2018 Mac Mini - Complete NIGHTMARE - Please advise..

[devontodetroit]

I've signed upto this forum as since ive been researching about my problem I have read posts that show that the users here have deep knowledge that might just lead to being able to solve my issues with my mac.

I bought a refurb 2018 mac mini i5 with ssd in 2019, I ordered 64GB Crucial compatable ram and installed it succesfully the same day I setup the machine.

I then used it for roughly 2 years with flawless performance and no issues, In late feb 2022 I installed monterey 12.1.. My software started crashing and getting error screens and kernal panics for the firt time ever.

I was incensed that a harmless software update seemed to have broken my computer, and not having any install material I took my mac into the apple shop wanting them to fix this and roll back the system to Big sur as it was before.

They rang back a week later saying that my memory had broken the computer and that I now needed a new logic board.. I obviously was extremely doubtful of this and went to retreive my machine, Confused and skeptical how a software update could cause severe hardware damage to my machine, especially after almost 2 years solid use with never a hiccup after installing my ram update (Which I wouldnt even have todo in the first place if apple didnt price gouge).

I get the machine home, Manage to wipe and install Mojave after dozens of failed attempts at big sur (the os that shipped with 2018 mac mini?) My time machine backup wouldnt restore but ohwell, I have an install at last after multiple failed install attempts..

I now notice my machine restarting often, the file system seems to be broken on each install when I do first aid on my install drive (apple ssd) I also notice problems with my browser (safari and firefox and other software not being able to load pages and other weird problems) .pkg installs failing....

etrecheck says everythings OK, but it obviously isnt.. My question is, is this a hardware issue or is there something else? I have tried reseting NVRAM etc

I know Monterey had problems with machines that had ssd and ram upgrades but now why is mojave playing up when it didnt before?

Please help, I am feeling dejected and have done loads of researching and googling before I made this post, I am also willing to pay someone to take a look if anyone can recomend a local UK third party mac specialist.

Thanks in advance!

DTD

 

[pianoman88]

Apple "geniuses" solution to nearly every hardware problem is to replace the motherboard because no one in the shop has the tools experiences to diagnose motherboard issues. (The are only given a few - 15? -minutes to diagnose and "solve" problems before the next appointment). This is why they tell you back up all of your data. I suggest Lou Rossman in New York city. He does repairs down jot the component level and a you tube channel showing his work.

 

[OCLP76]

I've signed upto this forum as since ive been researching about my problem I have read posts that show that the users here have deep knowledge that might just lead to being able to solve my issues with my mac.

I bought a refurb 2018 mac mini i5 with ssd in 2019, I ordered 64GB Crucial compatable ram and installed it succesfully the same day I setup the machine.

I then used it for roughly 2 years with flawless performance and no issues, In late feb 2022 I installed monterey 12.1.. My software started crashing and getting error screens and kernal panics for the firt time ever.

I was incensed that a harmless software update seemed to have broken my computer, and not having any install material I took my mac into the apple shop wanting them to fix this and roll back the system to Big sur as it was before.

They rang back a week later saying that my memory had broken the computer and that I now needed a new logic board.. I obviously was extremely doubtful of this and went to retreive my machine, Confused and skeptical how a software update could cause severe hardware damage to my machine, especially after almost 2 years solid use with never a hiccup after installing my ram update (Which I wouldnt even have todo in the first place if apple didnt price gouge).

I get the machine home, Manage to wipe and install Mojave after dozens of failed attempts at big sur (the os that shipped with 2018 mac mini?) My time machine backup wouldnt restore but ohwell, I have an install at last after multiple failed install attempts..

I now notice my machine restarting often, the file system seems to be broken on each install when I do first aid on my install drive (apple ssd) I also notice problems with my browser (safari and firefox and other software not being able to load pages and other weird problems) .pkg installs failing....

etrecheck says everythings OK, but it obviously isnt.. My question is, is this a hardware issue or is there something else? I have tried reseting NVRAM etc

I know Monterey had problems with machines that had ssd and ram upgrades but now why is mojave playing up when it didnt before?

Please help, I am feeling dejected and have done loads of researching and googling before I made this post, I am also willing to pay someone to take a look if anyone can recomend a local UK third party mac specialist.

Thanks in advance!

DTD

That’s quite a story. Tuning in to see if there’s a happy ending. Incidentally, Monterey works almost flawlessly on my late 2012 mini with the help of some patching software. I’ve heard more horror stories from 2018 machines and above; seems Apple pushed Silicon a little too early to the masses to maintain their market edge.

 

[Matty_TypeR]

I've signed upto this forum as since ive been researching about my problem I have read posts that show that the users here have deep knowledge that might just lead to being able to solve my issues with my mac.

I bought a refurb 2018 mac mini i5 with ssd in 2019, I ordered 64GB Crucial compatable ram and installed it succesfully the same day I setup the machine.

I then used it for roughly 2 years with flawless performance and no issues, In late feb 2022 I installed monterey 12.1.. My software started crashing and getting error screens and kernal panics for the firt time ever.

I was incensed that a harmless software update seemed to have broken my computer, and not having any install material I took my mac into the apple shop wanting them to fix this and roll back the system to Big sur as it was before.

They rang back a week later saying that my memory had broken the computer and that I now needed a new logic board.. I obviously was extremely doubtful of this and went to retreive my machine, Confused and skeptical how a software update could cause severe hardware damage to my machine, especially after almost 2 years solid use with never a hiccup after installing my ram update (Which I wouldnt even have todo in the first place if apple didnt price gouge).

I get the machine home, Manage to wipe and install Mojave after dozens of failed attempts at big sur (the os that shipped with 2018 mac mini?) My time machine backup wouldnt restore but ohwell, I have an install at last after multiple failed install attempts..

I now notice my machine restarting often, the file system seems to be broken on each install when I do first aid on my install drive (apple ssd) I also notice problems with my browser (safari and firefox and other software not being able to load pages and other weird problems) .pkg installs failing....

etrecheck says everythings OK, but it obviously isnt.. My question is, is this a hardware issue or is there something else? I have tried reseting NVRAM etc

I know Monterey had problems with machines that had ssd and ram upgrades but now why is mojave playing up when it didnt before?

Please help, I am feeling dejected and have done loads of researching and googling before I made this post, I am also willing to pay someone to take a look if anyone can recomend a local UK third party mac specialist.

Thanks in advance!

DTD

I see from your post you upgraded the ram yourself and it worked flawless for 2 years. But having experience with a laptop that also worked perfectly for some years its not impossible for the memory to fail after time I have had that happen. A big issue with soldered in memory where a new logic board is required but at least you can change yours.

If you still have your original memory that came with your mac mini I would re install that and see if your installation issues go away, if they remain after changing the ram then you have another issue which might be logic board based or even PSU based. the only 2 parts you can change on a mac mini 2018 RAM and PSU.

I hope its just a case of memory failure which can happen at any time, experienced it a few times in PC's as well.

 

[frou]

There's a straightforward way to really test the RAM. Download https://www.memtest86.com/, make a bootable USB thumb drive for it, and run it overnight.

Back when I tested my Mini w/ 64GB it took 15 hours to give the RAM the all clear:



There was a previous set of RAM that wasn't so healthy.... 14 seconds in, and already errors out the wazoo:

 

[devontodetroit]

Apple "geniuses" solution to nearly every hardware problem is to replace the motherboard because no one in the shop has the tools experiences to diagnose motherboard issues. (The are only given a few - 15? -minutes to diagnose and "solve" problems before the next appointment). This is why they tell you back up all of your data. I suggest Lou Rossman in New York city. He does repairs down jot the component level and a you tube channel showing his work.

Correct, also I had zero contact with them and there is no level of trust there, I knew for a fact they want to sell something sadly…
I’m in UK or yes I would try Louis just to meet him too

I see from your post you upgraded the ram yourself and it worked flawless for 2 years. But having experience with a laptop that also worked perfectly for some years its not impossible for the memory to fail after time I have had that happen. A big issue with soldered in memory where a new logic board is required but at least you can change yours.

If you still have your original memory that came with your mac mini I would re install that and see if your installation issues go away, if they remain after changing the ram then you have another issue which might be logic board based or even PSU based. the only 2 parts you can change on a mac mini 2018 RAM and PSU.

I hope its just a case of memory failure which can happen at any time, experienced it a few times in PC's as well.

It’s intel Mac but your right I have been advised to try the old apple ram also which I no longer have sadly

 

[devontodetroit]

There's a straightforward way to really test the RAM. Download https://www.memtest86.com/, make a bootable USB thumb drive for it, and run it overnight.

Back when I tested my Mini w/ 64GB it took 15 hours to give the RAM the all clear:

View attachment 2007173

There was a previous set of RAM that wasn't so healthy.... 14 seconds in, and already errors out the wazoo:

View attachment 2007175

This is great advice, thanks in advice and I’ll give it a try..

I wonder if it is the ram would crucial be able to replace under warranty? Failing within 3 years is pathetic

I’ll run the diagnostic and report back, thank you all for your advice so far

 

[Kaida]

the apple that you went to is apple apple or authorised apple?

 

[Matty_TypeR]

Correct, also I had zero contact with them and there is no level of trust there, I knew for a fact they want to sell something sadly…
I’m in UK or yes I would try Louis just to meet him too




It’s intel Mac but your right I have been advised to try the old apple ram also which I no longer have sadly

Its a shame you dont have the original ram, that would be a very good test and like above you can run ram test if its faulty it will show like above.

 

[Boyd01]

I’ve heard more horror stories from 2018 machines and above; seems Apple pushed Silicon a little too early to the masses to maintain their market edge.

I also bought an Apple Certified Refurbished Mini two years ago and it has been perfect, honestly it's one of the very best Macs I've owned (going back to my 512k in 1985). I push it pretty hard too, running demanding GIS software in a Windows VM that runs continuously for hours exporting (literally) millions of map tiles. So, no "horror story" here.

I bit the bullet and got mine with 64gb of original Apple RAM - exactly because I feared what has unfortunately happened to the OP. It's just too easy for Apple to blame any problems on you for opening up the computer. Anyway, sorry that you are having these problems and it's too bad you didn't save the original RAM. Hopefully you can get back up and running by replacing the memory.

 

[pmiles]

All you need to test faulty RAM is to replace it with good RAM. If you have access to good RAM, just swap it out to test. Doesn't need to be the original Apple RAM, any known good RAM will do.

That being said, odds are pretty good upgrading to Monterey went woefully wrong. If a software update can "brick" a device, it seems a software upgrade can potentially do the same. It is quite possible that there is a logic board problem involved and that RAM is not the culprit. Potentially the SSD could be bad. Can't read/write is just as deadly as not powering up or bad RAM.

Back to one of the other questions asked of you... where did you take the Mini to get checked out? Was it an Apple Store or ?? Could be your choice of repair shop wasn't a good one. Then again, your computer may actually be in dire straights.

 

[devontodetroit]

the apple that you went to is apple apple or authorised apple?

The main apple store in the city, booked into the ‘genius’ bar thru apple help

 

[devontodetroit]

All you need to test faulty RAM is to replace it with good RAM. If you have access to good RAM, just swap it out to test. Doesn't need to be the original Apple RAM, any known good RAM will do.

That being said, odds are pretty good upgrading to Monterey went woefully wrong. If a software update can "brick" a device, it seems a software upgrade can potentially do the same. It is quite possible that there is a logic board problem involved and that RAM is not the culprit. Potentially the SSD could be bad. Can't read/write is just as deadly as not powering up or bad RAM.

Back to one of the other questions asked of you... where did you take the Mini to get checked out? Was it an Apple Store or ?? Could be your choice of repair shop wasn't a good one. Then again, your computer may actually be in dire straights.

It was the Genius Bar in the cities apple store.

Sadly I don’t have the original apple memory anymore to test the machine with, to be frank though it was hair raising upgrading the ram in the 2018 Mac mini in the first place. The idea of opening it up again myself isn’t appealing

 

[devontodetroit]

I also bought an Apple Certified Refurbished Mini two years ago and it has been perfect, honestly it's one of the very best Macs I've owned (going back to my 512k in 1985). I push it pretty hard too, running demanding GIS software in a Windows VM that runs continuously for hours exporting (literally) millions of map tiles. So, no "horror story" here.

I bit the bullet and got mine with 64gb of original Apple RAM - exactly because I feared what has unfortunately happened to the OP. It's just too easy for Apple to blame any problems on you for opening up the computer. Anyway, sorry that you are having these problems and it's too bad you didn't save the original RAM. Hopefully you can get back up and running by replacing the memory.

When I looked into the 64gb apple ram it was 800£ odd.. I had only just paid £899 for the machine!! So I went with the £250 crucial upgrade.

How can apples ram possibly cost so much more? They just do it because they can I think to gouge the customer which is unfair and might be the cause of all this problems in the first place.

And I agree with you, with the memory upgrade the Mac mini i5 with ssd is really quick and buttery smooth to use, a really fantastic machine

 

[devontodetroit]

Did I pass the test?! Haha

It lit up like a Christmas tree so I think we found the problem, I’m going to contact crucial and see if I can get a replacement.. then I’ll get a pro to fit them.

I’m baffled though because I didn’t think it would even be able to boot the OS with failing ram but it was mostly functional apart from errors every now and then.

Thanks for all your input

 

[Fishrrman]

My suggestions:

Don't put 64gb into it this time.
32gb instead.

If you're still getting "The red" during the RAM test, then bite the bullet and see if you can find some Apple-original RAM on the used market.

 

[Boyd01]

I suppose it really depends on your needs. Running a couple VM's and some Mac apps, I have seen as much as 56gb in use. Right now I am using 47gb. But if you don't push the limits like this then sure, don't buy more RAM than you need.

 

[Freeangel1]

SSD's eventually go bad too so keep an eye on your SSD.

 

[Boyd01]

At least you can use an external SSD to boot the 2018 Mini, unlike the M1 Mini which requires the System Folder to be on an internal (soldered down) SSD. If the SSD fails in your M1 Mini, it's pretty much bricked (although there's a thread here where somebody was able to replace the soldered SSD with a special technique).

 

[Matty_TypeR]

I boot windows 11 and Monterey from external thunderbolt M2 drives and never use the internal SSD, that has a fresh install of Monterey on it that I used to clone the external TB m2 drive, also installed windows 10 via boot camp and cloned to external TB M2 drive, then updated to win 11 on external and then installed my Egpu with 6900xt and installed the official AMD drivers and all works 100% I can switch to either OSX or win 11 via bootcamp.

The external TB drives Samsung 980pro drives are faster than the internal drive, well my 512g one anyway, the good thing with the intel mini is 2 TB chips, so drives connected to one chip Egpu to the other. the M1 mini is just 1 TB chip and not even sure if you can run a Egpu on the M1 mini.

 

[Danfango]

Crucial will replace the RAM without question usually. I've had this a couple of times from them over the years.

As for the comments on SSD's, you're not likely to use up the entire lifespan of an SSD before something else breaks on the machine. That is unless you're running a large database server on your Mac. And you're probably not, so don't worry.

I've actually burned up a Samsung 860 Pro but it was doing 100% writes for about 3 months before it died. And it went 4x over the TBW limit for the device before it even started having problems.

 

[pianoman88]

Apple stores keep archival copies of OS-es. They've copied her versions for me that wee unavailable on their web site.

 

[Boyd01]

The oldest version of MacOS that the 2018 Mini will run is Mojave. That should still be available online.

 

[opeter]

My suggestions:

Don't put 64gb into it this time.
32gb instead.

If you're still getting "The red" during the RAM test, then bite the bullet and see if you can find some Apple-original RAM on the used market.

If RAM is faulty, than it is faulty. Doesn't matter what brand.

 

[Patrice Brousseau]

At least you can use an external SSD to boot the 2018 Mini, unlike the M1 Mini which requires the System Folder to be on an internal (soldered down) SSD. If the SSD fails in your M1 Mini, it's pretty much bricked (although there's a thread here where somebody was able to replace the soldered SSD with a special technique).

Unfortunately (sorry being late to the party!), Intel T2 Macs won't be able to boot from external if only one NAND dies...

Learnt this as I am waiting for a full speced Mac Mini 2018 (64 Gb RAM, 2TB SSD) from eBay. I think I will return it as soon as it gets here

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