User Guide

Mac mini Troubleshooting - 27
Symptom Charts
Hard Drive
Hard drive fails to boot to the desktop
1. Boot from Mac mini Mac OS X Install DVD and see if the hard drive mounts on the
desktop.
2. Run Apple Hardware Test (AHT), located on the install DVD.
3. Run Disk Utility and correct any directory and permissions issues.
4. Erase and reformat the drive.
5. Verify that the hard drive is firmly connected to the interconnect board.
6. Try a known-good hard drive.
7. Erase and reformat the original drive.
8. Try a known-good interconnect board.
9. Replace hard drive.
10. Replace interconnect board.
11. Replace logic board.
The internal hard drive does not spin
1. Disconnect any connected peripherals.
2. Try known-good power outlet.
3. Try known-good power cord.
4. Boot from a Mac mini Mac OS X Install DVD.
5. Run Apple Hardware Test (AHT), located on the install DVD.
6. Run Disk Utility and correct any directory and permissions issues.
7. Verify that the hard drive is connected to the interconnect board.
8. Try a known-good hard drive.
9. Erase and reformat the original drive.
10. Try a known-good interconnect board.
11. Replace hard drive.
12. Replace interconnect board.
13. Replace logic board.