Apple MC408LL Apple Technician Guide - Page 23

Intermittent Shutdown

Page 23 highlights

2010-08-03 5. Power on system, press the C Yes Reconnect the hard drive key on keyboard , insert the cable to logic board and go original Mac mini 10.6.X Install to step 6 DVD in internal optical drive (or in the optical drive of another No If the optical drive is not computer set up in FireWire recognized, go to Optical Target Disk Mode) and attempt Drive not recognized. to boot from it. Does it boot? 6. Power on system, press the Alt key on keyboard and attempt to boot the system from the Internal hard drive. Does it boot? Yes System is booting. Issue does not happen anymore. No If the hard drive in not recognized, go to Hard Drive Not Recognized Intermittent Shutdown Quick Check Symptoms Intermittent Shutdown • Powers off during startup. • Powers off during desktop use. • Computer restarts spontaneously. • Powers off when waking from sleep. Quick Check 1. Isolate OS by starting up from original Install media for the computer, the same make and model computer in Target Disk Mode, or compatible known-good OS on an external drive. Both AirPort and Bluetooth services are available when booted from the Install disk. 2. Reset SMC and PRAM to clear any stored, corrupted information. 3. Start up in Safe Mode by holding the shift key down during startup to load only required kernel extensions and disable all startup and login items. See KBase article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564 4. Open System Preferences > Energy Saver > Schedule and make sure that a 'Shut Down' event is not scheduled. 5. Make sure that power cord is securely attached to the back of the computer, and is not hindered by a desk or other furniture. 6. Plug the computer directly into an AC outlet to test whether a surge protector, outlet strip, or UPS is causing the issue. Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts - Startup and Power 23

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Mac mini (Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power
23
2010-08-03
5.
Power on system, press the C
key on keyboard , insert the
original Mac mini 10.6.X Install
DVD in internal optical drive (or
in the optical drive of another
computer set up in FireWire
Target Disk Mode) and attempt
to boot from it.
Does it boot?
Yes
Reconnect the hard drive
cable to logic board and go
to step 6
No
If the optical drive is not
recognized, go to
Optical
Drive not recognized
.
6.
Power on system, press the Alt
key on keyboard and attempt
to boot the system from the
Internal hard drive. Does it
boot?
Yes
System is booting. Issue does
not happen anymore.
No
If the hard drive in not
recognized, go to
Hard Drive
Not Recognized
Intermittent Shutdown
Quick Check
Symptoms
Quick Check
Intermittent Shutdown
Powers off during startup.
Powers off during desktop use.
Computer restarts
spontaneously.
Powers off when waking from
sleep.
1.
Isolate OS by starting up from original Install
media for the computer, the same make and
model computer in Target Disk Mode, or
compatible known-good OS on an external drive.
Both AirPort and Bluetooth services are available
when booted from the Install disk.
2.
Reset SMC and PRAM to clear any stored,
corrupted information.
3.
Start up in Safe Mode by holding the shift key
down during startup to load only required kernel
extensions and disable all startup and login
items. See KBase article
4.
Open System Preferences > Energy Saver >
Schedule and make sure that a ‘Shut Down’ event
is not scheduled.
5.
Make sure that power cord is securely attached to
the back of the computer, and is not hindered by
a desk or other furniture.
6.
Plug the computer directly into an AC outlet to
test whether a surge protector, outlet strip, or UPS
is causing the issue.