Firmware bug w/Intel Mini

Greetings to all.
There is currently a bug in the Mini's firmware that poses as a slight problem for me. I'm sure some people are aware of this, but Apple has yet to present a solution.
Problem:
While booting a Legacy OS, such as Linux (Grub/LILO), or Windows, the EFI firmware's Legacy BIOS (CSM) hangs when a monitor is NOT connected.
This appears to be a glitch in the VGA Rom BIOS that the CSM uses to allow legacy OS's to initialize and use the i950 Graphics Chipset.
This does not appear to be DDC related, as a KVM allows the system to boot a Legacy OS, even though a KVM provides no such signals.
It also isn't OS related. We are talking about EFI/CSM here, not Mac OS X or Linux. It's strictly a firmware issue with the Legacy OS code sitting inside EFI.
Why hasn't Apple fixed this? I'm sure it's a trivial problem- just about every other computer out there (regardless of using EFI or not) can and will boot if no monitor is attached.
There are some of us who would like to run Mini's in server configurations as they are excellent machines that borderline on uber-powerful embedded platforms. I don't think it's out of line to ask that the firmware correctly handle a situation where one might be booting Linux or Windows without a monitor attached.
It is possible to resolve this issue via using a monitor "terminator" to provide a dummy signal that a monitor is attached, but I'm sure the solution is equally as simple on Apple's part (if a monitor isn't detected, continue to boot anyways!).
-SC

If you join the Apple Developer Connection (there is a free option), you can submit bugs directly to Apple. That might be a better way to handle this issue.
http://developer.apple.com/bugreporter/
-Doug

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Intel Mini has problem with Mail/internet after firmware update (0.1)

Hello there.
I'm not sure, but I think my Intel Mini has gone bonkers after a firmware update (Mac mini-SMC-firmware-updater (1.0)
What happend is, that connecting to (both of) my two Gmail and Tiscali accounts is not working anymore. (no connection through gate 995)
I did not change anything in the accountsetup.
But now I notice that even my torrents (oops) can't connect anymore.
I think this all took place after the firmware update.
On Dutch sites I do not seem to get any useable answers, so I thought it be wise to go a bit more international.
Could anyone help me out on this one?
Cheers.
Marco

Wizzard,
Having the same problem here. After updating the firmware the wireless connection to the network is unstable. After rebooting the laptop most of the time I get "Low or no connectivity" message. Sometimes it connects and dies after a few minutes. And sometimes it connects and stays connected until shut down.
What do you mean by "u have to reset it for 30 seconds and then reconfigure it"? Do you mean you actually have to reset the router to default settings and reconfigure, or just power down and bring it back up?
Thanks,
Stas

Intel Mini DVD+RW re-burns fail: 4/03/00 Hardware Error, Peripheral device

I can't re-write DVD+RW discs on my Intel Mini. The log says:
Backup: Burn sense: 4/03/00 Hardware Error, Peripheral device write fault
Backup: Burn error: 0x80020022 The device failed to respond properly, unable to recover or retry.
It happends with every Philips 4x DVD+RW I have after first burn. Also the log says it is trying to burn at 47x speed. Could this be why it is so noisy - it spins up like a rocket at 5 second intervals and then the disks can't be ejected.
Backup: Requested burn speed was 47x, actual burn speed is 4x.
Is this a sign of a bug or just an optimistic Backup?

I'm 99.99% sure this is an Intel Mini Superdrive problem now. I think it is incompatible with the Philips DVD+RW media. I will try to get new +RW media soon and see if I get joy with other formats.
I have taken the exact same media from the same pack and I can burn > erase FIVE times on the same disk, and not a single problem yet on my PPC G4 mini. I can only dream of doing this cycle once on my Intel Mini.
Intel mini (OS X 10.4.7) has:
Vendor Product Rev
MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J
PPC (OS X Server 10.4.7) mini has:
Vendor Product Rev
MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-845 D8PB
What's more the PPC mini makes almost zero noise, only one burst of quier "roar" near the start of erase. Contrast this to the constantly 5s roaring cycle that makes you raise your voice on the intel mini.
I believe my Intel Mini is either faulty or there is a firmware issue with the drive.
Can somebody else try Philips 4x DVD+RW discs in an Intel Core Duo and report their drive info?
Thanks in advance

Intel Mini: Diabling the onboard bluetooth hardware/using a Dlink USB BT

I have a Intel Mini Core 2 Duo (1.8x Ghz)
I broke the bluetooth antennae connector inside the case while upgrading the memory. My BT keyboard and mouse continues to work, but only with the case open, and when they are very close to the computer.
I have located a replacment bluetooth board, but before I spent any mulah to fix the problem, I am wondering if it would be possible to just use a Dlink BT 120 USB device that I already own.
From what I can tell this particular device is one of a few that will specifically work with Macs. In reading it sounds like it should work without any needed drivers.
I am relatively new to Macs, so the process for getting things working is a little fuzzy. I've tried to google this, but haven't found any specific help.
When I plug in the Dlink, the connection to the onboard BT stops working with the existing keyboard and mouse. There is not any obvious signs that the Dlink is doing anything (no windows pop up to state it is connected etc, and there is not anything new listed in the BT sys pref pane). It seems to me that the two BT devices are fighting with each other, and I don't know how to make them play nice.
I did download the apple BT firmware updater, which I believe is needed to convert the Dlink over to a mac friendly firmware. I ran the updater with the Dlink plugged in, and it seemed to run fine, but I guess I wouldn't know which BT device it was trying to update...
Anyway, if there is a guru out there that can help me get the Dlink working... I am all ears.
Thanks in advance.
EE

Hi Grigz95,
I am exactly at the same point in my investigations as you describe in your question. I would be most interested if you ended up finding a solution.
Regards

Should I just wait untill the Intel Mini's are out to make the switch over?

I have been somewhat active on this board for the last month or so looking at the Apple Mini. I want a computer that never really slows down, or crashes a lot. Also, I want a computer that can do some light video editing, and some light gaming (think: Battlefield 1942!).. I'm thinking about waiting till the New Intel Mini's come out but I really don't know when that will be! I don't know if I can hold on for 8 more months with this crappy thing they call an OPERATING SYSTEM.
Do you guys know when the Intel's are coming out? When they do, thats when I might make the switch from XP to mac OX.
Thank you all!

Though a bit belatedly, I thought it might be worth pointing out an issue that ought to cross the minds of those considering buying a mini but not sure whether to wait for the Intel models or not.
Aside from the fact that no-one knows when the Intel minis will be announced and what specs (thus performance) they will have, and the fact that as soon as the first models are out, there will be a tendency to want to wait until the next revision for the 'rev.a' bugs to get ironed out and some speed bumps ironed in, one important extra consideration is the software that's intended to be run.
All software at this time is G4 compatible, and many titles are either already in universal binary, or about to be so, thus would run natively on an Intel-mini. But some, Adobe CS and Microsoft Office (to name a couple of significant examples) are not universal yet, and while they likely will become so, it's not at all clear when. Until they ARE universal, those apps will run in emulation on an intel Mac, and performance is not reported to be stellar.
So I'd suggest to anyone considering the issues, to look at the titles you want to run, and make sure all the important ones are Intel-native already, or going to become so very soon. If they are, then waiting for an Intel mini is perfectly reasonable as long as you don't have any immediate need and can wait however long it takes. But if any crucial apps are PPC only and likely to stay that way, I'd buy a G4-powered mini while they're still available, and trade it later when the crucial apps go Universal and the Intel models have settled down.

Intel Mini superdrive VERY noisy on DVD-RW close session, media hosed

My Intel Core Duo mini with superdrive has always made LOTS of noise when rewriting DVD-RW (not the first burn).
It all goes well, for example using Apple Backup, but when it closes the session on a re-used disk it spins up REALLY loudly over and over again. It can take 15-20 minutes to close the session.
One disc did this for about 4 backup (erase->rewrite cycles) and then the drive just gave up and the disk was not visible and backup still said "closing session". I had to reboot the box and eject the disk with Disk Utility - after it was noisily spinning up a lot.
Of course the media is now unusable.
Another backup on a virgin DVD-RW from the same batch works. I am pretty sure next time I do it the close session will get noisy again etc.
I am not the only person who notices the loud close session noise and VERY slow closing of sessions - my friend has an Intel Mini Core Duo too and it does it.
Another firmware update debacle looming?
Media: Philips DVD-RW 1-4x

Well here's an update.
I took a working (first burn) DVD+RW (they are all DVD+RW not -RW as previously stated sorry) and copied all the data off it onto my mini. Then I tried to erase it using Disk Utility. That was 30 minutes ago and it is still BUZZING very loudly in 10 second bursts with quite gaps in between. I've given up now and can't get the disk out of the drive, I will have to reboot and get it to throw it out then.
I want to know if I'm the only one with this problem. I will try some other media soon and I will also try the SuperDrive in the PPC G4 mini I have to see if that one is ok with the same media.
In the meantime my DiscRecorder.log shows the sorry tale... and maybe the "burning at 47x" bit is a clue to there being a problem?!!
Backup: Burn started, Fri Jun 2 12:50:35 2006
Backup: Erase started, Fri Jun 2 12:50:36 2006
Backup: Erasing in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
Backup: Erase finished, Fri Jun 2 12:51:06 2006
Backup: Burning to DVD+RW media with DAO strategy in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
Backup: Requested burn speed was 47x, actual burn speed is 4x.
Backup: Burn finished, Fri Jun 2 12:55:13 2006
1 successful burn.
Same disc...
Backup: Burn started, Fri Jun 16 14:38:15 2006
Backup: Erase started, Fri Jun 16 14:38:20 2006
Backup: Erasing in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
Backup: Erase finished, Fri Jun 16 14:38:51 2006
Backup: Burning to DVD+RW media with DAO strategy in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
Backup: Requested burn speed was 47x, actual burn speed is 4x.
Backup: Burn finished, Fri Jun 16 14:51:09 2006
OK again.
Same disk:
Backup: Burn started, Fri Jun 23 15:00:00 2006
Backup: Erase started, Fri Jun 23 15:00:06 2006
Backup: Erasing in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
Backup: Erase finished, Fri Jun 23 15:00:34 2006
Backup: Burning to DVD+RW media with DAO strategy in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
Backup: Requested burn speed was 47x, actual burn speed is 4x.
BOOM: This one died, Backup had to be killed. Rigmarole getting disk out of mini.
New disc:
Backup: Burn started, Mon Jun 26 10:41:19 2006
Backup: Burning to DVD+RW media with DAO strategy in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
Backup: Requested burn speed was 47x, actual burn speed is 4x.
Backup: Burn finished, Mon Jun 26 10:44:46 2006
Fine.
Same disc:
Backup: Burn started, Fri Jun 30 18:45:46 2006
Backup: Burn failed, Fri Jun 30 18:45:47 2006
Backup: Burn error: 0x80020040 One of the volumes on the media is still in use.
Ooops.
New disc:
Backup: Burn started, Sat Jul 1 07:56:36 2006
Backup: Erase started, Sat Jul 1 07:56:41 2006
Backup: Erasing in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
Backup: Erase finished, Sat Jul 1 07:57:13 2006
Backup: Burning to DVD+RW media with DAO strategy in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
Backup: Requested burn speed was 47x, actual burn speed is 4x.
Backup: Burn failed, Sat Jul 1 08:01:45 2006
Backup: Burn sense: 4/03/00 Hardware Error, Peripheral device write fault
Backup: Burn error: 0x80020022 The device failed to respond properly, unable to recover or retry.
Ooops another coaster.
Tried to erase same disk with disk utility:
DiskManagementTool: Erase started, Mon Jul 3 09:02:49 2006
DiskManagementTool: Erasing in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
DiskManagementTool: Erase failed, Mon Jul 3 09:02:49 2006
DiskManagementTool: Erase error: 0x80020040 One of the volumes on the media is still in use.
Didn't like that. Try again:
DiskManagementTool: Erase started, Mon Jul 3 09:11:08 2006
DiskManagementTool: Erasing in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
DiskManagementTool: Erase failed, Mon Jul 3 09:11:09 2006
DiskManagementTool: Erase error: 0x80020040 One of the volumes on the media is still in use.
No joy.
New disc:
Backup: Burn started, Mon Jul 3 09:22:06 2006
Backup: Burning to DVD+RW media with DAO strategy in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
Backup: Requested burn speed was 2x, actual burn speed is 2.4x.
Backup: Burn finished, Mon Jul 3 09:29:43 2006
Fine first burn, also at 2.4x (but worked fine at 4x too for first burn)
Tried to erase this disc manually as a test:
DiskManagementTool: Erase started, Tue Jul 4 12:51:18 2006
DiskManagementTool: Erasing in MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846 FM3J via ATAPI.
drutil: DVD-R UJ-846: SCSITask 15310.768555 CDB: Start/Stop Unit/Eject
- had to kill it as by 13:20 it was still just doing.. (pause) ROOOOOAR (pause) ROOOOOAR (pause) ROOOAR) so much so you have to speak up loudly to talk to someone else in the room.
Here I tried to eject after killing Disk Utility, using drutil eject, no luck:
Media failed with service response = 1 (SERVICEDELIVERY_OR_TARGETFAILURE), status = 1 (TaskTimeoutOccurred)
drutil: Retry #1+
I am not happy.

Ext firewire as boot on intel mini?

I was trying many different fw drives to install OS X from disks that came with intel mini. No success. Can you tell me if you got your external fw drive to work as a startup drive? what hd works? what firmware? I have many LaCie drives and none of them work, many smartdisk and they don't work either.
Derek

DerekRyan...
Very little is mentioned about that in the Knowledge Base. (see link below)
There is probably more mentioned in Apple's - Developer Connection, however it may require some subscription or fee to do any exhaustive digging.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303118
...Ron

How can I get a reliable airport connection on my Intel Mini?

I have an Intel mini and I connect it to the internet through airport. When it is working, it shows all the bars as dark, which I assume means I have a good signal. But some times it does not connect on startup, and can't be persuaded to connect with anything I have tried, using the network control panel or whatever. It just does not work. Some times it will work if I shut it down and start it up again, some times not. I also have a G3 Imac using a Hawking USB adapter on the same network, and it is solidly reliable, so that makes me think the problem is in the mini, not the router. It started doing this a few weeks ago, and the problem may have something to do with one of the many software upgrades, for all I know. This discussion thing is really difficult to use, so I hope I can find this question again, and maybe even a good answer.

Please post a screenshot that shows what you mean.
To take a screenshot, follow the instructions linked below. Be careful not to include any private information.
Shortcuts for taking pictures of the screen
Start a reply to this message. Click the camera icon in the toolbar of the editing window and select the image file to upload it. You can also include text in the reply.

IPhone no longer can sync with iTunes on Mac Intel Mini

I have an original iPhone (not 3G). It was working fine until today. Today when I booted my mac mini, Software update said that there was an iTunes update. I downloaded and installed version 8.2 of iTunes. When I connected my iPhone to my mac mini (Intel running 10.4.11), which is what I use to sync my iPhone, iTunes didn't see it. It was as if the iPhone wasn't connected to the mac.
I thought maybe it was the cable. So, I switched cables. It still didn't sync (or even see the iPhone).
I have been charging my iPhone using a wall adapter, so I tried both cables with the wall adapter. The iPhone charged just fine using both cables.
I used the cables and tried to sync my iPod Classic (120GB) with iTunes. I can sync my iPod Classic with iTunes just fine with either cable.
I have an 17" Powerbook G4 running 10.5.7 and I thought I'd try to see if it could see the iPhone. The Powerbook is running iTunes 8.1.1, I haven't upgraded it yet. I was able to see the iPhone and I could try to sync, but the iPhone isn't sync'ed with that iTunes library so the sync doesn't do anything, but at least the Powerbook sees the iPhone and connects with it (and iTunes sees the iPhone as well).
I'm upgrading to iTunes 8.2 to see if the Powerbook can still see the iPhone (just seeing if it was the iTunes upgrade that broke the iPhone sync). Well, the upgrade on the powerbook didn't seem to hurt its ability to see the iPhone.
I'm back at square one. My mac Intel mini running 10.4.11 can't see my iPhone and nothing I do seems to help it see the iPhone, but I can sync my ipod classic using the same cable.
I'm now wondering if there is something wrong with the iPhone. Has anyone else seen this problem?

Sometimes a glitch can happen with an itunes upgrade that can cause itunes to no longer recognize your iphone. If you have already tried to restart your computer and tried different usb ports, I would try this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1224?viewlocale=en_US
Hope it helps
Your only removing the outer software so it shouldn't affect your itunes libraries or files.

Non-firewire MacBook via USB to Intel Mini as External Hard Drive

I'm working with the aluminum MacBook that doesn't have a firewire and a Core 2 Duo Intel Mini. Is it possible to connect the Mini to the MacBook via USB and have the Mini act as an external hard drive for the MacBook?
If so is it possible as well to do it the other way around; the Mini as the boot drive and the MacBook as the external hard drive?
Thanks.

Wesley
I really think there is no way to connect a computer in target mode to the Unibody Macbook which has no Firewire port.
I did the stupid thing to plug a USB2toUSB2 cable into a brand new Macbook and it fried the USB port (which are soldered on the motherboard) thereby loosing my computer.
I still don't know IF I made a mistake or IF the cable was the culprit.
see this post about my mishap
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9778687#9778687
So my advice...do your data trasfer via Ethernet or external HD or take out the old disks.
yours
Pierre

Superdrive from G4 Mini to Intel Mini?

I have a Superdrive in my current G4 Mini. If I bought the Intel Mini with a Combo drive, can I migrate my Superdrive over to it?
TIA,
Dale

yes you can.
Thanks!

Can someone predict the spec's of the new Intel Mini's to current Mini's?

How much of a drastic or slight change will there be. If someone could just predict the spec's of the new intell's then I might just wait.. I don't want to get a product now that will be considerably outdated in about 5months now.. Will there be a big graphic power increase, processor power increase or what? Also, do you think that Apple will still have the Intel Mini's be at a great price? Will Intel Mini's be 500-700 USD's like the older PowerPC ones?
Thanks!

stlouis --
It is against the terms of use to speculate here.
No one knows the answers to the questions you are asking.
If they did, they could not discuss it here.

ISight/new intel mini mic problem

Hi,
I've got an iSight camera that I've been using on a just retired eMac. I just purchased a new intel mini and I've been trying to set up ichat. However, the microphone won't work at all on the new computer. The video seems to be ok but no sound.
So far I've:
Checked all settings in System Preferences > sound
Checked all settings in iChat > Preferences > microphone
Started and quit GarageBand
Under the sound control panel, the input level meter doesn't respond on my mini when the iSight mic input is selected. However, when plugging the camera back into my emac, the sound seems to be fine and responds accordingly. When I start a video chat, the connection doctor shows great video stats but 0% audio transmission to the person with whom I'm chatting. Likewise, the ichat preview input meter doesn't show that the mic is functioning correctly.
It seems that this must be related to an audio issue on my mac mini in some way but I'm out of ideas right now. I'm especially bothered that the system preferences line in seems to be buggered.
What next folks? Maybe the next thing is to call for service?
Thanks,
Cory

Hi,
I've poured over Ralph's advice and web pages prior to posting my first inquiry but still haven't had any success.
Is there a way to conclusively isolate the problem to the mini and the sound input? I tested the mic on the emac again and the isight works just as it should. Audio and video, both. I've checked that all of the settings between the emac and mini are the same, including all isight prefs and sound prefs. However, the mini seems to not pick up any input from the isight microphone.
Thanks,
Cory

Intel Mini - HDTV with DVI or HDMI Problems

Hello
With my Samsung LE32 and the Intel Mini I get overscan in HDTV resolutions like 1280x720, so I used DisplayConfigX to go from 1280x720 (overscan) to 1240x680
128 Front Porch 19
80 Sync 5
240 Back Porch 38
1688 Total 750
As you can see in the following images:
http://www.romanargenta.com/personal/imagenes/display1.jpg
http://www.romanargenta.com/personal/imagenes/display2.jpg
http://www.romanargenta.com/personal/imagenes/display3.jpg
the image is pinned to the top left corner.
Playing with the Front and Back Porches seems to do nothing.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

The website for DisplayConfigX has a wonderful FAQ section that explains very well it's operation. Unfortunately, most of everything in that FAQ applies to displays that are based on CRTs with magnetic deflection systems. For example, the whole section on "How to get rid of overscan."
For a modern, matrix addressed technology such as LCD, DLP, LCOS, Plasma and whatever, most of the FAQ does not apply. It would be nice if the author updated the FAQ with such a disclaimer to stop giving people false hope that overscan, image centering and such things can be controlled by DisplayConfigX on their modern displays when almost certainly it cannot.
Can you possibly control overscan from your Samsung? Either directly through any user settings or, if need be, through a secret service mode? I think that will be your only hope.

Use PC5300 RAM from Intel Mini in 1.42G PPC Mini?

I upgraded my Intel Mini and have 2 spare sticks of 512M (PC2-5300S-555-12-A0).. my sister has a 1.42GHz Mini (PPC) with only 256M of mem and wants to upgrade... I know the PC5300 would not run any faster than the "correct" memory (2700 or 3200 I think) for her Mini, but the price is definitely right (ie. free).. would it work in her machine?
Thanks,
Mike

The PC5300 memory from your Intel mini won't fit in a PPC unit. Aside from the difference in speed and type, the Intel mini uses two sticks of laptop RAM while the PPC mini has just one memory slot which takes the larger desktop memory.
In reality, given the price these days of memory for these systems, it's probably better to keep your RAM just in case you need it for diagnostic purposes, and get a single module, either 512Mb or 1Gb (which is the maximum for PPC minis) for your sister's unit. It's only $42 for 1Gb at Crucial for example (http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=BEB4B190A5CA7304)

Firmware bug w/Intel Mini

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