Apple mac mini mid 2010 Service Manual

Apple Technician Guide

Mac mini (Mid 2010)

Mac mini (Mid 2010) and Mac mini Server (Mid 2010)

Updated 2010- 8- 3

Apple Inc.

© 2010 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

Under the copyright laws, this document may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Apple.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document is accurate. Apple is not responsible for printing or clerical errors.

Apple

1 Infinite Loop Cupertino, CA 95014-2084 USA

+ 1 408 996 1010 www.apple.com

Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Mac mini (Mid 2010)

Contents

About This Guide

Manual Updates  7

Update 3 August 2010  7

Apple Technician Guide introduced 15 June 2010  7

Feedback  7

Basics

Overview  9

Identifying Features  10

Product Configurations  10

Service Part Configurations  11

System Serial Number Location  11

Troubleshooting

General Troubleshooting  13

Update System Software  13

Apple Diagnostics  13

Troubleshooting Theory  13

Hardware vs. Software  13

Common Reset Procedures  14

Wireless Troubleshooting  15

Block Diagram  16

Functional Overview  17

Symptom Charts  18

Startup and Power	18
No Power, Dead Unit		18
Won’t Start Up  21
Intermittent Shutdown  24
Kernel Panic, System Crashes  28
No Video  30
Corrupted Video	31
Burnt Smell/Odor	33
Noise, Hum,Vibration		34

Communications  37

AirPort/Bluetooth Issues  37

Ethernet Port/Device Issue  41

Wireless Input Device Doesn’t Pair  43

Display  47

No Video  47

Uncategorized Symptom  50

Mass Storage  51
Hard Drive(s) Not Recognized				51
Hard Drive Read/Write Error				53
Hard Drive Noisy	54
Optical Drive Won’t Accept/Eject Media					59
Optical Drive Not Performing to Specifications  62
Optical Drive Noisy  63
Uncategorized Symptoms			65
Input/Output Devices		66
Apple Remote Inoperable			66
Audio:Built-in Speaker Has Distorted Sound  67
Audio:Built-in Speaker Has No Audio  68
Audio:No Audio through HDMI or Mini DisplayPort connection.  70
FireWire Devices Not Recognized  71
SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card Will Not Insert Into Slot  73
SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card Not Recognized By System  74
USB Devices Not Recognized				76
Wired Keyboard Does Not Function Properly  78
Keyboard:Specific Keys Do Not Respond					80
Wired Keyboard/Mouse Not Recognized					80
Uncategorized Symptoms			82
Mechanical  83
Noise/Hum/Vibration		83
System Runs Hot	85
Physical Damage	86
Uncategorized Symptoms			87

Take Apart

General Information	89
Tools  89
Cosmetic Care  89
Reassembly Steps	89
Connector Types on Logic Board		90
Thermal Sensor Replacement  91
Logic Board EMI Fingers and Gaskets  97
Logic Board Return	97
First Remove Hierarchy  98
Icon Legend  99
Note About Images In This Guide		99

Bottom Cover  100

Removal  101

Reassembly  102

Memory  103

Fan  106

Reassembly  108

Cowling   109

Reassembly  110

Antenna Plate  111

Reassembly  113

Logic Board  115

Removal  116

Reassembly  122

AirPort/Bluetooth Combo Card  123

Speaker   126

Battery  129

Hard Drive  131

Removal  132

Reassembly  133

Power Supply   134

Reassembly  137

Optical Drive /

Hard Drive (Server)  138

IR Board and Cable  141

Reassembly  142

Housing   144

Views

Exploded View  146

Exploded View (Server)  147

Screw Chart  148

External Views  149

Front View  149

Front View - Server  149

Port View  150

Apple Technician Guide

About This Guide

Mac mini (Mid 2010)

Mac mini (Mid 2010) and Mac mini Server (Mid 2010)

© 2010 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

Manual Updates

Update 3 August 2010

Take Apart:

•Added information and replacement procedures for thermal sensors to the General Information, Hard Drive, Optical Drive and Views chapters.

•Added additional graphic to Memory chapter showing a pulling action with fingers to verify fully seated memory.

Apple Technician Guide introduced 15 June 2010

This manual covers the two Mac mini products developed in Mid 2010:

•Mac mini (Mid 2010)

•Mac mini Server (Mid 2010)

Feedback

We want your feedback to help improve this and future Technician Guides! Please email any comments to: [e-mail]

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Basics — Manual Updates  7

Apple Technician Guide

Basics

Mac mini (Mid 2010)

Mac mini (Mid 2010) and Mac mini Server (Mid 2010)

© 2010 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

Overview

Introducing the Mac mini (Mid 2010) with a completely new slimline aluminum housing design, HDMI port, SD card slot, integrated power supply, and easy access to memory and internal parts.

This manual covers the two Mac mini products developed in Mid 2010:

•Mac mini (Mid 2010), shown above on left

•Mac mini Server (Mid 2010), shown above on right

The Mac mini (Mid 2010) is a follow-on product to the Mac mini (Late 2009).

•Main changes from the previous model (Mac mini (Late 2009)) are:

•Easy customer-installable RAM access

•Logic board assembly removal requires a special tool: - Logic board removal tool:922-9588

•HDMI port (instead of Mini-DVI)

•SD card slot

•4 USB ports (instead of 5)

•No Interconnect board

•Internal power supply

•Take Apart:

•Take apart method is completely different

•All parts are new and specific to the Mid 2010

•No-tool access through the bottom cover

•A new tool is required to remove the logic board assembly

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Basics — Overview  9

Identifying Features

The Mac mini (Mid 2010) computer features include:

•Low-profile housing design

•Service access is through the bottom cover, which is removed without tools.

•HDMI port

•SD card slot

•4 USB ports

•Internal power supply

•Increased processor speeds: -- 2.4 GHz Dual-Core

-- 2.66 GHz Dual-Core (CTO and Server)

•NVDIA GeForce 320M graphics

•Memory: -- 2GB

-- 4GB (CTO)

-- 8GB (CTO and Server)

•Hard drives:

-- 320 GB, SATA, 5400

-- 500 GB, SATA, 5400 (CTO)

-- dual 500 GB SATA, 7200 (Server)

•Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Product Configurations

To confirm the configuration from the Apple menu, choose About This Mac.The processor listing will show the speed of the processor followed by the processor type.

For product configurations, refer to Apple Support Tech Specs:http://support.apple.com/ specs/

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Basics — Overview  10

Service Part Configurations

•Logic board assembly removal requires a special tool: -- Logic board removal tool (922-9588)

•Although the thermal sensor on the flex cable of the top hard drive can be replaced by replacing the flex cable, the other thermal sensors on the hard drives or optical drive are not replaceable.To replace the sensor, a replacement drive must be ordered.

•The logic board assembly consists of: -- logic board, with battery

-- I/O wall, including two antennas -- speaker and screws

-- wireless card flex cable -- wireless card screws -- cowling snap screw

System Serial Number Location

The Mac mini (Mid 2010) serial number is located on the bottom of the housing.

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Basics — Overview  11

Apple Technician Guide

Troubleshooting

Mac mini (Mid 2010)

Mac mini (Mid 2010) and Mac mini Server (Mid 2010)

© 2010 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.

General Troubleshooting

Update System Software

Important:Whenever possible before beginning troubleshooting, ensure the latest software and firmware updates have been applied.

Firmware is the name given to software that is written into memory circuits such as flash memory, that will hold the software code indefinitely, even when power is removed from the hardware. Firmware on Intel Mac computers is designed to be updated if necessary by running the Mac OS X Software Update check (available in the Apple menu) while the computer is connected to the Internet. For more information about firmware updates, refer to:

About firmware updates for Intel-based Macs—kBase # HT1557

Apple Diagnostics

Run diagnostics to determine if any of the modules are malfunctioning.

•Mac mini (Mid 2010):Apple Diagnostics:3S139

•Mac mini Server (Mid 2010):Apple Server Diagnostics:3X107

•Apple Hardware Test:3A191 (not used for server)

Troubleshooting Theory

For general information on troubleshooting theory, go to GSX and find the Service Training course menu link. From there you can access the Troubleshooting Theory self-paced course.

Hardware vs. Software

For information on how to isolate a hardware issue from a software issue, refer to:

Isolating issues in Mac OS X—kBase #TS1388

For information on how to troubleshoot a software issue, refer to:

Mac OS X:How to troubleshoot a software issue—kBase #HT1199

Mac OS X:Troubleshooting installation and software updates—kBase #TS1394 Troubleshooting Mac OS X installation from CD or DVD—kBase #HT2956

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting  13

Common Reset Procedures

When a reset procedure is required for troubleshooting, follow the applicable steps:

Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

To reset power management via the SMC chip:

1.Unplug all cables from computer, including power cord.

2.Wait at least 15 seconds.The SMC reset occurs automatically once the Mac mini has been unplugged from AC power source for several seconds.

3.Plug power cord back in, making sure power button is not being pressed.

4.Reconnect keyboard and mouse to computer.

5.Press power button on back to start up computer.

Resetting the SMC means you will also need to reset the date and time (using the Date & Time pane of System Preferences).

Resetting the Parameter RAM (PRAM)

To reset PRAM,

1.If the computer is on, turn it off.

2.Locate the following keys on the keyboard:Command, Option, P, and R.You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in Step 4.

Note:If the keyboard does not have an Option key, use the Alt key instead.

3.Turn on the computer.

4.Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys.

Important:You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.

5.Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.

6.Release the keys.

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Mac mini (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting  14

Starting Up in Safe Mode

A Safe Boot is a special way to start Mac OS X when troubleshooting.To start up into Safe Mode (Safe Boot),

1.Make sure the computer is shut down.

2.Press the power button.

3.Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.

Note:The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not before.

4.Release the Shift key when you see the screen with the gray Apple and progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear). During startup, ”Safe Boot”appears on the Mac OS X startup screen.To leave Safe Mode, restart the computer normally, without holding down any keys during startup.

For more information:

http://www.apple.com/support

Mac OS X:What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?—kBase #HT1564

Safe Boot takes longer than normal startup—kBase #TS1884

Wireless Troubleshooting

If you’re having issues with AirPort and wireless mouse or keyboard connectivity issues, refer to the following Knowledge Base articles:

•Troubleshooting wireless mouse and keyboard issues—kBase #TS3048

•AirPort and Bluetooth:Potential sources of interference for wireless devices and networks—kBase #HT1365

•Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse:How to install batteries—kBase #HT3903

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting  15

Internal Internal Speaker speaker

amp

Line In/	Audio
Digital In	Codec
Line Out/
Digital
Out

SIL	System
	Management
	Controller

Temp/Volt/

Current

Sensors

Block Diagram

Refer to this diagram to see how modules are interrelated.

Core 2 Duo

Processor

FSB Power 1066Mhz system

DDR3 DIMM management DRAM Channel-0

		Dual-channel
	DDR3 DIMM	128 bit Memory
		Controller
	DRAM Channel-1		DP0/TMDS0
		DDR3 1066MHz
		SMBus	DP1/TMDS0

SPI ROM	SPI ROM
	Interface

HD AUDIO

GeForce
320M
GPU	Ethernet/
PCIe x1	SD Controller

RGMII

PCI (4 ports)

System

Clocks

Mini-DP

Connector

HMDI

Connector

MDI	Delta	Ethernet
		10/100/1000 Mbit
	LFE

SD/XC

Card

Reader

PCIe x1	FW800
	FireWire
PCIe x1

Serial ATA	USB 2.0	2x AP antennas
6 devices	12 ports	PCIe x1

SATA	USB
	SATA
	USB
Optical

ODD HDD USB

AirPort/Bluetooth Card

IR Receiver

4 rear USB Connectors

HDD

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Take Apart — General Troubleshooting  16

03-08-2010

 Troubleshooting General — Apart Take 2010) (Mid mini Mac

Airport/Bluetooth Card :

SATA Hard Drive :

SATA Optical Drive

Ambient Thermal sensor :

Fan :

- cannot enable Bluetooth

- no HDD visible in profiler

(or 2nd SATA Hard Drive):

- fan running fast

- not running or running fast

- cannot enable AirPort

- no boot from internal hard

- no ODD visible in profiler

- system freezes

- system freezes

- kernel panic (when loading

drive

- no boot from optical drive

- intermittent shutdown

- intermittent shutdown

wireless driver)

- media does not insert

- no second HDD visible in

profiler

Internal Speaker :

ODD Thermal Sensor :

- no internal speaker sound

- fan running fast

- distorted sound from internal

- slower burning speed

speaker

- system freezes

InfraRed Sensor + sleep

Backup Battery (on opposite

LED :

side of logic board) :

- no infrared reception

- lost date and time settings

- no power ON (shorted

- lost other settings

cable)

- no startup/video

- no sleep led status.

Memory Modules:

Power Supply (on opposite

- no boot

side of logic board):

- system freeze or kernel panic

- no power on

- video artifacts

- intermittent shutdown

- fan running fast (power

Heatsink Thermal Sensor :

supply thermal sensor not

read).

- fan running fast

- intermittent shutdown

- system freezes

HD Thermal Sensor :

- fan running fast

- hard drive failure

- system freezes

Power ON button :

Functional Overview:

(on opposite side of logic

Connector locations, and the

board):

possible symptoms when cable is

- no power on when button

disconnected, mis-connected or

shorted.

is pressed

Overview Functional

17

Symptom Charts

Follow the steps in the order indicated below. If an action resolves the issue, retest the system to verify.

Note:A compilation of Quick Check tables is available at:

http://service.info.apple.com/QRS/en/quickreference.pdf

Startup and Power

No Power, Dead Unit

Unlikely cause: speakers

Quick Check

	Symptoms		Quick Check
	No Power, Dead Unit		1.	Verify power source.
	•	No power	2.	Verify power cable.
	•	No LED
			3.	Listen closely for signs of activity from system
	•	No fan spin
				including:rotating fans, hard drive or optical drive
	•	No startup chime
				activity, startup chime, etc. If there is activity then
	•	No image on external display
				go to the‘Startup and Power Issues’symptom
	•	No hard drive or optical drive		flow.
		activity

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  18

Deep Dive

Unlikely cause:speakers

Check		Result	Action	Code
1.	Connect AC to computer and	Yes	The system is powering up.
	press the power button on		Jump to Won’t Start Up
	system.Verify if there is any		symptom flow.
	indication that the system has
	powered up (fan rotation, hard	No	Go to step 2.
	drive or optical drive noise, ...).
2.	Reseat the installed SDRAM	Yes	Badly seated SDRAM memory
	memory module(s) and retest.		module. Reseating it resolved
	Does the computer start up		issue.
	properly now?
		No	Go to step 3
3.	Replace installed SDRAM	Yes	Replace defective user’s
	memory module(s) with		SDRAM memory module.
	known-good one. Does the
		No	Go to step 4
	computer start up properly
	now?
4.	Remove bottom cover,	Yes	Reseating the power button
	disconnect AirPort antenna		connector on logic board
	and remove shield, disconnect		resolved the issue.
	and remove fan and cowling,
		No	Go to step 5.
	then disconnect the following
	cables from logic board before
	being able to extract it :HDD,
	ODD/HDD, Ambient sensor,
	HD sensor, ODD/HD sensor, IR/
	LED cable. Check and reseat
	power button cable connection
	to logic board and verify if the
	unit powers on.
5.	Remove the coin battery on	Yes	Issue resolved by logic board	M20
	the logic board, and leave out		reset. Measure DC voltage
	for approximately 1 minute.		on the battery touching the
	Then reinstall the battery.This		battery with the red probe,
	will reset the logic board. Does		and grounding with the black
	the computer startup properly		probe. If voltage is 2.7v or less,
	now?		replace the battery. See KBase
			article http://support.apple.
			com/kb/HT3250 for details
			on using a digital multi-meter.
		No	Go to step 6.

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  19

6.	Disconnect power button	Yes	Replace Power Button	X03
	connector from logic board and		assembly
	short the two power button
	connector pins on logic board.	No	Go to step 7
	Verify if the unit powers on.
7.	Disconnect AirPort/Bluetooth	Yes	Reconnect one by one each	X03
	card, Hard Drive, Optical Drive		device and retest to identify
	and LED/IR Sensor cables from		the shorting one.When
	logic board. Connect AC cable		found, replace affected device
	and press the power button to		cable first, and retest.
	verify if a startup error tone is
		No	Go to step 8
	heard.
8.	Disconnect the power supply	Yes	Power supply is present.	M01
	cable from logic board ,		Replace logic board and
	connect AC cable and use		retest.
	a multimeter to verify that
		No	Replace cable between power	X03
	a 12 Volts voltage is present
			supply and logic board and
	between the two outer pins
			retest.
	of cable. See KBase article
			If issue persists after cable	P01
	http://support.apple.com/kb/
			was replaced, replace power
	HT3250 for details on using a
			supply and retest.
	digital multi-meter

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  20

Won’t Start Up

Quick Check

Symptoms	Quick Check
Won’t Start Up	1.	Isolate by starting up from :
• No startup chime		-the original install DVD media inserted in Mac
• Error tones during startup.		mini optical drive or in the optical drive of
		another computer set up in FireWire Target Disk
• Grey screen with fan noise, or
		Mode ,
other noise.
		-from the same Mac mini model setup in FireWire
• Will not progress beyond
		Target Disk Mode,
Apple logo or spinning gear.		-from a compatible known-good OS on an
		external drive.
		Note that both AirPort and Bluetooth services are
		available when booted from the Mac mini Install
		DVD.
	2.	Reset SMC and PRAM to clear any stored,
		corrupted information.
	3.	Start up in Safe Mode by holding the shift key
		down during startup to load only required kernel
		extensions and disable all startup and login
		items. See KBase article
		http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564
	4.	If system generates error tones there may be an
		issue with the SDRAM or backup battery. See
		KBase article
		http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2341
	5.	Identifying when in the startup process the
		computer hangs can help isolate the issue.
		See KBase article
		http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2674
		for information on the Macintosh startup
		sequence, error codes and symbols used.

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  21

Deep Dive

Check		Result	Action	Code
1.	Insert Mac mini Install DVD in	Yes	Run the extended tests
	optical drive (or in the optical		and proceed with results. If
	drive of another computer		AHT passes or boots with a
	set up in FireWire Target Disk		memory error, go to step 2.
	Mode) and boot the computer
		No	Go to step 2.
	with the D keyboard key
	pressed to run Apple Hardware
	Test. Does the computer boot
	up to this volume?
2.	Remove the installed SDRAM,	Yes	SDRAM issue. Replace SDRAM.	X02
	and test with known-good		Issue resolved.
	SDRAM. Does the computer
		No	Go to step 3.
	startup properly now?
3.	Connect a known-good 10.6.X	Yes	Use the Apple System Profiler
	up-to-date bootable external		to check for presence of both
	USB drive, FireWire drive, or		Hard Drive and Optical SATA
	similar system setup in FireWire		drives. Run Disk First Aid to
	Target Disk Mode, and press the		check internal hard drive
	Alt key on startup to select and		health and repair (check
	attempt to boot from it. Does		SMART Status, Repair disk and
	it boot?		Privileges).
			If the hard drive in not
			recognized, go to Hard Drive
			Not Recognized
			If the optical drive is not
			recognized, go to Optical
			Drive not recognized.
		No	Go to Step 4.
4.	Remove bottom cover,	Yes	Reconnect only the optical /
	disconnect AirPort antenna		second hard drive cable to
	and remove shield, disconnect		logic board and go to Step 5
	and remove fan and cowling,
		No	Replace logic board.	M02
	then disconnect the following
	cables from logic board before
	being able to extract it :HDD,
	ODD/HDD, Ambient sensor, HD
	sensor, ODD/HD sensor, IR/LED
	cable. Is there a gray screen
	with a flashing folder?

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  22

5. Power on system, press the C	Yes	Reconnect the hard drive
key on keyboard , insert the		cable to logic board and go
original Mac mini 10.6.X Install		to step 6
DVD in internal optical drive (or
	No	If the optical drive is not
in the optical drive of another
		recognized, go to Optical
computer set up in FireWire
		Drive not recognized.
Target Disk Mode) and attempt
to boot from it. Does it boot?
6. Power on system, press the Alt	Yes	System is booting. Issue does
key on keyboard and attempt		not happen anymore.
to boot the system from the
	No	If the hard drive in not
Internal hard drive. Does it
		recognized, go to Hard Drive
boot?
		Not Recognized

Intermittent Shutdown

Quick Check

	Symptoms		Quick Check
	Intermittent Shutdown		1.	Isolate OS by starting up from original Install
	•	Powers off during startup.		media for the computer, the same make and
	• Powers off during desktop use.			model computer in Target Disk Mode, or
				compatible known-good OS on an external drive.
	•	Computer restarts
				Both AirPort and Bluetooth services are available
		spontaneously.
				when booted from the Install disk.
	• Powers off when waking from
			2.	Reset SMC and PRAM to clear any stored,
		sleep.
				corrupted information.
			3.	Start up in Safe Mode by holding the shift key
				down during startup to load only required kernel
				extensions and disable all startup and login
				items. See KBase article
				http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564
			4.	Open System Preferences > Energy Saver >
				Schedule and make sure that a‘Shut Down’event
				is not scheduled.
			5.	Make sure that power cord is securely attached to
				the back of the computer, and is not hindered by
				a desk or other furniture.
			6.	Plug the computer directly into an AC outlet to
				test whether a surge protector, outlet strip, or UPS
				is causing the issue.

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Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  23

Intermittent Shutdown

Unlikely cause: hard drive, optical drive

Troubleshooting Shutdown Causes

Always run the latest available service utilities, to look for the possible cause of a previous shutdown.These utilities will permit to isolate any abnormal value readings from the thermal, voltage, or current sensor(s), and from the fan(s) speed meter(s).

Collect all available info from user on shut down occurrence details:periodicity, connected devices, running applications, running time before shutdown.

Shutdown events could be categorized between four different types of causes.

User-related shut downs :

A computer shut down event may be caused by user operation. Shutting down the computer (by selecting the Shutdown menu, by keeping pressed the Power button for at least 4 seconds, or by programming a timed shutdown in the Energy Saver preferences) should not be considered as a failure unless the power button is found to be defective, so the suggested steps for troubleshooting will be:

-to reset the SMC,

-to check Energy Saver preferences settings,

-to check the Power On button functionality, and its secure connection to logic board.

Activity-related system shut downs :

-system could not succeed the standard shutdown process and had to force shutdown,

-an installed watchdog detected that an application did not respond within specified time (this watchdog can be enabled on Mac OS X Server Energy Saver preferences)

These shut downs may be linked to system settings, devices drivers, applications or operating system freezes, so the suggested steps for troubleshooting will be:

-to check the system logs and activity monitor utility for clues on the freezing process,

-to check for available software and firmware updates for installed device drivers, applications, or operating system,

-to start the system from a known-good and up-to-date bootable drive for issue reproduction.

Power-related system shut downs :

-External AC power source was removed,

-External AC power source was removed and UPS battery went empty.

These shut downs are due to power management, poor connections or defective power sources so the suggested steps for troubleshooting will be :

- to reset SMC,

-to check secure AC cable and power supply connection to logic board,

-

Hardware-related system shut downs:

-one of the temperature sensors reached a specified temperature limit,

-one of the voltage sensors reached a specified voltage limit,

2010-08-03

Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  24

- one of the current sensors reached a specified current limit,

These shut downs are due to temperature, voltage, current, fan speed or other hardware related sensor values getting out of range, so the suggested steps for troubleshooting will be:

-to check for all sensors connections and values using the latest available service utilities and Apple Service Diagnostics,

-to check for fan(s) operation,

-to check for cleanliness of the heatsink fins and the air flows,

-to check for correct seating of the heatsink on logic board and presence of adequate thermal material.

Quick Check

	Symptom		Quick Check
	Intermittent shutdown		1.	Collect details from customer on shutdown
	•	Powers off during startup		occurrence and system configuration when it
	• Powers off during desktop use			happens (on startup, when running for a while,
				frequency of shutdowns, running applications,
				shutdown repeatability). If shutdown can be easily
				reproduced, check next steps:
			2.	Check AC cable connection with system
			3.	Reset SMC and PRAM
			4.	Start up with shift key down for safe mode check
			5.	Startup from known-good bootable device
			6.	Run latest available service utilities for sensors +
				thermal tests
Deep Dive
	Check		Result		Action	Code
	1.	Power related shutdown :		Yes	Faulty user’s AC cable. Replace	X03
		Check with known-good AC			user’s AC cable.
		cable.
				No	Symptoms unchanged - Go
		Verify if the shutdown issues
					to step 2
		disappear with known-good
		AC cable.

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Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  25

2.	Activity related shutdowns:	Yes	Check with booting from
	Reset SMC and PRAM and		known-good bootable drive:
	verify that shutdown issue still		go to step 3
	happens.
		No	Shutdown cause was related
			to SMC or Pram programmed
			shutdown settings or
			corruption, and was resolved
			by reverting them to default
			settings.
3. Boot from a known-good		Yes	Go to step 4
	bootable drive (external
		No	Shutdown events do not
	bootable drive or similar
	system set as FireWire Target		happen on known-good OS.
	mode) , verify that shutdown		Reinstall Mac OS on customer
	issue still happens.		hard drive, update OS with
			latest version and check if any
			firmware update is available.
4.	Hardware-related shutdowns:	Yes	-If a Temperature or a Fan
	Run the latest available service		sensor failure is reported, go
	diagnostics and verify if a		to step 5
	sensor failure is reported.		-If a Voltage or a Current
			sensor failure is reported,	M23
			replace logic board.
		No	Setup ASD to loop test suite
			for burn in tests and go to
			step 5. If no failure is found
			after burn in tests, return unit
			to customer for no failure
			found.

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Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  26

5. Verify if a thermal sensor or	Yes	- If a fan failure is reported,
fan failure is reported by latest		check for fan cable seating
available service diagnostics.		and retest. If same failure
		happens when retesting,
		replace fan with known-good
		one and retest. If issue does
		not happen anymore with
		the known-good fan, replace	X22
		user’s fan.
		- If a thermal failure is
		reported, check for cause of
		excessive temperature, (like
		clogged fan, disconnected
		sensor cable, obstructed
		vent, dust in heatsink fin) and
		retest. If still failing locate
		affected sensor and replace
		it if available as a standalone	X03
		part, or replace part where
		sensor is integrated (logic
		board, power supply,	M23
		heatsink) according to the	P17
		sensor location table . Go to	X10
		step 6
	No	Replace Thermal module	X10
		Go to step 6
6. Isolate if issue solved.	Yes	Issue fixed
Verify if shutdown/issue does
	No	Replace logic board with
not happen anymore after part
exchange.		corresponding symptom:
		-if for thermal error cause	M18
		-if for other cause	M08

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Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  27

Kernel Panic, System Crashes

Quick Check

	Symptoms	Quick Check
	Kernel Panic, System Crashes	1.	Isolate OS by starting up system from original
	• Kernel Panic on startup or		Mac mini Install DVD, from the same model of
	desktop use.		computer setup in Target Disk Mode, or from
			compatible known-good OS on an external drive.
	• System freeze during use.
			Both AirPort and Bluetooth services are available
	• System freeze upon wake from
			when booted from the Install disk.
	sleep.
		2.	Ensure that all software and firmware updates
			for the computer have been installed to take
			advantage of any available bug fixes.
		3.	Reset SMC and PRAM to clear any stored,
			corrupted information.
		4.	Start up in Safe Mode by holding the shift key
			down during startup to load only required kernel
			extensions and disable all startup and login
			items. See KBase article
			http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564
		5.	Check the panic.log, located /Library/Logs/
			Panicreporter, for information in the backtrace
			that may give clues about which hardware driver
			was loading when kernel panic occurred.
		6.	For more information on kernel panics refer to
			KBase article
			http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1392

Deep Dive

Check	Result	Action	Code
1. Run the latest available service	Yes	Run all available tests and
utilities, or try to run the Apple		proceed with results. If
Hardware Test (with or without		diagnostics still boot with a
the Install DVD available) by		kernel panic, go to step 2.
pressing the D keyboard key
	No	Go to step 2.
on startup. Does the computer
boot up to any of these
diagnostics?

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Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  28

2. Remove all external peripheral	Yes	Add peripheral devices one at
devices including keyboard and		a time and restart each time
mouse. Does computer now		until the kernel panic repeats.
start without any kernel panic?		Replace device whose
		addition causes the issue.
	No	Go to step 3.
3. Use known-good SDRAM in	Yes	Install user’s SDRAM and test.	X01
the system. Does the computer		If kernel panic repeats, replace
start without kernel panic now?		SDRAM.Verify that the correct
		SDRAM type is being used.
	No	Go to step 4.
4. Remove bottom cover,	Yes	Go to AirPort Card Kernel
disconnect AirPort antenna		Panic symptom flow.
and remove shield, disconnect
	No	Go to step 5.
and remove fan and cowling,
then disconnect the following
cables from logic board before
being able to extract it :HDD,
ODD/HDD, Ambient sensor, HD
sensor, ODD/HD sensor, IR/LED
cable. Disconnect the AirPort /
Bluetooth card flex cable and
retest. Does the computer start
without kernel panic now?
5. Reconnect the Optical drive (if	Yes	Go to Hard Drive Not
present), but do not reconnect		Recognized symptom flow.
the Hard Drive cable on logic
board and startup from the	No	Go to step 6
original Mac mini Install DVD
inserted in internal optical drive
(if present, or in the optical
drive from another computer
setup in Target Disk Mode),
or from and external volume.
Does the computer start
without kernel panic now?
6. Disconnect the Optical Drive/	Yes	Go to Optical Drive not
Second Hard Drive cable from		recognized symptom flow if
logic board and test. Does the		an optical drive is present,
computer start without kernel		Go to Hard Drive Not
panic now?		Recognized symptom flow. If
		a second hard drive is present
	No	Replace logic board.	M06

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Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  29

No Video

Unlikely cause: hard drive, optical drive, speakers

Quick Check

Symptoms	Quick Check
No Video	1.	Inquire which video port and cable is used by
• No image.		customer.
	2.	Check connectors and cables for pin damage.
	3.	Check both computer DisplayPort and HDMI
		connections with known-good displays.
	4.	(DisplayPort) If DisplayPort to DVI adapter cable
		is used in customer’s configuration, check it on a
		known-good computer
	5.	(HDMI) If issue only happens on customer’s HDMI
		display, make sure that he selected the correct AV
		input, that he connected directly the computer to
		display and that he is using known-good HDMI
		cable.
	6.	Reset SMC.
	7.	Go to Deep Dive.

Deep Dive:No Video

Check		Result	Action	Code
1.	Verify boot chime present and	Yes	Power ON self test OK. Boot
	fans running when system		sequence started.
	powered ON. (Reset SMC and		Go to step 2.
	clear PRAM if necessary for
		No	Go to Won’t Start Up
	proper boot up.)
			symptom flow.
2.	(DisplayPort) Connect	Yes	Video present.Verify system
	supported external display via		functionality and return to
	mini DisplayPort.Verify whether		user or jump to appropriate
	image appears correctly on		display troubleshooting flow.
	external display when system is
		No	Go to step 3.
	booted.

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Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power  30