Hello all, this is my first post.
I have a mac mini mid 2010 2.4 Intel 2GB RAM 4,1 (eBay special….) and it has some very strange behavioural tendencies, which hopefully someone may know how to fix, or at least assure me my thinking is correct.
I shall describe it as 'Symptoms', 'actions' and 'possible causes', as there may be more than one issue.
Essentially there is a startup issue requiring a delay in keystokes etc, and probably a graphics issue. Before getting to 'the end' I shall describe the behaviour.
Symptoms.
When turning on, the unit shows the usual apple and chimes properly etc and allows me to go into 'alt' options and hardware diagnostics as you would expect. No hint of any issues (and the wireless choice comes up in the alt option - and works correctly).
However once it boots up a mac OS, and shows the desktop as usual, you cannot make any keystrokes or mouse clicks for about 5min otherwise it jams up. You can make one click, on say the apple, but nothing will happen until the 5min is up and then it will show the drop down menu. More than one click will jam it completely.
After the 5min the unit works as normal, although it sometimes loses the ethernet profile completely. Wireless is fine. I can view all websites and view flash and other moving graphics. I can load apps etc etc etc.
The hardware test shows no problems.
If it goes to sleep the keyboard, mouse and strange especially for mac, USB attachment, does not wake it up. It needs a hard reboot.
Actions
Obviously I have done plenty of PRAM and SMC resets etc. I have changed hard drives, RAM and loaded OS with no hardware present (Wireless etc). No change.
I can load a fresh installation of Snow Leopard with no problems. The funky graphics at the end of a fresh OS load all come up with sound etc.
I can also load windows with full functionality including heavy graphics, and no keystroke delay!!!!
I cannot load any OS newer than snow leopard, nor even snow leopard with a high res monitor (must be less than 1900 x1200).
I cannot update into Lion or anything else in any way, but have fully updated SL.
If I use a new OS or update etc, I just get the grey screen apple and constant spinner.
Possible causes
Graphics is the main contender, however the delay seems unrelated and once working (and in windows) there are no graphic problems. The failure of Lion onwards suggests an OPenCL issues.
I am hoping it is then a firmware issue, and that is where I am hoping someone can help.
The apple update (Firmware 1.5) can only be loaded once you have Lion OS. Of course I cannot get past SL, so I cannot load the update.
I cannot find any way to restore the current (original) firmware. Does anyone know of a method????
THere does not seem to be a Firmware Recovery CD for this model.
So my plea is twofold. Is there a way to restore/update the firmware without Lion?
And has anyone seen such symptoms and found a resolution?
THanks in advance
Matt
I have a mac mini mid 2010 2.4 Intel 2GB RAM 4,1 (eBay special….) and it has some very strange behavioural tendencies, which hopefully someone may know how to fix, or at least assure me my thinking is correct.
I shall describe it as 'Symptoms', 'actions' and 'possible causes', as there may be more than one issue.
Essentially there is a startup issue requiring a delay in keystokes etc, and probably a graphics issue. Before getting to 'the end' I shall describe the behaviour.
Symptoms.
When turning on, the unit shows the usual apple and chimes properly etc and allows me to go into 'alt' options and hardware diagnostics as you would expect. No hint of any issues (and the wireless choice comes up in the alt option - and works correctly).
However once it boots up a mac OS, and shows the desktop as usual, you cannot make any keystrokes or mouse clicks for about 5min otherwise it jams up. You can make one click, on say the apple, but nothing will happen until the 5min is up and then it will show the drop down menu. More than one click will jam it completely.
After the 5min the unit works as normal, although it sometimes loses the ethernet profile completely. Wireless is fine. I can view all websites and view flash and other moving graphics. I can load apps etc etc etc.
The hardware test shows no problems.
If it goes to sleep the keyboard, mouse and strange especially for mac, USB attachment, does not wake it up. It needs a hard reboot.
Actions
Obviously I have done plenty of PRAM and SMC resets etc. I have changed hard drives, RAM and loaded OS with no hardware present (Wireless etc). No change.
I can load a fresh installation of Snow Leopard with no problems. The funky graphics at the end of a fresh OS load all come up with sound etc.
I can also load windows with full functionality including heavy graphics, and no keystroke delay!!!!
I cannot load any OS newer than snow leopard, nor even snow leopard with a high res monitor (must be less than 1900 x1200).
I cannot update into Lion or anything else in any way, but have fully updated SL.
If I use a new OS or update etc, I just get the grey screen apple and constant spinner.
Possible causes
Graphics is the main contender, however the delay seems unrelated and once working (and in windows) there are no graphic problems. The failure of Lion onwards suggests an OPenCL issues.
I am hoping it is then a firmware issue, and that is where I am hoping someone can help.
The apple update (Firmware 1.5) can only be loaded once you have Lion OS. Of course I cannot get past SL, so I cannot load the update.
I cannot find any way to restore the current (original) firmware. Does anyone know of a method????
THere does not seem to be a Firmware Recovery CD for this model.
So my plea is twofold. Is there a way to restore/update the firmware without Lion?
And has anyone seen such symptoms and found a resolution?
THanks in advance
Matt
Last edited: