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Re: Panic

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On 16/02/2025 22:04, TimS wrote:
> On 16 Feb 2025 at 19:40:02 GMT, "David" <BD@invalid.email> wrote:
> 
>> Does the Mac mini keep restarting randomly, or was it just this one time?
> 
> I suspect it has form for restarting (at least in the last year or so). It did
> it perhaps a few months ago, and not that long ago I found that iStat Menus
> was reporting a CPU temperature of 100C and then it restarted. And then very
> recently the temperature was creeping up (was 50C or so) so I forced the fans
> to run faster (3000rpm), which helped. Fan speed seems to be back at 1700rpm
> (perhaps because of the restart) and temps around 30 to 40C which is a lot
> better.
> 
> Somewhat busy the next few days but will apply all your test etc suggestions
> later in the week.
> 
> Thanks for the response.

You are welcome! :-D

ChatGPD says ......

Tim's Mac mini running that hot (100°C) is definitely a *big red flag* 
—it could explain the panics and restarts. Sounds like a **thermal 
throttling issue** where the CPU gets too hot, forcing an emergency 
shutdown to prevent damage.

### **What Tim Should Focus On First**
1. **Check for Dust & Cooling Issues**
    - A **2018 Mac mini** has a single fan and can collect dust, 
blocking airflow.
    - If comfortable, Tim should **open it up and clean out dust** using 
compressed air.

2. **Monitor Fan Speeds & Thermal Performance**
    - iStat Menus is a great tool.
    - **Check if the fan ever spins up properly on its own** or if it’s 
stuck at low speeds (1700rpm might be too low under load).

3. **Reset SMC Again** (Controls fans & power)
    - Since fan speed dropped back to 1700rpm, the SMC reset I mentioned 
before might help get the fans running correctly.

4. **Apply Fresh Thermal Paste?** (If overheating persists)
    - A 2018 Mac mini that has **run hot for years** might have 
dried-out thermal paste.
    - **Reapplying thermal paste** could help reduce peak temps, but 
this requires opening the machine.

5. **Keep Forcing Higher Fan Speeds for Now**
    - If running the fan at **3000rpm prevents shutdowns**, that’s a 
**clear sign the system isn’t cooling properly on its own**.
    - There are apps like **Macs Fan Control** to manually control fan 
speed until a more permanent fix is found.

### **Summary**
Tim’s Mac mini is likely **overheating and panicking due to T2/BridgeOS 
instability under extreme heat.** First, clean the dust, monitor temps, 
and force higher fan speeds. If it keeps happening, a **thermal paste 
replacement** might be needed.

Sounds like he has a plan to check things later in the week—good call!

-- 
I wish Tim well!
David

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Thread

Panic TimS <tim@streater.me.uk> - 2025-02-16 19:11 +0000
  Re: Panic David <BD@invalid.email> - 2025-02-16 19:40 +0000
    Re: Panic TimS <tim@streater.me.uk> - 2025-02-16 22:04 +0000
      Re: Panic David <BD@invalid.email> - 2025-02-16 23:31 +0000
      Re: Panic Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> - 2025-02-17 07:07 +0000
        Re: Panic Jaimie Vandenbergh <jaimie@usually.sessile.org> - 2025-02-17 10:31 +0000
          Re: Panic Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2025-02-17 11:11 +0000
            Re: Panic TimS <tim@streater.me.uk> - 2025-02-17 17:01 +0000
              Re: Panic Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2025-02-18 10:54 +0000
                Re: Panic TimS <tim@streater.me.uk> - 2025-02-18 22:17 +0000
                Re: Panic David <BD@changed.today> - 2025-02-18 22:27 +0000
          Re: Panic Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> - 2025-02-17 19:17 +0000
        Re: Panic TimS <tim@streater.me.uk> - 2025-02-17 17:03 +0000
          Re: Panic David <BD@invalid.email> - 2025-02-17 18:35 +0000
          Re: Panic Alan B <alanrichardbarker@gmail.com.invalid> - 2025-02-17 19:04 +0000

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