bwardapple14 Author

Level 1

19 points

Mac mini M2 has second startup chime and Finder issues

My Mac mini has been quite frequently chiming for a second time when I have started it, in a similar way to the way the machine used to behave when I reset the PRAM in the old days (as I am using Tahoe on an M2, this can't be what's causing the second chime.) Is this anything to worry about? I ran First Aid on Disk Utility, without issue.

Occasionally, if I have to use Force Quit Applications to restart Finder, Finder doesn't re-appear for ages, if at all, after which I have to do a complete restart of the machine.

Mac mini, macOS 26.1

Posted on Dec 31, 2025 9:48 AM

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3 replies

Level 10

91,318 points

Dec 31, 2025 10:43 AM in response to bwardapple14

Could be anything from third-party software to low storage space.

EtreCheckPro is an excellent tool for locating and sorting out all sorts of problems.

Download and run the free version of EtreCheckPro, from > https://etrecheck.com/en/index.html

Then post back here with your Report, as per > How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community

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Level 10

102,931 points

Jan 1, 2026 2:41 AM in response to bwardapple14

Follow on

If the machine does exhibit any of the symptoms mentioned earlier

Forget the double chime

Restart the computer in Safe Mode

Be sure to discounted ALL External Drives first

If still have issues

Follow the previous advise, use the Etrecheck application and post the full report

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Level 10

102,931 points

Jan 1, 2026 2:09 AM in response to bwardapple14

During the Cold Boot ( 100% Off ) to On

During the boot up process does the loading bar ( before the login screen) Pause for an time and then reload the loading bar ?

Does is disappear and reappear during this process ?

If so, the system maybe doing a Firmware check

If we may ask

Has the computer recently been upGraded from Sequoia 15.6 to Tahoe 26.2 ?

Has the user ever downgraded from macOS 26 Tahoe back to macOS 15 Sequoia and subsequently re UpGraded back to Tahoe ?

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Mac mini M2 has second startup chime and Finder issues

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