Lion "Option" boot issue on 2010 Mac Mini?

Last night I came across an odd problem. I wanted to
boot into my Window7 partition so I could watch a new
BluRay I just purchased and doing the "Option" key
power on, it just sat at the gray screen for more than
a minute. Thinking I may have encountered a "freeze"
issue I let go of the "option' key and in a few seconds
started to boot to Lion.
I realized I had a Firewire drive attached that I use for
various temporary storage of videos, software, etc. I
ejected it, shut down and tried the process all over.
This time, the "option" boot brought up the usual selections.
Well booted into Win7 and watched my BluRay.
Afterward, I shut down and did some tests. Plugged in
my clone drive and did the "option" boot and all was normal
getting the display of all the bootable volumes.
I then repeated the original process that I had the problem
with and got the same result of sitting for ever on the gray
screen.
I then tried plugging the drive in via USB and the "option"
boot worked properly.
Okay, so I thought maybe that even though the drive in question
showed no faults with various tests may have been flakey in
some way, I tried another drive that I use for photo backup
and plugged into Mini via Firewire and tried the "option" boot.
Low and behold, I had the same gray screen forever until
released the option key and booting proceeded to Lion.
So, question is, has anyone else seen an issue like this
where if a Firewire drive is attached without an OS the
boot process hangs when doing the "option" boot?
Also, this behavior did not start until after Lion
was installed.

THanks ds store for the links. I had previoulsy seen those but was confused as I've seen some other postings saying that yes you can use Time Machine and go back to a previous back up when Snow Leopard was installed and it will reinstall Snow Leopard and all files at that time and remove Mountain Lion. Other posting such as the ones you linked say that I have to use the Snow Leopard Install Disks- erase my hard drive and basiclly start from scratch reinstalling all applications and user files/documents that I've saved etc.... If the time machine option will work - I'd really like to go that route.

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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

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.).

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 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.

Hi guys. gota 2010 mac mini but want to upgrade so i can stream from mac mini to apple tv. but some herd some bad reviews about os x moutain lion. any of it true?? to mountain lion

hi guys. gota 2010 mac mini but want to upgrade so i can stream from mac mini to apple tv. but some herd some bad reviews about os x moutain lion. any of it true?

Mountain Lion is the best OS yet, IMHO.

Mountain Lion purchased from Mac store will not download. 'Downloading' simply stays greyed out for hours. Nothing I do changes it. I am running OS 10.6.8 on a 2010 Mac Mini. What do I do now?

Mountain Lion purchased from Mac store will not download. 'Downloading' simply stays greyed out for hours. Nothing I do changes it. I am running OS 10.6.8 on a 2010 Mac Mini. What do I do now?

If you are looking at the front page of the App Store and you are seeing the "downloading" message on the right under Quick Links.
Try this... Go into the "Purchases" section in the top bar of the App Store find ML in the list you are presented with. Does it say Resume? If so click the button and it will change to Pause. You may have paused it previously and forgot.
If not then do as Csound1 suggested and simply wait for it to finish
Jerry

I started Boot Camp on a MAC mini but then had a power failure after 30 secs :( Now when I start Boot Camp the option to install Windows 7 is gone. In it's place is Remove Windows 7. It seems to hang at Partitioning disk Can I recover?

I started Boot Camp on a MAC mini but then had a power failure after 30 secs Now when I start Boot Camp the option to install Windows 7 is gone. In it's place is Remove Windows 7. It seems to hang at Partitioning disk How can I recover?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
That's because the Boot Camp volume was created, but your Mac hasn't been set up to start automatically from the Windows disc. Insert the Windows DVD and press C key while your Mac is starting to start Windows installation.
If you want to make sure that everything is correct, open Boot Camp Assistant and choose the option to remove Windows 7. Then, open that application again, select the option to install Windows 7 and you will be able to install Windows as usual

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...

Screen corrupt 2010 Mac Mini HDMI (Static/Snow/White Noise)

I've just upgraded my 2010 mac mini to Lion, this is connected to a projector via HDMI to a Denon amp. Before the upgrade there were no issues the picture was completely clear and was usable in all resolutions.
Now that lion has installed the display is not usable, all I can see is 99% static and a corrupt row at the top of the screen where the menu bar can be just about made out.
Nothing has changed to the setup other than installing Lion, if I use screen sharing I can see the desktop happily, the OS is fully responsive.
I haven't yet tried to connect it to another monitor as I don't have a spare, I'll attempt this over the weekend, has anyone else experienced this issue?

I've got a similar issue and seems like a few others also have problems as well
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3196192?tstart=0
My Mac Mini wont boot to HDMI and Screen Sharing wont link in since Lion upgrade......
A makeshift solution is unplugging the HDMI during boot up, give it 30sec's - 1min...plug it back it and then it should come up.... works for me for now.....
hopefully someone has a more permanent solution or mac solves the issue ASAP....
Cheers

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.

Help: Install Snow Leopard Server 10.6.0 on Mid-2010 Mac Mini, then update?

I just purchased a Mid-2010 Mac Mini with Snow Leopard Client 10.6.3 (the new ones just released) with the idea of installing my copy of Snow Leopard Client on it and using it as both a network server and media server.
I own Snow Leopard Server 10.6.0 (the initial DVD release) and was thinking I could do a fresh install and update to 10.6.4 on the Mini without problem, but that didn't work. I also tried doing a Target Disk Install to the Mini using my MacbookPro, but the installer choked at the Machine Checksum saying MBPs weren't supported to run the installer.
So, that blows both of my previously known installation options. I was wondering if anyone else with the new Mini and Snow Leopard Server had any suggestions on how to get my current version of Snow Leopard Server (10.6.0) installed on the Mini and then run system updates to get it to boot properly.
Thanks

Allan Eckert wrote:
Hi GrainFocuser;
Your copy of SL Server version is probably too old to install on the new Mac Mini. It probably doesn't have all of the correct drivers for the newer hardware.
You might have better success with your alternatives if you post over on the server forum instead of here.
Allan
Message was edited by: Allan Eckert
Allan, thanks.
It is pretty clear that my installation disk is too old, hence looking for options and suggestions.
In years past with previous versions of Server, there was a way to install an outdated install disk (a point release or 3 behind) and then run the necessary installation updates...either through target disk mode or on to a separate boot disc.
So, with my 10.6.0 Server Install disc, I am not able to do so in either scenario because a) My other admin machine is a MB Pro and the installer performs a hardware checksome preventing install...so no Target Disk Mode, and B) Install on other disc from mini, again Hardware checksome since hardware not recognized.
I am looking at options to enable an install with my disk short of having to physically walk into Apple (a huge trek) and get a new install disk or ask Apple Support to mail one.
So, again... Any options from OS X Server Admins out there?

2010 mac mini Home cinema sound and Home cinema headphones

Hello
im waiting for my 2010 mac mini to arrive,
ive experience with home cinema setups in the past.
Im looking to use my mac mini as a home cinema set up.
Im fine with the visual side ( projectors and hdtv).
The audio.
How on earth do i get home cinema sound into headphones.
due to where i live, headphones are the only option i have ( neighbours dont like noise.)
ive tried :-
sony mdr-drs7100
Pioneer SE-DRS3000c
pioneer dir-8000c.
the three above are ok as they have home cinema audio processing built in and worked with the optical digital output fine.
bass on the above 3 is weak.
i aso will prefer a wired set of headphones ( had enough of wireless)
im now looking at another route.
1) a decent headphone amplifier capable of playing DTS and Dolby digital 5.1
2) decent set of headphones to handle the above.
anyone any setups they can share that work
many thanks

Hey David,
My issue was resolved by ensuring that I was using a PAL resolution and frequency (720p @ 50 Hz or 1080p @ 50 Hz) for my PAL TV. Anything else causes audio stuttering through my HDMI cable.
Don't ask me why. Try this on your setup by using only the one of your TV's native resolutions and frequencies (Should say NTSC Television on every native TV resolution if you are in the US, PAL Television in Europe). If you do have an NTSC TV, then you might be able to use all of the 60 Hz frequency resolutions without HDMI audio out problems, but I wouldn't count on it.
From what I've researched on the issue, it is only TV's that have this problem, and it is a strange one, as it is actually a display setting problem with an audio error symptom.

Sound toggles on and off when I hit the "0" key on a 2010 Mac Mini.

Whenever I hit the zero key on an Apple keyboard using a 2010 Mac Mini, the sound toggles on and off. It does not happen when I use the keyboard with a 2012 Macbook Pro. There can be times when the sound toggles when I am not even typing. I upgraded to Mountasin Lion, but this did not resoilbve the issue. I have disabled remote control.
Thanks to all for your help.

Hi John,
That's often a sign of a bsad Capacitor in the Power Supply, but...
Might be time to replace the PRAM Battery, 4 years is close to their lifespan, far less if ever without AC power, & can cause strange startup problems...
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/

Audio output using HDMI in 2010 mac mini cuts out. Anyone know of fixes?

I have a 2010 mac mini that I hook up with my Samsung C6300 LED tv using an HDMI monster cable. I have never had any issues withn this setup prior to the new Lion software installed and ever since then the audio will cut out for a split second every minute or so (very annoying). I listen to my music library and watch movies through itunes and vlc and I experience this problem with all these tasks. I also have a MacBook Pro (early 2011) that i experience no such issue with while performing the same tasks. Is anyone else having such issues or know of a fix. All my software is up to date so I know that is not the problem. Any help would be much appreciated.
Sincerely
jortiz0221

Lion has created numerous issues for 2010 MacMinis for
lots of folks. However, it seems there is not a "one shot"
fix for everyone.
For instance, I have no issues playing music from iTunes
on my Mini, but iTunes movies stutter some times to the
point of being unwatchable. Yet, other software, PLEX and
XBMC for instance, have no similar issues for me. But there
are others that are seeing the complete opposite from my
experiences. Basically, I think Lion has too many "loose ends"
that are causing such a wide variety and unpredictability in
its operation.
As for VLC, gave up on that long ago as it seemed to flakey
to me and never could get it to work consistantly.

Lion "Option" boot issue on 2010 Mac Mini?

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