Apple Mac Mini [Late 2018] Won't Boot

[Appletax]

Model A1993, EMC 3213

System won’t boot up. Error message displayed: “Your computer restarted because of a problem.”

All attempts to enter Recovery Mode, Safe Mode, or Internet Recovery Mode results in the system being stuck on “examining volumes.”

Reset PRAM/NVRAM and SMC.

Performed built-in hardware diagnostics [Apple Hardware Test]. It showed “no issues found.”

Tried booting Linux, but couldn’t due to security settings.

“Security settings do not allow this Mac to use an external startup disk. You can change this be restarting and holding down Command-R to open macOS Recovery, and then choosing Startup Security Utility.”

Unsuccessfully tried to boot from a macOS Ventura USB installer that I created on my Windows computer using TransMac and a DMG copy of Ventura.

Created a macOS Big Sur bootable USB installer drive on a friend’s MacBook Pro. When attempted to load it, it says an update needs to be applied in order to use it. With the computer connected to the Internet, I attempted to update it and I keep receiving the error “An error occurred installing the update. Try again or select another startup disk.”

It appears that I can't do anything with this computer - can't fix it, can't get the data off it.

 

[Markverhyden]

I'm pretty certain those are onboard, aka soldered on, storage. So you've got a door stop. Or book end for those that still have books....

 

[Appletax]

I'm pretty certain those are onboard, aka soldered on, storage. So you've got a door stop. Or book end for those that still have books....

Yea, soldered storage : / So wrong. Should be user replaceable with ease.

Told the client that they can send it into a data recovery specialist if they need their data bad. Recommended that they check out the new Mac Mini with M2 chip as it's a beast of a computer.

 

[lan101]

Yea, soldered storage : / So wrong. Should be user replaceable with ease.

Told the client that they can send it into a data recovery specialist if they need their data bad. Recommended that they check out the new Mac Mini with M2 chip as it's a beast of a computer.

Those mac mini's look awesome but I just can't get over how much apple gouges on memory and storage lol. Also knowing it's a high chance it fails within 5 years and I won't be able to do anything to fix it most likely.

 

[sapphirescales]

Enter recovery mode using Command + R. It might take a very long time to "examine volumes" but eventually you'll get to the part where you can turn off startup security. It might take hours or even overnight to finally get past that screen. Do that, then boot from a USB copy of Mac OS and install the OS on an external SSD. Make sure you delete the volumes on the internal SSD so it doesn't try to access them.

 

[Appletax]

Enter recovery mode using Command + R. It might take a very long time to "examine volumes" but eventually you'll get to the part where you can turn off startup security. It might take hours or even overnight to finally get past that screen. Do that, then boot from a USB copy of Mac OS and install the OS on an external SSD. Make sure you delete the volumes on the internal SSD so it doesn't try to access them.

Started Recovery Mode on Sunday evening and it's still stuck on "Examining Volumes" this Tuesday afternoon.

Edit: the client got lucky in that they found they have a Time Machine backup that is fairly recent.

 

[timeshifter]

the client got lucky in that they found they have a Time Machine backup that is fairly recent.

Time Machine to the rescue. Greatest thing since sliced bread.

 

[sapphirescales]

Started Recovery Mode on Sunday evening and it's still stuck on "Examining Volumes" this Tuesday afternoon.

There may be a way to skip this step during setup that I'm not aware of. The other option is you can use another Mac to install Mac OS on the external drive, then boot the Mac with the bad drive from the external drive.