I can boot my Mac Mini only in safe mode

I've tried recovery mode but it hangs with a blank linen screen and the pointer stuck in the top LH corner. At this point the mouse doesn't seem to be working properly the motion sensing LED doesn't flash when the mouse is moved and flashes more brightly when the mouse is clicked.
I've tried resetting PRAM and PMU and SMC but to no avail.
Selecting boot from the recovery partition just hangs.
Creating a recovery drive (USB 'stick' or USB drive) with the Recovery Disk Assistant just hangs.
I've created a 2nd partition and cloned the startup partition to it. Attempting to boot from that just hangs.
I notice, also, that the system serial number is missing; presumably it wasn't re-entered following the replacement of the logic board, recently. I hadn't noticed until now.
Any suggestions?

BDAqua wrote:
Hello, old info, but basically the same I'd think for 10.7.x...
One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for problem in Safe Mode...
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive
Reboot, test again.
Hi,
Thanks for your reply. Actually, safe mode is the only thing that works (this message is brought to you by my sponsor - safe mode). If I leave recovery boot hanging it will eventualy reboot after 5-10 mins.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it could be some hardware problem like Video card, (Quartz is turned off in Safe Mode), or Airport, or 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.
Check the System Preferences>Other Row, for 3rd party Pref Panes.
Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
/private/var/run/StartupItems
/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Thanks for the list. I've had a look in there but there doesn't seem to be anything untoward (although, how can you tel by looking)? I have a few 3rd party preference panes but they don't seem to have caused a problem in the past. I suppose I'll have to figure out how to ininstall them one-by-one.
Incidentally, I have tried Lion Internet Recovery, too. It seems to download (presumably) the disk image but hangs when the system rebots. The recovery utilities never appear.

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The attached file is not showing.
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BDAqua wrote:
....but some other new Macs will boot frome a clone of 10.6.8...
Only with a whole lot of effort and instability. As the new Minis have
hardware (HD4000, USB 3.0, etc.) that is totally unsupported in old OSes.
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Need to boot broken Mac-Mini using retail Snow Leopard 10.6 DVD

Hi,
In Summary:
==========
I have Mac Mini (late 2009) which does not boot anymore and I need to install Snow Leopard using retail DVD (version 10.6). The OS/installer from the DVD does not seem to boot either. I always very much appreciate the efforts of true geeks. So please, any casual beginner, please do not demoralize with something like "cannot be done" etc.
The complete story:
==================
The start of the problem:
1. All of a sudden, one fine day, on start up, my Mac Mini strated to shut itself down without no apparent reason to me. When trying to boot, it would show a progress bar for about 5 minutes - I am assuming that was disk-consistency check being performed. My best guess is that right after the use of Carbon-Copy Cloner (but I am not 100% sure) it all strated to happen.
2. Performed Mac's Disk-Util check and [Verify Volume] used to display "invalid directory item count, should be 31 instead of 29". Surface scan said disk hardware is 100% fine. Volume Repair never worked, since OS X was installed on the primary disk. I lost the DVDs that came with this Mac Mini, so the option to boot from that DVD and launch Disk Util etc. was not possible.
TechTool Pro - No Help:
3. Started googling and had to choose between [TechTool Pro] and [Disk Warrior], opted for TechTool Pro. Tried its bootable DVD only to learn that TechTool Pro cannot fix it. Again, it's surface scan suggested disk hardware is 100% fine. Sent the details to TechTool Pro support team, they couldn't help either after a couple of e-mails+data exchange. (How do I claim my lost money with TechTool Pro - suggestions appreciated as well).
Googling / Mac Forums:
4. Started looking into forums, learnt that someone had successfully repaired this problem using Ubuntu 11.04 install DVD (i.e., without installing the Ubuntu, but just using its 'try from DVD' feature). I had that handy, but forgot to disable HFS+ journaling before attempting to fix the problem. Anyway, attempting volume repair that way couldn't fix the problem as well. However this step took away my ability to boot from Mac.
5. However using Ubuntu's bootable disk, I could access Mac-HDDs contents - and was able to successfully back-up *all* my important data.
6. Googled and learnt that just attempting to boot using Ubuntu DVD can take away ability to boot using Mac bootable media - possibly due to EFI internals. Suspecting EFI is now corrupt, I tried other 'hacks' like:
6.1 eEFIt Boot Disk - which does not work at all,
6.2 Empire EFI w/ Chameleon - not sure how to proceed with options presented - trying either does not work,
6.3 Super GRUB2 - boots fine, but attempting to boot from Mac-HDD fails after a couple of seconds,
6.4 Boot-132 - boots fine, prompt asks for input, but then I cannot eject/replace the DVD due to Mac-Mini (lack of) design,
6.5 Ubuntu 11.04 / 11.10 - still boots fine - just that I cannot go into Mac-OS-X from here,
6.6 TechTool Pro bootable DVD - which used to boot fine earlier stopped to boot.
As you can see, none worked successfully. So I didn't yet try other popular rescue media - as I suspect that is not the direction I need to go into.
>> Looks like most of my problems are due to the fact that I have Mac-Mini which does not allow eject/replace of DVD from command prompt / out side of Mac-OS-X.
7. Tried emptying EFI partition, playing with EFI/Mac-OS partitions boot flags, Zapping the PRAM, nothing still allows me to boot either from Mac-HDD or any Mac-Bootable-DVD.
Current State:
8. Now while boot time, Mac displays a gray screen for a few seconds, and then a blinking prompt on black background. That's it!
Snow Leopard 10.6 Retail Install DVD:
9. Went to Mac store and bought this DVD only to witness that I can't boot from it as well. (This is a huge shocker, how is Apple able to sell these DVDs if these don't work on genuine MacMini itself. After all we are able to boot from and install Windows/Linux on a variety of Machines).
I am hoping for a very small step/fix that I am missing, since I can still see and access all Mac-HDD contents after booting from Ubuntu bootable DVD. However I am prepared for a good amount of exercise as well - assuming someone posts a valid/verified fix.
Things available right now:
==========================
A. Genuine Mac-Mini (Late 2009) who lost it's ability to boot either from its HDD or Mac-bootable DVDs (TechTools Pro, Mac OS X retail DVD)
B. Mac OS X 10.6 Retail DVD
C. NOT AVAILABLE - DVD that came with this Mac-Mini
D. Variety of rescue DVDs, listed in section 6 above
E. Another machine/PC with Ubuntu 11.04 - giving me ability to access internet
Thanks for reading.
Zita

I had a similar discussion recently with another user.
Your Mac mini (late 2009) originally came with Mac OS X 10.6.2 build 10A432 or build 10C2234 see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159 it would have come with an original install disc specific to your model of Mac which you could use to run Disk Utility from or to do a complete reinstall.
The retail boxed copy of Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) was originally intended for older Macs which had previously come with Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.4. It would have on it a version of Mac OS X 10.6 or 10.6.1 which would be able to boot these older Macs, but had no need to boot newer Macs which were released after the launch of Mac OS X 10.6 since all those newer Macs already shipped with their own discs.
So it is normal that the retail boxed Snow Leopard installer does not work on your model Mac mini. You should be using the one that shipped with your Mac mini instead. I am guessing you have lost it.
Assuming you have lost the Mac mini original disc, I can suggest the following options to try and workaround this.
If you have another Mac, an older Mac, one that will be bootable using the retail Snow Leopard install disc you have, you could do either of the following.
Connect an empty external GUID partitioned hard disk to this other Mac
Boot from the retail Snow Leopard installer
Install on to the external disk
Once the install is complete, update it using the combo update not the one via Software Update to Mac OS X 10.6.8. This will add all the newer drivers needed to allow it to work on your newer Mac mini. You can download this combo update from here http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399
You can now disconnect the external drive and connect it to your Mac mini and boot from it by holding down the Option key when you turn the Mac mini on
or a similar process if you want to wipe the Mac mini and reinstall directly on to it
Boot the Mac mini in FireWire Target Disk Mode (see http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1661 )
Connect the Mac mini as an external hard disk to the other older Mac
Boot from the retail Snow Leopard installer
Install on to the external disk
Once the install is complete, update it using the combo update not the one via Software Update to Mac OS X 10.6.8. This will add all the newer drivers needed to allow it to work on your newer Mac mini. You can download this combo update from here http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399
You can now disconnect the Mac mini and boot from it as normal
Note: While the Mac mini is connected in FireWire Target Disk mode to the second Mac, you could backup (if you don't already have a backup) any files you need to retrieve.
If you don't have a suitable second Mac you may have to either borrow someone else's, or get the help of an Apple Store if one is in your area.

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I then decided to upgraded to Windows 7 had lots of trouble installing it on my existing bootcamp partition.
I finally was able to install Windows 7, by just booting off the CD and letting it install that way.
But reading more on it, I think I was supposed to use Bootcamp to do it for me...
I had thought the Bootcamp Assistant was for only fresh installs of a Windows O.S. where no partitiion existed previously.
I had a partition so thought Bootcamp wasn't required for my needs.
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and installed the Windows version of AirPort Utility and copied it to my USB stick. Then
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But it still doesn't find my network. I am pretty sure I'm broadcasting my SSID...
So I need to know the following:
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2) How I can install my mac-mini drivers on Windows 7 so I can use my existing wireless network, now that I've gone through the installation without using Bootcamp?
3) Do I need to set up network adapters and all that stuff in Windows 7 first? If so, how and what drivers do I need?
One other thing I tried was downloading Bootccamp 4.x and installing that on Windows 7 to see if it gives me the drivers that were supposed to be written to my USB stick if I had installed Windows 7 using Bootcamp in the first place... However I think the message it said was that it couldn't install as it was the wrong version. So I'm still stuck without drivers and therefore no internet.
And that is my main task - getting the Internet up and running in Windows 7.
Other Info:
I'm running Mac OS X 10.6.8 with 2 GB of memory.
I installed the 32-bit version of Windows 7 and I don't know what version of Bootcamp I'm running...
I can tell you that BootCamp Assistant is v3.0.4, but don't know if that means Bootcamp is also 3.0.4.
Hope you can help.
Thanks.

I tried something that worked for me...
Knowing that after my install of Windows 7 wasn't the correct method (didn't go through bootcamp), and the BootCamp 4.x package wouldn't install under windows 7, I tried reinstalling Bootcamp 4.x in Windows 7 to see what the exact message was it gave me. The message said it couldn't install because of a 32-bit O.S. vs a 64-bit version of the package.
So that got me thinging - my XP version was 32-bit, and so is my Windows 7 installation. So I tried installing the bootcamp that came with my Mac OS X installation CD. This is bootcamp version 3.1.
Not only did it install, but it practically took care of everything driver-wise for me. I was then able to see my wireless network, enter my password and I was connected. The only thing else I had to do to get on the Internet was bring IE8 online (guess it ships offline by default). Firewall and Antivirus are now installed, just a few more things to go.
That's one thing that's just not clear that I'll be sure to note for next time... The Bootcamp packages you download are actually driver packages for Windows. That is where the Windows drivers exists that are necessary to make your Windows 7 PC work on a bootcamp partition!
I didn't need the AirPoirt Utility at all (at least, I never went into it).
Thanks VikingOSX for your post. I will not need to follow the steps you provided, but they may help someone else as all of these bootcamp issues I've been reading seem to be very unique per installation.
Hopefully my solution helps others.

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keg55 but youyr suggestion uses the Power button too.
keg55 wrote:
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Not much for complete sentences, are we?
Read these:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1461
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3986
And this:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1633
And this:
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Basic Information About Moving From MobileMe to iCloud
Apple IDs and iCloud
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Months ago my original Apple Cinema has broken and I subtituted it with a 24" NEC Multisync LCD 2490WUXi with good results.
After some months, for cleaning purpose, I formatted the boot HD and reinstalled Snow Leopard.
Since then I can restart only in safe mode - the DVD also start only in safe mode otherwise after loading the screen is blank and shows only the mouse pointer.
I noted on System Profiler that no monitor is shown and both the DVI ports of the graphical card (NVIDIA Geforce 7300) result not connected!
I have to thing that such a monitor is not known and therefore, as I don't know where get the original one, can I use the Cinema Display 30" (but it has a minidisplay port not present on my card) and how?
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Many thanks for your appreciated suggestions.
Nerion

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The ATI 4870 - even flashed PC version - is one option.
I have seen other threads mention 7300.
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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1436?viewlocale=en_US

My Macbook Pro won't boot up, only in safe mode!

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Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It won’t solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
Third-party system modifications are a common cause of usability problems. By a “system modification,” I mean software that affects the operation of other software — potentially for the worse. The following procedure will help identify which such modifications you've installed. Don’t be alarmed by the complexity of these instructions — they’re easy to carry out and won’t change anything on your Mac.
These steps are to be taken while booted in safe mode.
Below are instructions to enter some UNIX shell commands. The commands are harmless, but they must be entered exactly as given in order to work. If you have doubts about the safety of the procedure suggested here, search this site for other discussions in which it’s been followed without any report of ill effects.
The commands may line-wrap or scroll in your browser, but each one is really just a single line, all of which must be selected. You can accomplish this easily by triple-clicking anywhere in the line. The whole line will highlight, and you can then either copy or drag it. The headings “Step 1” and so on are not part of the commands.
Launch the Terminal 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 Terminal in the icon grid.
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Step 1
Triple-click the line of text below to select it. Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C). Then click anywhere in the Terminal window and paste (command-V).
find /Sy*/L*/Ex* -type f -name Info.plist -exec sh -c '/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Print :CFBundleIdentifier" "$1" 2> /dev/null | egrep -qv "apple|Accusys|ArcMSR|ATTO|CalDigit|HighPoint|hp-fax|JMicron|print|SoftRAID|stex" && echo ${1%*.kext/*}.kext' {} {} \;
Post the lines of output (if any) that appear below what you just entered (the text, please, not a screenshot.) You can omit the final line ending in “$”.
Step 2
Repeat with this line:
ls -1A /e*/mach* {,/}L*/{Ad,Compon,Ex,Fram,In,Keyb,La,Mail/Bu,P*P,Priv,Qu,Scripti,Servi,Spo,Sta}* L*/Fonts 2> /dev/null
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Step 3
osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to get name of every login item' 2> /dev/null
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You can then quit Terminal.

I can boot my Mac Mini only in safe mode

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