Mac mini not starting up

[Mac the knife74]

Hi, wondering if someone can help with the following.

I noticed an update for High Sierra so decided to install it on my 2014 Mac Mini.

I decided to install it but it got stuck on the installation process for over an hour with no change and the screen was all distorted like it had encountered a problem so decided to restart it.

When i switch it on comes up with the following message ‘your computer restarted because of a problem. Press a key or wait a few seconds to continue starting up’

The Apple logo then shows up with the following text (see attachment)

It then repeats a few times and then switches off.

I have a bluetooth keyboard attached which i think isn’t allowing me to get into safe mode so not sure how to fix it.

Can anyone help?

 

[Synchro3]

Install macOS again with a USB Stick or via NetInstall.

 

[Mac the knife74]

Install macOS again with a USB Stick or via NetInstall.

How do i go about doing that?

 

[Fishrrman]

"I noticed an update for High Sierra so decided to install it on my 2014 Mac Mini"

That was your first mistake...
(just kidding)

Synchro has it right in post 2.
Best way to re-install is by using a bootable USB flashdrive installer.
But -- you must have access to ANOTHER Mac to make one.

Is the Mini your only Mac?
Or do you have access to another one?

Aside:
You didn't tell us what OS you had installed previously.
If it was either El Cap or Low Sierra -- seriously, I'd stick with them for now.

 

[DeltaMac]

Boot to your recovery system.
(Restart, holding Command + r)
You will boot to a menu screen, with one of the choices "Reinstall macOS"
Choose to reinstall. That should fix your booting issue. It's a reload of your existing system, so you should not lose any of your own documents, pictures, etc.

 

[Mac the knife74]

Is the Mini your only Mac?
Or do you have access to another one?

Aside:
You didn't tell us what OS you had installed previously.
If it was either El Cap or Low Sierra -- seriously, I'd stick with them for now.

The mini is my only Mac and if i mind right it was Sierra that was previously installed.

Boot to your recovery system.
(Restart, holding Command + r)
You will boot to a menu screen, with one of the choices "Reinstall macOS"
Choose to reinstall. That should fix your booting issue. It's a reload of your existing system, so you should not lose any of your own documents, pictures, etc.

I have a Bluetooth keyboard and it seems like it’s not getting the chance to connect so pressing the keys has no effect.

 

[tibas92013]

I had a similar problem last year on my MM(Late 2012) in which a Apple Dealership here in Costa Rica reinstalled OS El Capitan at a cost of around $100.00. However, it did solve the problem and my MM now keeps chugging-along OK.

 

[DeltaMac]

Bluetooth keyboard SHOULD work (particularly if it is an Apple-brand keyboard)

Make sure the keyboard is powered on
Press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds, which should force the mini off.
Then, press and release the power button - immediately press and hold the Option key. If your keyboard is a non-Mac keyboard (with a Windows key next to the Alt key), be sure to hold the Alt key, and not the Windows key for this
Do you get the option-boot picker screen?
If yes, turn off your mini again. Press and release the power button, holding Command-Option-p-r
Again, non-Apple keyboard, hold Windows-Alt-p-r (hold those immediately after press and release of the power button)

If you don't get ANY response from the keyboard for these tests - you need to find a wired USB keyboard (which does NOT have to be an Apple keyboard, just be aware that Windows and Alt are usually reversed, compared to an Apple-configuration keyboard, for the power up sequence.

 

[Mac the knife74]

Bluetooth keyboard SHOULD work (particularly if it is an Apple-brand keyboard)

Make sure the keyboard is powered on
Press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds, which should force the mini off.
Then, press and release the power button - immediately press and hold the Option key. If your keyboard is a non-Mac keyboard (with a Windows key next to the Alt key), be sure to hold the Alt key, and not the Windows key for this
Do you get the option-boot picker screen?
If yes, turn off your mini again. Press and release the power button, holding Command-Option-p-r
Again, non-Apple keyboard, hold Windows-Alt-p-r (hold those immediately after press and release of the power button)

If you don't get ANY response from the keyboard for these tests - you need to find a wired USB keyboard (which does NOT have to be an Apple keyboard, just be aware that Windows and Alt are usually reversed, compared to an Apple-configuration keyboard, for the power up sequence.

Excellent! Thanks! I’ve now got the macOS Utilities screen up.

Do i choose ‘Reinstall macOS’?

Will i lose anything by doing this?

 

[DeltaMac]

Excellent! Thanks! I’ve now got the macOS Utilities screen up.

Do i choose ‘Reinstall macOS’?

Will i lose anything by doing this?

I would suggest first opening Disk Utility, and test your drive with the Disk FirstAid.
Quit Disk Utility when that completes (assuming it does not find a problem )
And, Reinstall macOS, with the goal of fixing your problem.
"Will I lose anything ... ?"
Yes, I think you will lose your problem (because it is fixed by the reinstall)

 

[Mac the knife74]

I would suggest first opening Disk Utility, and test your drive with the Disk FirstAid.
Quit Disk Utility when that completes (assuming it does not find a problem )
And, Reinstall macOS, with the goal of fixing your problem.
"Will I lose anything ... ?"
Yes, I think you will lose your problem (because it is fixed by the reinstall)

That’s it now sorted thanks to you and everyone else!

Thanks for all the advice!