Mac Mini Not Recognizing RAM

[Matte2]

I have a late 2012 Mac Mini. I put in 2 new Crucial 8 gigabyte RAM sticks. Turned on computer and it recognized the new RAM. Once I put the cover on the Mac Mini, the RAM would not be recognized and the desktop screen would come on and off with every movement of Mac Mini. Tried the original RAM and that did not work either in both slots when it was working fine minutes before. I just have tried 20 different times with both RAM sticks, original.and new with the back cover off and the computer chimes and turns on, but does not advance because the RAM is not being recognized. I get a hero when the computer turns on when the RAM slots araree empty.

What could be causing the issue and if I buy another Mac Mini, will I be able to transfer files from the old Mac Mini to the new Mac Mini if no RAM on the old Mac Mini works?
[doublepost=1555891706][/doublepost]Also, if I place the new or old RAM sticks into another Mac Mini, what are the chances of experiencing the same problem?

 

[Kaida]

I have a late 2012 Mac Mini. I put in 2 new Crucial 8 gigabyte RAM sticks. Turned on computer and it recognized the new RAM. Once I put the cover on the Mac Mini, the RAM would not be recognized and the desktop screen would come on and off with every movement of Mac Mini. Tried the original RAM and that did not work either in both slots when it was working fine minutes before. I just have tried 20 different times with both RAM sticks, original.and new with the back cover off and the computer chimes and turns on, but does not advance because the RAM is not being recognized. I get a hero when the computer turns on when the RAM slots araree empty.

What could be causing the issue and if I buy another Mac Mini, will I be able to transfer files from the old Mac Mini to the new Mac Mini if no RAM on the old Mac Mini works?
[doublepost=1555891706][/doublepost]Also, if I place the new or old RAM sticks into another Mac Mini, what are the chances of experiencing the same problem?

Sounds like ram not inserted properly since it has worked before. Also, check for dust in the 2 slots as you might have pushed some in to block the connections.

 

[Matte2]

Sounds like ram not inserted properly since it has worked before. Also, check for dust in the 2 slots as you might have pushed some in to block the connections.[/QUO

Tried that but no luck. If all else fails, will I be able to transfer files, etc from the Mac mini with bad RAM to the new Mac Mini?

 

[DeltaMac]

I just am curious why the RAM seemed to be OK, until you put the cover back in place. It's unlikely that installing that round plastic cover would have moved the RAM sticks, and certainly not BOTH sticks.
Still sounds like a RAM seating issue.
Try only one RAM slot (It will work with only one RAM card installed)
I suspect that the problem slot is the deepest one. It's the most common to not seat properly, so ignore that slot for now, and just try one stick in the top (closest to the lid) slot.
Can you get it to boot OK with just the one stick in the top slot?
Do the clips that hold the RAM in place appear to be undamaged?

 

[Matte2]

I just am curious why the RAM seemed to be OK, until you put the cover back in place. It's unlikely that installing that round plastic cover would have moved the RAM sticks, and certainly not BOTH sticks.
Still sounds like a RAM seating issue.
Try only one RAM slot (It will work with only one RAM card installed)
I suspect that the problem slot is the deepest one. It's the most common to not seat properly, so ignore that slot for now, and just try one stick in the top (closest to the lid) slot.
Can you get it to boot OK with just the one stick in the top slot?
Do the clips that hold the RAM in place appear to be undamaged?

[doublepost=1555904113][/doublepost]

I just am curious why the RAM seemed to be OK, until you put the cover back in place. It's unlikely that installing that round plastic cover would have moved the RAM sticks, and certainly not BOTH sticks.
Still sounds like a RAM seating issue.
Try only one RAM slot (It will work with only one RAM card installed)
I suspect that the problem slot is the deepest one. It's the most common to not seat properly, so ignore that slot for now, and just try one stick in the top (closest to the lid) slot.
Can you get it to boot OK with just the one stick in the top slot?
Do the clips that hold the RAM in place appear to be undamaged?

I cannot get it to boot with just one stick, whether top or bottom slot. The clips appear undamaged. The computer chimes upon startup. Unusual problem.

 

[DeltaMac]

Are you comfortable with how much pressure you are using to insert the RAM sticks?
You should feel (and probably hear) the chip seat completely in place. It can require a fairly firm push into the slot, then make sure the clips snap around the edge of the stick by pushing it down into the clips.

You said it chimes. Does it chime only once? If it continues to chime (or the power LED is flashing in a pattern), that may be related to the memory problem. Try both an SMC, and NVRAM resets.
SMC reset: Unplug from power - press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds.
NVRAM reset: plug power cord back in. With USB keyboard attached, press and release the power button, immediately hold Option-Command-P-R. You should hear the boot chime sound. Keep holding the same 4 keys until you hear the boot chime 2 more times, then release the keys to allow a normal boot.

 

[Matte2]

Are you comfortable with how much pressure you are using to insert the RAM sticks?
You should feel (and probably hear) the chip seat completely in place. It can require a fairly firm push into the slot, then make sure the clips snap around the edge of the stick by pushing it down into the clips.

You said it chimes. Does it chime only once? If it continues to chime (or the power LED is flashing in a pattern), that may be related to the memory problem. Try both an SMC, and NVRAM resets.
SMC reset: Unplug from power - press and hold the power button for about 5 seconds.
NVRAM reset: plug power cord back in. With USB keyboard attached, press and release the power button, immediately hold Option-Command-P-R. You should hear the boot chime sound. Keep holding the same 4 keys until you hear the boot chime 2 more times, then release the keys to allow a normal boot.

It chimes only once. I did both of those resets and it still will not boot. I have another Mac Mini but I am afraid to use any of the RAM sticks I used today in it.

 

[DeltaMac]

If you boot holding the Option key, do you get the boot-picker screen?
Choose your boot drive, then press enter.
What happens then?

 

[Matte2]

If you boot holding the Option key, do you get the boot-picker screen?
Choose your boot drive, then press enter.
What happens then?

Nothing happens when I boot holding the option key.

 

[Matte2]

Nothing happens when I boot holding the option key.

I got the Mac Mini to work after a few more firm installs of the RAM sticks via HDMI cable to my TV. It does not boot up when connected to a Dell monitor, although it did earlier this afternoon, which is odd. The monitor immediately goes into power save mode. Disconnecting and reconnecting monitor cables had no effect. I cannot get the monitor out of power save mode. If I buy a new Dell monitor is the same thing going to happen? I do not know if another non widescreen monitor other than the Dell U2412M.

 

[DeltaMac]

Sounds like your HDMI connection on the mini is working, if you are able to use HDMI on your TV.
Are you also using HDMI out to your Dell monitor?
The U2412M has three video inputs, DVI, VGA, and DisplayPort. Which one are you trying to use?
For this test, make sure that you have disconnected any USB cables to the monitor.
Have you tried a displayport connection? Mini DisplayPort (on the mini) to DisplayPort on the Dell monitor would be a good test. The Dell did not come with a DisplayPort cable, but you need to try one (cheaper than replacing the monitor!)
Why would you get a new monitor, when you may only need a different cable?

 

[a2jack]

Too many balls in the air here. Stop.
First hook your 2012 up to a TV. HDMI in. See what you get.

 

[Matte2]

Sounds like your HDMI connection on the mini is working, if you are able to use HDMI on your TV.
Are you also using HDMI out to your Dell monitor?
The U2412M has three video inputs, DVI, VGA, and DisplayPort. Which one are you trying to use?
For this test, make sure that you have disconnected any USB cables to the monitor.
Have you tried a displayport connection? Mini DisplayPort (on the mini) to DisplayPort on the Dell monitor would be a good test. The Dell did not come with a DisplayPort cable, but you need to try one (cheaper than replacing the monitor!)
Why would you get a new monitor, when you may only need a different cable?

The HDMI connection on the Mac Mini is working. I am currently using the Mac Mini with the RAM sticks recognized, connected to a small TV via HDMI cable. There is a rare possibility that previously that I could have had simultaneous problems with the RAM sticks fitting into the slots and a problem with the MiniDisplayPort to DVI Video Adapter connection from the Mac Mini to the Dell monitor. Now that the RAM sticks are recognized, there is still a problem with the Dell monitor going into power save mode upon Mac Mini startup when connected via a MiniDisplayPort to DVI Video Adapter.

Would purchasing a new MiniDisplayPort to DVI Video Adapter be a prudent first step? If so, is there one that stands out as being reliable for Mac Mini?

 

[DeltaMac]

Why are you using a mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter?
The monitor has a DisplayPort connector, so you COULD use a mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable.
That way, you would not be subject to possible problems with an active adapter.

 

[Fishrrman]

If the computer boots when connected to a small tv via HDMI, then the problem IS NOT THE RAM.

If the RAM was bad or not properly seated, the Mac wouldn't boot AT ALL.

Your problem is your connection to your OTHER displays.
Something is wrong -- most likely the cabling/adapters.

That's where you've got to start hunting down the problems.

 

[Kaida]

I was having this problem with Dell U2412M before too. I remembered I had posted it before (but I couldn't find it now) and there was no solution. Option key boot up is always empty, no input. Same goes for PS4 safe mode for HDD upgrade. So I always had to go to my TV for Option key boot or PS4 safe mode.

Anyway, if it single chime, it should be ok, if the ram is not seated correctly or faulty, i will hear a different sound.

 

[Matte2]

Why are you using a mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter?
The monitor has a DisplayPort connector, so you COULD use a mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable.
That way, you would not be subject to possible problems with an active adapter.

Thank you for the info. I am not a techie and don't really know why I am using a mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter, other than I think I must have read on another computer forum a long time ago that's how someone suggested connecting a late 2012 Mac Mini to that Dell monitor.

I went ahead and purchased a new cable, not an adapter. I found out after it was too late to cancel the order that instead of a mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, I purchased a mini DisplayPort to DVI cable. Easy for a non-techie to get confused by all the terminology and similar looking cables. In any event, i read the reviews and that cable connection will work. Hopefully, when I receive the cable, the monitor will not go into power save mode after the computer starts up and chimes once and that the new cable will fix the problem I am having.