mac mini stuck in start up loop

[glocke12]

dont know what happened. My macmini was working fine thursday eve., than friday we had a power outage and I am just now getting back to starting this up. It immiediatly took me to the set up assistant screen, and I just basically ended up in an endless loop at this point. Choosing to restore from time machine resulted in the mini just freezing.

I am running leopard, and am pretty sure I updated this week using software update.

any suggestions?

 

[rolex54]

can it start up from the install DVD?
if not than it prolly has to go to apple

 

[archesdevil]

I had a similar problem about a month ago. I ended up re-installing Leopard and then restoring from a Time Machine back up. It was very easy to do but took about an hour and and a half. mini has been fine since.

 

[glocke12]

well, it wont even start up from the leopard disc. I am assuming all I need to do is put the leopard disc in and start the mini???? If so thats not working.

 

[OllyW]

You could try resetting the PMU / PRAM?

 

[glocke12]

resetting the pram didnt work. whats more, after going through that process the mini turns on but the LED power indicator doesnt turn on.

the mini is still in warranty, so it will be going in for repair i guess. What is the process for doing warranties by mail ? I have an apple store within 40 minutes of me, but I dont have the time to drive there.

 

[rolex54]

well, it wont even start up from the leopard disc. I am assuming all I need to do is put the leopard disc in and start the mini???? If so thats not working.

no here is what you do
insert disc
turn off computer
turn computer on and after you hear the startup chime press the C key
keep holding the C key until the spinning wheel comes up

 

[rolex54]

resetting the pram didnt work. whats more, after going through that process the mini turns on but the LED power indicator doesnt turn on.

the mini is still in warranty, so it will be going in for repair i guess. What is the process for doing warranties by mail ? I have an apple store within 40 minutes of me, but I dont have the time to drive there.

this is basically how it works

you call apple and talk to an idiot
they then give you to someone who kinda knows what they are doing
they will make you do every possible diagnostic test under the sun
they then send you a box to ship the mini in
they will then send it back to you when it is finished
usually about 2 weeks

 

[glocke12]

just got back from the apple store. the genius booted into safe mode, than restarted from safe mode. all is good now.

 

[archesdevil]

Glad to hear it worked out for you.

Long live the mini!