I’m at a conference this week, and in addition to my MBA laptop, I packed my Mac Mini that’s my “work” computer, in case a client had an emergency. I gambled that my AirBnB lodgings would have a TV with HDMI input, and packed a wireless keyboard and mouse. All three of those function just fine when connected to my laptop, but the TV doesn’t seem to get a signal from the Mini.

I’ve been trying to figure out what could be the problem. One possibility is that the cable to the TV is Thunderbolt to HDMI rather than HDMI to HDMI, and at home the menu bar is set to the monitor that runs off the HDMI port. With the Mini headless, I can’t think of how to change System Preferences to correct that, nor how to set up a way to remotely access the machine. The Mini chimes, suggesting it's starting up—but of course I have no info on what's happening after that.

Which mini - intel or m1?

In either case, I don’t know of a pref that tells the computer which port is in use. Get a hdmi/hdmi cable from Walmart.

Can you remote into the mac mini and adjust settings from your laptop?

Quote
Mr Downtown
One possibility is that the cable to the TV is Thunderbolt to HDMI rather than HDMI to HDMI, and at home the menu bar is set to the monitor that runs off the HDMI port.

If there's only one monitor, the menu bar will default to that monitor, regardless of what output it's connected to.

The obvious question: Are you absolutely sure the TV is set to the correct HDMI input that you've hooked the mini up to?

I agree with Gareth. I think your problem is the TV and the HDMI connection.

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Ed (modelamac)

I think I will just put an OUT OF ORDER
sticker on my head and call it a day.

You may need to zap the PRAM. Perhaps your Mini is reaching for a rez that the TV can't provide.

Other potential options, depending on what you have access to.

Test the TV input by hooking up your Air to it.

Use target disk mode to connect the mini to the Air (this would only work if you have the appropriate cables/adapters with you). If so, you'd be able to access the files at least, or you could boot the Air using the mini as the start-up disk (this may cause issues if you have and need to use software that doesn't take kindly to switching computers).

If the TV's display is blank, I'm inclined to blame the adapter, but it wouldn't hurt to zap PRAM a few times.

With a wireless keyboard, you'll have to hold down Command+Option+P+R after the chime or your keypresses won't be recognized.

I'd consider running out to Target or Walmart for an HDMI cable. Check the hours first -- they're usually open late, but with the pandemic many of them close early.

Sometimes 24hr drug stores will have a small-electronics and knick-knacks aisle. Call ahead to confirm that they've got it.

...If you had screensharing enabled on the mini, your MacBook Air might be able to find it with an Ethernet connection. Got an Ethernet adapter and cable?

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I was so worried miniLeader had a Marie Antionette moment....

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I borrowed an HDMI cable from the conference A/V, and that seems to have solved the problem. Curious, as the Thunderbolt to HDMI cable works fine with the MBA.