User manual APPLE MAC MINI - 2005

Mac mini User's Guide Includes setup and troubleshooting information for your Mac mini computer K Apple Computer, Inc. © 2005 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved. Under the copyright laws, this manual may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Apple. The Apple logo is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Use of the "keyboard" Apple logo (Option-Shift-K) for commercial purposes without the prior written consent of Apple may constitute trademark infringement and unfair competition in violation of federal and state laws. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this manual is accurate. Apple is not responsible for printing or clerical errors. Apple 1 Infinite Loop Cupertino, CA 95014-2084 408-996-1010 www.apple.com Apple, the Apple logo, AirPort, Final Cut, FireWire, iCal, iLife, iMovie, iPod, iTunes, Mac, Macintosh, Mac OS, and QuickTime are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. AirPort Express, Finder, the FireWire logo, iSight, Mac mini, Safari, SuperDrive, and Tiger are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. AppleCare, Apple Store, and iTunes Music Store are service marks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. .Mac is a service mark of Apple Computer, Inc. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Apple Computer, Inc. is under license. ENERGY STAR® is a U.S. registered trademark. Other company and product names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective companies. Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the performance or use of these products. Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby," "Pro Logic," and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Confidential Unpublished Works, © 1992­1997 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. Contents 7 8 14 16 17 18 20 22 23 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 30 Chapter 1: Getting Started Setting Up Your Mac mini What's Next? Putting Your Mac mini to Sleep or Shutting It Down Chapter 2: Getting to Know Your Mac mini Basic Features of Your Mac mini Learning About Mac OS X Customizing Your Desktop and Setting Your Preferences Using the Internet Connecting to a Network Getting Answers Using Mac Help Keeping Your Software Up to Date Using Applications Connecting to a Printer Playing a CD and Connecting Headphones Connecting a Camera or Other FireWire Device Transferring Files to Another Computer 3 33 34 35 37 40 43 47 49 50 54 55 56 58 60 63 64 66 Chapter 3: Using Your Mac mini Connecting a Display or Video Device Using USB Connecting With FireWire Understanding AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking Using Bluetooth Wireless Technology Connecting With Ethernet (10/100Base-T) Connecting Audio Devices Using Your Optical Drive Securing Your Mac mini Chapter 4: Troubleshooting Problems That Prevent You From Using Your Computer Reinstalling the Software That Came With Your Computer Other Problems Using Apple Hardware Test Learning More, Service, and Support Locating Your Product Serial Number 67 Appendix A: Specifications 69 Appendix B: Care, Use, and Safety Information 69 Cleaning Your Mac mini 69 Moving Your Mac mini 4 Contents 70 71 71 72 73 75 77 80 83 83 87 94 98 Safety Instructions for Setting Up and Using Your Computer Using Connectors and Ports Using the Power Adapter Avoiding Hearing Damage Understanding Ergonomics Learning About Apple and the Environment Appendix C: Connecting to the Internet Using the Setup Assistant Worksheet Setting Up Your Internet Connection Manually Using a Dial-Up Connection Using DSL, Cable Modem, or LAN Internet Connections Configuring an AirPort Extreme Wireless Connection Troubleshooting Your Connection 101 Communications Regulation Information 109 Index Contents 5 1 Getting Started 1 Your Mac mini has been designed so that you can easily set it up and start using it right away. If you have never used a Mac mini or are new to Macintosh computers, read this section for instructions about getting started. If you are an experienced user, you may already know enough to get started. Be sure to look over the information in Chapter 2, "Getting to Know Your Mac mini," to find out about the features of your Mac mini. Your Mac mini comes with the following components: DVI to VGA Adapter AC cord Power adapter 7 Setting Up Your Mac mini Follow these steps to set up your Mac mini. If there is any protective film around the computer or power adapter, remove it before setting up your Mac mini. 1 Plug the AC cord firmly in to the power adapter. Plug the cord from the power adapter in to the computer. Plug the power adapter in to a grounded power outlet. 8 Chapter 1 Getting Started 2 To access the Internet, connect an Ethernet cable or phone cord. Note: Not all Mac mini models include a modem. If you would like to use a modem with your Mac mini, you can have one installed by an Apple Authorized Service Provider or at an Apple Store retail location. Chapter 1 Getting Started 9 3 Connect the USB cable from your keyboard and mouse. Your Mac mini does not come with a keyboard and mouse, but you can use almost any USB keyboard or mouse with your computer. If your keyboard has a USB port, you can plug your mouse in to the USB port on the keyboard. If it doesn't, you can plug the mouse in to a USB port on the back of the computer. 10 Chapter 1 Getting Started If you use a USB keyboard that is not specifically designed for the Mac OS, it may not have a Command (x) or Option key, both of which are standard on Apple keyboards. The Command (x) key on an Apple keyboard is equivalent to the Windows key (the icon on the key looks like a Windows logo) on a keyboard from another manufacturer. The Option key on an Apple keyboard is equivalent to the Alt key on a keyboard from another manufacturer. You can use the Keyboard & Mouse preferences to change the keyboard equivalents. To open Keyboard & Mouse preferences, choose Apple () > System Preferences, click Keyboard & Mouse, click Modifier Keys, and follow the onscreen instructions. Using a USB mouse or keyboard from another manufacturer may require software drivers. Check the manufacturer's website for the latest software drivers. To set up an Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple Wireless Mouse with your Mac mini, follow the instructions that came with the keyboard and mouse. Chapter 1 Getting Started 11 4 Connect the DVI cable from your display to the video port. To connect a VGA display, use the Apple DVI to VGA Adapter that came with your computer. For more information about connecting a display, see the guidelines in Chapter 2, "Getting to Know Your Mac mini." Important: Don't place anything on top of your Mac mini. Objects placed on top may interfere with the optical drive or with the AirPort or Bluetooth® wireless signal, if you have the optional AirPort Extreme or Bluetooth technology installed. 12 Chapter 1 Getting Started 5 Press the power button (®) on the back of your Mac mini to turn it on. ® Chapter 1 Getting Started 13 What's Next? You've done everything you need to get your Mac mini up and running. The first time you turn on your computer, Setup Assistant starts and helps you enter your Internet and email information and set up a user on your computer. If you already have a Mac, Setup Assistant can help you automatically transfer files, applications, and other information from your previous Mac to your new Mac mini. Transferring Information to Your Mac mini You can use Setup Assistant to automatically transfer information from another Mac to your new Mac mini. To transfer information, make sure of the following:  Your other Mac must have built-in FireWire and must support FireWire Target Disk Mode.  Your other Mac must have Mac OS X v10.1 or later installed.  You must have a FireWire cable to connect the two computers. Setup Assistant takes you through the process of transferring your information--just follow the onscreen instructions. Transferring information to your Mac mini does not affect the information on your other Mac. Using Setup Assistant, you can transfer:  User accounts, including preferences and email  Network settings, so your new computer is automatically set up to work with the same network settings as your other Mac  Your Applications folder, so the applications you used on your other Mac are now on your new Mac mini (you may have to reinstall some of the applications you transfer)  Files and folders stored on the hard disk. This gives you easy access to the files and folders you used on your old Mac. 14 Chapter 1 Getting Started You may want to deauthorize your old Mac to prevent your iTunes Music Store songs or spoken word purchases from being played or to change which computers are authorized to play your purchases. For more information, choose Help > Mac Help, then choose Library > "iTunes and Music Store Help," and search for "deauthorize." If you don't use Setup Assistant to transfer information when you first start up your Mac mini, you can do it later using Migration Assistant. Go to the Applications folder, open Utilities, and double-click the Migration Assistant icon. Note: If you transfer information later using Migration Assistant, make sure FileVault is turned off on the older computer. To turn off FileVault, choose Apple () > System Preferences, click Security, and follow the onscreen instructions. Setting Up Your Mac mini for the Internet If you didn't transfer your network settings, Setup Assistant can take you through the process of setting up your computer to connect to the Internet. For home users, Internet access requires an account with an Internet service provider (ISP). Fees may apply. If you have an Internet account, see Appendix C, "Connecting to the Internet," on page 77 for information you'll need to enter. Chapter 1 Getting Started 15 Putting Your Mac mini to Sleep or Shutting It Down When you have finished working with your Mac mini, you can put your computer to sleep or shut it down. Put Your Mac mini to Sleep to Save Energy If you will be away from your Mac mini for less than a few days, put the computer to sleep. When the computer is in sleep, its screen is dark. You can quickly wake the computer and bypass the startup process. To put the computer to sleep, do one of the following:  Choose Apple () > Sleep.  Press the power button (®) on the back of the computer.  Choose Apple () > System Preferences, click Energy Saver, and set a sleep timer. To wake the computer, press any key on the keyboard. When the computer wakes from sleep, your applications, documents, and computer settings are exactly as you left them. Shut Down Your Mac mini If you will not use your Mac mini for more than a few days, shut it down. To shut down, choose Apple () > Shut Down. Warning: Shut down your Mac mini before moving it. Moving your computer while the hard disk is spinning can damage the hard disk, causing loss of data or the inability to start up from the hard disk. 16 Chapter 1 Getting Started 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 2 This chapter gives you some basic information you'll need to know about your Mac mini. Read on for an overview of the different parts of your computer and Mac OS X, and summary information about common tasks such as customizing the way your desktop looks, connecting to a printer, playing a CD, connecting a digital camera, using the Internet, getting answers when you need help, and more. For the Latest Information Because Apple frequently releases new versions and updates to its system software, images shown in this book may be slightly different from what you see on your screen. The Apple website, at www.apple.com, links you to the latest Apple news, free downloads, and online catalogs of software and hardware for your Mac mini. You can also find the manuals for many Apple products and technical support for all of Apple's products on the Apple Service & Support website at www.apple.com/support. 17 Basic Features of Your Mac mini Slot-loading optical drive Power indicator light ® Power button Power port Ethernet port (10/100Base-T) Modem port (optional) Video out port FireWire port USB ports (2) Security slot Headphone port Note: Not all Mac mini models include a modem. 18 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini Slot-loading optical disc drive Your Mac mini has a Combo drive or a SuperDrive. Each drive can read CD-ROM discs, photo CDs, and standard audio discs. The Combo drive can read DVD discs and movies and write music, documents, and other digital files to CD-R and CD-RW discs. In addition to those files, the SuperDrive can also read and write to DVD±R and DVD±RW discs. Power indicator light A white light indicates your Mac mini is on; a pulsing light indicates it's in sleep. ® ¯ G W £ d H f ¥ Power button Turn on your Mac mini or put it to sleep. Press and hold to reset during troubleshooting. Power port Connect the power cord from the power adapter. Ethernet port (10/100Base-T) Connect to a 10/100Base-T Ethernet network or connect a DSL or cable modem. Modem port (on some models) Connect a standard phone line directly to the internal 56K v.92 modem. Video port Connect displays that use a DVI connector. You can also connect displays that use a VGA connector using the DVI to VGA Adapter that came with your computer. USB (Universal Serial Bus) 2.0 ports Connect USB devices such as mice, keyboards, printers, an iPod, and more. FireWire 400 port Connect high-speed devices, such as iPod, an iSight or video camera, or a hard drive. Headphone port Connect headphones, external powered speakers, or other sound output devices. Security slot Attach a lock and cable to discourage theft (available at www.apple.com/store). Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 19 Learning About Mac OS X Your computer comes with Tiger, the latest version of Mac OS X, which includes Spotlight, an improved search engine that automatically indexes all of your files; Dashboard, an interface for putting handy "widgets" or mini-applications at your fingertips; Exposé, which tiles and neatly displays all your open applications; and much more. 20 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini When you're ready to learn more about Mac OS X and the award-winning iLife applications that came with your computer, see the Welcome to Tiger booklet that came with your computer. You'll find plenty of information for new users, experienced users, and those switching to the Mac. If you experience any problems while using Mac OS X, see the troubleshooting tips in the back of this book or choose Help > Mac Help from the menu bar at the top of the screen. For information about the compatibility of software applications with Mac OS X, or to read more about Mac OS X, check the Apple website at www.apple.com/macosx. Note: If you want to use Mac OS 9 applications with your computer, you have to install Mac OS 9 (see "Installing Mac OS 9" on page 59). Mac OS 9 can't be installed as the primary operating system on your Mac mini, and you can't start up your computer in Mac OS 9. With Mac OS 9 installed, you can open and use Mac OS 9 applications in the Mac OS X Classic environment. Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 21 Customizing Your Desktop and Setting Your Preferences You can quickly make your desktop look the way you want using System Preferences. Choose Apple () > System Preferences from the menu bar. Feel free to make changes and experiment with the following:  Desktop & Screen Saver: Select this preference pane to change the background color or pattern of your desktop, or change it to a photo or image you like. You can also choose an eye-catching screen effect that will appear on your screen when the computer is left idle. 22 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini  Dock: Select this preference pane to change the look, location, and behavior of your Dock.  Appearance: Select this preference pane to change the colors of buttons, menus, windows, and highlight colors, among other options. As you get to know your computer, explore the other system preferences. System Preferences is your command center for most settings on your Mac mini. For more information, open Mac Help and search for "System Preferences" or for the specific preference you want to change. Using the Internet When you first set up your Mac mini, you were instructed on how to connect to the Internet. If you need to change to a different type of connection, such as a DSL or cable modem, Ethernet local area network (LAN), or AirPort Extreme network, you can find more information in Appendix C, "Connecting to the Internet," on page 77. Connecting to a Network If you want to connect your Mac mini to an Ethernet network, cable or DSL modem, or a wireless network, see "Connecting With Ethernet (10/100Base-T)" on page 47 and "Understanding AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking" on page 40 for more information about setting up an Ethernet or AirPort connection. Also open Mac Help (see page 24) and search for "Ethernet" or "AirPort" for further help. Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 23 Getting Answers Using Mac Help You can find answers to most of your questions about using your computer and Mac OS X in Mac Help. To use Mac Help: 1 Click the Finder icon in the Dock. 2 Choose Help > Mac Help from the menu bar. 3 Type a question and press the Return key on your keyboard. 4 Double-click an item in the list of help topics. 24 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini Keeping Your Software Up to Date You can connect to the Internet and automatically download and install the latest free software versions, drivers, and other enhancements from Apple. When you are connected to the Internet, Software Update checks Apple's servers to see if any updates are available for your computer. You can set your Mac mini to check the Apple server periodically and download and install updated software. To check for updated software: 1 Choose Apple () > Software Update. The Software Update window opens. If new software is available, it appears in a list. 2 Click the checkbox to select the items you want to install, then click Install. Type an administrator name and password (the name and password you used when you first set up your computer). When the updates are complete, Software Update checks for updates again. It does this because some updates require that you have installed previous updates. For more information, search for "Software Update" in Mac Help (see page 24). Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 25 Using Applications Your Mac mini comes with software applications, including the iLife suite of applications, for doing things like sending email, surfing the Internet, chatting online, organizing music and digital photos, making movies, and much more. For more information about these applications, see the Welcome to Tiger booklet that came with your computer. For more information about a particular application, open the application, then open the help for the application. The Learn About section is a good place to start. When an Application Does Not Respond On rare occasions, an application may freeze on your screen. Mac OS X provides a way to quit an application that's not responding without restarting your computer. Quitting a frozen application may allow you to save your work in other open applications. To force an application to quit: 1 Press Command (x)-Option-Esc or choose Apple () > Force Quit from the menu bar. The Force Quit Applications dialog appears with the application selected. 26 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 2 Click Force Quit. The application quits, leaving all other applications open. If you need to, you can force the Classic environment to quit, which closes all Classic applications. You can also restart the Finder from this dialog. If you experience other problems, see Chapter 4, "Troubleshooting," on page 55. Connecting to a Printer When you connect a USB or FireWire printer, your computer can usually detect it and then adds it to the list of available printers. You may need to set up a printer connected to a network before you can print to it. Follow the instructions that came with the printer to install any required software and connect the printer to your computer. Note: If you have AirPort Extreme wireless technology in your Mac mini and you have an AirPort Extreme Base Station or AirPort Express, you can connect a USB printer to the base station (instead of connecting it to your computer) and print wirelessly. Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 27 To set up a printer: 1 Choose Apple () > System Preferences and click the Print & Fax icon. 2 Click Printing and click the Add (+) button to add a printer. 3 Select the printer you want to add, and then click Add. 4 Use the Add (+) and Remove (­) buttons to choose the printers that appear in the printer list. Note: If you're connecting to a printer via a network, you may need to know the network name or address of the printer to select it. Ask your network administrator. 28 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini Monitoring Printing After you send a printing job to a printer, you can monitor, stop, or put it temporarily on hold. To monitor printing, click the printer icon in the Dock to open the printer window. You can see the print jobs in the print queue and work with them. More Information For more information, open Mac Help and search for "printing." You can also refer to the manual that came with your printer for specific installation and setup directions. Playing a CD and Connecting Headphones If you want to listen to music with your Mac mini, insert a music CD in your optical drive. iTunes, an easy-to-use music player, opens automatically. You can connect headphones with a mini-jack to the headphone port (f ) of your Mac mini to listen privately. You can also connect powered speakers to the headphone port (f ) to listen to music. If you have an AirPort Extreme Card installed and an AirPort Express, you can wirelessly stream music from your Mac mini to your home stereo system. To learn more about iTunes, open iTunes and choose Help > "iTunes and Music Store Help." To learn more about your optical drive, see "Using Your Optical Drive" on page 50. Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 29 Connecting a Camera or Other FireWire Device If you have an iPod, iSight camera, FireWire digital video camera, hard drive, or other device that has a FireWire connector, you can connect it to your Mac mini. Follow the installation instructions that came with your device. For more information about FireWire, see "Connecting With FireWire" on page 37. Transferring Files to Another Computer You have several ways to transfer files or documents to or from your Mac mini:  You can easily transfer files using Setup Assistant when you first set up your computer or using Migration Assistant later. For more information, see "Transferring Information to Your Mac mini" on page 14.  You can transfer files via the Internet using .Mac or another Internet account. Go to www.mac.com for more information.  If your computer is connected to an Ethernet network, you can transfer files to another computer on the network. To access another server or computer, open a Finder window and click Network. Or if you know the name or network address of the computer, choose Go > "Connect to Server" from the Finder menu bar.  You can create a small Ethernet network by connecting an Ethernet cable from your Mac mini to another computer's Ethernet port. For more information, open Mac Help and search for "Connecting two computers."  You can also connect to another Mac using a FireWire cable. Your Mac mini appears as a disk drive on the other computer and you can transfer files to or from it. For more information about using FireWire to transfer files, see "FireWire Target Disk Mode" on page 39 or open Mac Help and search for "FireWire target." 30 Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini  If your computer has AirPort Extreme technology, you can connect to an AirPort wireless network to transfer files. For more information, see "Understanding AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking" on page 40.  If you use devices that have Bluetooth wireless technology, your Mac mini can communicate with them. See "Using Bluetooth Wireless Technology" on page 43.  If you have an iPod or iPod mini digital music player, you can transfer files to it, then connect your iPod to the other computer. See the manual that came with your iPod for more information. For more information about transferring files and documents, open Mac Help and search for "transferring files." Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your Mac mini 31 3 Using Your Mac mini 3 Your Mac mini has many built-in features you can use to customize your computer to fit your needs. Here are some of your computer's features and capabilities:  High-speed USB 2.0 ports for connecting additional equipment, such as an iPod shuffle digital music player, printers, scanners, keyboards, digital cameras, disk drives, and more. See "Using USB" on page 35.  FireWire port for connecting high-speed equipment, such as digital video cameras or external hard disks. See "Connecting With FireWire" on page 37.  Optional Bluetooth® technology for connecting wirelessly to devices, such as an Apple Wireless Keyboard or Mouse. For more information, see "Using Bluetooth Wireless Technology" on page 43.  Communications technologies, such as a 56K v.92 modem (on some models), 10/100Base-T Ethernet, and optional AirPort Extreme wireless networking. See the information beginning on page 40.  Headphone port (f ) to connect headphones, powered speakers, or audio equipment. See "Connecting Audio Devices" on page 49. 33 To learn about what you can do with your Mac mini, start with the information in this chapter. You can find additional information in Mac Help and on the Apple Mac mini website at www.apple.com/support/macmini. Connecting a Display or Video Device You can connect displays with a DVI connector to your Mac mini. Using one of the adapters described below, you can also connect displays with a VGA connector or you can connect a video device. DVI to VGA Adapter Use the Apple DVI to VGA Adapter that came with your computer to connect a display with a VGA connector. Video out port DVI to VGA Adapter VGA connector on display cable Video out port DVI to Video Adapter Composite video out and S-video out ports 34 Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini DVI to Video Adapter You can also connect a television, VCR, or other external video device to your computer with the Apple DVI to Video Adapter, which is available from an Apple Authorized Reseller, an Apple Store retail location, or the online Apple Store at www.apple.com/ store. For information about compatibility with third-party displays, see the documentation that came with the display or contact the display's manufacturer. Using USB Your Mac mini comes with two USB ports on the back, which you can use to connect many types of external devices, including an iPod or iPod shuffle digital music player, a keyboard, a mouse, printers, scanners, digital cameras, game pads, joysticks, and floppy disk drives. USB makes it easy to connect peripherals. In most cases you can connect and disconnect a USB device while the computer is running. As soon as you connect the device, it is ready to use. USB ports Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini 35 Using USB Devices To use a USB device, simply connect the device to the computer. Your computer automatically accesses the necessary software whenever you connect a new device. You can connect USB 1.1 devices and high-speed USB 2.0 devices to the USB 2.0 ports on the back of your computer. USB 1.1 devices won't take advantage of the USB 2.0 higher transfer rate. Note: Apple has already included software to work with many USB devices. When you connect a USB device, if your Mac mini cannot find the correct software, you can install the software that came with the device or check the device manufacturer's website for the latest software. Using Multiple USB Devices at the Same Time If all of your USB ports are being used and you want to connect more USB devices, you can purchase a USB hub. The USB hub connects to an open USB port on your computer and provides additional USB ports (usually four or seven). Most USB hubs also have a power adapter and should be plugged in to an outlet. Note: If you're using a chain of USB devices and hubs, some USB devices may not work when connected through a combination of USB 2.0 high-speed hubs and USB 1.1 fullspeed or low-speed hubs. For example, you may not see an external USB hard drive on your desktop. To avoid this problem, do not connect USB devices with different speeds together. Connect your high-speed hub directly to your computer and connect highspeed devices to it. Connect a full-speed or low-speed hub directly to your computer and connect similar speed devices to it. 36 Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini For More Information About USB Additional information about USB is available in Mac Help. Choose Help > Mac Help and search for "USB." You can also find information on the Apple USB website at www.apple.com/usb. For information about USB devices available for your computer, check the Macintosh Products Guide at www.apple.com/guide. Connecting With FireWire Your computer has a FireWire 400 port, which lets you easily connect and disconnect external high-speed devices--such as an iPod digital music player, an iSight camera, digital video cameras, printers, scanners, and hard disks--without restarting your computer. H FireWire port These are some of the things you can do with FireWire:  Connect your iPod and transfer songs from iTunes or synchronize contact and calendar information using iSync. You can also use your iPod as an external hard disk. Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini 37  Connect an Apple iSight camera and use the included iChat AV application to videoconference with friends and family over a high-speed Internet connection.  Connect a digital video camera to capture, transfer, or edit high-quality video directly on your computer using video-editing software such as iMovie or Final Cut Express.  Connect an external FireWire hard disk and use it to back up data or transfer files.  Start up from an external FireWire hard disk. Connect an external FireWire disk (with a valid operating system installed on it), open the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences, and click the FireWire disk. Restart your computer. Using FireWire Devices To use a FireWire device with your computer, simply connect the device to the computer. Apple has already included software to work with many FireWire devices. When you connect a FireWire device, if your Mac mini cannot find the correct software, you can install the software that came with the device or check the device manufacturer's website for the latest software. Note: The FireWire port is designed to provide power for FireWire devices (up to a total of 8 watts). You can connect multiple devices to each other and connect the "daisy chain" of devices to the FireWire port on your computer. In most cases, no more than two devices should get power from the computer. If you connect more than two devices, the rest of the devices in the daisy chain should be powered by separate power adapters. Connecting more than two FireWire devices that get power from the computer may cause problems. If a problem occurs, shut down the computer, disconnect the FireWire devices, and restart your computer. 38 Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini FireWire Target Disk Mode If you want to transfer files between your Mac mini and another FireWire-equipped computer, or you have a problem that prevents your computer from starting up, you can use FireWire Target Disk Mode to connect to another computer. To connect your Mac mini in FireWire Target Disk Mode, follow these steps: 1 Make sure that your Mac mini is shut down. 2 Use a FireWire cable to connect your Mac mini to another FireWire-equipped computer. 3 Start up your Mac mini and immediately hold down the T key. Your Mac mini display shows the FireWire logo. The other computer's display shows the Mac mini internal hard disk icon and the icon of a CD or DVD disc in the optical drive. 4 When you are finished transferring files, drag the Mac mini hard disk icon and the CD or DVD disc icon to the Trash. 5 Press the power button (®) on the Mac mini to shut it down, and then disconnect the FireWire cable. For More Information About FireWire Additional information about FireWire is available in Mac Help. Choose Help > Mac Help and search for "FireWire." You can also find information on the Apple FireWire website at www.apple.com/firewire. Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini 39 Understanding AirPort Extreme Wireless Networking Some Mac mini models include AirPort Extreme. If you ordered AirPort Extreme technology (also called WiFi or 802.11b/g) when you purchased your Mac mini, it is already installed. AirPort offers an easy and affordable way to provide wireless Internet access anywhere in the home, at work, or in the classroom. AirPort uses wireless local area network (LAN) technology to provide wireless communication between multiple computers. You can access the Internet, transfer files, play multiplayer games, print wirelessly, and more. The AirPort Extreme technology in your Mac mini is compatible with the AirPort Extreme Base Station, AirPort Express, the original AirPort base station, or other 802.11b or 802.11g compliant products. For wireless Internet access, you need one of these products and Internet access (fees may apply). Some Internet service providers are not currently compatible with AirPort. Range may vary with site conditions. Note: If your Mac mini doesn't include AirPort Extreme technology, you can have it installed by an Apple Authorized Service Provider or at an Apple Store retail location. 40 Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini How AirPort Provides Wireless Internet Access With AirPort, you set up a wireless connection to a device known as a base station, which has a physical connection to the Internet. AirPort technology works like a cordless telephone. The AirPort Extreme Card in the computer makes a wireless connection to the base station, which is connected to the Internet via a telephone line or a DSL or cable modem. AirPort Express AC outlet DSL or cable modem Connection to the Internet Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini 41 AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme Base Station Use an AirPort Express to play iTunes music over your wireless network to your home stereo or powered speakers. With an AirPort Extreme Base Station or AirPort Express, you can also share a broadband Internet connection for up to 10 users and a USB printer. (Wireless printing over USB requires a compatible printer.) Important: To ensure you have an adequate AirPort signal, don't place anything on top of your Mac mini. Placing objects on top of the computer can interfere with the AirPort signal. See the instructions that came with your AirPort Extreme Base Station or AirPort Express to learn about avoiding interference. For more information, go to the Apple Service & Support website at www.apple.com/support. For More Information About AirPort To purchase an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme Base Station, contact your Apple Authorized Reseller, visit an Apple Store retail location, or go to the online Apple Store at www.apple.com/store. Additional information about AirPort is available in AirPort Help. Choose Help > Mac Help, then choose Library > AirPort Help. 42 Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini Using Bluetooth Wireless Technology If you ordered Bluetooth technology when you purchased your Mac mini, it's already installed. With Bluetooth technology, your Mac mini can connect to other devices that use Bluetooth wireless technology, such as mobile phones, PDAs, printers, and the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse (available for purchase at an Apple Authorized Reseller, an Apple Store retail location, or from the online Apple Store at www.apple.com/store). Note: If your Mac mini doesn't include Bluetooth technology, you can have it installed by an Apple Authorized Service Provider or at an Apple Store retail location. You can also purchase an external Bluetooth USB adapter from an Apple Authorized Reseller, an Apple Store retail location, or from the online Apple Store at www.apple.com/store. With Bluetooth wireless technology, you can do the following:  Connect to mobile phones that have Bluetooth technology. Your phone can act as a modem to connect you to a wireless service provider, at speeds of up to 56 kilobits per second (kbit/s), so you can use your mobile phone to access the Internet.  Exchange files between Bluetooth enabled computers and devices, even Mac to PC. Apple still recommends the use of AirPort Extreme wireless networking, however, for anything but the smallest files.  Synchronize data between your computer and a PDA that has Bluetooth technology. Using iSync, you can perform a hot sync operation without cables or send your business card or calendar events directly to a colleague's PDA.  Use a Bluetooth wireless keyboard or mouse or a Bluetooth headset.  Print to a printer that has Bluetooth technology  Use a Bluetooth headset. Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini 43 Important: To ensure you have an adequate Bluetooth signal, don't place anything on top of your Mac mini. Objects placed on top of the computer can cause interference. Setting Up a Bluetooth Device Before you can use a Bluetooth enabled device with your Mac mini, you need to set up the device to work with your computer. After you set up the device, it is "paired" with your computer, and you can see it in the Devices pane of Bluetooth preferences. You need to pair your computer with a device only once, and it will remain paired with that device until you delete the pairing. To set up a Bluetooth device: 1 Choose "Set up a Bluetooth Device" from the Bluetooth status menu () in the menu bar. 2 Follow the onscreen instructions for the type of device you want to set up. Important: If the Bluetooth status menu () is not in the menu bar, open System Preferences and click Bluetooth. Click Settings and then select "Show Bluetooth status in the menu bar." To delete a pairing with a device: 1 Open System Preferences and click Bluetooth. 2 Click Devices and select the device in the list. 3 Click Delete. 44 Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini Setting Up Bluetooth File Exchange You can control how your computer handles files that are exchanged between Bluetooth devices. You can choose:  To accept or refuse files sent to your computer  Which folder to use for the files you accept from other devices  Which folder other devices can browse  Which applications to use with the files you accept To set up Bluetooth File Exchange: 1 Open System Preferences and click Bluetooth. 2 Click Sharing. 3 Select the On checkbox for Bluetooth File Exchange, and use the pop-up menus to adjust the settings. Note: Select the "Require pairing for security" checkbox to secure File Exchange transactions and require password authentication before files can be transferred. Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini 45 Sending a File to a Bluetooth Device Your computer can send files to other Bluetooth devices in range of your computer. If your computer is not paired with the device, you may have to authenticate with it before you can send the file. If you have already paired your computer with the device, you should not have to authenticate with it again. To send a file to a Bluetooth device: 1 Choose Bluetooth status menu () > Send File. 2 Select the file you want to send, then click Send. 3 Choose a device from the Device list, then click Send. If the device is not in the Device list, click Search. When the device is found, you can add it to your Favorites list. For More Information About Bluetooth Wireless Technology You can get help using Bluetooth wireless technology by opening the Bluetooth File Exchange application (located in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder) and choosing Help > Bluetooth Help. You can also find information about the Apple Bluetooth website at www.apple.com/bluetooth. 46 Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini Connecting With Ethernet (10/100Base-T) Your computer comes with built-in 10/100 megabit per second (Mbps) Base-T (twistedpair) Ethernet networking capability, which you can use to connect to a network or to a cable or DSL modem. Ethernet port (10/100Base-T) Connecting to a network gives you access to other computers. You may be able to store and retrieve information; use network printers, modems, and send email; or connect to the Internet. You can also share files between two computers or set up a small network. Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini 47 The Ethernet port on your Mac mini automatically detects other Ethernet devices. You don't need a crossover cable to connect to other Ethernet devices.  Use 2-pair category 3 (Cat 3) Ethernet cables to connect to a 10Base-T Ethernet network.  Use 4-pair category 5 (Cat 5) Ethernet cables to connect to a 10Base-T or a 100Base-T Ethernet network. For More Information About Using Ethernet Additional information, including how to set up an Ethernet network and transfer files using Ethernet, is available in Mac Help. Choose Help > Mac Help and search for "Ethernet" or "network." For information about networking products you can use with your Mac mini, check the Macintosh Products Guide at www.apple.com/guide. Note: You can also connect to another Macintosh using IP over FireWire instead of Ethernet. FireWire 400 can be up to four times faster than 100Base-T Ethernet. For more information, choose Help > Mac Help and search for "FireWire network." 48 Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini Connecting Audio Devices Your Mac mini comes with a headphone port (f ) so that you can connect headphones and listen to music without disturbing anyone around you. You can also add powered speakers or stream music to your home stereo with iTunes and an AirPort Express. Headphone port You can also connect your Mac mini to your stereo system. Use a 3.5-millimeter miniplug-to-RCA cable (not included) to connect the headphone port (f ) on your Mac mini to the audio input ports on your stereo. If you have digital audio devices, you can connect them to the Mac mini using a FireWire or USB digital audio adapter. For More Information About Using Audio Additional information about using audio is available in Mac Help (see page 24). Choose Help > Mac Help and search for "audio" or "music." For information about audio and music products you can use with your Mac mini, check the Macintosh Products Guide at www.apple.com/guide. Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini 49 Using Your Optical Drive You can install or use software from CDs and DVDs using your optical drive. You can play music from audio CDs and play DVD movies. You can also burn music CDs that can play in most CD players, and you can save documents and other digital files on CD-R and CD-RW discs. If your Mac mini has a SuperDrive, you can also burn your home movies to make video DVDs that can be played in most home DVD players, or you can save documents or other digital files to blank DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW discs using the Finder. Note: If you have older software that comes on floppy disks, contact the software manufacturer to see if the software is available on a CD or for download from the web, or purchase an external USB floppy disk drive for your Mac mini from your Apple dealer or the Apple Store (www.apple.com/store). 50 Chapter 3 Using Your Mac mini