I've had my mini for a couple years. Lately, it seemed to be working slower so I started thinking about the possibility that it had memory issues, but I'm not technically savvy enough to really know what to do. Then, before I did anything, it quit working with my router and reconfigured the desktop to eliminate my screen image. Next thing, when I attempted to save a Word document to my desktop, it said I didn't have enough space (but I was able to save to a memory stick via the USB port). Then, it locked up on me. I couldn't do anything, so I shut it off and rebooted. Now, nothing comes up except the apple logo and the rotating circle indicating that something is loading. But, no matter how long I wait, it goes not further. I can't get to my desktop, nothing. Does anyone have any idea what's going on and what I can do?
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Mini Mac (Serious!) Memory Jam?
- Thread starter steveclark855
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It sounds like your drive may be full, corrupted or failing. It has nothing to do with your memory (RAM), but rather your storage (internal drive).
This may be helpful: OS X: About OS X Recovery
I've been unable to start up the mini mac in recovery mode by holding down the control and R keys while booting. The apple logo comes up but nothing further. I have a Logitech keyboard without a command key so I tried using the control key and also tried using the Windows key between Ctrl and Alt. Of course, it's impossible to open the mini to check to see if the command key is the control key, but since I never attempted any keyboard re-map, I assume the mini would have set the command to the control key. Is that a reasonable assumption? Any alternative suggestions?
Also, if my hard drive is failing, can it be readily replaced? That's probably not something I can do. Who does that kind of work?
Also, if my hard drive is failing, can it be readily replaced? That's probably not something I can do. Who does that kind of work?
Yes, it can be replaced. It's not a difficult task, if you follow instructions and are patient. A Google search will likely reveal instructions for drive replacement on your particular model, possibly with a video to show you how.
Here's but one more instance where if the OP had a bootable cloned backup close-at-hand, he would be in a much better position to get back up-and-running, rather than flopping around like a fish out of water.
At the very least, it would indicate whether the internal drive (or the OS on it) had failed, vis-a-vis the computer itself (something other than the drive).
OP -- just wondering -- is your keyboard wired or wireless?
At the very least, it would indicate whether the internal drive (or the OS on it) had failed, vis-a-vis the computer itself (something other than the drive).
OP -- just wondering -- is your keyboard wired or wireless?
It's wired...and, yes, I am flopping around like a fish out of water. I'll try the suggestion to unplug the other peripherals and switch the keyboard to a different USB.
Tried switching up the port to no avail. As to the PRAM, since I can't start the computer, it doesn't seem that I can reset it. Perhaps, you meant that I could use Cmd + P + R when I turn it on, but that didn't work either.
I welcome other suggestions. Also, guidance about how I could get the computer checked out and repaired. If I bring it like this to repair person, is he or she likely to be able to open the computer or fix its problems?
[[ It's a Mac Mini. OS 10.6.3. ]]
At the very least, you should download the OS 10.6.8 "Combo" updater and update your system to 10.6.8.
My guess is your hard drive is getting near capacity, and that the files and "remaining free space" on it are hopelessly fragmented.
At the very least, you should download the OS 10.6.8 "Combo" updater and update your system to 10.6.8.
My guess is your hard drive is getting near capacity, and that the files and "remaining free space" on it are hopelessly fragmented.
If the mini won't boot up, I assume there's no way to download the combo updater, right?
I've tried starting it with the installation disk in, but it rejects the disk. When it boots, it just comes to the Apple logo and goes not further.
I'm not sure when I last dumped the trash (which suggests it may have been a while), but I can't dump it unless it boots.
FWIW, on two separate Macs in the past I experienced what you are experiencing. Flaky hard drive performance followed by the inability to boot the machine past the grey screen. Even attempts to boot from external images failed: boot install DVD, bootable USB stick all failed to boot. It turned out to be a failed internal hard drive in both cases. Why that impeded external boot devices, not sure, but all was well after replacing the internal drive. Hopefully you've got current backups.