User Guide

14 - Mac mini Troubleshooting
Symptom Charts
No Video
Computer starts up, but no video on display, there is a startup chime, fans
and drive spins up, and the power LED is on
1. Make sure that the monitor is turned on and has power. Make sure that the display's
power cord is plugged into a working wall outlet, and that it's properly connected to the
power adapter. (To check if the wall socket is working, plug in a lamp or other electrical
device.)
2. Check that all video cable connections to the computer video port and to the monitor
are properly connected.
3. Examine the pins on the video cable connector to make sure they are not bent or
damaged in any way.
4. Connect a known working display (if you have an extra one available). If you see no
video after doing so, proceed to the next symptom, “No video on the display.” If you
see video, go on to step 5.
5. Reset the computer's parameter RAM. (Refer to Reset the PRAM and NVRAM
mentioned in this chapter.)
6. Reset the computer's PMU. (Refer to Reset the PMU mentioned in this chapter.)
7. Reseat the Mac mini's memory. Make sure the memory chip is a PC2700 (333) or
PC3200 (400) DIMM.
8. Remove the DIMM and try replacing it with a working DIMM to test.
9. Reset the PMU on the logic board. (Refer to Reset the PMU mentioned in this
chapter.)
10. Replace the logic board.
Other displays work with the Mac mini, but your display show a black screen
or “Out of Range” message
1. Verify that the monitor used in testing is known good and is supported by this
computer. Refer to Apple Knowledge base article: 300652, “Mac mini: Compatible
Apple Displays” and article 300985: “Mac mini Compatibility with Third-Party Displays.”
2. If your display is not listed in either of the above documents, try using the steps in
Apple Knowledge base article 301345, “Mac mini: Troubleshooting “Out of Range”
Alert Message.”
3. If you still have no video on your display when connected to a Mac mini, try another
display of the same type (either same model or same connector and native
resolution). If you have the same result with the same type of display then you are
experiencing an incompatibility with the particular display.
4. Contact Tech Assist through Service Source if you require further assistance.