray screen scrolls down and in the middle of this is a black dialogue box with reversed (white) text. This text, in multiple languages, reads: "You need to restart your computer." Then it goes on to instruct on how to shut it down and restart it.
3) I follow this instruction, but get the same dialogue box over and over agin.
Any ideas?
Thanks and best wishes.

If you can't boot in the usual way, try a safe boot. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.
During startup, you’ll see a progress bar, and then the login screen, which appears even if you normally log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin. Safe mode is slower than normal, and some things won’t work at all. Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is on a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode. If you're able to boot, launch the Console application in any of the following ways: ☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.) ☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens. ☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid. Select the most recent panic log under System Diagnostic Reports. Post the entire contents — the text, please, not a screenshot. In the interest of privacy, I suggest you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header and body of the report, if it’s present (it may not be.) Please don't post shutdownStall, spin, or hang reports.

2010 Mac Mini display and network issues after Mountain Lion installation

I just installed Mountain Lion on my 2010 Mac Mini, but now the display won't work and it isn't showing up on my network. I have it hooked up to my TV (I don't have another screen for it) via HDMI. Also, I've mainly used this computer by using the share screen function with my laptop, so I don't have a keyboard or mouse for it either. The Mini is no longer showing up on my laptop's network list... Any suggestions?

I would see if you borrow a USB keyboard and mouse
from some one, because otherwise trouble shooting the
problem will be next to impossible as sometimes the fixes
and diagnostics require the keyboard (PRAM reset, Hardware
Test, etc.).

2010 Mac Mini and OSX Lion

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for