Apple Mac Mini 19 User Manual

Mac mini

User’s Guide

Includes setup and troubleshooting information for your Mac mini computer

Apple Computer, Inc.

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

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

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7 Chapter 1: Getting Started

Setting Up Your Mac mini

What’s Next?

Putting Your Mac mini to Sleep or Shutting It Down

17 Chapter 2: Getting to Know Your Mac mini

Basic Features of Your Mac mini

Learning About Mac OS X

Customizing Your Desktop and Setting Your Preferences

Using the Internet

Connecting to a Network

Getting Answers Using Mac Help

Keeping Your Software Up to Date

Using Applications

Connecting to a Printer

Playing a CD and Connecting Headphones

Connecting a Camera or Other FireWire Device

Transferring Files to Another Computer

33 Chapter 3: Using Your Mac mini

Connecting a Display or Video Device

Using USB

Connecting With FireWire

Understanding AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking

Using Bluetooth Wireless Technology

Connecting With Ethernet (10/100Base-T)

Connecting Audio Devices

Using Your Optical Drive

Securing Your Mac mini

55 Chapter 4: Troubleshooting

Problems That Prevent You From Using Your Computer

Reinstalling the Software That Came With Your Computer

Getting Started

Your Mac mini has been designed so that you can easily set it up and start using it right away.

If you have never used a Mac mini or are new to Macintosh computers, read this section for instructions about getting started. If you are an experienced user, you may already know enough to get started. Be sure to look over the information in Chapter 2, “Getting to Know Your Mac mini,” to find out about the features of your Mac mini.

Your Mac mini comes with the following components:

DVI to VGA Adapter

Power adapterAC cord

Setting Up Your Mac mini

Follow these steps to set up your Mac mini. If there is any protective film around the computer or power adapter, remove it before setting up your Mac mini.

Plug the AC cord firmly in to the power adapter. Plug the cord from the power adapter in to the computer. Plug the power adapter in to a grounded power outlet.

8 Chapter 1

Getting Started

To access the Internet, connect an Ethernet cable or phone cord.

Note:

Not all Mac mini models include a modem. If you would like to use a modem with your Mac mini, you can have one installed by an Apple Authorized Service Provider or at an Apple Store retail location.

Chapter 1

Getting Started

Connect the USB cable from your keyboard and mouse.

Your Mac mini does not come with a keyboard and mouse, but you can use almost any USB keyboard or mouse with your computer. If your keyboard has a USB port, you can plug your mouse in to the USB port on the keyboard. If it doesn’t, you can plug the mouse in to a USB port on the back of the computer.

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Getting Started

If you use a USB keyboard that is not specifically designed for the Mac OS, it may not have a Command (x The Command (x

) or Option key, both of which are standard on Apple keyboards.

) key on an Apple keyboard is equivalent to the Windows key (the icon on the key looks like a Windows logo) on a keyboard from another manufacturer. The Option key on an Apple keyboard is equivalent to the Alt key on a keyboard from another manufacturer.

You can use the Keyboard & Mouse preferences to change the keyboard equivalents. To open Keyboard & Mouse preferences, choose Apple (

) > System Preferences, click

Keyboard & Mouse, click Modifier Keys, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Using a USB mouse or keyboard from another manufacturer may require software drivers. Check the manufacturer’s website for the latest software drivers.

To set up an Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Wireless Mouse with your Mac mini, follow the instructions that came with the keyboard and mouse.

Chapter 1

Getting Started

Connect the DVI cable from your display to the video port. To connect a VGA display, use the Apple DVI to VGA Adapter that came with your computer. For more information about connecting a display, see the guidelines in Chapter 2, “Getting to Know Your Mac mini.”

Important:

Don’t place anything on top of your Mac mini. Objects placed on top may interfere with the optical drive or with the AirPort or Bluetooth® wireless signal, if you have the optional AirPort Extreme or Bluetooth technology installed.

12 Chapter 1

Getting Started

Press the power button (®

Chapter 1

Getting Started

) on the back of your Mac mini to turn it on.

What’s Next?

You’ve done everything you need to get your Mac mini up and running. The first time you turn on your computer, Setup Assistant starts and helps you enter your Internet and email information and set up a user on your computer. If you already have a Mac, Setup Assistant can help you automatically transfer files, applications, and other information from your previous Mac to your new Mac mini.

Transferring Information to Your Mac mini

You can use Setup Assistant to automatically transfer information from another Mac to your new Mac mini. To transfer information, make sure of the following:

Your other Mac must have built-in FireWire and must support FireWire Target Disk Mode.

Your other Mac must have Mac OS X v10.1 or later installed.

You must have a FireWire cable to connect the two computers.

Setup Assistant takes you through the process of transferring your information—just follow the onscreen instructions. Transferring information to your Mac mini does not affect the information on your other Mac. Using Setup Assistant, you can transfer:

User accounts, including preferences and email

Network settings, so your new computer is automatically set up to work with the same network settings as your other Mac

Your Applications folder, so the applications you used on your other Mac are now on your new Mac mini (you may have to reinstall some of the applications you transfer)

Files and folders stored on the hard disk. This gives you easy access to the files and folders you used on your old Mac.

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Getting Started

You may want to deauthorize your old Mac to prevent your iTunes Music Store songs or spoken word purchases from being played or to change which computers are authorized to play your purchases. For more information, choose Help > Mac Help, then choose Library > “iTunes and Music Store Help,” and search for “deauthorize.”

If you don’t use Setup Assistant to transfer information when you first start up your Mac mini, you can do it later using Migration Assistant. Go to the Applications folder, open Utilities, and double-click the Migration Assistant icon.

Note:

If you transfer information later using Migration Assistant, make sure FileVault is

turned off on the older computer. To turn off FileVault, choose Apple (

) > System

Preferences, click Security, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Setting Up Your Mac mini for the Internet

If you didn’t transfer your network settings, Setup Assistant can take you through the process of setting up your computer to connect to the Internet. For home users, Internet access requires an account with an Internet service provider (ISP). Fees may apply. If you have an Internet account, see Appendix C, “Connecting to the Internet,” on page 77 for information you’ll need to enter.

Chapter 1

Getting Started

Putting Your Mac mini to Sleep or Shutting It Down

When you have finished working with your Mac mini, you can put your computer to sleep or shut it down.

Put Your Mac mini to Sleep to Save Energy

If you will be away from your Mac mini for less than a few days, put the computer to sleep. When the computer is in sleep, its screen is dark. You can quickly wake the computer and bypass the startup process.

To put the computer to sleep, do one of the following:

Choose Apple (

Press the power button (®

Choose Apple (

To wake the computer, press any key on the keyboard. When the computer wakes from sleep, your applications, documents, and computer settings are exactly as you left them.

Shut Down Your Mac mini

If you will not use your Mac mini for more than a few days, shut it down. To shut down, choose Apple (

) > Sleep.

) on the back of the computer.

) > System Preferences, click Energy Saver, and set a sleep timer.

) > Shut Down.

Warning:

the hard disk is spinning can damage the hard disk, causing loss of data or the inability to start up from the hard disk.

16 Chapter 1

Shut down your Mac mini before moving it. Moving your computer while

Getting Started

Getting to Know Your Mac mini

This chapter gives you some basic information you’ll need to know about your Mac mini.

Read on for an overview of the different parts of your computer and Mac OS X, and summary information about common tasks such as customizing the way your desktop looks, connecting to a printer, playing a CD, connecting a digital camera, using the Internet, getting answers when you need help, and more.

For the Latest Information

Because Apple frequently releases new versions and updates to its system software, images shown in this book may be slightly different from what you see on your screen.

The Apple website, at www.apple.com, links you to the latest Apple news, free downloads, and online catalogs of software and hardware for your Mac mini.

You can also find the manuals for many Apple products and technical support for all of Apple’s products on the Apple Service & Support website at www.apple.com/support.

Basic Features of Your Mac mini

Slot-loading optical drive

Power

button

Power port

Ethernet port (10/100Base-T)

Note:

Not all Mac mini models include a modem.

18 Chapter 2

Video out port

Modem port (optional)

Getting to Know Your Mac mini

Power indicator light

Security slot

Headphone port

FireWire port

USB ports (2)

Slot-loading optical disc drive

Your Mac mini has a Combo drive or a SuperDrive. Each drive can read CD-ROM discs, photo CDs, and standard audio discs. The Combo drive can read DVD discs and movies and write music, documents, and other digital files to CD-R and CD-RW discs. In addition to those files, the SuperDrive can also read and write to DVD±R and DVD±RW discs.

Power indicator light

A white light indicates your Mac mini is on; a pulsing light indicates it’s in sleep.

Power button

Turn on your Mac mini or put it to sleep. Press and hold to reset during troubleshooting.

Power port

Connect the power cord from the power adapter.

Ethernet port (10/100Base-T)

Connect to a 10/100Base-T Ethernet network or connect a DSL or cable modem.

Modem port (on some models)

Connect a standard phone line directly to the internal 56K v.92 modem.

Video port

Connect displays that use a DVI connector. You can also connect displays that use a VGA connector using the DVI to VGA Adapter that came with your computer.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) 2.0 ports

Connect USB devices such as mice, keyboards, printers, an iPod, and more.

FireWire 400 port

Connect high-speed devices, such as iPod, an iSight or video camera, or a hard drive.

Headphone port

Connect headphones, external powered speakers, or other sound output devices.

Security slot

Attach a lock and cable to discourage theft (available at www.apple.com/store).

Chapter 2

Getting to Know Your Mac mini

Learning About Mac OS X

Your computer comes with Tiger, the latest version of Mac OS X, which includes Spotlight, an improved search engine that automatically indexes all of your files; Dashboard, an interface for putting handy “widgets” or mini-applications at your fingertips; Exposé, which tiles and neatly displays all your open applications; and much more.

20 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini

When you’re ready to learn more about Mac OS X and the award-winning iLife applications that came with your computer, see the Welcome to Tiger booklet that came with your computer. You’ll find plenty of information for new users, experienced users, and those switching to the Mac.

If you experience any problems while using Mac OS X, see the troubleshooting tips in the back of this book or choose Help > Mac Help from the menu bar at the top of the screen. For information about the compatibility of software applications with Mac OS X, or to read more about Mac OS X, check the Apple website at www.apple.com/macosx.

Note: If you want to use Mac OS 9 applications with your computer, you have to install Mac OS 9 (see “Installing Mac OS 9” on page 59). Mac OS 9 can’t be installed as the primary operating system on your Mac mini, and you can’t start up your computer in Mac OS 9. With Mac OS 9 installed, you can open and use Mac OS 9 applications in the Mac OS X Classic environment.

Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 21

Customizing Your Desktop and Setting Your Preferences

You can quickly make your desktop look the way you want using System Preferences. Choose Apple () > System Preferences from the menu bar.

Feel free to make changes and experiment with the following: Â Desktop & Screen Saver: Select this preference pane to change the background

color or pattern of your desktop, or change it to a photo or image you like. You can also choose an eye-catching screen effect that will appear on your screen when the computer is left idle.

22 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini

Â Dock: Select this preference pane to change the look, location, and behavior of

your Dock.

Â Appearance: Select this preference pane to change the colors of buttons, menus,

windows, and highlight colors, among other options.

As you get to know your computer, explore the other system preferences. System Preferences is your command center for most settings on your Mac mini. For more information, open Mac Help and search for “System Preferences” or for the specific preference you want to change.

Using the Internet

When you first set up your Mac mini, you were instructed on how to connect to the Internet. If you need to change to a different type of connection, such as a DSL or cable modem, Ethernet local area network (LAN), or AirPort Extreme network, you can find more information in Appendix C, “Connecting to the Internet,” on page 77.

Connecting to a Network

If you want to connect your Mac mini to an Ethernet network, cable or DSL modem, or a wireless network, see “Connecting With Ethernet (10/100Base-T)” on page 47 and “Understanding AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking” on page 40 for more information about setting up an Ethernet or AirPort connection. Also open Mac Help (see page 24) and search for “Ethernet” or “AirPort” for further help.

Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 23

Getting Answers Using Mac Help

You can find answers to most of your questions about using your computer and Mac OS X in Mac Help.

To use Mac Help:

1 Click the Finder icon in the Dock.

2 Choose Help > Mac Help from the menu bar.

3 Type a question and press the Return key on your keyboard.

4 Double-click an item in the list of help topics.

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Keeping Your Software Up to Date

You can connect to the Internet and automatically download and install the latest free software versions, drivers, and other enhancements from Apple.

When you are connected to the Internet, Software Update checks Apple’s servers to see if any updates are available for your computer. You can set your Mac mini to check the Apple server periodically and download and install updated software.

To check for updated software:

1 Choose Apple () > Software Update. The Software Update window opens. If new

software is available, it appears in a list.

2 Click the checkbox to select the items you want to install, then click Install. Type an

administrator name and password (the name and password you used when you first set up your computer).

When the updates are complete, Software Update checks for updates again. It does this because some updates require that you have installed previous updates. For more information, search for “Software Update” in Mac Help (see page 24).

Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 25

Using Applications

Your Mac mini comes with software applications, including the iLife suite of applications, for doing things like sending email, surfing the Internet, chatting online, organizing music and digital photos, making movies, and much more.

For more information about these applications, see the Welcome to Tiger booklet that came with your computer. For more information about a particular application, open the application, then open the help for the application. The Learn About section is a good place to start.

When an Application Does Not Respond

On rare occasions, an application may freeze on your screen. Mac OS X provides a way to quit an application that’s not responding without restarting your computer. Quitting a frozen application may allow you to save your work in other open applications.

To force an application to quit:

1 Press Command (x)-Option-Esc or choose Apple () > Force Quit from the menu bar.

The Force Quit Applications dialog appears with the application selected.

26 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini

2 Click Force Quit.

The application quits, leaving all other applications open.

If you need to, you can force the Classic environment to quit, which closes all Classic applications. You can also restart the Finder from this dialog.

If you experience other problems, see Chapter 4, “Troubleshooting,” on page 55.

Connecting to a Printer

When you connect a USB or FireWire printer, your computer can usually detect it and then adds it to the list of available printers. You may need to set up a printer connected to a network before you can print to it. Follow the instructions that came with the printer to install any required software and connect the printer to your computer.

Note: If you have AirPort Extreme wireless technology in your Mac mini and you have an AirPort Extreme Base Station or AirPort Express, you can connect a USB printer to the base station (instead of connecting it to your computer) and print wirelessly.

Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 27

To set up a printer:

1 Choose Apple () > System Preferences and click the Print & Fax icon.

2 Click Printing and click the Add (+) button to add a printer.

3 Select the printer you want to add, and then click Add.

4 Use the Add (+) and Remove (–) buttons to choose the printers that appear in the

printer list.

Note: If you’re connecting to a printer via a network, you may need to know the network name or address of the printer to select it. Ask your network administrator.

28 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini

Monitoring Printing

After you send a printing job to a printer, you can monitor, stop, or put it temporarily on hold.

To monitor printing, click the printer icon in the Dock to open the printer window. You can see the print jobs in the print queue and work with them.

More Information

For more information, open Mac Help and search for “printing.” You can also refer to the manual that came with your printer for specific installation and setup directions.

Playing a CD and Connecting Headphones

If you want to listen to music with your Mac mini, insert a music CD in your optical drive. iTunes, an easy-to-use music player, opens automatically. You can connect headphones with a mini-jack to the headphone port (f) of your Mac mini to listen privately.

You can also connect powered speakers to the headphone port (f ) to listen to music. If you have an AirPort Extreme Card installed and an AirPort Express, you can wirelessly stream music from your Mac mini to your home stereo system.

To learn more about iTunes, open iTunes and choose Help > “iTunes and Music Store Help.” To learn more about your optical drive, see “Using Your Optical Drive” on page 50.

Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 29

Connecting a Camera or Other FireWire Device

If you have an iPod, iSight camera, FireWire digital video camera, hard drive, or other device that has a FireWire connector, you can connect it to your Mac mini. Follow the installation instructions that came with your device. For more information about FireWire, see “Connecting With FireWire” on page 37.

Transferring Files to Another Computer

You have several ways to transfer files or documents to or from your Mac mini: Â You can easily transfer files using Setup Assistant when you first set up your

computer or using Migration Assistant later. For more information, see “Transferring Information to Your Mac mini” on page 14.

Â You can transfer files via the Internet using .Mac or another Internet account. Go to

www.mac.com for more information.

Â If your computer is connected to an Ethernet network, you can transfer files to

another computer on the network. To access another server or computer, open a Finder window and click Network. Or if you know the name or network address of the computer, choose Go > “Connect to Server” from the Finder menu bar.

Â You can create a small Ethernet network by connecting an Ethernet cable from your

Mac mini to another computer’s Ethernet port. For more information, open Mac Help and search for “Connecting two computers.”

Â You can also connect to another Mac using a FireWire cable. Your Mac mini appears

as a disk drive on the other computer and you can transfer files to or from it. For more information about using FireWire to transfer files, see “FireWire Target Disk Mode” on page 39 or open Mac Help and search for “FireWire target.”

30 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini

+ 82 hidden pages

Apple Mac Mini 19 User Manual

Contents

Getting Started

Setting Up Your Mac mini

What’s Next?

Putting Your Mac mini to Sleep or Shutting It Down

Basic Features of Your Mac mini

Customizing Your Desktop and Setting Your Preferences

Using the Internet

Connecting to a Network

Keeping Your Software Up to Date

Using Applications

Connecting to a Printer

Playing a CD and Connecting Headphones

Connecting a Camera or Other FireWire Device

Transferring Files to Another Computer