2018 Mac Mini- Bricked after RAM upgrade

[jonjay]

Hello all,

I’ve spent hours scouring the internet to no avail, so I’m hoping someone here can help me. My Mac Mini 2018 will no longer project to any display (no signal). The LED will come on, and I can hear the fan run if I put it up to my ear, but that is it. This is after I tried to upgrade the RAM myself, during which I thought I was very careful. On the first boot after RAM install, only one stick was detected. Suspecting that I did not properly seat the other stick, I disassembled and reassembled. I’ve done this operation over 10 times now, with results oscillating between only one stick detected and not being able to get the machine to boot up. Now I cannot get it to send anything to a display even with the original RAM installed. I’ve tried a PRAM reset, but it appears that nothing occurs. Any thoughts? I know the last step will be to send it into Apple, it is only about 2 weeks old.

 

[chscag]

Welcome to our forums.

Did you reset the security on your Mac Mini? Your Mini contains a T2 security chip.

Mac Computers With a T2 Chip

1. Shut down the computer from the Apple menu (Apple icon -> Shut Down).
2. Once the computer has shut down completely, hold the power button for ten seconds.
3. Release the power button, then wait a few seconds.
4. Press the power button again to turn on your Mac.

Also you need to read the following article:

https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/12...mini-t2-chip-security-repair-replacement-tool

If all the above is confusing to you, then by all means take your new Mini to Apple.

 

[jonjay]

Welcome to our forums.

Did you reset the security on your Mac Mini? Your Mini contains a T2 security chip.

Mac Computers With a T2 Chip

1. Shut down the computer from the Apple menu (Apple icon -> Shut Down).
2. Once the computer has shut down completely, hold the power button for ten seconds.
3. Release the power button, then wait a few seconds.
4. Press the power button again to turn on your Mac.

Also you need to read the following article:

https://www.theverge.com/2018/11/12...mini-t2-chip-security-repair-replacement-tool

If all the above is confusing to you, then by all means take your new Mini to Apple.

First of all, thank you for the assistance. Unfortunately resetting the T2 chip did not work. The LED turned on and turned off after about 10 seconds. There was no change upon trying to turn it on again, no output to the display. I read that the T2 chip does not prevent RAM upgrades, substantiated by the fact that there are many tutorial videos online and success stories in the comments. It would seem that there is something else wrong.

 

[chscag]

Resetting the T2 was worth a try. Put the original memory back in and reassemble the Mini. Then, give Apple Care a call and arrange an appointment or arrange to have the Mini sent to Apple for repair. Most Apple stores here in the US are closed so I don't know how Apple will handle the repair. Apple authorized service providers remain open for the most part so they may send you to one that is closest to your home.

 

[jonjay]

Resetting the T2 was worth a try. Put the original memory back in and reassemble the Mini. Then, give Apple Care a call and arrange an appointment or arrange to have the Mini sent to Apple for repair. Most Apple stores here in the US are closed so I don't know how Apple will handle the repair. Apple authorized service providers remain open for the most part so they may send you to one that is closest to your home.

I was hoping to avoid that, but I’ll give it a go if I don’t get any other ideas here. Any thoughts on whether I should give them the history or let them diagnose on their own?

 

[chscag]

Just simply explain the problem to them. You do not void your warranty by upgrading the memory in your Mini, however, if you by chance damaged anything in the process, Apple may charge to repair the damage. But it sounds to me that you were careful and did not damage anything.

They are going to do their own diagnosis anyway regardless of what you tell them, so that's a given.

Hopefully you can get it resolved quickly. Apple stores being closed is a real pain. Our store here is only 10 minutes from my home but it too is closed for now. I recently had to take my iPhone which needed a new battery to Best Buy to have the battery replaced. Best Buy is an Apple authorized repair service facility.