My Mac Mini doesn't start up when usb devices are plugged in.

My Mac Mini doesn't start up when usb devices are plugged in.
It just shows the "White screen of Death" when 1 or more usb ports are used.

Haha. I just restarted it and it worked. Instead of turning it off and on. But thanks.
By the way:
Note: It is possible that the SMC could encounter an issue that may cause unusual system behavior typically related to the symptoms described below. In some cases, resetting the SMC may be the only correct method to resolve the issue, however, an SMC reset should only be attempted after all other standard troubleshooting has been performed.
So I hope it is fixed for now. But could someone also post another solution?

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My Mac Mini is not starting, but when it does it goes to the grey screen, but sits there making a clicking noise

My Mac Mini is not starting properly, when it does it goes to a gray screen, but sits there making a clicking noise

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What OS X version have you got? Press Option key and check if you can select OS X

Mac mini won't start up when LCD TV connected

Hi,
I seem to have a problem which at the first glance looks similar to a lot others being discussed here. Just I am not sure if it really is.
Having received my Mac mini a few days ago I am trying desperately to use an LCD TV as display. Once connected powering on the Mac mini gives me that white screen you all know with the grey Apple symbol and the progress circle. At that point the TV says it’s running in 1080i mode. All looks good. -- Until a few seconds later the screen will turn black and not display anything anymore. (Just as if it would not get a signal.)
The TV is a quite popular one over here I would think: Philips 32PF9830, HDTV, with DVI and HDMI input ports. 1280 x 720p and 1920 x 1080i are supported video modes which I would like to run.
TV specs would be here: http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/3/32pf983010/32pf9830_10_psseng.pdf
TV and Mac are connected via a DVI-D cable. I’m having SSH and VNC access to the Mac.
Now with VNC I only get a proper desktop screen when the TV is not connected. When the TV is connected all I am getting presented via VNC is that white boot screen and the nice grey Apple logo. So with TV connected it appears the Mac doesn’t really start the window manager.
Looking at the process list this seems to confirm. Without having the TV connected after powering on the Mac I do see a process running called loginwindow.
When the TV is connected I don’t see that one, but instead 2 processes called WaitingForLoginWindow. See below for the full process lists.
All my trials configuring a good screen resolution via VNC before connecting the TV did not give a different result. Whatever I configure to be used as resolution, I am getting the above.
Funny enough running the Apple Hardware Test from the install disk shows a perfect picture in 1080i mode and also specifies 1920 x 1080i as screen resolution used.
Would anyone have an idea what’s going wrong here … and how to fix? I would suspect that communication between the TV and the Mac is broken. Would I have any chance to further troubleshoot on that?
Is there a way to tell the Mac not to do any auto configuration or auto discovery on the DVI port?
Any other ideas?
Marc
Process lists (NFS and SSH servers are enabled intentionally.)
TV not connected (look for process id 52):
<pre>
ps -axw
PID TT STAT TIME COMMAND
1 ?? 0:00.08 /sbin/launchd -v
23 ?? Ss 0:00.00 /sbin/dynamic_pager -F /private/var/vm/swapfile
27 ?? Ss 0:01.41 kextd
32 ?? Ss 0:00.02 /usr/sbin/KernelEventAgent
33 ?? Ss 0:00.38 /usr/sbin/mDNSResponder -launchdaemon
34 ?? Ss 0:00.20 /usr/sbin/netinfod -s local
35 ?? Ss 0:00.68 /usr/sbin/syslogd
37 ?? Ss 0:01.31 /usr/sbin/configd
38 ?? Ss 0:00.06 /usr/sbin/coreaudiod
39 ?? Ss 0:00.06 /usr/sbin/diskarbitrationd
40 ?? Ss 0:00.01 /usr/sbin/memberd -x
41 ?? Ss 0:00.11 /usr/sbin/securityd
42 ?? Ss 0:00.11 /usr/sbin/notifyd
45 ?? Ss 0:00.29 /usr/sbin/DirectoryService
47 ?? Ss 0:00.01 /usr/sbin/distnoted
49 ?? Ss 0:00.94 /usr/sbin/update
52 ?? Ss 0:00.19 /System/Library/CoreServices/loginwindow.app/Contents/MacOS/loginwindow console
57 ?? Ss 0:00.13 /System/Library/CoreServices/coreservicesd
59 ?? Ss 0:00.73 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Frameworks/CoreGraphic s.framework/Resources/Wind
60 ?? S 0:00.34 /usr/sbin/blued
64 ?? Ss 0:00.06 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Frameworks/ATS.framewo rk/Support/ATSServer
66 ?? Ss 0:00.11 /System/Library/CoreServices/mcxd.app/Contents/MacOS/mcxd -s
69 ?? S 0:00.02 /System/Library/CoreServices/SecurityAgent.app/Contents/Resources/authorization host
70 ?? S 0:00.90 /System/Library/CoreServices/SecurityAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/SecurityAgent
76 ?? Ss 0:00.00 /usr/libexec/crashreporterd
114 ?? Us 0:00.30 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/Metadata.framework /Versions/A/Support/mds
132 ?? Ss 0:00.10 ntpd -f /var/run/ntp.drift -p /var/run/ntpd.pid
146 ?? Ss 0:00.00 nfsiod -n 4
154 ?? Ss 0:00.00 rpc.statd
156 ?? Ss 0:00.01 /usr/sbin/portmap
157 ?? Ss 0:00.01 rpc.lockd
160 ?? S 0:00.00 rpc.lockd
173 ?? Ss 0:00.00 mountd
176 ?? Ss 0:00.00 nfsd-master
177 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
179 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
180 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
181 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
182 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
183 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
184 ?? Ss 0:00.02 /usr/sbin/automount -f -m /Network -nsl -mnt /private/var/automount
188 ?? Ss 0:00.01 /usr/sbin/automount -f -m /automount/Servers -fstab -mnt /private/Network/Servers -m /automount/static -s
193 ?? SNs 0:00.17 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/Metadata.framework /Versions/A/Support/mdimpo
234 ?? S 0:00.19 /usr/sbin/sshd -i
238 ?? S 0:00.11 /usr/sbin/sshd -i
277 ?? SNs 0:00.17 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/Metadata.framework /Versions/A/Support/mdimpo
282 ?? Ss 0:00.01 /usr/sbin/lookupd
239 p0 Ss 0:00.05 -bash
285 p0 R+ 0:00.00 ps -axw
</pre>
TV connected (look for PIDs 53 and 54 at end of the list):
<pre>
PID TT STAT TIME COMMAND
1 ?? 0:00.05 /sbin/launchd
23 ?? Ss 0:00.00 /sbin/dynamic_pager -F /private/var/vm/swapfile
27 ?? Ss 0:01.35 kextd
32 ?? Ss 0:00.02 /usr/sbin/KernelEventAgent
33 ?? Ss 0:00.30 /usr/sbin/mDNSResponder -launchdaemon
34 ?? Ss 0:00.13 /usr/sbin/netinfod -s local
35 ?? Ss 0:00.71 /usr/sbin/syslogd
37 ?? Ss 0:00.49 /usr/sbin/configd
38 ?? Ss 0:00.07 /usr/sbin/coreaudiod
39 ?? Ss 0:00.06 /usr/sbin/diskarbitrationd
40 ?? Ss 0:00.01 /usr/sbin/memberd -x
41 ?? Ss 0:00.14 /usr/sbin/securityd
42 ?? Ss 0:00.07 /usr/sbin/notifyd
44 ?? Ss 0:00.17 /usr/sbin/DirectoryService
45 ?? Ss 0:00.01 /usr/sbin/distnoted
50 ?? Ss 0:08.36 /usr/sbin/update
59 ?? Ss 4:43.49 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Frameworks/CoreGraphic s.framework/Resources/Wind
60 ?? S 0:00.33 /usr/sbin/blued
61 ?? Ss 0:00.14 /System/Library/CoreServices/coreservicesd
65 ?? Ss 0:00.07 /usr/sbin/lookupd
79 ?? Ss 0:00.88 ntpd -f /var/run/ntp.drift -p /var/run/ntpd.pid
93 ?? Ss 0:00.00 nfsiod -n 4
101 ?? Ss 0:00.00 rpc.statd
102 ?? Ss 0:00.01 /usr/sbin/portmap
104 ?? Ss 0:00.01 rpc.lockd
109 ?? Ss 0:00.06 slpd -f /etc/slpsa.conf
110 ?? S 0:00.00 rpc.lockd
115 ?? Ss 0:00.00 /usr/libexec/crashreporterd
135 ?? Ss 0:00.05 /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Frameworks/ATS.framewo rk/Support/ATSServer
158 ?? Ss 0:00.12 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/Metadata.framework /Versions/A/Support/mds
164 ?? Ss 0:00.00 mountd
167 ?? Ss 0:00.00 nfsd-master
168 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
169 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
170 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
172 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
173 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
174 ?? S 0:00.00 nfsd-server
175 ?? Ss 0:00.02 /usr/sbin/automount -f -m /Network -nsl -mnt /private/var/automount
179 ?? Ss 0:00.01 /usr/sbin/automount -f -m /automount/Servers -fstab -mnt /private/Network/Servers -m /automount/static -s
196 ?? S 0:00.20 /usr/sbin/sshd -i
200 ?? S 0:00.06 /usr/sbin/sshd -i
205 ?? SNs 0:00.14 /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/Metadata.framework /Versions/A/Support/mdimpo
201 p0 Ss 0:00.03 -bash
209 p0 R+ 0:00.00 ps -axw
2 ?? Ss+ 0:00.03 sh /etc/rc
53 ?? S+ 0:00.02 /usr/libexec/WaitingForLoginWindow
54 ?? S+ 0:00.04 /usr/libexec/WaitingForLoginWindow
</pre>
Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.8)

A PRRAM reset did the trick.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
This Mac mini is a refurbished one, so probably had some old settings from being connected to something different before.
The TV now is recognized properly as 'Philips FTV'.
Marc

Help ! Mac Mini doesn't start up !!!

Hi !
I have an Intel Dual Core Mac Mini, with Bootcamp. The 80GB hard drive is splited in 65 GB (Mac OS X), and 15 GB (Win SP2). Default partition OS X. Until yesterday it worked perfectly for 3 months.
Problem: When I start up the Mini in OS X, normaly or choosing the OS X partion I just have the grey Apple and the turning wheel. However if I choose the Windows partition it works.
Start up Atempts: I already tried starting up normaly, waited for more than 20 minutes, nothing. I also tried restarting form windows, nothing...
I connected the Mini to a friend's iMac as a Firewire Hard Disk and all my files are there, so Im reluctant to reformat the entire disk without first trying to recover my partition.
What was I doing before ? I was downloading (OS 10.4.7 Update) but it wasn't even installed since the conection broke, I removed Butler wich make hangout the start up for to long, and I worked a few minutes in other programs, and the shut down went somewhere else, when I came back some hours later there was just the Desktop and NOTHING else no way to do ANYTHING. I shut down and got stuck.
If someone can help I would apreciate it !
Thanks
Mac Mini Inte Dual Core 1.6 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.6) Boot Camp Windows SP 2

Normally I would suggest you startup from your install disk and run the Disk Utility. But, if you have access to another Mac and can attach your Mac mini in FireWire Target Disk Mode, that might work just as well. With your Mac mini connected, run the Disk Utility on the Mac mini's hard drive. Your files may still appear even if there is some file directory damage. At least with your friend's Mac you might be able to backup some of your important files if you do end up needing to erase and install...
-Doug

Mac Mini doesn't start up

Hi All
after i installed an firewire-usb-hub my macmini doesn't startup. i deinstalled the hub but nothing going on. after press the power-button the startsound play and then the grey bootdisplay but no loadersymbol.
please can someone help me?
thanks
MiniUser
PS: sorry, my english is very bad

OK I see. So you get the purple screen, but it doesn't show any boot volume.
Since you do have an Option key on your keyboard, I assume that it is an Apple keyboard (if it isn't, please specify which keyboard it is). Does it communicate with your Mini via USB or Bluetooth ?
You could always try to boot off your Install disc instead of your hard disk, by pressing on the C key instead of the Option key (after inserting the CD, and shortly after startup). Another way of doing this would be to get to the purple screen, insert the CD, click on the "around arrow" (the "refresh" icon) and select it as a boot volume (if possible). However, I think we need to figure out what prevents the mouse from functioning (in this case, from moving) first.
I've never tried that hub (the Belkin), but it's always good to know what hardware is involved in the issue.
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Mac Mini doesn't save changes when reboot

Right now my Mac Mini will allow me to install and change settings on the computer. Once I reboot the machine any and all changes I made are gone. How can I turn this feature off so that changes I make will still be there when I reboot?
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Could you be more specific on what kind of changes you are making? System preferences, desktop pictures, folder views?
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Mac mini doesn't start

i have a mac mini (intel) with macosx 10.4.5
after the boot a screen prompt me to restart the computer!
and at the back appears this message: panic (cpu 0 caller 0x0039BC43) unable to find driver for this platform: "ACPI".
i haved repeared the disk permissions, and no problems found. i tried to reinstall the software but still nothing happens!
do you have anything else to suggest?

This article discusses more possible reasons for the error:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106403

Why won't my mac start if USB devices are plugged in?

This behavior just started in a system that had been stable for months -- except for OS upgrades. Not sure if this is about the motherboard USB ports or possible the power supply failing. Here is the situation: The Mac Pro boots normally from the power on button if the only usb device attached is the keyboard / mouse. If I plug additional USB 2.0 devices (Wacom tablet, IPod) into the usb 2.0 ports on the front or back of the computer, then when I hit the power on button I just get a "click" noise and no boot. If I plug the Wacom and the iPod into powered usb ports -- like the ports on the back of the monitor -- then it will boot normally. This tells me that the USB ports on the motherboard are not getting / delivering the voltage they need at boot. Does this sound right? Any thoughts or ideas? Is there any way to test USB ports? Or to test the power supply?

My mac is still under applecare. Is it worth taking in to Apple Store?
What would they even find? Could I need a new motherboard or a new power supply? This is a new problem, to me it suggests some kind of system partial failure. But maybe this is just what happens on older hardware as the software gets updated. Another idea for a solution would be to get a Sonnet USB 2.0 Pci-e card and plug that into the motherboard and use those USB ports, but I have no guarantee that would work better -- and solve the fails-to-boot problem. $50 to get a card and try it...

Plugging in my iPod Nano no longer starts iTunes. Why is the "Start iTunes when this device is plugged in" checkbox greyed out?

Can anyone help me with this?

Looks like that, or a combination of the two took care of the problem. Yaaaaayyyyyy!
Thanks again for your help. It got a little dicey because without the manage my own files box checked iTunes tried to sync the iPod to iTunes and there wasn't enough room on the iPod for all of the music. Once I got the prevent sync bow unchecked in Preferences and unchecked the manage my files and use disc boxes unchecked I was able to check the start iTunes box and the manage my files box an apply it so that I have the best of both worlds going own.
Life is good!
Thaks again Brother.

P7N Diamond - Beeps when usb items are plugged during post

Can i clarify that this is normal behaviour, as ive never known it with other mobo's, it beeps for each item that is plugged in after the intial post beep on bootup, should be the last of my questions hopefully.

thanks, i think i found something in here via google, buried deep in a thread a few days ago, when i 1st built it up, confused the hell out of me. just wanted it clarified.

Mac Mini won't start with scheduler after power loss

Hello,
I have a Mac Mini here. It is configured to start at a certain time (say 1:00 AM). In the evening I shut down the Mac Mini and power off the socket where it is connected. In the morning I switch on the power socket and the Mac Mini is not starting.
When I do the same thing with an iMac everything works. The iMac will start because he missed the 1:00 AM.
I checked this with the current Mac Mini MC815D/A: here it works again!
So, what is wrong with my Mac Mini? I have this model:
APPLE #MAC MINI 2.4GHz (MC270LL/A)
Model No: A1347 (EMC 2364)
Model ID: Macmini 4,1
Can this be verified my some other user?
I use the latest firmware, and this behaviour shows up on several OSes (Snow Leopard, Lion and Mountain Lion)
Best regards
Matthias

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, then move these files to the Desktop.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)
/Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.systempreferences.plist
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.PowerManagement.plist
/Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.AutoWake.plist
(Then Trash the original of these last two, as "moving" them only copies them.)
Then reboot once more.

How do i burn to a song to a CD when my mac mini doesn't have a CD slot. qmedjohn

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Use an external optical drive such as Apple’s USB SuperDrive.
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My Mac Mini won't start. It was working fine, then just locked up and won't start again. When I push the start button it just makes this repeated disc ejecting noise from the DVD drive. It doesn't make the chime noise or display anything on the monitor. I've disconnected the optical drive, but it didn't help. Then it just doesn't start at all. I thought that if I would disconnect the optical drive, that it would ignore it and just boot off the hard drive, but nothing happened. The power light comes on. Then, if I hold down the power button for 10 seconds it shuts down. The fan operates. It just never attempts to boot up. I can't put in a system DVD because the optical drive is just in eternal eject mode.
If you have any suggestions let me know. Thanks.

I have the same situation.
I think the drive thinks it has a disc to eject or part of the mechanism is stuck and can't return to it's resting position. I was going to disconnect as you tried but now I think I'll try to disassemble the drive to see if there might be some debris jamming things up.
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Welcome to the Apple discussions.
No video with the power light blinking once per second means either bad or no memory. See this Apple note: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303083 . Specifically, below is from that note:
If the computer detects no SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory, also referred to as RAM) or the RAM installed does not meet the appropriate specifications, the screen will remain black but the power LED on the front of the computer will blink once per second to signal the error. This error condition may be due to physically damaged RAM, installing the incorrect type of RAM, or not having RAM installed.
Has it ever worked since you got it? If not, you should call J&R and tell them they sent a dead on arrival system, and ask for a replacement (ask them to send a will call tag or prepaid label to send the non-working machine back).

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Recently my mac mini doesn't see dvd's when i put them in to play.

I have to agree with Dah●veed and use an > LG GE24LU20 Reviews that I call Brutus.
Not only has Brutus spared the SuperDrives in both my 2006 iMac and 2010 Mac Mini, but he runs circles around the SuperDrives when it come to burning, importing, playing, even booting from System Install and Upgrade Disc's.
Other External DVD Drives that are highly reccommended here in the forums, are:
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