Mini will not Boot - Solid power light but no Video

[shane.maynard]

My mac mini simply will not boot.

When I hit the power button it comes on "fans spin slowly and solid white LED" but nothing comes on the display plus there is no chime.

First step, I tried another display. Fail - Same result.

I then tried pressing and holding the power button, I then get about 3 seconds of a fast blinking led then it stays solid but still no video or sound.

I then took it apart and removed everything but the CPU. "CD drive, HD, Memory" The LED blinks twice fast but then just on/off, on/off. After I insert the memory it goes back to solid white.

I tried different known working memory. First filling up both slots, then just each individually. Still the same result.

I reset the PMU/SMC. Also by hitting the small button on the logicboard only once. Still the same result.

I tired burning the Firmware Restore CD 1.3 and using it. However the instructions call for 1 fast blink 3 slow blinks then fast blinks when holding down the power button. However, as stated previously, it only blinks very fast for about 3 seconds. Needless to say the disc didnt boot.

When I had it apart, I check the logicboard for popped caps, but didn't see any. Could it be the GPU?

I really need to get the computer working as I cant afford a new logic board "I'm afraid this might be the issue" nor a new computer...

Why are the logic boards so dang expensive!

attached is a youtube video showing what its doing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLMYsevxFUQ

[mooblie]

Can you restart with the second grey System Disk in, while holding down "D" - should enter a hardware test mode?
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509
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Martin at HeadSpin HD now on Blu-ray

[shane.maynard]

The display will not come on no matter what I do.

Also, I place the firmware recovery disc inside and now I cant eject it. Even if I start the mac up holding down the mouse....

[JohnnyBoy]

[shane.maynard]

10th attempt not coming out.

[shane.maynard]

Ok I have a few questions so I can understand the POST process better.

When the computer is powered on and I hear a chime then that means the computer passed POST, right?

If the mac doesn't make post error sounds then the light should flicker +1 to accommodate the missing sound?

Is it normal when ...

I have everything removed "including cpu" I have a solid white light.

If I insert the CPU, but still have no RAM then I get a steady blinking light/

If I have both ram and cpu installed im back to a solid white light.

if everything is connected and I hold down the power button while booting up I get about 3 seconds of a fast blinking LED.

It never makes a "speaker" sound despite what I do.

[shane.maynard]

according to this page
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2674

Black screen, power LED on - POST or BootROM failure

Could it be a corrupt BIOS? if so how would I fix that. I tired the firmware recovery disc..

[shane.maynard]

after installing a new CPU the light behaves differently. Now when powering it up, if I hold down the power button I do get the flashing lights that signifies firmware restoration mode. But nothing still comes on the display.

Attached is a youtube video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkvIet9nR2E

[shane.maynard]

Any other ideas guys?

[philiparcario]

watched video you have an older 2008 or 2007 mini. the connecting cable may have shifted or gone bad. look at the third photo on this link. then look at the last photo really get a good look at that cable.. if that cable is bad it can cause some of the symptoms you have. after that i got nothing


the link is below


http://www.applefritter.com/Mac_Mini_Take_Apart_Guide
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[ski4]

I have a similar issue, i can add to the symptoms , my combo drive sounds like it is constantly trying to eject something or access something.

my hard drive seems to be dead. i did put it in a sata/usb adapter , i tried to hook it up to my imac, nothing comes up as another drive though.

my usb ports are useless ( tried to boot from an external drive) and hook up a keyboard ( both are known to work)

i have swapped memory and swapped memory slots etc.

i have done all of the resets etc.

i have removed the combo drive and tried still with no chime or video out.
i have removed the Hdd and the whole interconnect card. still nothing
only a black screen, fan spinning and light is solid.

any thoughts?

[frderi]

I have the same issue. My Mac Mini crashed and when I rebooted i heard a ticking noise, so I thought the hard disk died. After replacing it I noticed that not the hard disk but the optical drive was making the noise. The light comes on, the fans spin up, but there's no "boink" nor video. Tried everything that's described here sofar, but haven't found a fix.

I have the first generation of Core 2 Duo system, with 4 USB ports. The Mac Mini is out of warranty for 6 months. I'm still searching for a solution that doesn't involve replacing the motherboard.

[Smagistro]

Any updates on this having similar problems.

[philiparcario]

[katty]