Mac mini stuck on wrong display settings

My setup is a Mac mini plugged via HDMI into a 32" 720p TV. In display settings, I accidentally selected a resolution lower than 720p, and my TV says 'format not supported.' Normally, I thought the computer would revert back to the original settings unless you press enter. This did not occur. When I plug into a 1080p TV, all is well and the Mac automatically switches resolutions to match the TV. But when I plug back into the 720p, it reverts back to the low resolution, which the tv does not support. Upon startup, the apple appears, but the screen goes blank before reaching the sign-in screen.

Mac mini HDMI is not supported by Philips hdtv.
It may also not be supported by other brands.
I am selling my Philips hdtv because of this.
You can use display port to vga output , but then there is no sound.
The Mac mini worked fine on 3 different Samsungs I tried it on.
I have read there is a workaround for the Philips issue, but my advice would be switch to Samsung.

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Mac mini stuck at gray screen HELP!!!!!!!!!

Hi,
i have my mac mini stuck at a gray screen can you help me

Take each of these steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved.
Step 1
The first step in dealing with a boot failure is to secure your data. If you want to preserve the contents of the startup drive, and you don't already have at least one current backup, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data that has changed since your last backup, you can skip this step.
There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to boot. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
a. Boot into the Recovery partition, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) When the OS X Utilities screen appears, launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.”
b. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, boot the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
c. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.
Step 2
Sometimes a boot failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
Step 3
If you use a wireless keyboard, trackpad, or mouse, replace or recharge the batteries. The battery level shown in the Bluetooth menu item may not be accurate.
Step 4
If there's a built-in optical drive, a disc may be stuck in it. Follow these instructions to eject it.
Step 5
Press and hold the power button until the power shuts off. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed to boot, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Use a different keyboard and/or mouse, if those devices are wired. If you can boot now, one of the devices you disconnected, or a combination of them, is causing the problem. Finding out which one is a process of elimination.
If you've booted from an external storage device, make sure that your internal boot volume is selected in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.
Step 6
Boot in safe mode. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Post for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.
The login screen appears even if you usually 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.
When you boot in safe mode, it's normal to see a dark gray progress bar on a light gray background. If the progress bar gets stuck for more than a few minutes, or if the system shuts down automatically while the progress bar is displayed, your boot volume is corrupt and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to Step 6.
If you can boot and log in now, empty the Trash, and then open the Finder Info window on your boot volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) Check that you have at least 9 GB of available space, as shown in the window. If you don't, copy as many files as necessary to another volume (not another folder on the same volume) and delete the originals. Deletion isn't complete until you empty the Trash again. Do this until the available space is more than 9 GB. Then reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)
If the boot process hangs again, the problem is likely caused by a third-party system modification that you installed. Post for further instructions.
Step 7
Launch Disk Utility in Recovery mode (see Step 1.) Select your startup volume, then run Repair Disk. If any problems are found, repeat until clear. If Disk Utility reports that the volume can't be repaired, the drive has malfunctioned and should be replaced. You might choose to tolerate one such malfunction in the life of the drive. In that case, erase the volume and restore from a backup. If the same thing ever happens again, replace the drive immediately.
This is one of the rare situations in which you should also run Repair Permissions, ignoring the false warnings it may produce. Look for the line "Permissions repair complete" at the end of the output. Then reboot as usual.
Step 8
Reinstall the OS. If your Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade.
Step 9
Repeat Step 6, but this time erase the boot volume in Disk Utility before installing. The system should automatically reboot into the Setup Assistant. Follow the prompts to transfer your data from a Time Machine or other backup.
Step 10
This step applies only to models that have a logic-board ("PRAM") battery: all Mac Pro's and some others (not current models.) Both desktop and portable Macs used to have such a battery. The logic-board battery, if there is one, is separate from the main battery of a portable. A dead logic-board battery can cause a boot failure. Typically the failure will be preceded by loss of the settings for the startup disk and system clock. See the user manual for replacement instructions. You may have to take the machine to a service provider to have the battery replaced.
Step 11
If you get this far, you're probably dealing with a hardware fault. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.

Mac Mini (mid-2011) dual display with extended desktop

Can Mac Mini (mid-2011) dual display different picture on HDMI TV and DVI monitor. I can only get it to mirror and not display different programs or extended desktop. Can i "extend" instead of "mirror"? and how

Hi David it should...
Display Support:
Dual Displays
Resolution Support:
1920x1200*
Details:
*This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on an HDMI display or a DVI display using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter and 2560x1600 on a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort display or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port).
2nd Display Support:
Dual/Mirroring*
2nd Max. Resolution:
2560x1600*
Details:
*This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on an HDMI or a DVI display (using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter) and 2560x1600 on a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort display or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port).
Are you using splitter maybe?

Mac Mini and the Dell Display

Has anyone ever used the Mac Mini with a Dell Display? Specifically, the Dell SP2309W. If so, how well the two work together? Thanks in advance!
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=e n&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-7641

I bought one of these when they first came out. It's a nice monitor but the camera has been a bust. It just won't work reliably. Maybe the firmware has been improved since when I bought mine. But if you care about the camera and mic working, you should investigate further to make sure it's working better than it is on mine.

Mac mini configure as X11 display?

Has anyone tried to configure OS X to turn a Mac Mini into an X11 display terminal?
I work in a Liunx environment and we are looking at a small 'PC' to drive a 30" display. Our X11 application would run on another box in a equipment room and export the display to the Mac Mini across a local network. I'm pretty sure I can do this in Ubuntu on the Mac but this seems like a waste and I would also lose the Macs video drivers.
My guess is that I would need to disable the OSX desktop and the run X via some kind of startx script followed by something like 'xhost +'.
Any help in this adventure would be much appreciated!

OSX has x11 installed by default now days. When you start it, it runs an xterm, but you can run any x11 apps you want. I'd test it to make sure performance is up to snuff for you, but it should work fine.

Can mac mini use macbook's display?

Can mac mini use macbook's display? ie can it be added to Macbook as another drive?

No, it can't use the drive, but it can use the drive. You need a FireWire cable, plug them in to the same port on each device, and hold down the "t" key on the MacBook. The Mac mini should then see it as a hard drive. If you want to share the disc drive, on the MacBook open System Preferences, sharing, Remote Disk. In Finder, the Mac mini should see the MacBooks drive under "Remote Disc".

Chose wrong display settings, resulting in blue screen. Now what...

I just purchased a new Mac Mini and connected it to my LCD TV with an HDMI cable. Everything was working fine untill I switched the display setting from 1080i to 1080p (or vice versa, I'm not sure) which resulted in a blue screen. Now I can no longer see my desktop, how do I fix this ?
Nevermind. I just found the solution in another topic. Starting the Mac in safe mode solved my issue.
Message was edited by: ScorpioLoco

Hi,
I've also had the same problem you've mentioned and had it kind-of resolved.
I had the horizontal grey area on my screen which got worse over time. I had it sent away to Apple to be repaired and it came back pretty much the same as they couldn't find anything diagnostically wrong with it. I then went to the Genius bar and, fortunately, they recognised that there was a grey banding and replaced the LCD panel.
This did get rid of the grey banding, although brought a whole new set of problems.
Don't put up with the genius staff trying to baffle you or make you feel like you are being silly for complaining - the iMac is not a cheap machine and you have the right to make sure it is fit for purpose. A grey/uneven screen is not fit for purpose.
Ask them to replace your LCD panel and glass, but inspect it when you collect it to make sure it is an even brightness and colour. My replacements have been brighter on the left hand side than the rest of the screen or had a blue tint on the left or a yellow tint on the right. If you don't like it, don't accept it - as I have been told repeatedly by Applecare and the genius bar 'all the lcd panels are different you have to find one you like' i.e. put up with!
Eventually the cost of the replacement panels will mount up and they will offer a replacement. It has taken me almost a year to get my replacement. Just keep on at them until it is resolved.
Also, on your first pic there is a rectangular mark - this could be screen persistance and can be easily removed by using a white screensaver for a few hours. I found mine did it when i had the brightness on full (to compensate for the greyness!).
Hope this has helped, good luck!

Mac Mini as a commerical display controller?

Can the Mac Mini be set up as a commercial video display controller with automatic updating via network?

A simple way you could do this is with many of the
slide show to movie apps, create your display
images into the form of a movie. You can then use
Quicktime player in full screen mode to play it back
on each Mini.
You could then use a "Master Mini" with Apple Remote
Desktop to download and control each of the remote
minis and also maintain them. You only need one copy
of ARD for the controller as OSX on all the other Minis
will have the hooks already built in.
Then you can also create a script that can be run after
a machine boot by putting it in start up folder that will
configure Quicktime player and start the "movie". This
way if there is some power outage or someone pulls the
wrong power plug it can be started up without any additional
work of downloading and such.
BTW, this is a link to the page that lists the various
containers and video/audio formats supported.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3775
It is one possible approach. Of course, you aren't
limited to Quicktime player. There are many other
free video players available.

Mac mini with dual 2560x1600 displays

I'm considering buying a new Mac mini and I'm trying to figure out if it can drive my two 2560x1600 displays (Dell U3011 with DVI-D and HDMI inputs). As far as I can tell, I can connect one of them at 2560x1600 with a Mini DisplayPort to DVI-D adapter, but the other display will have to use HDMI and would be stuck at 1900x1200. Is this the best that I can do with the Mac mini? Are there any third party devices that will let me run both monitors at 2560x1600?

That is the best you can do it seems...
Video Card:
HD Graphics 4000
VRAM Type:
Integrated
Details:
This model has an Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares memory with the system.
Standard VRAM:
512 MB*
Maximum VRAM:
512 MB*
Details:
*Apple quietly reports that with 4 GB of RAM installed, this model uses 512 MB of RAM for graphics. With additional RAM installed, more RAM may be reserved for graphics use.
Display Support:
Dual Displays
Resolution Support:
1920x1200*
Details:
*This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on an HDMI display or a DVI display using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter and 2560x1600 on a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort display or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port).
2nd Display Support:
Dual/Mirroring*
2nd Max. Resolution:
2560x1600*
Details:
*This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on an HDMI or a DVI display (using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter) and 2560x1600 on a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort display or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port).
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-i5-2.5-late-2 012-specs.html
As far as I can tell, I can connect one of them at 2560x1600 with a Mini DisplayPort to DVI-D adapter...
Actuall, you need the Dual-link DVI adapter...
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571Z/A/mini-displayport-to-dual-link-dvi-ada pter

Intel Mac Mini stuck in reboot loop

I just upgraded the hard drive in my 2007 intel mac mini core duo. Drive formatted successfully, contains GUID Partition Table.
OSX 10.5 installed successfully.
Machine rebooted, I ran software update to 10.5.7 successfully.
Upon installing Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat Reader, machine began to react slowly to commands.
Rebooted machine, went to Grey Apple Screen with spinning dash wheen icon.
Machine rebooted itself, once again going to the grey apply screen with the spinning wheel.
After about 15 minutes of letting the continual reboot cycle happen, I inserted the installation DVD for 10.5, held the power button in to power off the machine, and booted from the disk.
I ran disk utility. Disk Utility shows the hard drive, shows the partition (GUID Partition) correctly.
I Verified Disk, which verified as "OK"
Repaired permissions.
Restarted machine.
Once again, it loaded to the grey apple screen, stayed there with the spinning dash wheel for about 3 minutes then continued to reboot over and over (everytime it reboots it sticks on the grey apple screen for 3 minutes before rebooting.
I once again powered off the machine and reset the PRAM.
Machine stuck again on reboot cycle.
I powered off the machine and reset the mini's SMC.
Machine is still stuck in reboot cycle.
I have also taken the mini back apart and verified that all RAM and connections are seated properly.
Any advice on what to do at this point will be very helpful.

+And I promise I will not download and install a hundred different programs this time.+
Good idea.
Any time you install software in OSX, there is a small, but finite, chance that the installation process won't be able to access a needed file because it is in use. This can mess up pre-binding, or even prevent files from being updated.
So the best advice is not to run any other programs while doing software installs or updates. And when in doubt, run DiskUtility afterwards and fix permissions one more time.
I cringe whenever I think of a post I read a while back about a Mac user who boasted about what music he likes to run in iTunes while doing system software updates. Not a good idea. It's "Russian roulette" with maybe 99 blanks in the "gun", but one real bullet that can kill your Mac's installation.

Mac Mini and 17" Studio Display CRT (ADC)

Is there someone who can tell me if there is a DVI to ADC Adapter to get a Mac Mini to work with the beautiful 17" Studio Display CRT (ADC). Which is an anolog monitor, the adapters i can find work only on LCD (digital) screens.
Please let me know...
Ger

Do NOT buy the Apple DVI to ADC adapter, it does not work with CRT displays.
The 'geniuses' at the Apple store recommended that I buy this adapter. It didn't work. I have since found out (after extensively surfing the web) that I am not the only one who has been recommended to buy this adapter by an Apple 'genius'. However, It is simply not designed to work with the CRT's, it is LCD only.
There is no way to make the ADC 17" CRT studio display work with new non ADC Apple hardware. Apple have simply dismissed it, much to the annoyance of all the customers who had purchased this perfectly respectable display.
If you want to use your Mac Mini you will need to use either a non-Apple display or one of their new displays. Your perfectly functioning CRT is now a doorstop.

Mac Mini connect to two display

My friend told me the he has a Mac Mini and he wants to connect two VGA monitor, one mini-display to VGA is used, he wants to use mini-HDMI to VGA for the second VGA monitor, is it possible, as i know, the Mac Mini have mini-dvi, it can be used to use mini-dvi to VGA connector connecting to another VGA monitor!
The question is:
1 Are all Mac Mini have a min-dvi port?
2 He wants to use mini-HDMI to VGA (require to use HDMI to VGA converter) connecting to 2nd VGA monitor, is it possible?
thanks in advance

If he uses a fairly expensive HDMI to VGA converter device, sure - it could work. There may be issues as the HDMI expects an HDCP handshake for some functions, and communicating the right display resolutions could be another issue. This is also not all that cheap, and it might just be better to get one or two new monitors with DVI or HDMI inputs. Keep in mind you can not use a passive adapter cable to go from VGA to HDMI - the former being analog and the latter digital.

Mac mini and lcd tv displays

I currently have a g3 ibook and a g4 imac. I've been debating on what i should buy as an upgrade. I've been torn between virtually all macs including the powerbook, ibooks, imac, and the mac mini. I'm moving in a couple of months to a temporary residence where space will be limited. I just purchased a very nice philips 37 inch lcd display with vga inputs and hdmi inputs. After much thought this is what i think i'm going to do.
Sell the G4 imac or give to my parents. Keep the G3 ibook but install the max ram for it (is 512mb the max for this old cpu) and replace the old airport card with a new airport extreme card. Buy an extreme base station. Get a mac mini w/ wireless mouse and keyboard and run it through the philips. Any thoughts?
If i go this route i keep the ibook for portability and the mac mini gives me a more powerful at home cpu. This would keep costs down and not take up as much space. Anyone have their mini hooked up to their lcd tv?

Hi Martin,
I appreciate your thoughts : I have a G3e key Lime Clamshell 466MHz iBook, I put a 256MB SIMM in to take the iBook up to 384mb and it's now OK for Tiger - I used the Apple Video Out cable to a sony CRT TV via SCART and was able to struggle thru Bridget Jones 2 on DVD , but got a headache! Wife was UNHAPPY. suggestion is avoid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(maybe sell your iBook at a premium on an online auction website?)
I'm pretty sure that Airport Extreme cards - being a different size and shape from the old ones won't allow you to upgrade that way. I did buy an Airport Extreme enabled Mac Mini 1.25GHz 40GB 1GB RAM for driving my Dell 26" LCD TV/Monitor. It is F A N T A S T I C ! The Dell W2600 came with DVI to DVI cable which plugged straight into the Mini's DVI with no adaptors. The Dell was recognised and a profile was loaded by 10.3
Most important point :-
I adjusted the Mac Mini screen output resolution to EXACTLY the Dell W2600 Native Resolution of 1280 x 768 (WXGA) (720p HDTV).
with a mismatched native resolution the modern TV's like your Philips 37" will start to resample and might make artefacts (mine did!)
The Mini's 32MB video RAM will not drive much higher screen resolutions than 720p anyway!
Well, after some playing , and loading of helper programs like VLC and MTR , then you'll find that Mac Mini to big LCD is the best ever quality that you've seen your DVD's played. When you download the Apple QT7 H.264 HDTV 720p trailers, you'll have seen the best ever TV quality imaginable!!!!
for extended use as a desktop PC, the Mac Mini would be better firing into a 17-19" LCD,
the 26-42" displays are so big that you have to stand 6+ feet away from them at least !!
I used a BT dongle (I had it lying around) and the Apple BT keybd and mouse work well, in fact, I can type from the other end of the garden - just I can't see what I'm typing!
I bought my 3rd & last Mac Mini tonight for Euro 399 (£264!!!) as the blowout of the Rev.A 1.25GHz 40GB 256RAM 32 VRAM models. My main Mini really uses its 1GB ramstick when encoding MPG4 via the EyeTV200, but the sub £300 price makes the Mini phenomenal, unbeatable and so versatile!
I'm sure you'd be happy with the Rev.B with the BTO options until Rev.C comes out!
what's the native resolution of your Philips LCD? is it video protected path?

New Mac Mini and Apple Cinema Display

I have just upgraded my Mac (G5 PowerMac) to a new Mac Mini. I am still using my Apple Cinema display - but I cannot not play all the purchased movies that I have on iTunes now...????

Greg,
Are these movies HD? If they are, you might be having a problem with HDCP which is copy protection that won't let you view movies if all of your equipment is not HDCP compliant, which probably is your Cinema display. I also have a late 2012 Mac mini with an older Apple 20" Cinema display and cannot watch HD itunes movies. You will have to watch in standard definition. Of course you might have a different problem, but your question seemed similar with my situation. What is strange is that you were able to watch from your G5 Powermac. Maybe the power PC chip allowed viewing as opposed to intel chips, which I think intel created HDCP. Somebody on these boards probably has better answers then me ;-)
Rob

Using a PowerPc G5 and Mac Mini with the same display, keyboard and mouse

I have a G5 PowerPC and a new Mac Mini. I wanted a good KVM switch so that I can use the same display, keyboard and mouse with both machines. Any suggestions?

IOGear, Trendware and Startech.
I'd stick with IOGear.

Mac mini stuck on wrong display settings

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