Mac Mini server (2010) 2nd screen forgets settings.

[elf69]

My ageing imac has been replaced by a 2010 mac mini server edition.

SSD and HDD swapped from the imac.

about 4-5 days ago suddenly when turn or or power cycle the mac mini (not reboot) the 2nd monitor losses settings. The background image is gone and blue screen.
Open the change background settings and a "?" is in the box.

primary screen is a 24" HDMI monitor.
This 2nd screen is an apple 20" cinema screen via a DVI adaptor.

The primary monitor does not loose settings.
The background image for the 2nd monitor is in SAME folder (F2 Coupe, in the list) as that of the primary monitor.

Contacted local apple expert who has no idea, not end of world but annoys me.
Seems suddenly happen as been working for around a month fine then just gone amiss.

Sure some you wonderful members can help

 

[California]

How much ram are you using? JMHO, Sounds like a v-ram issue. Max out the ram to 16gbs...

 

[elf69]

It has 8gb ram.

Has zero swap file and memory used sits at around 6.45GB no matter what i do on it.

Today on boot it said it could not install OSX, odd as it is installed so no idea why it did that.

I checked the boot drive and it is correct.
Upon reboot the temp was high according to macs fan control

and is now sitting at around 60-65 degrees and has been on for few hours.

Still not worked out the second screen issue but think it dying.
Might be time bin the 2010 mini and either go back to my 2007 imac or use my 2012 macbook as a desktop.

 

[California]

Is the HDD dying? I can't stand using HDDs anymore. They are too hot, too slow and too breakable.

 

[elf69]

Has SSD boot and a relatively new HDD fitted which is my data/home folder location.

HDD passed smart test, etc

 

[wirefire]

you mention the drive is relatively new. Doesn't apple have some kind of proprietary thermal sensor on their drives firmware that drives a fan controller. I know in iMacs they had something like that and there was some funny bypass thing you could buy to trick the thermal sensor to think it was compatible. If the drive is aftermarket it may not properly address the thermal sensor.

Or Mac mini's don't do this and I am full of crap.

 

[elf69]

I have the original temp sensors on BOTH the SSD and HDD.
But why would that make it forget the setting of one screen when the background file for both screens are on same HDD.

The HDD I pulled out has marked HP part number and with the new ST250LT007 drive worked fine for weeks then suddenly this issue.

Think buying old macs is not good idea but not got funds for newer.
So I buy older and make do with what I got.

i-FlashDisk is at 40 degrees Celcius
ST250LT007 is at 34 degrees Celcius

 

[California]

I still suspect the HDD. Dump it and see what happens. What OS are you running again?

 

[elf69]

running 10.13.6

if dump HDD think will have issues as used terminal to move home folder to the HDD as the SSD is not big enough.

 

[California]

I understand, but if it is causing these problems, you need to get a new drive. SSHD's are a good way to go, btw.

 

[elf69]

True.

I just don't get why only one screen settings gets messed up.

Anyway gonna get a big SSHD and do a clean install and see if fix issue.

 

[California]

True.

I just don't get why only one screen settings gets messed up.

Anyway gonna get a big SSHD and do a clean install and see if fix issue.

Back in the day, the huge Powermac G5s would have the weirdest errors... inexplicably traced to failing HDDs. No one ever clearly explained why the failing hard drives were wrecking such havoc on the operating systems. Let us know if this fixes your issue. HDDs are just too unreliable today.