Congratulations, you and your Mac mini were made for each other. Contents Chapter 1: Ready, Set Up, Go 8 What's in the Box 9 Setting Up Your Mac mini 16 Putting Your Mac mini to Sleep or Shutting It Down Chapter 2: Life with Your Mac mini 20 What's on the Front of Your Mac mini 22 What's on the Back of Your Mac mini 24 Getting Answers Chapter 3: Problem, Meet Solution 30 32 33 35 36 39 40 41 43 Problems That Prevent You from Using Your Mac mini Reinstalling the Software That Came with Your Computer Other Problems Using Apple Hardware Test Problems with Your Internet Connection Problems with AirPort Extreme Wireless Communication Keeping Your Software Up to Date Learning More, Service, and Support Locating Your Product Serial Number Contents 3 Chapter 4: Last, but Not Least 47 49 50 51 52 52 53 53 56 56 57 Safety Instructions for Setting Up and Using Your Mac mini Using Connectors and Ports Using the Power Adapter Laser Information High-Risk Activities Warning Cleaning Your Mac mini Avoid Hearing Damage Important Ergonomic and Health-Related Information Carrying Your Mac mini Apple and the Environment Regulatory Compliance Information Looking for Something? 65 Index 4 Contents 1 1 Ready, Set Up, Go www.apple.com/macmini Mac Help Migration Assistant 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. Important: Read all of the installation instructions and the safety information starting on page 45 before you plug your Mac mini into a power outlet. If you are an experienced user, you may already know enough to get started. Be sure to look over the information in Chapter 2, "Life with Your Mac mini," to find out about the features of your Mac mini. Chapter 1 Ready, Set Up, Go 7 What's in the Box Your Mac mini comes with the following components: DVI to VGA Adapter AC cord Power adapter M U EN Apple Remote Before you set up your Mac mini, remove the protective film from the outside of your computer and power adapter. Follow the steps on the next several pages to set up. 8 Chapter 1 Ready, Set Up, Go Setting Up Your Mac mini Position your Mac mini so that it's right side up or on its side, but not upside down. Use the power adapter that came with your Mac mini; other power adapters don't work. Step 1: Plug the AC cord into the power adapter, plug the cord from the power adapter into your Mac mini, and then plug the power adapter into a grounded power outlet. , Chapter 1 Ready, Set Up, Go 9 Step 2: To access the Internet or a network, connect one end of an Ethernet cable to your Mac mini and the other end to a cable modem, DSL modem, or network. , Note: Your Mac mini comes with AirPort Extreme technology for wireless networking. For information about setting up a wireless connection, from the menu bar, choose Help > Mac Help, and then choose Library > AirPort Help. Also see "Getting Answers" on page 24. To use a dial-up connection, you need an external USB Modem, available for purchase from the online Apple Store at www.apple.com/store. 10 Chapter 1 Ready, Set Up, Go Step 3: Connect the USB cable from your keyboard and mouse. , Your Mac mini doesn't come with a keyboard or a mouse, but you can use almost any USB keyboard and mouse. If your keyboard has a USB (d) port, plug your mouse into the USB port on the keyboard. If it doesn't, plug the mouse into a USB (d) port on the back of your Mac mini. Chapter 1 Ready, Set Up, Go 11 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 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. Using a Wireless Keyboard or Mouse If you purchased an Apple Wireless Keyboard or a wireless Mighty Mouse with your Mac mini, follow the instructions that came with the keyboard and mouse to set them up with your Mac mini. 12 Chapter 1 Ready, Set Up, Go Step 4: Connect the DVI cable from your display to the video port. Connect a DVI display to the video out (£) port on the back of your Mac mini. To connect a VGA display, use the Apple DVI to VGA Adapter that came with your computer. Note: Your Mac mini does not come with a display. , Important: Don't place anything on top of your Mac mini. Objects placed on top may interfere with the optical drive or the AirPort or Bluetooth® wireless signal. Chapter 1 Ready, Set Up, Go 13 Step 5: Press the power (®) button on the back to turn on your Mac mini. ® , Step 6: Use Setup Assistant to configure your Mac mini. The first time you turn on your Mac mini, Setup Assistant starts. Setup Assistant helps you enter your Internet and email information and set up a user account on your Mac mini. 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. 14 Chapter 1 Ready, Set Up, Go If you don't intend to keep or use your other Mac, it's best to deauthorize it from playing music, videos, or audiobooks that you've purchased from the iTunes Store. Deauthorizing a computer prevents any songs, videos, or audiobooks you've purchased from being played by someone else and frees up another authorization for use. For information about deauthorizing, choose iTunes Help from the Help menu in iTunes. If you don't use Setup Assistant to transfer information when you first start up, you can do it later using Migration Assistant. Go to the Applications folder, open Utilities, and double-click Migration Assistant. Step 7: Customize your desktop and set your preferences. You can quickly make your desktop look the way you want using System Preferences. Choose Apple ( ) > System Preferences from the menu bar. As you get to know your computer, explore System Preferences, 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. Chapter 1 Ready, Set Up, Go 15 Putting Your Mac mini to Sleep or Shutting It Down When you finish working with your Mac mini, you can put it to sleep or shut it down. Put Your Mac mini to Sleep If you will be away from your Mac mini for less than a few days, put it to sleep. When your Mac mini is in sleep, its screen is dark. You can quickly wake your Mac mini and bypass the startup process. To put your Mac mini to sleep quickly, do one of the following: Â Choose Apple ( ) > Sleep from the menu bar. Â Press the power (®) button on the back of the Mac mini. Â Choose Apple ( ) > System Preferences, click Energy Saver, and set a sleep timer. Â Press and hold the Play/Pause (') button on the Apple Remote for 3 seconds. To wake your Mac mini, press any key on the keyboard or any button on the Apple Remote. When your Mac mini wakes from sleep, your applications, documents, and computer settings are exactly as you left them. Shut Down Your Mac mini If you won't be using your Mac mini for more than a few days, shut it down. Choose Apple ( ) > Shut Down. WARNING: Shut down your Mac mini before moving it. Moving your Mac mini while the hard disk is spinning can damage the hard disk, causing loss of data or an inability to start up from the hard disk. To turn your Mac mini on again, press the power (®) button. 16 Chapter 1 Ready, Set Up, Go 2 2 Life with Your Mac mini www.apple.com/macosx/overview Mac Help iLife Read on for an overview of the features and ports of your Mac mini. 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 Apple products on the Apple Support website at www.apple.com/support. Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac mini 19 What's on the Front of Your Mac mini AirPort antenna Built-in infrared (IR) receiver Slot-loading optical drive Power indicator light 20 Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac mini Built-in infrared (IR) receiver Works seamlessly with your Apple Remote for wireless control in Front Row. Power indicator light A steady white light indicates your Mac mini is on; a pulsing light indicates it's in sleep. Slot-loading optical drive Your Mac mini has a DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo drive or a DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW SuperDrive. Each drive can read CD-ROM discs, standard audio discs, and other kinds of media. The Combo drive can also read DVD discs and movies and write music, documents, and digital files to CD-R and CD-RW discs. In addition to those files, the SuperDrive can read and write to DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD±R Double Layer (DL) discs. Z AirPort Extreme wireless technology (inside) Connect to a wireless network using built-in AirPort Extreme technology. To avoid interference, keep the area around the AirPort antenna free from obstruction. Bluetooth wireless technology (inside) Connect wireless devices, such as Bluetooth mobile phones, PDAs, printers, and the Apple Wireless Keyboard and wireless Mighty Mouse (you can purchase the Apple Wireless Keyboard and wireless Mighty Mouse at www.apple.com/store). Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac mini 21 What's on the Back of Your Mac mini H FireWire 400 port Security slot ® Power button , f Headphone out/optical digital audio out port ¯ Power port G Ethernet port (10/100/1000 Base-T) £ Video out port d USB 2.0 ports (4) , Audio in/ optical digital audio in port 22 Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac mini Security slot Attach a lock and cable to discourage theft (available at www.apple.com/store). f , d £ Headphone out/optical digital audio out port Connect headphones, external powered speakers, or digital audio equipment. Audio in/optical digital audio in port Connect your Mac mini to a line-level microphone or digital audio equipment. Four USB 2.0 ports Connect a mouse, keyboard, printer, iPod, external USB modem, and more. Video out port Connect displays that use a DVI connector. Connect displays that use a VGA connector using the DVI to VGA Adapter that came with your computer. You can also use a DVI to Video Adapter, available at www.apple.com/store to connect a TV, VCR, or other video device. Ethernet port Connect to a 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet network or connect a DSL or cable modem. Power port Connect the power cord from the power adapter. Power button Turn on your Mac mini or put it to sleep. Press and hold to reset during troubleshooting. FireWire 400 port Connect high-speed devices, such as an iSight video camera or a hard drive. G ¯ ® H Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac mini 23 Getting Answers Much more information about using your Mac is available in Mac Help and on the Internet at www.apple.com/support. To open Mac Help: 1 Click the Finder icon in the Dock (the bar of icons along the edge of the screen). 2 Choose Help > Mac Help (click the Help menu in the menu bar and choose Mac Help). 3 Click in the search field, type a question, and press Return on your keyboard. More Information For more information about using your Mac mini, see the following: To learn about Troubleshooting Mac mini if you have a problem Finding service and support for your Mac mini Using Mac OS X Moving from a PC to a Mac See Chapter 3, "Problem, Meet Solution," on page 27. "Learning More, Service, and Support" on page 41 or the Apple Support website www.apple.com/support. The Mac OS X website at www.apple.com/macosx/overview. Or search for "Mac OS X" in Mac Help. How To Move To Mac at www.apple.com/macosx/switch. Or click "Switching from Windows" under Top Customer Issues on the Mac Help home page. The iLife website at www.apple.com/ilife. Or open an iLife application and then open Help for the application and type a question in the search field. Open System Preferences by choosing Apple (K) > System Preferences. Or search for "system preferences" in Mac Help. Using iLife applications Changing System Preferences 24 Chapter 2 Life with Your Mac mini To learn about Using AirPort Extreme wireless technology See The AirPort Support page at www.apple.com/support/airport. Or open AirPort Help by clicking and holding the Home button at the top of a Mac Help page, and then selecting AirPort Help from ...