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  1. 12th November 2009, 09:00 PM #1
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    Default AHT error - mac mini '09

    Hi All,

    Got a stock 2.0Ghz Mac Mini (early 09 model) - upgraded to 4GB and a new 320GB Western Digital Blue Hard drive, now leopard has been installed and is running smoothly.. anyway i figured i better do a hardware test before i put the cd's and box away.. i did an 'extended' test, took over an hour and i got this message:

    'Alert! Apple Hardware Test has detected an error

    4HDD .. SATA(0,0)

    From what i have gathered from the internet, its directed to the hard drive..im not having any issues - is it already on it's way out?

    I've noticed there were a jumper settings on the hdd - was i meant to change it to slave or master or ?? i figured it wasn't necessary since it's sata..

    bit baffled.. running techtools deluxe atm and doing a surface scan etc.. on the hard drive - so far no errors, will report if any.

    ** No errors at all from TechDeluxe** will try the hardware test again..

    Cheers
    Last edited by amstrad_mac; 13th November 2009 at 07:10 PM.
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  2. 13th November 2009, 01:13 AM #2
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    That error means the Mini is having troubles maintaining a reliable buffer connection; it could be that you're a victim of the EFI update that can make some SATA 2 (3.0) drives not run as smoothly as they should. Pop the cover again, remove the drive, and check the drive's docs and then set the jumper to force SATA 1 (1.5). The Blue should then wrk perfectly, and AHT will stop complaining.
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  3. 13th November 2009, 05:38 AM #3
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    Did an overnight extended test, no errors this time.. Not sure whether to ignore it now?

    Thanks for the info Brains, I did install the mini efi update a few days ago, didn't know there was some bugs in the efi update.. Would you still suggest I do a force sata1 jumper change? Cheers
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  4. 13th November 2009, 01:11 PM #4
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    Hey Brains,

    I found this link:
    Specifications for the WD 2.5 inch Scorpio Blue Serial ATA hard drives (model WDxxxxBEVT)

    I know i have a jumper already in place in the hdd when i got it, should this be taken out to disable all the features to reduce it back to SataI?
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  5. 13th November 2009, 01:23 PM #5
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    As far as I'm aware from reading the EFI 1.7 thread on the apple discussion forums, there is no way to force a WD Scorpio (regardless of capacity) back to Sata1. I'm happy to be proven wrong.
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  7. 13th November 2009, 01:26 PM #6
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    Yeah i read that too.. however my jumper is set on to RPS - reduce power spinup ???

    I'm assuming i need to take the jumper out altogether and have the features off and keep it standard?
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  8. 13th November 2009, 07:10 PM #7
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    Just another update, I've completely taken the jumper pin out of the hard drive and it's now running much more snappier than before.

    I'm still a bit baffled by all this. Thanks Brains and mitty for their help.

    Mod please close this thread
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