2018 Mini Crash

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Advice please - my 2018 Mini (see specs in profile) crashed last evening, cause uncertain. No power issues, the only thing that *might* be related was a warning from Gmail that its Extension 'Gmail Checker' needed to be shut down or reactivated, cannot recall exactly.

The machine tries to reboot, and the progress bar makes it to about 50-65% before it crashes again. After the 3rd or 4th attempt, nothing further.
 
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hughvane
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MacMini 14.3, 8.1 & 4.1, OS 13.5, 10.14, & 10.11 & 10.6; Macbook Pro 8.2, OS 10.12.
Update - things have regressed to worse, there is no video signal coming from the Mini, so I cannot reset anything, nor can I boot into Safe mode, since there is no discernible boot activity. [The Mini is connected to a standby DVI monitor via an adaptor, and I'm informed repeatedly No Signal.]

I don't think it's PRAM incidentally, nor SMC, as none of the symptoms of the problem align with their descriptions.

What is notable however, is that the PSU is activated, the little white light at the front R corner shines intermittently (until the Mini shuts itself down), but the weirdest part is how the machine hisses at me with a low level 'woosh' sound, which I have tried to record with a camera on video setting. I have never encountered this before, and can only assume the noise is coming from the inboard speaker. What might it be/indicate?

Further thoughts and/or advice please before I submit the Mini to an authorised repair centre (great timing, just before Christmas).
 
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Further thoughts and/or advice please before I submit the Mini to an authorised repair centre (great timing, just before Christmas).
The sooner you send it in, the sooner you get it back. Sounds like the PSU has issues. That's about all I've got. Is it still under AppleCare?
 
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hughvane
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MacMini 14.3, 8.1 & 4.1, OS 13.5, 10.14, & 10.11 & 10.6; Macbook Pro 8.2, OS 10.12.
The sooner you send it in, the sooner you get it back. Sounds like the PSU has issues. Is it still under AppleCare?

Thanks Jake, you're right, and I've booked it in for next Mon. It may *just* sneak in under warranty, for which I shall fight tooth n nail.
 
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Let me suggest instead of "tooth n nail" to use "sweetness and light" in your approach. The Apple folks sometimes stretch warranty work, and it seems to be more often when the interaction is nice. When people get aggressive, they stand their ground pretty well. So maybe just put on a puppy-dog face and see how that works.
 
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hughvane
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Let me assure you Jake, this is NZ, t&n does not necessarily mean aggression, but I take your point about s&l. That said, my teeth are anything but fearsome, something to do with age. Nails? Schmailz! :Evil:
 
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hughvane
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MacMini 14.3, 8.1 & 4.1, OS 13.5, 10.14, & 10.11 & 10.6; Macbook Pro 8.2, OS 10.12.
Update - Mini is now restored with an exchange control board, costing me nothing but the delivery and return of the machine. All repairs done under warranty, and data recovery was not required. Not all is well however, I cannot update software from AppStore, but that is probably material for a different forum.
 

RavingMac

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Glad you got the 1st problem sorted without a lot of grief. I will move on to your continuing saga to see how your other issue unfurls
 
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hughvane
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