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.

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Mountain Lion only boots into Recovery mode after using iCould lock

Hi everyone!
I have searched the forums for hours now, but I can't seen to find an answer to my question, so I'd like to ask it.
Recently my system partition failed due to frequent kernel panics caused by a cable in the screen I think. The kernel panics still occur, but I don't know what to do with them.
I managed to save my files and reinstall my osx, which is Snow Leopard (the disc came with the computer). Then I wanted to install my purchased copy of Lion through Appstore, but it said it's no longer available in my country and I couldn't download it again.
Then I decided to buy a copy of Mountain Lion which I tried to install. I managed to do it, and I tried to explore my new operation system.
I tried the iCloud app as well, including the Lock. It locked the computer, and rebooted, but ever since I couldn't unlock it.
When it asks for the password I enter it and it accepts it, but doesn't unlock, only lets me into Recovery mode. Now I reinstalled the whole thing over again and when the Mountain Lion install finishes, it only boots into the Recovery HD without asking.
So if I reboot my computer, no matter what I do it only boots into Recovery Mode.
Please help!!
Mike

I was afraid the Apple Store wasn't going to be an option.
Based on your previous post, I was under the impression you could download Mountain Lion, but when you installed it, it locked up again. Not true?
I don't know how to remove it. You can try contacting Apple support through the link below to see if they can help you get this unlocked.
Apple Support Contact
Are the kernal panics new since all this happened?
Here is some information about kernal panics.
Kernel Panics - About
Kernel Panics - Avoiding and Eliminating
Kernel Panics FAQ
Kernel Panics FAQ (2)
Kernel Panics - Understanding and Debugging
The articles discuss where kernal panic reports are filed. After you have a kernal panic, copy the report and post it here. Please copy and paste rather than using a screen shot. There are several people who can read them and they can suggest what to do next. Reading kernal panic reports isn't something I've totally figured out yet.

Brand new Mac mini ONLY displays when waking from sleep

Have an unusual problem.
Brand new 2011 Mac mini. Turn it on, and I do not get the grey Apple logo screen or normal spinning cog. Light comes on as normal, and chime chimes as normal. I've tried three different monitors now and I never get a display, unless I put the mini to sleep with the power button in back, then wake it with a keyboard key stroke, the display turns on and works as normal.
As of 20 Sep 2011, I've got all the software and EFI updates installed. I've also reset the PMU, SMC, PRAM, and NVRAM to no avail.
Thanks.
DJ Horton
Message was edited by: DJ Horton

Yes, sure did. Tried different cables and Thunderbolt to video adapters. Don't know if it makes a difference, but I'm using VGA. Originally tried it about a week ago with DVI and it worked ok. The problem is the monitor we're using in our classroom doesn't support DVI or HDMI.

Macbook only boots into recovery mode

Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated. The other day I was watching a movie on Quicktime and out of nowhere the computer froze up. I waited a minute and then finally just did a force shut down of the computer. I then started it back up but instead of coming to the login screen, it started up in recovery mode, where I get the OS X Utilities window.
I opened disk utility where instead of the normal Macintosh HD listed on the sidebar, it says "disk0s2". I tried repairing the disk and it came up with an error saying it couldn't be repaired and I have to reformat the disk. I took it in to the genius bar and they ran a battery of tests on the hardware and it all came back fine, so he told me it must be a software corruption issue.
Now I could just reformat the disk, but being the idiot that I am, I haven't done a Time Machine backup in several months, so there's files I would really like to recover before going through with the reformat. The guy at the genius bar seemed to think it wasn't recoverable, even by a data recovery company, but he said there's always a chance. Is there a chance? And is there anything else I can try to do at home? I've heard good things about Disk Warrior, but how would I run it if I can't even get to my desktop? From another computer?
I have a 2013 Macbook Pro, retina display, 256GB SSD, 8GB memory, running Mavericks.

I was afraid the Apple Store wasn't going to be an option.
Based on your previous post, I was under the impression you could download Mountain Lion, but when you installed it, it locked up again. Not true?
I don't know how to remove it. You can try contacting Apple support through the link below to see if they can help you get this unlocked.
Apple Support Contact
Are the kernal panics new since all this happened?
Here is some information about kernal panics.
Kernel Panics - About
Kernel Panics - Avoiding and Eliminating
Kernel Panics FAQ
Kernel Panics FAQ (2)
Kernel Panics - Understanding and Debugging
The articles discuss where kernal panic reports are filed. After you have a kernal panic, copy the report and post it here. Please copy and paste rather than using a screen shot. There are several people who can read them and they can suggest what to do next. Reading kernal panic reports isn't something I've totally figured out yet.

Windows 7 Installation Media Only Boots into Recovery

Ever since I've updated to Windows 8, I have been really pleased. Everything works fine but when I was automatically updated to windows 8.1, I wasn't happy. I mostly use my PC for gaming and emulating my favourite classic game consoles. But windows 8.1 either
doesn't allow games to play, and makes my emulators run at 15 FPS (normally they run at 55-60). And now, I cant install Graphics drivers! I used to be able to on windows 8. 8.1 will not let me run any of my old Windows 7 Apps either,
So, after spending hours backing up my date, ready to start a fresh windows 7 installation, I figured out that I cannot upgrade, or even start the installation from the USB drive!
I had lots of issues with Windows Vista and used the same installation media to fix the OS. Now, the installation ONLY boots into recovery mode!
Luckily, I use Debian KDE on the side, So I am able to use my computer, but not play any games.
Is there any way to have the installation media boot into Win7 Setup?

Hi,
Could you provide with a screen shoot?
Please test the USB drive in another pc.
If it is the same issue, it would be caused by the USB drive.
And then follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive.
Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj200124.aspx
Hope this helps,
Ada Liu
TechNet Community Support

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.

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

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I am trying to get a brand new mac mini going for the first time, and although it switches on, there is no video on the attached VGA display.
I have connected the same display to my Ibook VGA adapter and it works perfectly, so it is not the display. I have also tried another display which also works on the I book. What else can I do other that take it into a mac store as I am a very long way from one?

Here is an assortment of Apple technical articles dealing with this sort of thing. Good luck.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300583
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300537
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300580

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).

Updated iMovie on my brand new mac mini and lost "SPEED" function.

Updated iMovie on my brand new Mac Mini and lost "SPEED" function.

Hello bbryson68, I'm sure you've just over-looked it.
The answer is to click on Adjust above the Clip in Viewer, this will bring into view a adjustments bar also above the Clip.
Now you just have to select the speed via the Turtle icon. Once the clip has been speed-up or down, you'll get a Slider
over the clip in question & a Rabbit icon indicating the clip has been speed-up.
If you want to keep audio undistorted check the Preserve Pitch checkbox above the viewer.
The Clip Slider & icon of Rabbit appear in the Clip-Trimer window below the main Clip, also check your Pref's to see if you have
Apply Slow Motion checked? This will slow or speed up all other clips to the first clip.

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.

How can i connect a Wireless Keyboard and a Trust mouse with a brand new Mac mini?

How can i connect a Wireless Keyboard and a Trust mouse to a brand new Mac mini?

Go to the Bluetooth icon on the menu bar and select "Set Up Bluetooth Device". Follow the wizard.
Alternatively, if you haven't yet unboxed and setup the Mini, you can pair the keyboard to the Mini (and possibly the mouse). However, I would set up with a USB keyboard and mouse and pair the Bluetooth devices afterwards.

Brand new Mac Mini, No Maciintosh hard drive icon on desktop

How do I get the Macintosh HD to show up on the desktop. Brand new Mac Mini 10.6.2.
Without the HD icon I have no access to the applications directory.

Use the Finder menu 'Preferences' - 'General' tab.... 'Show these items on the desktop: [√] Hard disks'

I have just switched from windows and bought myself a new mac mini, only had it a few weeks and already getting message not enough free space. Help, surely cant be out of space already

I have just switched from windows and bought myself a new mac mini, only had it a few weeks and already getting message not enough free space. Help, surely cant be out of space already

It sounds unlikely of course. But from your question it's hard to tell what might have filled your HDD. Are you constantly on file sharing or has filled the drive with movies?
Best way to tell is to start checking what folders occupy space. "Get Info" for the HDD and its subfolders is a way to start checking where the data in question resides.
And as BGreg say, call Apple support is also a good way to begin with.

My MacBook won't boot into recovery mode after new hard drive installation. Please help!

I just installed a new hard drive. On boot it keeps on going to the flashing folder with a question mark inside.
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When I hold down Command -R it keeps on taking me to the flashing folder.
Please help!

A new hard drive doesn't have a recovery partition. It's totally blank.You're going to need either your original install discs or a Snow Leopard retail disc from which partition, format and install OS X.

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

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