Mac Mini died. Advice needed

[Hailey]

My subtantially modified Mac Mini just quit. Kaput. Dead.

 

As T've already invested in Audirvana, a Thunderbolt external drive, and UpTone Audio's MMK linear power supply filter, I'm inclined to go out and source another Mac Mini.

 

Or should I just turn the page and get a microRendu instead?

 

I'm still not sure I understand precisely how a microRendu is controlled. But I'll figure it out if I have to.

 

Thoughts anyone?

[wgscott]

Just out of curiosity, what parts were modified, and what are the symptoms of death? (i.e., is it the original power supply, does it make the startup chime but never boot, does it fail to find the disk, or just behave like it is unplugged)?

 

Personally, I would get a new mini. But it might be worth finding out if the modifier warranties their modifications (if applicable).

[Paul R]

I agree with Bill - I would go for a new Mini. The problem is that the new tech Mini's may not be modifiable if you feel you really need that. On the other hand, depending upon how old your Mini is, you might not need those mods.

 

-Paul

[Hailey]

I did the modifications. They consisted of swapping out the spinner for an SDD and swapping out the internal switching power supply for the MMK filter.

 

It's just dead dead. Won't turn on. Reinstalled the original internal PSU. Still nothing

[alfe]

I have a heavily modified one, power supply,cooling even the ram and the hard disk are prototypes, but still running just like a Panzer tank.

Check I'm sure you can bring it back to life.

[wgscott]

Reinstalled the original internal PSU. Still nothing

 

That was the only suggestion I had left.

 

Bummer.

[Hailey]

And it was only four months old. But the warranty is scorched, of course.

 

In hindsight, may not have been worth it...

[davide256]

You would still need a file server with the mRendu...hopefully your Mac can be resuscitated

[mansr]

It's probably a power issue even if the original PSU doesn't work. Check for bulging electrolytic capacitors anywhere in the system. That's by far the most common cause of sudden failure to power up.

[Hailey]

Where would I find the electrolytic capacitors?

[alfe]

Check DC side of the motherboard with a voltmeter to find out if it's powered.

[wgscott]

And it was only four months old. But the warranty is scorched, of course.

 

In hindsight, may not have been worth it...

 

I'd put all the original parts back in and take it back to Apple. I had them try to tell me putting extra memory in my computer ruined the hard drive. So take anything extra out.

[mansr]

Where would I find the electrolytic capacitors?

 

This is an example of dead electrolytic caps. The two big ones to the right are bad, the rest are OK.

[Paul R]

And it was only four months old. But the warranty is scorched, of course.

 

In hindsight, may not have been worth it...

 

Four months old? Put the drive and power supply back in and haul it to an Apple Store. Look innocent.

 

-Paul

[Hailey]

I'd put all the original parts back in and take it back to Apple. I had them try to tell me putting extra memory in my computer ruined the hard drive. So take anything extra out.

 

Good idea

[baddog]

Try plugging it into a different outlet in the house as well.

 

Try booting it without the external hard drive connected.

 

I assume you have a monitor attached - no boot chime - nothing displayed on screen?

 

Also make sure the RAM is seated properly if it is user installable RAM.

 

What year and model is the Mac Mini?

 

Do you only have one hard drive in it ( the SSD )? You could try swapping in the one you in the Mac Mini originally.

 

Do you have any other Mac's in the household? You could try making a bootable USB stick and see if it boots from that.

 

Just some thoughts. It could be that the logic board is dead and needs replacement.

[Hailey]

[ATTACH]28403[/ATTACH]

 

This is an example of dead electrolytic caps. The two big ones to the right are bad, the rest are OK.

 

Interesting. Thanks

[esldude]

Four months old? Put the drive and power supply back in and haul it to an Apple Store. Look innocent.

 

-Paul

 

I don't know. The innocent hopeful attitude might be a tip off to the geniuses. Seems like a real Mac owner with an early death Mini might come in a bit frustrated (not pissed off, that would displease the Apple gods), be a little bit demanding they make it right (after all is this Apple or some cheap google Chromey thing here?), and then be grateful when they act as if they might replace it as no big deal with apologies of the genius.

[Hailey]

I don't know. The innocent hopeful attitude might be a tip off to the geniuses. Seems like a real Mac owner with an early death Mini might come in a bit frustrated (not pissed off, that would displease the Apple gods), be a little bit demanding they make it right (after all is this Apple or some cheap google Chromey thing here?), and then be grateful when they act as if they might replace it as no big deal with apologies of the genius.

 

It's a fair point. And I'm a terrible liar.

 

I just realized I have a 2011 Mac Pro Tower (twin Xeons!) doing nothing at all. Why don't I requisition that?

 

I can't use my thunderbolt external drives but the beast has four drive bays or something. So why not?

[wouterk]

Could also be a generic fault on the motherboard- an expensive repair for my 2.5 y old iMac.

[Hailey]

Sold the non-functioning Mac Mini to a hobbyist, then sourced an open-box late-2014 Mac Mini, i7 3.0 ghz, 8 gb RAM. 1 TB PCIE (not fusion drive, it's a 1 TB PCIE drive). Three years Apple Care. I should be good for a while, no?

[Paul R]

I don't know. The innocent hopeful attitude might be a tip off to the geniuses. Seems like a real Mac owner with an early death Mini might come in a bit frustrated (not pissed off, that would displease the Apple gods), be a little bit demanding they make it right (after all is this Apple or some cheap google Chromey thing here?), and then be grateful when they act as if they might replace it as no big deal with apologies of the genius.

 

As opposed to say, getting a lapip fixed at Best Buy? Getting grilled by some pimply faced adolescent with attitude isn't my thing. Doubtful they would even ask at the Apple Store, just replace it with a new one. (Grin)

[baddog]

Sold the non-functioning Mac Mini to a hobbyist, then sourced an open-box late-2014 Mac Mini, i7 3.0 ghz, 8 gb RAM. 1 TB PCIE (not fusion drive, it's a 1 TB PCIE drive). Three years Apple Care. I should be good for a while, no?

 

Indeed you should!

[AnotherSpin]

Sold the non-functioning Mac Mini to a hobbyist, then sourced an open-box late-2014 Mac Mini, i7 3.0 ghz, 8 gb RAM. 1 TB PCIE (not fusion drive, it's a 1 TB PCIE drive). Three years Apple Care. I should be good for a while, no?

I see I am late with my two cents, anyway – I had problem of non-functioning mac mini after modification of power supply couple of years ago. I even sent external PSU back to check. Check was ok, and the reason was weak contact which was accidentally unsoldered after modifying.

[orgel]

It's a fair point. And I'm a terrible liar.

 

I just realized I have a 2011 Mac Pro Tower (twin Xeons!) doing nothing at all. Why don't I requisition that?

 

I can't use my thunderbolt external drives but the beast has four drive bays or something. So why not?

 

A lot of Thunderbolt drives have an eSATA port. If that's the case, you can get a cheap eSATA card for the Mac Pro. Something like this or this would work well. Not quite as fast as Thunderbolt, but plenty good enough for music playback, etc.

 

(But the internal bays are also good.)

 

--David