2018 Mac Mini. No desktop. Have I been ripped off?

[visvaldis]

Days ago I received and hooked up the 2018 Mac Mini and booted up, expecting to see the usual desktop and Apple Menu.
Instead the display is full screen (see photo) with the first of 13 boxes, all for using Voice Over. No option for anything else.
No Apple Menu, therefore, no System Preferences available.
About two dozen times I restarted with various key combinations, nothing changed. Finally, I used Recovery Mode. Clicked Options and could get Apple Icon, but only Restart and Shut Down. I restarted, but every time I get the full screen as in photo.
I am now lost of what more could be done.
I've spent about 4 hours trying to get rid of the Voice Over full screen replaced by the desktop and Apple Menu. No luck.
The seller did not mention that this Mac is customized.
Have I been ripped off?

 

[Homy]

Days ago I received and hooked up the 2018 Mac Mini and booted up, expecting to see the usual desktop and Apple Menu.
Instead the display is full screen (see photo) with the first of 13 boxes, all for using Voice Over. No option for anything else.
No Apple Menu, therefore, no System Preferences available.
About two dozen times I restarted with various key combinations, nothing changed. Finally, I used Recovery Mode. Clicked Options and could get Apple Icon, but only Restart and Shut Down. I restarted, but every time I get the full screen as in photo.
I am now lost of what more could be done.
I've spent about 4 hours trying to get rid of the Voice Over full screen replaced by the desktop and Apple Menu. No luck.
The seller did not mention that this Mac is customized.
Have I been ripped off?

Is this your first Mac? That is the standard setup screen when you buy a new Mac. You have to go through the steps to set it up. If it's a pre-owned Mac the user must have reset the drive and Mac ready for you.

 

[russell_314]

Just hit continue. You might need a wired keyboard and mouse.

 

[Fishrrman]

Connect a WIRED USB keyboard and WIRED USB mouse.

Press the Mini's power on button again and let it boot up.

When you see the screen you posted in #1 above, select the language you want to use with the pointer (or use the arrow keys).

Then click "continue".

That's how you set up a Mac when you first take it out of the box.

Follow the instructions, screen-by-screen.

Think of a username and password you want to use, you will be asked to create one.

(will the OP show up again with his results?)

 

[visvaldis]

Is this your first Mac? That is the standard setup screen when you buy a new Mac. You have to go through the steps to set it up. If it's a pre-owned Mac the user must have reset the drive and Mac ready for you.

Thank you very much for the link. I got my Mini to work as it should and I'm writing this reply on it.
It's not my first Mac, but I'm a novice. I've never had any other type of computer, I like Macs.
Over 20 years ago I bought a pre-owned iMac (G3?). Some years I bought a pre-owned G4 MDD (it still works great and I still use it). In 2013 I bought a new Mac mini with Mavericks. I have forgotten the initial set-up. The 2012 Mac works great, no flaws, but has become obsolete for many (internet) functions.
The Mac mini of this post is pre-owned. About this Mac says it's an Apple M1 with Ventura 13.1.
I will file this post of mine under my own ignorance. I appreciate your help, I learned.

 

[visvaldis]

Connect a WIRED USB keyboard and WIRED USB mouse.

Press the Mini's power on button again and let it boot up.

When you see the screen you posted in #1 above, select the language you want to use with the pointer (or use the arrow keys).

Then click "continue".

That's how you set up a Mac when you first take it out of the box.

Follow the instructions, screen-by-screen.

Think of a username and password you want to use, you will be asked to create one.

(will the OP show up again with his results?)

Thanks for the suggestions. Everything works now.

 

[Boyd01]

The Mac mini of this post is pre-owned. About this Mac says it's an Apple M1 with Ventura 13.1.

Cool. In that case, you actually have a 2020 Mini. The 2018 Mini was the last model with an Intel CPU.