My Mac Mini (Early 2009) - DEAD

[G2244]

I am not yet sure the cause and may never know I suppose. I have had it since March and have used it almost everyday with very few issues. I am not sure that it matters, but I use it a lot for gaming (mostly Battlefield 2142) which seems to make it choke when I am on a busy server (30+ players). Anyway, about a week ago it started acting funny on shut down – screen would lock and had to unplug to shut down. I figured it was just a fluke. Then it was fine for about 5 days and all of a sudden DEAD. I went to turn it on and nothing at all. No blue light no anything. I figured maybe the power brick was bad, but that was not the case.

I took into the local Apple Store and their diagnosis was a “bad logic board.” So now I am waiting (very impatiently) for them to receive the part and then get it into my Mini. They estimated 7 days until I would have it back. And that is if the logic board is indeed the problem.

Anyone else experience anything like this?

 

[geoffreak]

My Mac Mini 2.23 just arrived today so I haven't tested it out, but my previous 1.83 never had any problems.

 

[zmttoxics]

Electronics are never perfect, no 2 parts will be the exact same (has to do with how they are made). I wouldn't take it as something terrible and that its apple's or the mini's fault, just something that happened and sucked. Hopefully the tech that works on your mini doesnt make it worse though. My MacBook went in for 3 repairs isntead of 1 because of the amazing tech I had.

 

[rkdiddy]

I wouldn't sweat it. Like mentioned above, nothing is perfect and stuff happens. That is why you have a warranty, right?

In my experience with electronics - things usually do go bad with-in a few months. I had a similar issue with a Dell PC - issues from the get go - but thought it was just an XP issue.

After numerous conversations (over months of time) with Dell techs in India (ugh), they finally replaced my system. I haven't had an issue since.

Just be thankful, you could actually walk into an Apple store and have it looked at, rather than talking to someone reading a script asking you the same dumb questions over and over.

 

[nullx86]

**** happens? I just got my M1530 back from Dell today cause of the faulty 8600M and a bad WD HDD, so it happens every once in a while... hopefully they get the problem fixed...

 

[G2244]

Well, I have to hand it to Apple on resolving this anyway. Problem started Monday 6/29. Brought to Genius Bar Tuesday 6/30 where they ordered the part. Mac Mini was fixed and back in my hands on Saturday 7/4.

It appears it was indeed the logic board.

 

[zmttoxics]

Congrats home skillet.

 

[miniConvert]

My very first Mac, the first Intel Mac mini, was DOA Well, it worked (barely) for less than 24 hours before not even switching on anymore. The replacement has been on and working pretty much every day since - though we're now on HDD no. 2

Sh*t does, unfortunately, happen!

Try not to let it spoil your Mac experience - I'm sure you'll be back up and running again in no time.

 

[reebzor]

Yea, my 09 mini's harddrive died in two days. We are lucky enough to have such great customer service support from the company we buy computers from. Apple has always been awesome about replacing things in or out of warranty.

 

[Saternoc]

iMac Screen

Recently my aunt's iMac screen went completely black. She took it to the apple store and they told her that it would cost her about $700.00. I started doing browsing around and found that iMac's esp. the 24 inch screens are susceptible to getting spots or lines running through their screens.
I was wondering if you knew if Apple took of this issue because I am considering purchasing a "desktop" Mac. Would I just be better off with a mac mini and a separate screen? I don't do professional photo editing or heavy gaming incase you were wondering. However I do like that the iMac has better graphics, a stronger processor, and more hard drive space.

 

[darrellishere]

Its up to you! Go with what you like! Otherwise you will regret it!

I have had both, the 24" imac and a mac mini and display.

For you I would probably say the easiest option would be the imac.
"It now comes with 4 Gigs of RAM installed!" Future proffed with better specs.

Its easy to set up, maintain with good all round performance. You already know this!

The only reason i got a mini & 24' display was because I liked it aesthetically and loved LED technology, I do do photography!

By the way! The mini without any $$$ upgrades e.g HARD DRIVE & RAM
is a snail and underpowered. In general iMacs ROCK!
And need no disassemble to bring it up to spec!

But it may suit you if you don't do anything particularly intensive.

PS about the lines, I had a first generation white imac that went that way, but that was a problem that mainly effected that generation. Make sure, if you plan on keeping it for a few years buy some apple care off ebay so you won't regret it like I did