Mac Mini Wets the Bed or Pooping Out - Options?

[MikeyFresh]

A late 2014 Mac should be able to reload the OS over the internet, iirc. Maybe Google "how to restore MacOS" for some tips.

He would still need an installer drive to have the macOS Utilities necessary to restore from the internet to the best of my knowledge. So the internet download takes the place of what was once a set of DVD-ROM discs that contained the entire OS, but you still need the installer to make it go.

The installer drive can be on as little as a 16GB thumb drive, as it doesn't contain the entire OS itself, just the utilities necessary to install it from the internet (unless something has changed since the last time I did it just a few short years ago).

The problem is I'm not aware of a way to create the installer boot drive without another Mac, I guess it's possible to use a Windows or Linux machine to do that, but I've never heard of anyone actually having done that.

EDIT: apparently it can be done with Windows 10/11 and software called TransMac:

 

[airdronian]

He would still need an installer drive to have the macOS Utilities necessary to restore from the internet to the best of my knowledge. So the internet download takes the place of what was once a set of DVD-ROM discs that contained the entire OS, but you still need the installer to make it go.

The installer drive can be on as little as a 16GB thumb drive, as it doesn't contain the entire OS itself, just the utilities necessary to install it from the internet (unless something has changed since the last time I did it just a few short years ago).

The problem is I'm not aware of a way to create the installer boot drive without another Mac, I guess it's possible to use a Windows or Linux machine to do that, but I've never heard of anyone actually having done that.

EDIT: apparently it can be done with Windows 10/11 and software called TransMac:

I tried it years ago, and it does take a long time. Apple has docs on it of course, this link is a bit more concise.

 

[MikeT.]

He would still need an installer drive to have the macOS Utilities necessary to restore from the internet to the best of my knowledge. So the internet download takes the place of what was once a set of DVD-ROM discs that contained the entire OS, but you still need the installer to make it go.

I tried it years ago, and it does take a long time. Apple has docs on it of course, this link is a bit more concise.

This is scaring me just reading about it and precisely why I am opting to have someone besides me do the install.

 

[airdronian]

This is scaring me just reading about it and precisely why I am opting to have someone besides me do the install.

Good choice, don't try something you're not comfortable with. As with the flooring we paid people to install today, there's something to be said about getting it done right the first time.

 

[MikeyFresh]

Apple has docs on it of course, this link is a bit more concise.

Well, lacking a working Mac to create the installer boot drive, that link does indicate a Genius Bar appointment can be made to do the same on one of their machines, so there is that.

Once the installer is on a thumb drive, the rest is very simple and step-by-step easy, the installer wizard guides you through and it doesn't even take that long.

Probably easier to create the installer at a Genius Bar appointment than it is to attempt creation on a Windows machine using 3rd party software, however easiest yet is to have the shop installing the SSD do the work, it just costs more.

This actually brings up an interesting side discussion on all of this, that being the most hard core macOS users apparently always keep a bootable installer drive available for just this kind of instance, and whenever they elect to do a full version update (say Big Sur -> Monterey upgrade), they first create a bootable installer drive for Big Sur, so that it's easy to go back if they need to.

This is considered safer than relying solely on a Time Machine backup, and the most hard core of macOS users actually keep bootable installers going back several versions, just in case they ever want/need to go backwards more than one OS version, especially on an older machine that might not even be able to run the very latest versions (my 2012 Mac mini would be one such example).

When I did this last a few years back, I kept that installer thumb drive around for quite a long while afterwards, and only last Christmas did I wipe that thumb drive clean to be repurposed as additional storage for my Chromecast through a USB-C hub, solving the problem of limited Chromecast onboard storage capacity.

If I were to return to best practice now, I'd create another bootable installer drive to have handy/ready if needed, though admittedly the actual need for such a thing is far less when the Mac has an SSD installed, than it used to be in the good ol' days of "not if but when" failure of HDDs.

 

[MikeT.]

^^^^^^
Best practices starting now!

 

[MikeT.]

Good choice, don't try something you're not comfortable with. As with the flooring we paid people to install today, there's something to be said about getting it done right the first time.

Flooring I can do and I only make the occasional mistake which can be covered or buffed.

 

[JP]

Well, lacking a working Mac to create the installer boot drive, that link does indicate a Genius Bar appointment can be made to do the same on one of their machines, so there is that.

Once the installer is on a thumb drive, the rest is very simple and step-by-step easy, the installer wizard guides you through and it doesn't even take that long.

Probably easier to create the installer at a Genius Bar appointment than it is to attempt creation on a Windows machine using 3rd party software, however easiest yet is to have the shop installing the SSD do the work, it just costs more.

This actually brings up an interesting side discussion on all of this, that being the most hard core macOS users apparently always keep a bootable installer drive available for just this kind of instance, and whenever they elect to do a full version update (say Big Sur -> Monterey upgrade), they first create a bootable installer drive for Big Sur, so that it's easy to go back if they need to.

This is considered safer than relying solely on a Time Machine backup, and the most hard core of macOS users actually keep bootable installers going back several versions, just in case they ever want/need to go backwards more than one OS version, especially on an older machine that might not even be able to run the very latest versions (my 2012 Mac mini would be one such example).

When I did this last a few years back, I kept that installer thumb drive around for quite a long while afterwards, and only last Christmas did I wipe that thumb drive clean to be repurposed as additional storage for my Chromecast through a USB-C hub, solving the problem of limited Chromecast onboard storage capacity.

If I were to return to best practice now, I'd create another bootable installer drive to have handy/ready if needed, though admittedly the actual need for such a thing is far less when the Mac has an SSD installed, than it used to be in the good ol' days of "not if but when" failure of HDDs.

Just be aware of Oct 24, 2019, and April 14, 2029.

 

[MikeyFresh]

Just be aware of Oct 24, 2019, and April 14, 2029.

So an installer created a long time ago (prior to 10/14/19) will have an expired software certificate, and even a newer one will once again expire, though not until 4/14/29?

 

[MikeT.]

I picked the Mini up today and it looks good. They fired it up in the shop and man is it faster, fast and did I mention fast.
Ninety day warranty.

 

[MikeT.]

Deauthorized the old Mac Mini and the Roon Core transfer and library seemed to go almost instantaneously. So all good so far. I’ll want to go back through my setting for my DAD, etc.

But it’s playing music.

 

[MikeT.]

Expectation bias is a weird thing. I could swear the music sounds better with the SSD. It sure is quieter when I’m close the the Mini. So I now have a 1Tb SSD and another 120+Gb SSD portion left over from the Fusion Drive.

 

[MikeT.]

OK, this is a stupid, circular question (I think I’m using it in the right context) but here goes anyway. As this thread clearly shows, my intimate knowledge of the working innards of computers is sparse.

Is it OK to leave the my computer with the new SSD drives on all the time? It doesn’t take any time to boot but I’m wondering if there is a major negative. Possible positives might be auto upgrades and backups.

Sorry, in advance.

 

[airdronian]

I'd say it's up to you how to handle it. I've typically left mine running, so music is on demand. The computers I've used have fairly low power consumption.

I've turned it off for vacation, or if a nasty t-storm is coming through.

 

[MikeyFresh]

I'd say it's up to you how to handle it. I've typically left mine running, so music is on demand. The computers I've used have fairly low power consumption.

I've turned it off for vacation, or if a nasty t-storm is coming through.

+1, my 2012 Mac mini has been on for 10 years, other than during power outages, impending strong storms, or if I'm going to be away for any extended period.

The mini uses very little electricity, and even though I offloaded my music server to a Raspberry Pi some years ago, I've still generally left the mini on most of the time.

There are two schools of thought there, one being the shock to the system of constant power cycles actually shortens lifespan, much like an incandescent light bulb only blows on switching it, but really never while just ON. The other school of thought is heat causes failure, and so prolonged/extended heat caused by just leaving it on will inevitably shorten lifespan.

I think both of the above are true to one extent or another, but if my 2012 unit is any indication, you can just leave a Mac mini on and it will last a very long time. The SSD likely consumes less energy and produces less heat than the old HDD did, and unlike the HDD, the SSD has no moving parts.

I know both myself and @airdronian are known to periodically take apart and vacuum out dust build up in our minis, and that can only help extend the lifespan, as heat is better evacuated with a clean and smooth running fan. If any large amount of dust or pet hair inhibits the airflow, all bets are off.

 

[MikeT.]

Thanks to everyone and now this thread can peacefully go dormant.

 

[ajward549]

Thank you MikeT for starting this thread as I am looking to upgrade my Mac mini and though my drive is still working fine; many of the recommendations/advice given to you on this thread for DIY solutions apply to my needs! I have a Mac mini i5 late 2014 version that I would like to downgrade the OS because it running so slow and change to a SSD. I am curious which OS you all are using though?

 

[Raymond in DC]

If you are handy with disassemble/reassemble, I'd suggest looking at a couple of 2014 Mac mini tear down/upgrade videos, it's pretty easy to replace the HDD with an SSD and it will cost you considerably less than what Apple will hit you with, unless you've been continuing with Apple Care on that unit. Apple will rip you off for at least + $100 on the SSD part itself, which is a standard 2.5" SATA drive.

The hardest part is creating an installer for the operating system and/or salvaging any data on the Fusion drive that you don't have backed up, but the hardware replacement aspect is pretty easy and I think all you really need are precision Torx security screwdrivers.

Mac mini Late 2014 Teardown

It's been two years since the Mac mini's last appearance on iFixit's teardown table, but a newly revised version joins Apple's lineup this week. Is...

www.ifixit.com

I'm a former computer specialist (more on networks, servers and operating systems than repairs), and I don't look forward to working on the more "appliance" like Macs. They're not designed to be easily repaired, or even in some cases upgraded. Most odious are those computers with soldered RAM and storage. Mac minis and iMacs are particularly bad, requiring patience, skills, and sometimes special tools to get inside, with care required not to mess up this connection or that part. It's often easier to sell the old for parts and put the proceeds to buying something newer that works. One model, according to iFixit, required a total of 30 steps to get to removal of a disk drive, and the same to put it back together. This model also involves a pretty extensive disassembly.

Here's an alternative: Slap an external USB 3 drive with an SSD on this unit, and run it as your primary drive. That's what I do with a late 2012 27" iMac. It comes with an internal 1 TB hard drive, which is slow by current standards. I put a SanDisk SSD in a disk enclosure and get notably better R and W performance, though likely not as good as if the SSD was internal. (But again, taking the unit apart to get to the drive bay is a major undertaking.) And I have the internal drive still available for secondary storage or backup

 

[airdronian]

My 2 cents - best to get all the specifics of how your Mini is configured. There's a few types that were shipped with different processors, drives, and memory - and google about replacing RAM or the HDD. @Raymond in DC has a good point, in that some Mini's are more difficult to upgrade. Later models were never intended for upgrades in the field.

What sort of software is planned and what do you want to do with it ? That also has a bearing on suggestions.

Here's a sample of my preferred tool for getting into my 2009 Mac Mini:

 

[ajward549]

I will be running Music and Qobuz only. I tried Roon and did not care for the interface. Music will stream and play from a library of ~1Tb of music. I like the Mac mini because I can run it headless, mostly control from my iPhone, but also I can use an old Apple TV remote to move through tracks, play/pause. Plus, I have it and I hate to not put to use when it is still functional!

I'm confident I can replace the hard drive. The RAM is soldered in my 2014 model, but that isn't a problem because it has sufficient RAM for my needs.

Before I upgrade the drive, I think downgrading my OS will make a huge difference in performance. Currently, I have Catalina (OS10.15) running but I think this is causing the response to lag severely. How far back in OS versions can I reasonably go for Music to still work/stream?