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Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法

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  1. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, ボトムカバー: stap 1, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, ボトムカバー: stap 1, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • ボトムカバーのくぼみに親指を当てます。

    • ボトムカバーの白い点がアウターケース上の輪印に揃うまでボトムカバーを反時計回りに回します。

    • 回しているときに強く押さえる必要はありません。

    This took a lot of force on my Mac mini. A lot.

    nh3 - Antwoord

    I agree. It took a crap ton of force from my thumbs to twist the bottom off.

    sleeve -

    I accidentally broke the little things that hold the cover to the case. Is there a cheap replacement to the cover? Those clips are held onto it very weakly.

    Jacob Halton - Antwoord

    Don't just use your thumbs... Use your whole palm to twist it, with maybe a thumb in one of the recesses, applying slight downward pressure.

    markbart - Antwoord

    Wish I would have read this comment before I did it!

    I found that what markbart said works best. one palm one thumb (and my knees) My thumbs would do it. It was a bit at a time.

    Same difficulty getting it back on.

    Would be handy if this (difficulty) was mentioned in the guide

    Also would be nice to mention the safe practice of pressing the power button for a few seconds after disconnected to rid the system of any residual power, working in a clean static free environment & they say on the crucial website to touch a metal surface of the machine before touching the RAM

    Nancy -

    I think it depends, I have seen some that are very difficult to open and some super easy. But I see them everyday. I wish there was a tool that fit in the holes.

    Justin Weathersbee - Antwoord

    When seating the bottom RAM chip you may have to apply a little extra side force to get it to seat properly. I put in the new RAM and just got a beeping sound upon starting. I then put the old RAM back in and got the same result.

    Here is the solution I found on the Apple discussion board.

    "Take a small flat head screwdriver and after you put the memory in slot 0, put the screwdriver between the top of the mac mini and the memory then turn the screwdriver a little to exert pressure on the memory into the slot. Do it on both sides of the memory."

    This worked for me.

    littlemas2 - Antwoord

    I remember this when I was changing my memory ... I realized (after opening) that more you push, more force it take to open the cover. As you push down you force the cover "to rub" the casing and possibly other things inside. If you "lightly" hold the cover it comes right off ... Remember: less is more! :-)

    Have fun!

    Radek - Antwoord

    We found it hard to use the thumbs but if you put the casing on a carpet and one person is holding the case while the other is using his palm of one hand to turn the cover it comes off quite smoothly and without much downward pressure.

    Alexander - Antwoord

    If you're upgrading to an SSD, before you even take this first step, I'd recommend putting the SSD into an external drive case, using USB and format the SSD first before trying to swap your existing hard drive or implementing a fusion drive. The external drive case will come in handy later so you can use the old drive as extra storage anyhow.

    Once that SSD is internal, the Mac errors out during the formatting process. Once it was formatted externally, then installed inside the Mac again, there was no problem.

    Orange Girl - Antwoord

    The first time I did this it hurt! The second time my mac mini 2012 had been running so was warm. VERY EASY WHEN WARM. No fun when cool!

    Nancy - Antwoord

    Forget about those 2 circle indents. if you consider the 2 marked dots (open and close) as position 12 o’clock, place your thumbs at 11 and 1 o’clock on the outer rim of the cover and rotate from that position.

    juicer52 - Antwoord

    No way was I getting the back off. So I made a tool. Took a large wrench longer than the Mac mini. Superglued 2 rubber feet on the wrench at the same location as the thumb indents. Put the Mac on the ground, between my knees and used my body weight to turn the cover. Worked like a charm.

    Mark - Antwoord

    Hey dos anyone know if that can lead to the 3 beep RAM problem? I just got a Mac mini witch has the 3 Beeps when started. its not the RAMs them self because thy work in other Macs so if this could lead to thee 3 Beep problem it would make it more Ez because I don't have to Re solder the RAM Port. (This Mac mini was Running over 10 years and after it got turned of for the first Tim it started to have this problem) I think because of Over heading.

    Arvid000 - Antwoord

  2. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 2, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • アウターケースからボトムカバーが外れるようにminiを傾けます。

    • ボトムカバーを取り外します。

    I have a late 2012 Mac mini, but it must be an earlier version than this late 2012 Mac mini in this description, because removing the hard drive is much more complicated than described here. Please see this YouTube video if you have trouble removing your hard drive with these directions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvmuQIZP... There is a longer process you've got to go through. It can be done, it just takes much longer. (3-4 hours for me)

    sandyfacebook - Antwoord

    This applied to me as well. The iFixit article was good and lots of helpful information in the comments but my mini was different and required more dismantling. The video sandyfacebook posted was very helpful in taking me the rest of the way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvmuQIZP...

    Erik Heerlein -

    My HDD replacement procedure took 2 jours of research, one night sleeping on it and 30 minutes to perform…

    Rene Girardin - Antwoord

    Step 1: Always wear ESD protection.

    skjell - Antwoord

  3. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, ファン: stap 3, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • アンテナプレート付近のファンをロジックボードに固定している2つの11.3 mm T6トルクスネジを外します。

    On my mini, the fan has a 3rd screw on the bottom right of its housing just out of sight on the step 3 photo. I believe it was in the hole later referred to as the 26 mm T6 Torx standoff in step 14.

    benjamin - Antwoord

    Remove a third screw at the opposite end of the fan near the DRAM

    Craig Foster - Antwoord

    Not necessary to remove that screw at that point to get the fan out. It is only a post at that point.

    Remove it in step 14.

    Craig Reilly -

    I needed a T7 for this, and had to remove all three screws before I could take the fan out.

    mackrell - Antwoord

    The fan has in fact, 3 screws that need to be removed before you can lift it out.

    FinnCrisp888 - Antwoord

    That screw is a post at that point. I removed it at step 14.

    Craig Reilly -

    The 3rd screw needed a T5, for me.

    Martin Cleaver - Antwoord

    All of mine have 3-T6 screws.

    Kadah Coba - Antwoord

    I can't, for the life of me, get the left screw out of the cowling. Had to pull both out together. Now having a very hard time getting the cowling back in to replace the fan.

    Elvin Lucic - Antwoord

    I can’t remove the left screw to separate the fan to the cooler. Impossible to put back the fan and the cooler.

    Jérôme Rosat - Antwoord

    One of my fan screws don't come out, even though I keep trying to unscrew the screw. I tried a lot of things ranging from pulling the fan up to just trying to shake it out, please help me out with this

    cooldude20128 - Antwoord

    Only two screws as stated above need to be removed but as people have found out, the one in the cowling can bind into the post below it and it’s the post below that unscrews instead. So you end up with the screw+the post+the fan all together as one. That assembly can be worked out, and then with two pairs of pliers the post and screw can be separated.

    The lower right T6 fan screw is a standoff (that also secures the logic board). This can be loosened and kept with the fan, or (since it is friction captured in a grommet on the fan), the fan can be lifted off, being careful not to dislodge the grommet.

    John - Antwoord

    IMPORTANT: there’s a spring under the post which could go anywhere when the post comes out with the screw.

    John - Antwoord

    Hi… Hi… Good. I have a query, I want to change my internal hard drive from my Mac Mini (mid) 2011, and my query is whether to remove the fan screws and other parts, which from what I was informed is the Torx T6 screwdriver. And my question is: to remove it I need a Torx T6 screwdriver with a hollow point or the Torx T6 with a flat tip will work for me. From what I have read, that the hollow point Torx are called Precision Torx or are identified with an "H" after the number in this case: "T6H". The same query is to remove the cover where the WiFi is, should I use a Torx T8 hollow point or does the flat point work for me? From now on I thank you get me out of this doubt, before doing something wrong. Thank you very much and greetings. Image (Augusto)

    Augusto - Antwoord

    After having a look on YouTube at various methods I found it was not necessary to disconnect the fan or the antenna plate. I rotated the antenna plate out of the way and secured it with a piece of masking tape. I also found that I didn't have to move the logic board either. I lifted the HDD connector (gently) with a spludger . The original HDD came out easily once I managed to grip the plastic PCB cover (which isn't needed on the SSD) . Fitting the new SSD was easy using a masking tape 'handle' in the shape of an upside down 'T' . funnily enough the hardest part was getting the little plastic shroud on the left to sit nicely but even that was easy once I had used the masking tape 'handle' I'd used on the SSD. I always think the less you have to mess with the less chance of anything going wrong. Oh, and buy a antistatic wriststrap !

    Andy Dacosta - Antwoord

    When reassembling, take care to not over-tighten the screw on the left of the photo, which goes into the cowling. If this is screwed-in tight, then it may cause problems the next time you disassemble the Mini. (This screw is screwed into a second screw - and when you remove it, you only want the topmost screw to come out)

    Matthew F - Antwoord

  4. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 4, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • RAMに一番近い所のファンの耳を持ち上げ、アウターケースに固定されているスタンドオフから取り外します。

    • ファンを取り外すためにスタンドオフネジを外す必要はありません。スタンドオフネジから外すようにファンを持ち上げるだけです。

    Contrary to the instructions, I had to remove the fan screw

    radonr - Antwoord

    Same for me, couldn't get it to move without feeling it was going to break so I just removed the screw.

    warrencox -

    Ditto re: standoff screw

    turkeyneck -

    Better to remove the 3rd bolt here, making it easier to remove the fan. It needs to be removed anyway in step 14.

    Bas Meijer -

    Mid 2011. I too had to remove the standoff screw. It seems to be a T5.

    lsbf - Antwoord

    You will have to remove this screw in step 14, so why not now ;)

    mpalma - Antwoord

    For me it was no prob to remove the fan just pulling carefully upwards.

    Timpetou - Antwoord

    Mid 2011 Server, I had to remove the fan screw

    garzov - Antwoord

    Mid 2011. The "yellow screw" from step 14 is captive in the fan and has to be removed in step 4.

    eric - Antwoord

    Also it is much easier getting the fan correctly aligned on the stand of rubbery bit if you have the screw removed.

    aron - Antwoord

    It’s no need to remove the screw

    fatych - Antwoord

    I ended up removing the complete stand off post.

    Peter Stockwell - Antwoord

    My whole fan connector just broke when reconnecting

    Vince lolol - Antwoord

  5. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 5, afbeelding 1 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 5, afbeelding 2 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 5, afbeelding 3 van 3
    • コネクターにアクセスできるようmini本体からファンを持ち上げます。

    • 全てのワイヤーを一度に掴み、ファンをロジックボードから外すために慎重にまっすぐ引き上げます。

    • ソケットをこじ開けないでください。ロジックボードから引き裂く可能性があります。

    • ファンを取り出します。

    You actually don't need to disconnect the fan. You can just let it hang on the side while working. I accidentally killed my connector trying to pry it loose. It's being held together now by some tape, after spending hours trying to reconnect it and figuring out pin outs.

    Nick Michielsen - Antwoord

    Did it just as Nick suggested, hang the assembly to the side.

    David Chan -

    Agreed. It is much better to leave the fan connected. The only thing you actually need to disconnect is the hard drive.

    ablack3 -

    Absolutely. just dangle it.

    Chuck Lin -

    110% agreed: you don’t have to remove the fan. Those wires are delicate, as is the connector. Just move it off to the side. Do the same for the antenna plate. The fewer connectors you touch, the fewer things you break!

    Chris Belanger -

    These instructions are used as a prerequisite for many other repairs where the fan simply has to be removed in order to continue. (For example, fan replacement.) I would not recommend leaving the fan dangling from the board during a repair, as that’s a hazard all by itself. If you insist on leaving the fan connected, secure it to the chassis with some masking tape to make it a little less dangerous.

    Jeff Suovanen -

    The fan has some slack cable on it. Once you have unscrewed the fan, you should see that the connecting cable is wrapped around two hooks. CAREFULLY move the cable around the hooks to free it. You can then move the fan to one side out of the way while you access the hard drive bay. On reassembly, thread the cable back around the hooks before screwing it back in.

    Ritchie Swann -

    Be careful to LIFT UP on the fan connector cable. Using a spudger tool helps here. I mistakenly thought that the connector would slide off the logic board and tried to remove the connector this way. I ended up lifting the connector off of the logic board, thus ruining my logic board and requiring a $350 logic board replacement at the genius bar. The second time I did a HD/SSD replacement, everything worked fine.

    Matthew Wagner - Antwoord

    Yeah, I did the same thing by following someone elses "shortcut". Now I am going to shell out 289 for quad core i5 board, and a new fan BTW. . . . . . Oh well never a dull moment :) and it gets an upgrade as well!

    rob Stewart -

    That's probably the must tricky part of the replacement. I did the same thing, i just pull on my cables and the connector stays on the board. Tried many times to switch cables into but any order i try is not the good one.

    The avoid this, now, when i want to pull out my fan, i just use a plate screwdriver and lift up the connector. That's work perfectly.

    ayottepl - Antwoord

    I've just pulled out the connector that's soldered to the logic board because I used a pry tool. Be careful at this point to just pull gently on the four cables that go to the fan.

    No Name - Antwoord

    The CAUTION in step 13, "Make sure to pry up from beneath the wires and not underneath the socket," applies to this step as well, for removal of the fan wires.

    lsbf - Antwoord

    I screwed it too... Not reading carefully enough, I accidentally removed the whole socket from the board. This happened with the IR connector too. When re-assembling the parts, the socket wouldn't stick to the board, now I know why. I don't want to buy a new logic board, because I can't afford one, so I'm trying to find someone to solder it. Seems hard to find someone able to repair logic boards these days. Hope I'll be successful, otherwise this is an expensive upgrade to my mac...

    Floffrob - Antwoord

    Don't remove it with your fingers, use a tool for that. And underneath the wires!

    sebcthiebaud - Antwoord

    Followed all the instructions, everything went well, but now my mini fan won't turn off. It starts as soon as I boot up. I've tried every fan control software out there, and nothing works; the fan just constantly runs. I was very careful when I disconnected/reconnected the fan cable, and it looks fine. What else can I do?

    Ben Dunkle - Antwoord

    The problem is most likely a disconnected or damaged temperature sensor, I had this problem when reassembling a 2007 Mac mini. It can't read the temperature, so assumes the worst and sets the fan to maximum.

    patronics -

    I broke the fan wires from the connector plug. Impossible to repair. I have ordered a new fan. Is there a correct orientation to plugging in the new connector?

    ronhixson - Antwoord

    For heavens sake please DON'T remove the fan. It's really really hard to reconnect it properly. And besides that you don't have to remove the Logic Board for just changing the HDD.

    Greg Kollmann - Antwoord

    It’s very easy to reconnect if you know how. Position the connector over the socket as shown in the photo, and press it down. As long as it’s not upside-down or anything, you’re done in 5 seconds.

    Jeff Suovanen -

    Does anyone know how to solve the full RPM fan issue? My computer guy couldn't solve with fan control software

    J beneventi - Antwoord

    I removed the fan and everything worked fine, but it’s good to know that it’s a “push-down“ connector, took me some time to relize that, all I needed to do was to press down the connector over the pins, see the picture for more details.

    Jan Igerud - Antwoord

    SO glad I read these comments first.

    I changed the directions to read:

    “Use a Spudger to carefully pry the fan cable connector UP out of its socket on the logic board.“

    You guys DO know you can edit these, right?

    Brian - Antwoord

    The direction you “ gently pull” to remove the connector is all important. You have to pull upwards, vertically away from the board. If you pull more downwards parallel to the board, you may end up wrecking the connector by pulling the wires out of it as I did. Fortunately the socket was okay so it was just a case of buying a $10 replacement fan (complete with new connector).

    David - Antwoord

    DAGNABBIT! Broke it! Now I have a fan blowing on the open case while it’s operating. What can I use as a shield for dust but still allow for airflow?

    william8248 - Antwoord

    OMG, please change this instruction to NOT remove the fan. What a nightmare trying to reseat it.

    Donald Braman - Antwoord

    You need to position it over the socket as shown and press straight down. If it takes you more than 5-10 seconds, something’s wrong.

    Jeff Suovanen -

    really wish i would have seen these comments before I ripped out the fan from the logic board.

    frankie messinja - Antwoord

    I missed the word UP and instead pulled the wires straight out, which ended up with me holding the wires but leaving the plug behind in the socket. I just ordered a replacement fan from ebay, since ifixit is out of the one in the correct amperage for this unit.

    I then edited the guide to capitalize and bold the word “UP” and hopefully that saves somebody else a bit of hassle.

    Any step with a lot of comments is one people have trouble with. It might be useful if ifixit were to make it more obvious we should read the comments, at least for those that have a lot of them. It would save a lot of people a lot of hassle.

    James Vasile - Antwoord

    Just for emphasis on this point, I did exactly that - I ripped the fan connector right off of a perfectly good logic board. I used a plastic pry tool and was attempting to follow OWC video for replacing the drive. So beware! Trust me, it is not that hard to rip this thing off the board.

    Neal Sosdian - Antwoord

    DO NOT REMOVE THE FAN.

    Put it to one side.

    Curtin Architecture - Antwoord

    Here’s a video showing how this is done: https://youtu.be/KlR-RWtqzis

    glennbecker - Antwoord

  6. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, カウリング: stap 6, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • カウリングをヒートシンクに固定している3.5 mm T6スクリューを1本、外します。

    in Step 6 — Cowling ; " Remove the single 3.5 mm T6 Torx screw securing the cowling to the heat sink", does it mean that it is the same T6 Torx screw for the cowling and the heat sink ?

    In fact at the end, I mess this T6 Torx screw !

    cegondaireun - Antwoord

    Uhh I can't get this to go back in? Not sure what is going on...

    David Inman - Antwoord

    Note that when you are replacing this cowling you are putting the screw back into what looks like another screw that holds the heat sink to the logic board. Disconcerting but correct.

    thrint - Antwoord

    Thank you!

    I kept looking at that screw and wondering why I was trying to screw that screw into another screw.

    I've done removal and reinstalling a couple of days apart and I don't remember everything about what happened and where things came from. You're not wrong that it's disconcerting!

    Andrew K -

    Note That the arc of the cowling does not butt to the edge of the chassis. But slides in below it. Once the two screws on the heat sink are aligned with the cowling holes, it's good to go.

    imtimrob - Antwoord

    used a T7 head to get this one out.

    patjmccarthy - Antwoord

    Does this screw have a spring attached to it?

    martinknowsbest - Antwoord

  7. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 7, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • アンテナプレートに一番近い端からカウリングを持ち上げます。

    • カウリングをアウターケースから外れるように回してmini本体から外します。

    Look very closely at how this is set. Take a photo. Because when I put mine back together it took 45 minutes just to get the fan and this cowling to fit in place next to each other.

    sandyfacebook - Antwoord

    The cowling has a notch close to the midpoint of the flange that goes under the outer case, which slides onto a standoff screw attached to the logic board. I used a Sharpie marker to put one "alignment mark" on the inner edge of the outer case. I put another alignment mark from the midpoint of the cowling notch out onto the visible part of the cowling. This made it much easer to reassemble, especially since my standoff post provided a tight fit, which, when I did this the first time, felt like "it doesn't fit . . . again?" It also helped to insert the end of the cowling closest to the heat sink first, which acted as a "fulcrum" for the cowling to "click" onto the standoff post.

    Carrick - Antwoord

    On reassembly, if you're having trouble lining up the cowling with the screw holes, you can try pulling the logic board out a tad and set the cowling in place. Just try not to damage the cowling or the inside of the outer case when sliding it back in!

    Drew - Antwoord

    This is one of the few problems I had when reassembling because I didn’t realise at first that the cowling goes just under the lip of the outer case rather than just butting up against it; once done, it’s easy to line up the screw holes.

    eggs - Antwoord

    Thank you Carrick!

    geoff.dunkak - Antwoord

    I am working on a late 2012 Mac Mini (A1347) and there are two T6 screws on the cowling. On towards the WIFI as indicated, and another towards the back by the SD card slot.

    Roman Sturgis - Antwoord

    this is for the mac mini 2011. for mac mini 2012, see here: Mac mini Late 2012

    Gray Greensheim -

  8. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, アンテナプレート: stap 8, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • 下記のアンテナプレートを固定している次のネジを外します:

    • 2本の6.6 mm T8 トルクスネジ

    • 2本の5.0 mm T8 トルクスネジ(スクリュードライバーでも可)

    • 再組み立ての際には:

    • アンテナプレートを正しい位置に装着しなければ、ハードディスクドライブを正しい位置で固定するのが難しくなります。ネジの穴がハードドライブ上のネジ穴に揃わない場合、ハードドライブ裏の2つのピンがケースの裏、セカンドハードディスクのハウジング上の穴にきちんと入っているか確認してください。

    • アンテナはハードドライブ(赤印)に直接取り付けられているため、アンテナの取り付けがハードドライブを動かしロジックボードとのケーブル接続を緩める事があります。

    When reassembling this aerial plate, it may take a very strong force to align the side lips with the screw bays. The circular edge on the body is meant to slot into the plate by less than 1mm. I followed the rule of thumb, which is, if it takes an unusual force, stop and think it out to avoid a disaster! Then, I hit on using a paper clip to get around this problem. Make a paper clip L-shaped to loop through a hole close to the edge of the plate, where the slotting is not deep enough. Gently lifting the paper clip, slide and push the aerial plate in place. This worked like a charm without using a strong force.

    al dente - Antwoord

    Worked like a charm, saved my day!!!

    David -

    @Al Dente’s approach worked for me, but at first I didn’t understand what he meant. Basically the antenna mesh has a tongue and grove relationship with the mac mini shell; it is hard to see, but along the curved edge has a concave grove which needs to be widened. You can widen this concave grove with a paper clip and then it will fit perfectly.

    Ife Nkechukwu -

    Wow! I struggled with this for at least 1 1/2 hours. Then I tried this suggestion and it worked with ease and immediately. Genius suggestion. Thanks!!!

    Kbwood -

    My only real problem in the whole process was putting back the antenna plate. Couldn't get both side screws to align. Ended up leaving one out but might try the paper clip trick now

    andrewarwas - Antwoord

    I had a similar experience, but when I realized the two 5.0mm T8 Torx screws were 2 of a set of 3 that also served to hold the cover on, I wasn't comfortable with only securing the cover with 2.

    UNSC Jon 117 -

    DO NOT BRUTE FORCE the reinstallation of the plate. In my case, the top lip of the antenna plate has a notch which aligns with the edge of the opening was preventing the perfect fit. All I did in my case was use the spudger to pry open the notch a little more to give me a little bit extra space so that edge of the aluminum enclosure fits into that notch on the top of the antenna plate. Hope that helps. :)

    chicosy - Antwoord

    I did this too. Worked like a charm.

    ablack3 -

    Thanks for the tip: I did the same thing and it worked like a charm

    Zitoune7 -

    I was installing an SSD in my mini and when I got to this step, an issue came up. The two 6.6mm screws on the antenna plate screw into one side of, and secure, the hard drive. The problem was the SSD was thinner than the original hard drive, so when I tried to reassemble, the hard drive sat too low for the screws to reach it.

    Here's how I got around the problem. I loosely attached the antenna plate to the hard drive, leaving plenty of wiggle room between the plate and the drive. I also left the two stand off screws on the logic board off to give me more wiggle room there.

    With the SSD attached to the antenna plate, I carefully connected and stowed the Bluetooth cable. Using the antenna plate as a handle, I was able to guide the SSD into the hard drive mount. Once in place, I tightened the 6.6mm screws more, which raised the SSD to the proper level.

    After insuring that the screws all lined up, I installed and tightened the logic board, then the other antenna plate screws.

    yourgenius - Antwoord

    I was able to achieve the same result with an slim SSD disk by simply turning the computer around with the access hole down so that gravity would pull the SSD towards the antenna plate.

    Mikael -

    I attached the SSD to the antenna plate FIRST. Then I connected the RF and the HD connectors during the antenna plate installation.

    Robert Reid -

    After trying these suggestions with a thinner SSD and couldn't get anywhere I used a bent paper clip, L-shaped, to act as a hook. One end I was able to simply hook under the drive and pull it up to install that ends screw loosely. The opposite end I inserted the paper clip through the antenna grate, again pulled up on the drive, installed the screw and carefully pulled the paper clip out.

    Tony Visconti -

    I used a spudger to lift the SSD so that it reached the screws. Not the best solution as the spudger applied some force on the board but it worked.

    vlada -

    The SSD was obviously thinner than the old HDD it was replacing so the screws didn’t contact the threads.

    As “Mikael”^^ said… flipped it upside down and it worked a treat!!! Cheers dude :-)

    Also the paperclip trick came to the rescue to get the antenna plate back on, couldn’t quite get it to sit correctly otherwise!

    Thanks all :-)

    Oliver Fox -

    I found this easy by temporarily using a longer hard drive screw in the right hand hole in the antenna plate to hold the drive in position . Screw in a couple of turns and slide in the HD while the screw is loose. Then tighten to secure the thinner SSD to the plate and insert and tighten the other screw. Finally remove the temporary screw and replace with the correct one.

    Alastair Nisbet -

    The "engineering tolerances" are definitely tight for the AirPort antenna plate. I would recommend trying to replace it as soon as it's removed for the first time, in order to work out the (precise) alignment of it.

    Nothing I tried (including the suggestions here) seemed to help me during reassembly. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get the holes for the two 5.0mm T8 screws to line up. Eventually, I had to resort to CAREFULLY and SLIGHTLY re-bending the curved edge of the antenna plate.

    UNSC Jon 117 - Antwoord

    REATTACHING grate - al dente's trick helped me.

    The tiny perforations on the grate rest ON TOP of the lip of the case, while the remainder of the grate slides UNDER the lip. It is very hard to see - I used a magnifying glass.

    To get it into place, create a tiny hook on the end of a paperclip. Moving along the edge of the grate, lift a perforation with the hook to help it slip into place. Keep moving along the edge until entire grate is shifted into place.

    Chris 1000 - Antwoord

    I had several 2-terminal connectors that went to what appeared to be temperature sensors on several components including the hard disk and optical drive. I accidentally pulled the wires out of one of these connectors. Lucky for me, they came out clean and I was able to just re-insert them into the connector

    Kyle Jurick - Antwoord

    On a Mini bought Jan 2014, Red screws were T-9 and orange were 2mm Hex, T-8 didn't work in either one. T-9 didn't work in orange.

    michael - Antwoord

    As everyone else has noted during re-assembly, seating the antenna plate is tricky. For me, what ended up working was to attach the hard drive screws first. After this, with just a little wiggling of the plate, the 2 5mm screw holes lined up perfectly.

    jonathansturges - Antwoord

    Aligning the drive holes with the ones on the antenna grate was easy – just take the pointy end of the spudger. Also, for getting the circular part of the grate set correctly, I had to bend down the outermost part a tiny little bit and then used curved tweezers to lift the grate once it was near its final position to get it slide in the last millimeter. Frustrating at first, but it worked after a few tries.

    Julian - Antwoord

    Has anyone had any trouble getting the two 5.0mm screws back in place? I can't seem to get them in, as they just keep on turning. I thought the thread may have been damaged but I then removed the plate and could screw them in position okay. It seems the depth of the plate is causing the screws to not go down far enough. I've had to leave these off at the moment (obviously not great as this means the bottom cover is loose. Any ideas?

    alan - Antwoord

    I had the same problem but only on one of the two screws. Then I realized there's a little tiny "o-ring" underneath which is acting like a nut. I lost one of them in the process of upgrading. If I could find out where to buy a new one I would!

    lyleberman -

    @lyleberman Where are these O-rings? Under what? :)

    I figured I’d wasted the thread on the screws here, and was about to buy new ones at an absurd cost, but this is exactly what’s happening to me! I’ve currently ‘secured’ the antenna plate at the sides with duct tape. But this leaves the machine’s lid loose.

    I’d love to hear more about this, so I can get rid of my ghetto solution!

    Darren Black -

    The antenna plate seems to give most people problems. Somewhere along the line I found reference to "a wiggle here and a wiggle there" and that seemed to work. Shy away from the brute force - it's the surest way to damage something.

    Steen Rancher January 12, 2015

    Steener - Antwoord

    If 5.0 mm T8 holes don't line up with those on the body, you should hook the antenna up a bit.

    manwe - Antwoord

    Despite all the efforts, I couldn't manage to insert both side screws for the antenna plate. I ended up only using a single one (the one nearest to the HD connector), hoping it will hold the weight of the SSD.

    ngt - Antwoord

    Same issue with that antenna plate - take a look at it from the side and you will see the incredibly tight gap which the lip of the case needs to slot into. I assumed it simply butted up against the case, but no.

    I used a big paper clip as suggested here, putting in one screw and then lifting through the perforations while applying a little pressure to the plate. Turned out there was one point misaligned and after a few tries it popped back in.

    Andrew - Antwoord

    The thickness of your hard drive or SSD plays a part here, I think. With a thicker SSD (Crucial M4) in the upper slot I found the antenna plate very hard to re-install. After replacing this with a Samsung Evo 850 it was much easier, I think because the lower drive has more room to breathe. With the thinner SSD I didn't have to remove the power supply, either – a major plus.

    Charles Butcher - Antwoord

    For those having trouble reinstalling the Aerial Plate, it is probably a matter of alignment. The recessed edge of the plate slides all the way up under the lip edge of the case. I used my iFixit bent tweezers spread and inserted through a couple holes to lightly pull up on the grate while pushing on the flat edge. No hard force was required. It just snapped right in. You'll know when it is home because it will be a snug fit to the edge of the case inside the arc of the opening.

    imtimrob - Antwoord

    I would also add that during the reassembly process, make sure the drive stays firmly seated in the grommets. There's a tendency for it to come out or partially out. I kept nudging on it to make sure it was fully seated. Then the antenna screws line up nicely. Some of the problems I read about getting the screws in I suspect arise form the hard drive not being fully seated.

    Robert Meppelink - Antwoord

    Al Dente and Chris1000 provided the key for me. I used the logic board tool to help lift the cutout sections into place on the top part. Once I did that I slid in to place so easily I almost pulled it out of place trying to adjust it.

    jesscoker - Antwoord

    Hilariously, I was trying all the tricks, with the paper clip, and putting the drive screws in first, nothing working for me to get the case screw holes aligned. I ended up saying “one screw might just have to do it”, so I put the first case screw in, then I tried putting the second one in from an angle into the misaligned hole, and screwing it in, and that caused the plate to pop into place!

    lukejoz - Antwoord

    What finally helped me was to check things one at a time. To check the tongue-and-groove fit, I installed the antenna plate by itself, with the hard drive removed. I used a spudger to pry open the groove on the antenna plate, since I had closed it a bit by forcing things. After the antenna plate was going in by itself, I focussed on the hard drive. At first, I was pre-attaching the hard drive to the antenna plate, but this makes it hard to see if the hard drive is going in as far as it should. Getting the two protruding screws on the hard drive into their holes is tricky (I found turning the Mini upside down to use gravity helped), but for me it was some wires at the side of the hard drive space that were getting under the drive and making it sit up high that was the problem. Once I got the hard drive in, and then the antenna plate, I could get the last two screws which hold the drive to the plate to catch by turning the Mini upside down and tapping it on top to bring the hard drive close to the plate.

    Duane - Antwoord

    So, what they mean by the “paper clip” trick is that you need to lift away the round edge where the wire runs, to be a little further away from the plate. Then it will fit without forcing it.

    Agnes Riley - Antwoord

    In order to put back correctly the 2 Torx T8 6,6 mm in the hard drive through the airport grid, I used a pick (to play guitar) to lift up the hard drive in order for the 2 screws to reach the hard drive holes.

    I inserted the pick in the little space left between the mother board and the hard drive. Then, by leaning the pick against the motherboard, it lifted up the hard drive against the grid. Then it was super-easy.

    Hope it might help…

    BAN JI - Antwoord

    The flush screws holding the hard drive to the mesh plate are actually T9 torx. The other little screws on the left and right edges of the mesh plate are T8.

    Nathan Barnett - Antwoord

    No I disagree with all of this … this is plain and simple extremely difficult bordering on impossible and I now have to take the mini to professionals and pay them to see if its salvageable .. so moral of the story I wasted money and time trying to go DYI and I learned the hard way.

    Jay Kassabian - Antwoord

    In my case the two center screws on the antenna cage do not physically connect to the drive. They're just held in place with rubber grommets and do not screw out. All you need to do is remove the outer two screws and the antenna can be removed

    Gregory Travis - Antwoord

    The two outer screws which also holds the bottom plate won’t fit anymore. It seems that the wholes for these screws lost their tight fit, the screws just drops in and falls out again… bummer, now the bottom plate doesn’t stays in place

    Rene - Antwoord

    The screws marked in red are T9 Torx, not T8. For the screws marked in orange, use the proper tool, 2 mm Hex, and nothing else.

    skjell - Antwoord

  9. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 9, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 9, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • アンテナプレートのRAMに一番近い側を少し持ち上げます。

    • 慎重にアウターケースの縁からアンテナプレートを引いてください。

    • まだアンテナプレートを取り出さないでください。アンテナプレートはまだAirPort/ Bluetoothボードに接続されています。

    Here's where it started going south on me because the two T8 screws aren't really attached to anything because my hard drive is on the top of the case where the DVD drive used to be.

    jpmist - Antwoord

    The top curved part of the antenna plate has a thin lip on the bottom edge, but is very flexible. During reassembly when sliding the antenna plate back into position, if the 4 holes do not exactly line up, then try bending that lip downward a bit and the antenna plate should then line up perfectly.

    Eric Demopoulos - Antwoord

    Actually, curved edge of antenna has a groove into which an edge of aluminium body should slide in. In my case a vary slight lift by putting tip of tweezers into one of the antenna top holes made a good help - antenna popped into correct position.

    Jurgis R - Antwoord

    Thank you! Helped me in my 2012 mini.

    Edmar Herrero -

    On reassembly, I could engage either one of the two ears, but not both at the same time. _Lifting_ the antenna plate slightly with a paperclip bent into an “L” and inserted through one of the holes close the the center of the curved edge did the trick for me.

    Andrew Black - Antwoord

    Adding 2nd drive to Late 2012 2.6GHz i7 Mac mini

    This is as far as I had to go with disassembly.

    Disconnected & eased out original 1TB HD. Removed the two grommets on its side and switched the 1TB HDD with the new 2nd drive cable (not quite the same as the one illustrated here – mine consisted of just the cable and no cradle ). Eased that HD back in and attached it to the previously spare drive socket on the logic board (with drive at the top, right-hand looking down). Screwed 2 grommets into my new 500GB (7mm) SSD, attached old drive cable and eased the SSD in on top of the old drive. Connected that drive to the first logic board socket.

    Took a while aligning the antenna plate and the 2 inner screws didn’t seem to line up with the new SSD so in the end I left them out. Everything seems secure, though. Cowling slipped back in place with no problem and that was it.

    Currently cloning the old HDD onto my new SSD with Carbon Copy Cloner. So far, so good. Can’t believe how easy it was – just 10 steps rather than 37!

    Roger Houghton - Antwoord

    There is no need to remove the antenna connector if you are only replacing *most accessible* drive, which Apple calls “lower” for some reason when it is actually the “upper” drive! Just remove the four screws that hold the antenna plate and move the plate to the left and out of the way.

    skjell - Antwoord

    The antenna plate is precision made but of very thin metal that can easily be bent. Try to avoid bending the plate and inspect it before reassembly.

    skjell - Antwoord

  10. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 10, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • スパッジャーの先端を使って、アンテナコネクターの接続をAirPort/Bluetooth上のソケットから外します。

    steps 10 11 13 14 15 16 not necessary …

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 12 17 only needed to change hard drive …

    radioman - Antwoord

    You were right.

    kurtsaban -

    yep worked for me too

    kate henderson -

    Worked for me too.

    ablack3 -

    Absolutely correct. Thanks. The wide-head screws holding in the antenna plate may be used on the upper side of the HD (SSD in my case) to help hold the side of the HD that slips under the case -up- so the two side mounting screws in the drive may be seated properly in the case. This is easier to do than to describe. (Others have noted this, as well and I followed the advice.)

    barryjaylevine -

    This, agreed. Do as Radioman says. Far less complicated and I had everything apart and back together within 10 minutes.

    Chris Belanger -

    Step 10 is different for late mini Mac 2012

    The antennaplug is different (round)

    Josse - Antwoord

    That s why it is easier to leave it on the logic board at all times

    There is no need to remove it.

    Carefully let it follow the logic board assembly when you take that it out completely in the nex steps.

    Bas Meijer -

    Agreed. I just rotated the antenna plate out of the way.

    barryjaylevine -

    unless, of course, you are here to replace the logic board

    maccentric -

    I skipped steps 10 and 11 but had to do the rest to get the drive out. My system had a second drive so that may be why the logic board had to be removed to have enough room to get the drive out past the DIMM sockets.

    Craig Foster - Antwoord

    On the Late 2012 model the antenna connector is hidden under the case, so unlike as indicated in step 10 you can not see the connector and definitely not remove it until the Logic Board has been eased out an inch. Note how the cable makes a loop under the case as it is removed. Remember to reconnect the same way with the loop and connected before the logic board is pushed in all the way.

    Indy - Antwoord

    The antenna connector is underneath a black flap. I just lifted the flap slightly with a spudger and used my fingers to disconnect.

    FinnCrisp888 - Antwoord

    ...in the latest delivery of the mac mini they had changed something. The antenna plug is hidden under a plastic cover and some tape on it.

    You have to push up the cover and remove the tape...not really difficult, it was formed so you can put up easilly.

    Tom - Antwoord

    If your machine came with a 7mm drive and you are replacing with a 7mm drive you do not need to move the logic board. I installed an Intel 335 240GB drive which is a 9.5mm drive and to get that drive in I did need to bump the logic board out to clear the memory slot brackets. I did not need to remote any other wires or connections as the logic board only needs to move maybe an 1/8" to get the drive to clear the memory bracket.

    klaubscher326 - Antwoord

    When removing the wifi antenna make sure you use a plastic spudger and lever up underneath the wire. I used a metal screwdriver and levered up from the side opposite the wire and ripped the pico-ITX connector right off the board! Fortunately I only use my mini via Ethernet, but now I have no choice!

    Kevin Broadey - Antwoord

    Did you actually break it? It pops out easily and can actually be plugged back in easily too with tweezers or small needle nose pliers. I did the same thing with no permanent damage.

    Steen Rancher

    January 12, 2015

    Steener -

    I skipped this step with no problems.

    manwe - Antwoord

    I have a late 2012 Mac mini, but it must be an earlier version than this late 2012 Mac mini in this description, because removing the hard drive is much more complicated than described here. Please see this YouTube video if you have trouble removing your hard drive with these directions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvmuQIZP... There is a longer process you've got to go through. It can be done, it just takes much longer. (3-4 hours for me)

    sandyfacebook - Antwoord

    I think sandyfacebook is speaking about the mini server with the second drive this guide is about replacing the primary drive.

    BTW, I agree with radioman: it MUCH safer if you do not need to remove the logic board to replace the HD. Just stop after step 12 and pull the drive out. The trouble starts when you try to put it back in because gravity is working against you: the drive has to hang in its slots about 1 cm above the top casing, which is on your table. The trick is to flip the mini up onto its front edge and after a couple of tries the buttons on the HD will engage their sockets.

    rsjrsj - Antwoord

    Am unable to reattach the cable to its socket on the wireless board of my late 2012 (after installing SSD as second drive). Looks roughly the same as pictures here, but won’t attach. Anyone had problems attaching and figured it out?

    foosayer - Antwoord

    On my late 2012 Mac mini, I could not slide out the lower drive without removing the logic board; the memory cards were in the way. Radioman’s suggestion may work for some disks, but not for mine.

    Andrew Black - Antwoord

    Thanks sandyfacebook, I also had a 2012 Mac Mini (not the Server version) where the Primary drive was installed in the top (that is to say, lower when the Mini is upside down to be worked on) drive slot. This meant a complete disassembly was required, removing the logic board completely, along with the PSU and lastly the lower drive caddy. Unlike the drive shown in the pictures, the one underneath is secured into the caddy with screws and cannot be just lifted out.

    stuart.johns - Antwoord

    You are absolutely right. It would have much too easy to make the drives accessible and user-replaceable. Anyone who has worked on the iMac knows what I am talking about...

    skjell -

    In the version I am looking at 17 is shifting the main board and not needed for drive only replacement, 18 is pulling the drive out

    Rob Miller - Antwoord

  11. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 11, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • アンテナプレートをmini本体から取り出します。

    There's no real need to disconnect the antenna. You can just lay the grill gently on its side and leave it connected.

    FinnCrisp888 - Antwoord

    That is true if you do not need to remove the logic board (i.e. you are only replacing the drive in the original slot position).

    anonymous 3693 -

    You can leave the antenna plate attached and remove the logic board if you're careful while removing the motherboard.

    Dan Wilson - Antwoord

    You might find the two silver screws (along the edge of the grill) will not attach. That's because the hard drive was installed a millimeter or two in the wrong place (or maybe the new hard drive has screw holes offset, in the wrong place). This happened to me. Rather than take it apart (again), I'll just secure the two screws that go into the tabs. No question this will keep things secure enough (just a question if I'll suffer noise or rattle). Extra screws are fun :-)

    scootz - Antwoord

    You can gently use the tip of a screwdriver to align the antenna plate screw holes as long as your hard drive pegs are aligned. *DO NOT FORCE* as your hard drive may just not be in the right place.

    Drew - Antwoord

    On my Late 2012 mini, the antenna plate connector is covered by part of the case. But, as FinnCrisp888 said, there is actually no need to remove the antenna plate at all; just carefully fold it back to expose the bottom drive.

    Andrew Black - Antwoord

    Has anyone figured out how to reconnect the antenna wire back to the logic board?

    Phillip Mullins - Antwoord

  12. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, ロジックボード: stap 12, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, ロジックボード: stap 12, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • スパッジャーの平坦側を使って、ロジックボード上のソケットからハードドライブコネクタを持ち上げます。

    It may just be my own experience, but the hard drive connectors appear to be "sensitive" to ANY pressure, even when (re)connected properly. I found that I had to repeatedly re-seat them when re-installing the drive, AirPort antenna, and cowling. I would recommend holding off on putting the screws back for the AirPort antenna and cowling until both are in place, and re-checking the hard drive connectors before installing/tightening those screws.

    UNSC Jon 117 - Antwoord

    Note the hard drive connector attaches to the outermost connector on the logic board. On my Mini it attached to the inner connector.

    The cable I got in the Dual Drive kit was exactly the same as the one installed in my Mini. I had to fold it to shift it over to snap on the outer connector.

    And, no, my hard drive wasn't where the picture shows it to be.

    jpmist - Antwoord

    As UNSC Jon 117 says, these connectors are worryingly prone to pop off if there's any movement of the drives. Fortunately they're accessible even after refitting the antenna plate, so I would wait until then for a last-minute check. I've done this job three times now on the same Mac and everything has been fine.

    Charles Butcher - Antwoord

    The server version of the MacMini 2011 has three extra two wire cables for temperature sensors: two on the drive directly under the antenna plate, one on the other drive.

    The small connectors have to lifted up from the logic board just like the fan connector and the IR sensor connector.

    Take care when transferring the sensors to a new drive because two of those three extremely tiny PC board need to be removed of the old drive and are glued in place.

    ernstcline - Antwoord

    The "pop off" seems only to happen during reassembly if you press on the harddisk body. The harddisk at this time can be pressed in the direction of the underlying drive (in my case a SSD Drive) . Once the grid with the antenna has been attached (two red screws in step 8) this cannot happen any more.

    John Doe 9th - Antwoord

  13. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 13, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • スパッジャーの先を使って、IRセンサーコネクターをロジックボードのソケットから持ち上げます。

    • ソケットの下ではなくワイヤの下を持ち上げるように注意してください。

    This board component is very delicate, I screwed up my Mac Mini IR receiver and HDD led light by doing this wrong. PLEASE take your time to do this delicately.

    lcba813 - Antwoord

    I have the same problem. I damaged the connecter for IR Sensor which is on the Logic Board.

    Is there a way to fix it?

    macnaf@orange.fr

    Michel -

    On my 2012 mac mini, the IR sensor was just soldered to the board--no connector that you could snap out. I have never used the remote with it, so I just let it disconnect. But I did have a few moments of panic while I remembered what the IR was for.

    AG -

    Anche a me e' successa la stessa cosa : si sono staccati i pin saldati alla piastra madre e non ho potuto riattaccare lo spinotto dell' IR sensor....esiste un modo per ripararlo?

    Ignazio Lussu -

    This connector can be repaired with the right tools and know how. Using an SMD hot air station or possibly even a professional quality soldering iron with a needle point tip is how you would approach it. I repaired mine—which I busted loose, of course by rushing things and pulling too hard—using a hot air station, but it was very tedious work requiring magnifying head gear and special low temp SMD soldering paste. Not an easy fix even with the right tools.

    S. M. -

    Yes, this is extremely fragile. A couple of the pins on the logic board broke off. They are very tiny pins that are secured to the board surface with solder. I was very careful with it too, but they broke nevertheless. There is no repairing that when it happens. Thus, I have no IR sensor (which I never used) and no front LED (minor loss - not worth the cost of a new logic board). Works fine otherwise.

    davidw - Antwoord

    Mannn this part is difficult. Tks for my girlfriend that disconected it for me. Hands of fary!

    luiscortex - Antwoord

    I also just snapped this off by levering at the wrong point. So this is just for the IR sensor and the flashing light? If so, I'll just ignore it and happily carry on with life without these two features that I never used or noticed! I've been searching for someone who can do the delicate welding to reconnect the 5 pins but if what you say is true I'll stop searching.

    Recommend emphasizing even more in the instructions, the potential for disaster!

    warren - Antwoord

    The pins connect into the edge of the connector, not the top or the bottom. So, you should pull it out parallel to the logic board in the direction of the wires, towards the front of the case.

    When reassembling, it's easier to connect this before pushing the logic board in all the way.

    TerribleHacker - Antwoord

    Also: do not attempt to bend the pins upwards to install, and then bend it back. I broke 3 pins that way.

    It easier if you unhook the wires from a couple of tabs on the side attached to the case. That allows more leeway to manipulate the connector. There are two plastic tabs, and the wires are routed between them so that they do not move out of place.

    I suggest taking a good close-up photo so you can see how the parts fit together. That's how I was able to figure out what I was doing wrong.

    TerribleHacker -

    TerribleHacker: "pull it out parallel to the logic board" – no, or at least not on mine. The pins are vertical and the socket has two vertical tongues that fit into grooves on the plug. Vertical is the way to go. In cases like this I use tweezers to pull gently on the wires, and if possible the plug – but the latter is very difficult in this case.

    Charles Butcher - Antwoord

    Yep. Like others here I no longer have IR. Be VERY careful removing this!

    Bryan Schneider - Antwoord

    TAKE YOUR TIME!!! I used the spudger and pushed up from the back on the plastic, NOT the wires. And I had no issues. Pulling on the wires scared me way to much. Pull up vertically.

    Will Vernon - Antwoord

    Before attempting to remove the connector, use 5 minute epoxy to glue the wires together. Do this in several small batches and apply with a toothpick, right up to the plastic connector, but not glued to the connector (to risky and not necessary). Be especially careful not to glue to the motherboard. You basically want all 5 wires glued together as if they were a ribbon cable. After the epoxy is cured, pry up from underneath the wires to remove from the motherboard.

    Moldyjohn - Antwoord

    I could remove the HDD and then was able to use the folded spudger from the hdd side of the motherboard to _easily_ pull the connector up from its corners (not via the wires).

    Grigory Entin - Antwoord

    I lost my IR sensor and HDD led light as well. Everything was moving along smoothly and I got cocky with the spudger and lifted the connection out of the board. I reassembled with the upgrades and it ran just fine. Like others, I had never used the remote and couldn’t see the HDD light where the mini sat on my desk anyway.

    Peter Bovey - Antwoord

    yes, there is a way to FIX it, solder it back ! :) that’s what I did on mine

    Hubert H. - Antwoord

    The best way is to first remove the logic board already 0.5 cm out, like discribed in the next steps. Look closely at the wires, they tell you how far you can go! Then take a cotton swab, cut off the cotton ends ending witha plastic stick, bend the end to get it easily under the wires and pull it carefully upwards. The connector then comes off in one piece.

    Bas Meijer - Antwoord

    The best way is to first remove the logic board already 0.5 cm out, like discribed in the next steps. Look closely at the wires, they tell you how far you can go! Then take a cotton swab, cut off the cotton ends ending witha plastic stick, bend the end to get it easily under the wires. Take both ends and pull it carefully when it is as close as possible to the connector. The connector then comes off in one piece.

    Bas Meijer - Antwoord

    Must really concur with Bas Meijer’s suggestion. Move the logic board slightly first then it is a breeze to get under the wires and lift up.

    Mal Watson - Antwoord

    As the warning says “pry up beneath the wires, not beneath the socket”. The connector lifts out, but is surrounded on 3 sides by walls of the socket. Don’t lift the socket off, lift the connector out. Easier after step 14-15 and you move the main board out just slightly.

    Greg Nash - Antwoord

    Does anyone know what is the name of the connector cable side ) I want to buy a new one as mine is damaged and repair it.

    Andrei Constantinescu - Antwoord

    I am also wondering if I can purchase the side that was on the mother board?

    dogus aslan - Antwoord

    Unfortunately I bent two of the pins in the process. Moving them back into position broke them, although I was very careful. I felt so stupid. Who the heck at apple thought this is a good design to connect things?? I thought the mini is already lost. Happy to read this cable is not super important, so I will carry on.

    dennis - Antwoord

    You can find the connectors for cheap on AliExpress. I recommend getting at least five of them because they are easy to destroy while trying to install them. Search for "IR board cable connector for Mac Mini A1347" - without the quotation marks. I've not yet been successful installing a new connector. I need a very thin, perhaps angled soldering iron tip to fit in between the connector and that metal post.

    David Germain - Antwoord

  14. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 14, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • 下記の3つのネジを外します:

    • 1つの5.0 mm T8 トルクスまたは2.0 mm 六角ネジ(スクリュードライバーでも可)

    • 1つの16.2 mm T6トルクスネジ

    • 1つの26 mm T6スタンドオフネジ

    Hi, I can't remove the yellow screw, I don't even see it (it look like more like on this picture: http://static.macgeneration.com/img/2012...)

    So I don't know what to do, I don't want to damage the tread (if there is actually one..) and I can't move the logic-board..

    Do you hav any idea?

    broussesimon - Antwoord

    The "yellow screw" depicted in this picture doesn't exist in the Mac Mini late 2012, at least in mine. Well, to be more precise, it exists but was already removed when the fan was unscrewed (it was actually in the fan).

    Jeff Evans -

    I found the same as Jeff.

    Martin Cleaver - Antwoord

    For reassembly, note that the red T8/2mm hex screw doesn't screw all the way down. It is for the bottom lid to slide-lock onto. Don't look for a hole beneath it on the logic board.

    malcolmgin - Antwoord

    this yellow screw come from fan , on the image in front missing exactly this one screw (yellow circle)

    Christopher - Antwoord

    any idea in how to remove a stuck the "green” screw ?

    MF_Bra - Antwoord

    The yellow screw (fan stand off) on my late 2012, was removed with the fan.

    Peter Stockwell - Antwoord

    the orange screw is stuck in my Mac mini late 2012. I got a used one and I guess it was screwed too tightly. Anyone knows a trick to get the screw out of the socket?

    dan - Antwoord

  15. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 15, afbeelding 1 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 15, afbeelding 2 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 15, afbeelding 3 van 3
    Gereedschap gebruikt in deze stap:
    Mac mini Logic Board Removal Tool
    $4.99
    Koop
    • ロジックボードを取り外すには、Mac mini Logic Board Removal Tool の2本の筒型の棒を赤でハイライトされた穴に挿入しなければなりません。それ以外の基板上の穴に工具を入れると故障を招く事があります。

    • Mac Mini Logic Board Removal Tool を赤でハイライトされた穴に挿入してください。工具が基盤の下のアウターケースに到達しているか確認してください。

    • 慎重に工具をI/Oボード側に引っ張ります。基板とI/Oボードアセンブリはアウターケース外側にわずかに動きます

    • I/Oボードがアウターケースから分離されているのが確認できたら、作業を止めてください。

    • Mac mini Logic Board Removal toolを取り出します。

    If you're in a pinch and don't have time to order the removal tool, you can use two 2mm hex wrenches.

    philomathius - Antwoord

    You can also use the probes from a Digital Multi-Meter. Just be very careful not to stab the pointed end into the casing. With a little care, you can get the logic board out.

    mattgarfield - Antwoord

    On re-assembly, when you're putting the HD back in place, before you've pushed the logic board fully back into place, make sure the disk is in the right place for the antenna plate screw holes (step 8/9) or you'll have problems getting the screws back in. I did, and had to back up a few steps to realign the disk drive!

    Kevin Broadey - Antwoord

    Look at all of the images. Initially, I took the text literally. I pulled the tool straight back without letting it pivot, and without success. I suggest the following additions: "The tool acts as a lever. Carefully pull the top of the tool down and toward the I/O board. The logic board and I/O board assembly should slightly slide out of the outer case."

    anonymous 1829 - Antwoord

    A length of coat hanger wire bent to the width of the two holes worked fine for me.

    jpmist - Antwoord

    Thanks for that tip! A couple wire-hanger lengths worked for me too..!

    steve375 -

    If you don't have the removal tool you can just plug an ethernet cable into the I/O port and pull on it to help ease it out...if it's a bit stiff push on the fan duct at the same time...be gentle and it'll release...

    Jim Fixesthem - Antwoord

    I found that there is one step missing for removing the logic board. Once you have the removal tool in and pulling back check to see if you can push in on the taps that are on the outside of the logic board. On the right side if I had known this I would have tried pushing in on the tap and it might have released a little easier. There is not a good photo of the taps but in photo 17 between the pointer and index finger the tap is located on both right and left hands.

    mary7654 - Antwoord

    Even better, you can just use one of your screwdrivers if you do it carefully, just push out each side a little bit and rock out the logic board. No special tool needed. Just be careful not to damage your logic board and/or apply too much force.

    Drew - Antwoord

    If was able to fashion a removal tool out of part of a metal binding clip. I just removed one of the handles and bend it into the proper shape using a vise. FYI, the holes are about 4.5mm apart.

    drewmc - Antwoord

    I did this also. Worked fine.

    David Germain -

    I’ve used an Allen key of the right diameter.

    it worked very fine!

    skullerm - Antwoord

    I just pushed on one of the RAM slots and it slid out easily. No metal rods required!

    WhitetailAni - Antwoord

  16. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 16, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • 電源コネクターにアクセスできるようにI/Oボード/ロジックボードアセンブリをアウターケースから引き出します。

    • 指を使って、DC-In ケーブルをロジックボードから外します。

    • 電源ケーブルコネクターを本体の前面に向かって引きます。

    You can pull the board out about 1cm with the wires intact.

    Martin Cleaver - Antwoord

    While you can remove this pin with your fingers as shown in the photo, putting back in proved frustrating by hand. I finally got out a forcep which allowed me to grab each side of the plug and push it in at a flat angle.

    Dan Ochiva - Antwoord

    I found way easier to remove the power wire line by removing the hard drive (loose already) first!

    alextc - Antwoord

    This made all the difference.

    Lee Fuhr -

    You're a hero.

    kazoodac -

    excellent tip!

    Rog -

    When reconnect it on the board, make it when the board is in the middle of the mac, or you will be not abble to do it!

    luiscortex - Antwoord

    I'm not a fan of pulling on cables so I used the flat end of the spudger and pried between logic board and light thicker end of the DC plug. This took some time but worked really well.

    mhomscheidt - Antwoord

    I found that slightly lifting the board allowed me to get the connector in a better position to rest on its female counterpart. Then with a smudger just push it into place.

    Tony Visconti - Antwoord

    When getting it back on during reassembly, your spudger is your best friend.

    Do this when the logic board assembly is not completely inserted back in again.

    Bas Meijer - Antwoord

    If you removed the hard drive during disassembly, when reassembling you'll want to put it back before sliding the board back into place.

    maccentric - Antwoord

  17. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 17, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • ケーブルが引っ掛かっていないか注意しながら、慎重にロジックボードアセンブリを本体からスライドして、取り出します。

    In April, I purchased a late 2012 mini (MD387LL/A) - 2.5Ghz i5 with 500MB hard drive.

    It looks like Apple now secures the drive to the tray with 3 screws. 2 on back side and one on front. This means the entire drive tray has to come out to remove the drive - it no longer just "lifts out" as in step 18. In order to remove the drive tray, you have to remove the power supply (step 22).

    Gary Leatherman - Antwoord

    During reassembly, watch the power harness and connector from the power supply when reinserting the logic board assembly into the case. When the board is close enough for the connector to reach, re-attach it before inserting the board the rest of the way. I found that if the connector is lined up properly, it almost attaches itself.

    Also be careful of the hard drive and IR sensor connectors.

    UNSC Jon 117 - Antwoord

    Also, when you're re-assembling (especially with a tight squeeze if you've got dual drives), be sure that the internal AC power connector matches up in profile with the port outline on the rear plate of the main logic board assembly. If the two aren't mated identically, the black port plate won't mate flush with the aluminum case.

    johnkimmel -

    Speaker trademark? Is it a sony, or a Bose...

    I think it is a bad quality speaker.What do you thick?

    Hugo BURGUILLOS - Antwoord

    Does anyone know if the airport/bt board from a mac mini late 2012 can be retrofitted to the 2011 mini? this would add the airdrop functionality to the older device in theory and I have seen a similar procedure performed on MacBook pro's

    Steven Fox - Antwoord

    When I pull out motherboard, I broke 39 16v capacitor underneath.. I don't understand what's I'm doing wrong. And why this happens? Or maybe I'm to fast. Now I need repair..

    Flanua - Antwoord

    I did the same thing, except two caps popped off the board. Perhaps drinking half a fifth of whiskey before starting this project was unwise. Although, if the sucky SATA cable that came with the ifixit kit had worked in the first place, I wouldn't have had to pull the thing apart again to replace it with the OWC cable (which supposedly doesn't suck).

    scoventon -

    During reassembly, the SD Card reader end of the I/O Bezel will not go back in flat like the AC power connector end, thus the SD Card reader end protrudes about 0.5mm from the edge of the back of the MacMini, I tried took it out and put it back in many times but could not manage to push it all the way in. The truth is it is hard to notice and everything else works fine but it is annoying to see that tiny bit protrusion. Anyone else had this problem? or it was like this already before I took it out? i can't remember what was it like now.....

    neo.hsu - Antwoord

    During this process, I took advantage of having the logic board out, checked the BR2032 battery, which tested nearly dead, and I replaced it with an ECR2032 battery. If you choose to do this, be careful with the moving and replacing of this button battery. There is a wee-little directional arrow on the ( - ) side of the battery holder, which means move the battery without prying towards the positive ( + ) side. One end of the battery then pops up to grab. I also tested the new replacement battery before putting it in. I used an AMPROBE BAT-200 Battery Tester.

    Carrick - Antwoord

    So near and yet so far. Got as far as this stage only to fail.

    If you look closely at the photo for this stage, just up and to the left of where you unplug the power cable, you will see a white wire going into a grey sleeve attached to a grey plastic plug of some description. That’s not what I have. What I have is five wires, two of which (one black, one brown) have tiny copper clips which suggests that they were attached to the logic board. The other three wires (two black, one grey) look like they were torn off and damaged during the removal. I’d post a photo but there doesn’t appear to be the facility for it.

    C’est la vie.

    stevie.g - Antwoord

    Would it be possible to insert the lower disk at this step without removing all the remaining parts ?

    fra - Antwoord

    I achieved to insert the lower disk at this step without removing all the remaining parts !!! You just have to screw the HD on the other side (motherboard side).

    fra - Antwoord

    I too, took advantage of replacing the 3V #2032 PRAM lithium battery. Doesn’t make sense not to, since it’s completely torn down.

    Val - Antwoord

    I found that cloning the new SSD drive before installation sidesteps 'hybrid' drive issues.

    I didn't disconnect the antenna cable since it's very tricky to reconnect that tiny connector.

    The original drive in my unit is positioned at the bottom and I couldn't get that out without dissembling everything so I just left it in place and disconnected the cable.

    I moved the logic board back about 2" to give me some wiggle room inserting the new drive.

    I couldn't get the new drive to fit into place with the rubber washers inserted on the posts so I just used the posts instead which gave me some more room to push the new drive back far enough to fit into the positioning holes.

    Even then the cable for the new drive took a lot of effort to connect to the board since I think the new drive still didn't fit perfectly above the older drive.

    I used scotch tape to help position the new SSD.

    Overall a huge speed improvement from the old spinner.

    For me this was a more than moderately difficult project.

    k.lang - Antwoord

  18. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, ハードドライブ: stap 18, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, ハードドライブ: stap 18, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • ハードドライブを本体の前面から引き出しアウターケースから取り外します。

    • 再組立ての際、ハードドライブ内側の辺にはケースにはまる2つのピンがあります。穴はゴム製グロメットで囲まれており、ハードドライブが正しく設置されたか分かりにくい事があります。

    • ケースには2組の穴があります。ピンをケースの底に近い方の穴に差し込みます。

    During reassembly, after putting the "lower" drive back, test fit the AirPort antenna to make sure the two holes in the antenna plate line up with the two holes in the drive. If not, check that the power harness from the power supply is routed correctly. If the power harness is next to the power supply, go back and re-route it properly.

    UNSC Jon 117 - Antwoord

    Before I started this ifixit I read a lot of people talking about the antenna not going on properly and problems with the hard drive. I found that the problem is the two grommets inside the front of the casing. These grommets are where the two screws on the existing or upper most (when the case is inverted) hard drive should go into.

    I was placing the hard drive flat against the second hard drive I'd added which ment the two screws weren't in the grommets and we instead pushing on the outer casing. This meant the hard drive was in the wrong position and if I had continued with the rest of the reassembly the antenna definitely couldn't have fit correctly. I spotted this and made sure the hard drive was in the grommets, leaving enough room for the power cables to sit between the two hard drives.

    With the hard drive sitting correctly you should find everything goes back together very easily. If you get to the end and nothing seems to fit this is probably the reason why!

    Martyn - Antwoord

    I bought my mini in late June 2013. My hard drive was not mounted as indicated, it was in the lower slot. I had to insert the grommets into the upper holes. You need to use a non metal flat edge to get them in, my fingers had no leverage when reaching into the aluminum shell. I also waited until I had removed everything from the case before inserting them to minimize the risk of harming an internal component.

    rob545 - Antwoord

    This is one case where having the actual reassembly instructions would be helpful. When I put my drive back in the upper position, I thought it was in the right place, even tried to move it and it seemed like it was locked into the holes, but it wasn't, so I had the issue with the antenna plate not going back on. It was so close. It seemed like it should work, but nope.

    So, after disassembling again, I played with it some and the best, most surefire way to get it to line up is to hold the unibody upside down when inserting the drive. It has to be essentially at the top to catch the holes. Thin drives make it even more of a problem.

    Once I did this, it fit in great and stayed in with no need to hold down, and there was now another 1/8" between the motherboard and the drive, which doesn't seem like much, but in this tight case, its everything. The antenna plate then went in perfectly, all 4 screws were in with no issues at all and the connectors for the two drives stayed on with no issue.

    Sherifftruman - Antwoord

    This makes ALL the difference in the entire world! Thank you!

    mawkee -

    Eureka! Thank you!

    John Baker -

    Yup - Just saved me an afternoon’s work I reckon - thank you very much Sir.

    Simon Finch -

    Like others, I found with my November 2013 purchased Mac Mini, Apple had installed the internal hard disk in the bottom location (bottom when working on the unit upside down as detailed in this guide).

    I found that it was best to remove that drive, and install the SSD in the bottom location, but use

    * 2 of the rubber grommets and screws (that came with the ifixit kit) on the front edge of the drive

    * that let me use 2 of the screws from the original mac mini on the back top HDD as they are larger screws than came with the kit

    That way the HDD didn't rattle in the top location.

    I also

    * Installed the SSD in the bottom location with the original apple cable

    * Installed the spinning 1TB drive into the top location (which made it easier for the top wifi screws to screw into

    * But I had to reshape the cable (that came with the ifixit kit) quite a bit to get it to line up with the connector on the logic board.

    brian - Antwoord

    During reassembly I had the reported problems of getting the original drive in the right spot. You should note that there is a gap on the left side. My drive slid in (twice) so it was right up against where the connectors are on the left side. Slide it right so there is a gap.

    mikeubell - Antwoord

    Found it easier to place the SSD in the "lower" position (closer to the bottom of the Mini, but upper while working on the disassembly/reassembly) by resting the Mini on its front side. Easier to move the pegs into the grommets installed in the case. Easier to see if they're not lined up at all.

    malcolmgin - Antwoord

    I'm refitting a mid 2011 mini. Reinstalling the drive easy with a few tricks:

    *Step 11.5: add registration marks to the thin plastic drive cover.

    **Use a fine point blue sharpie (or similar).

    **Add two lines a couple inches apart, extending back from the metal housing lip onto the drive shroud.

    **Add two short lines by tracing the curve of the housing across the first two lines.

    **Use the marks to line everything up when reassembling.

    *Reinstall with the mini standing on it's front end

    **The drive slots in high in the case. There is a substantial gap between it and a 9.5mm second drive. This makes it hard to line up with the mac flat on the table.

    *You can absolutely feel the drive's pegs engage into the rubber mounts.

    *When seated properly:

    **The drive slants slightly down from the front to the back of the housing.

    **There is a sizable gap (~2mm) between the visible long edge of the drive and the flange on the plastic frame that sits behind it.

    **The motherboard will seat ~1mm from the drive.

    anonymous 1829 - Antwoord

    Follow the advise of malcolmgin. During reassembly place the Mini on its front, and let the HDD or SSD (doesn't matter at all) slip into the two "rubber holes". This way everything is easier to see and to direct.

    Timpetou - Antwoord

    Putting the old drive into its proper place and fitting the antenna plate correctly are the two most difficult actions if you follow the instructions. An easier way is to remove the two tabs (bolts) at the rear end of the old drive (since they just cause trouble) and affix the drive to the antenna plate. THEN attach the antenna cable to its receptacle (very difficult) and insert the plate with drive attached into the computer. When the whole assembly is in place and bolted in place, it is easy to connect the drive cable to the motherboard. By this method, the drive has no chance of snagging.

    michi - Antwoord

    I agree with Doug. It worked perfectly.

    michi - Antwoord

    I replaced the two black rubber grommets with two white silicone ones. The white grommets were easier to see, and (whew!), they didn't catch and deform like the black ones did. I also used the "gravity technique" mentioned above, along with putting two T8 screws temporarily into the side holes of the hard drive closest to the logic board to use as "positioning handles" and guides to place into the "far end" white grommets. Being able to align much easier, along with controlling the hard drive, made for a much smoother replacement from my first adventure.

    Carrick - Antwoord

    This is a lot easier to disassemble and reassemble if you take out the hard drive tray altogether. The rubber grommets go in their holes easy without the screws, then you can place the new hard drive in and screw it through the grommets.

    pashdown - Antwoord

    When reassembling, my advice is to turn the Mini up onto its front so you can look directly down at the holes the grommets go into. This way it’s much easier to see where you need to aim, and also to adjust/wiggle into the slot it only takes a light touch. Check afterwards that screw holes in the drive line up with the antenna plate (step 8/9).

    Simon Birch - Antwoord

    anyone know where the 2 mounting screws or standoff can be purchased? This is for the top main hard drive.

    George Drummer - Antwoord

    In der Regel wird man diese Schritte hier ausführen, um eine HDD durch eine SSD zu ersetzen. SSDs sind vollständig gekappselt, so dass die schwarze Isolationsfolie nicht wieder mit eingebaut werden muss. Dann hilft es, einen kleinen Saugnapf auf der Unterseite der SSD zu befestigen, damit hat man einen Angriffspunkt, um die SSD leichter in die beiden Befestigungslöcher zu bewegen.

    Johannes von Keller - Antwoord

  19. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, 電源ユニット: stap 19, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • 電源ユニットとハードドライブトレイをアウターケースに固定している7.9 mm T6トルクスネジを取り外します。

    • 再組立ての際、ハードドライブに沿って搭載されているケーブルは電源ユニットの下に収納してください。ハードドライブを適切に固定することができます。またケーブルがあるとアンテナのネジ穴が揃わなくなります。

    Careful when reassembling. Don't make the same mistake I did by attempting to screw in the hard drive bracket without having the power supply re-inserted and aligned. Otherwise the screw will end up in the piece attached to the bottom of the case (where it's not supposed to be) and you will have no choice but to pry the glued part off the case to remove it. If you start to hear a "crunchy" sound when screwing, stop immediately because it's probably a glued part coming off.

    anonymous 3693 - Antwoord

    Indeed important that the power cables are not in the way when reassembling.

    Otherwise it will be difficult to get the drive that is directly under the antenna plate back in.

    ernstcline - Antwoord

  20. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 20, afbeelding 1 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 20, afbeelding 2 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 20, afbeelding 3 van 3
    • シルバーメタル製のAC-Inソケット金属リテーナーをアウターケース側面から引き出し、miniから取り出します。

    • 再組立て中、シルバークリップがACコネクター下部のエッジの両側を挟むことに注意してください。クリップを入れた際に突き当りますがカチッとはまることはありません。クリップが容易に動かなければ、正しく入ったことが分かります。

    When putting it back, make sure that it's both in the correct place and fits properly; otherwise, it may come loose. After reassembly, if you hear what sounds somewhat but not quite like a loose screw rattling around in the case, it's probably this clip.

    Don't worry: it's only 20 steps to get back to it. I hate this metal clip. ;-)

    UNSC Jon 117 - Antwoord

    What's the use of this silver metal AC ?? I couldn't put it ... sou I assemble the mac mini without it...

    lenosane -

    I couldn't get it to stay in place so I reassembled without the clip.

    glassdj -

    It would appear this clip prevents the connector from turning counter-clockwise

    Jason Gurtz-Cayla - Antwoord

    Yeah no way could I get that clip to work so I threw it in the garbage.

    My machine works fine so far !

    iain macleod - Antwoord

  21. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 21, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 21, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • AC-Inコネクターを90度反時計回りに回します。

    For the late 2012 model at least, when re-assembling, make sure the edges of the plug are lined up with the innermost grooves in the case (there appears to be another set that is closer to the outside of the case).

    anonymous 3693 - Antwoord

    I'm going to add that with the opening up it is actually counter clockwise.

    shinji -

    When reassembling, make sure the short tab is down and the long tab is up. Compare placement with the back panel to make sure it will line up.

    eric - Antwoord

    Thanks @eric that was helpful to figure out the correct placement.

    Aaron Campbell - Antwoord

  22. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 22, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • ケーブルが引っ掛からないように注意しながら電源ユニットをminiから引き出します。

    Specifically, note the power harness and connector, and that it's routed "above" the inner edge of the power supply ("below" when viewed from this angle). That power harness needs to be in the same position when replacing the power supply during reassembly. If the power harness ends up next to the power supply instead, the "lower" drive won't fit properly and the AirPort antenna won't line up correctly.

    UNSC Jon 117 - Antwoord

    There is a grove in the casing that might be difficult to align. If so use gravity to allow the power unit to fall into "place".

    aron - Antwoord

    After struggling with this the first time, I laid the cables "more flatly" closer to the power supply, and then secured them with a piece of black electrician's tape. This made reassembly much more tolerable, by keeping these wires hugged close and out of snagging way. There does not appear to be any heat damage to the tape over the past year.

    Carrick - Antwoord

  23. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, ハードドライブトレイ: stap 23, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • ハードドライブトレイをアウターケースに固定している7.9mm T6トルクスネジを外します。

    only one vis :-)

    bruno - Antwoord

  24. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 24, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • アウターケースからハードドライブトレイを取り外します。

    With virtually everything removed from the outer case, this is a good time to look toward the front of the case to notice the two locations where the standoffs from the "lower" drive normally fit. You'll want to be aware of this when reinstalling that drive later.

    UNSC Jon 117 - Antwoord

  25. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法, デュアルハードドライブキット: stap 25, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • 次の手順では、お持ちのMacに2つ目のハードドライブをつける方法を説明しています。

    • 次の幾つかの手順では、赤色で囲まれている所にある穴に、はとめを取り付けます。

    My MacMini (bought late 2013), had the HDD installed in the upper bay, so a complete teardown was required in order to change the driver.

    However, if you are planning just to add a second driver, there is no need for the doubler kit (only a new lower flex drive).

    Antonis Spanakis - Antwoord

    With this Dual kit, Can I install 2 Hard Drives of 2TB: the new slim seagate (9,5mm) 0.37"? Thanks

    ProMac - Antwoord

  26. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 26, afbeelding 1 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 26, afbeelding 2 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 26, afbeelding 3 van 3
    • グロメットをブラケットの内側から押し込みながら、ブラケットの側面にある穴にはめ込みます。

    • 3枚目の写真のように、グロメットがブラケットにしっかりと嵌まっていることを確認してください。

    • 残り3つのグロメットについても、ブラケットの両側に対して同じ手順を行います。

    The spudger is very handy at this point.

    Martin Cleaver - Antwoord

    The bracket is the original one?, or do i need to buy one?

    diegort26 - Antwoord

    The bracket is the original one, check https://youtu.be/2NORZR0BbZs for a better visualization.

    Wieger -

    This step is far, far harder than it should be as ifixit decided to save a few pennies on the cost of the grommets - they are made of a hard and relatively inflexible pvc, whereas the Apple supplied ones are a lovely flexible rubber that can be easily inserted. I'm very disappointed in ifixit.

    Joseph Heenan - Antwoord

    I thought this would be hard. It's not. The one hole that has cables in the way was a little tough, but my experience wasn't the same as Joseph's, it would seem

    Lee Fuhr - Antwoord

    I’m struggling with getting these in. Is there a trick?

    Asif Ahmad - Antwoord

    I think I have a little trick. Using a sim-tray ejector tool or similar, use its small point to simultaneously push from the sides of the grommet while inserting, all while applying pressure from the thumb.

    Magnus Edetorn - Antwoord

    Warm the grommets with your hands for a minute, so they become more flexible, then using the Spudger to gently ease them in helps.

    Damian Holland - Antwoord

    Finally found a great video that shows the installation of BOTH drives. Ifixit never shows this in their written instructions or instructional video for some reason.

    https://youtu.be/8_71bUMAMkA

    Richard Cross - Antwoord

  27. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 27, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • 4つのグロメットすべてを取り付けたブラケットは、この写真のようになります。

  28. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 28, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 28, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • リボンケーブルを点線に沿って折り曲げて、コネクタがソケットから外れにくくします。

    • SSDコネクタのところでリボンケーブルを90°折り曲げて、コネクタと平行になるようにします。

    The ribbon cable with my kit was already bent correctly when I received it. Not sure if it was just that one or if they're all going out like that now, but it saved me a few steps (and worries about ruining the cable). Thanks! :-)

    UNSC Jon 117 - Antwoord

    I bought my mini in late June 2013. My internal hard drive had the same cable as the one in the iFixit kit. I had to position the cable for the upper drive on top and not in-between the drives as indicated. I also had to bend the ribbon in the opposite directions. Be careful. The ribbon can be adjusted but due to the location of the sata connectors on the mainboard the cable for the upper hard drive does not lay flat against the drive. There is room for it under the vent that the wireless cable is attached to if you have the upper drive seated correctly in the grommets but it is not pretty.

    rob545 - Antwoord

  29. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 29, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 29, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • SSDコネクタの端を使用して、最初の大きな点線に沿ってケーブルを下方向に90°折り曲げます。

    • 2番目の大きな点線に沿って、リボンケーブルを上方向に90°折り返します。

    90 degree bends :), not 45.

    Christer - Antwoord

    I have been using my mid-2011 Mac Mini as a media player while working/living oversees. Decided to upgrade to an SSD HD and add more RAM (4 to 8 GB). With the ifixit kit, I was able to add the SSD in a little over an hour. My only issue was with the SSD data ribbon. I didn't realize at first that the new drive's data ribbon was designed to be routed underneath the original drive, which required me to backtrack to reinstall the original drive. Otherwise a smooth installation and I like the toolkit that's included which will be handy for other projects.

    Eric - Antwoord

    I found this confusing. The photos of which way to bend could be better.

    Couldn’t tell which way was up with the HD.

    All worked out in the end tho.

    iain

    iain macleod - Antwoord

  30. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 30, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 30, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • 最初の小さな点線の部分でリボンケーブルの両側を保持し、上方向に90°折り曲げます。

    I think it is best to have a good look to see if all this bending is really necessary. It was definitely not with my set of SSD drives (2) and cables. It was a perfect fit already, the only thing what was good to do is to remove the paper protector from the self-adhesive material so that the cable of the second drive cold be fastened to that drive to prevent rattling if vibrations occur.

    Bas Meijer - Antwoord

  31. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 31, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 31, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • 2番目の小さい点線に沿って、リボンケーブルを下方向に90°折り曲げます。

  32. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 32, afbeelding 1 van 1
    • キットに付属しているケーブルを2番目のハードドライブに接続します。当サイトの場合ではSSDを使用しています。

    • ケーブルに角が丸くなった小さな黒いテープ片がついている場合は、これをハードドライブケーブルコネクタの上に取り付けて、コネクタをハードドライブのソケットに固定することができます。このテープ片は必須ではなく、取り付けなくてもマシンのパフォーマンスに悪影響が現れることはありません。

    • ケーブルをハードドライブに取り付ける前に、白い点線に沿って正しく折り曲げられていることを確認してください。これにより、ケーブルが正しい位置からずれにくくなります。

    there are two 'to's in this step. Too many "to"s

    Ben Hirby - Antwoord

  33. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 33, afbeelding 1 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 33, afbeelding 2 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 33, afbeelding 3 van 3
    • T6トルクスドライバーを使用して、ロジックボードに接続するハードドライブケーブルの端部に最も近い、ハードドライブの側面に2本のネジを取り付けます。

    • ハードドライブ側面のネジ山が切ってある穴に到達するまで、ネジを締め付けます。正しく取り付けると3枚目の写真のようになります。

    On my corsair SSD, the set screws don't extend beyond the edge of the drive when full screwed in. I guess I'll try some blue thread locker to hold them at the right distance.

    davidamis - Antwoord

    My SSD kit had countersunk screws which protruded a long way, causing the disk bracket to catch on the front of the mini when I re-inserted it. I avoided the problem by putting the grub screws in the other side so they point towards the front of the mini. This left the countersunk screws pointing towards the logic board, where there was plenty of room.

    Kevin Broadey - Antwoord

    On my SanDisk SSD Plus, there was actually nothing inside the case (which is mostly hollow) to stop the setscrew. Just screw it in far enough to match the picture, leaving 3-4 mm protruding. That way when you insert it into the bracket, you'll be flush with the rubber grommets.

    Poor me now has a setscrew rattling around inside the SSD forever. It's okay so long as the Mac mini doesn't move but obviously it's aggravating.

    dan - Antwoord

    I had the same thing as dan — in my case it was a Crucial MX500 that had no stop for the setscrew and I ended up screwing it all the way into the drive. Can I suggest adding a warning to the main instruction for this set? I wish I had thought to check the comments first…

    Russell Finn - Antwoord

    There were no set screws like this in my kit. I don't think I need them. If I understand what I am doing, I would have had to remove them anyway so I could put the next set of screws through the grommets into the hard drive.

    Neil Ratzlaff - Antwoord

  34. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 34, afbeelding 1 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 34, afbeelding 2 van 3 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 34, afbeelding 3 van 3
    • 次の2つの手順では、ハードドライブをブラケットに取り付けます。

    • ハードドライブを挿入する際は、必ず3枚目の写真のように、ブラケットケーブルの側が上を向き、SATAコネクタがブラケットの突出部に最も近くなるように配置してください。

    • 2番目の写真のように、固定ネジをブラケットのグロメットに押し込み、ハードドライブを下から上にブラケットに取り付けます。

  35. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 35, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 35, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • T6トルクスドライバーを使用して、残り2本の固定ネジをグロメット越しにハードドライブの側面に取り付けます。

  36. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 36, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 36, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • 2番目のハードドライブアセンブリをアウターケースに取り付けます。

    • 2番目の写真のように、取り付け穴の位置と、アウターケースのねじ山が切られた穴の位置がずれていないことを確認します。

    • ロジックボードを取り付ける際は、単純に2番目のハードドライブケーブルをロジックボードの空きソケットに接続します。

    • 2番目のハードドライブケーブルは、2つのハードドライブの間に挟まれる形で収まります。2番目のハードドライブケーブルを1番目のものの上に配置すると、アンテナプレートが元通りに取り付けられず、ケーブルが損傷することがあります。

    When re-installing the original hard drive (aka - inner hard drive), be sure that this drive's two side pins fit exactly into their rubber mounts that are deep inside the Mac Mini.I achieved a nice fit by turning the Mac Mini on its side so gravity would align the pins with their respective holes with ease.

    jeffchambers - Antwoord

    Yes, I struggled until I spotted this. When I finally got these pegs in the holes, all was much easier

    andrewarwas - Antwoord

    Same here. I basically had to turn the Mac Mini completely upside-down (hence, "right side up" from the normal operational standpoint), then gently move the drive pins into place against the side of the case. Once they went in, then the antenna plate screws lined up nicely.

    anonymous 3693 -

    I suffered the same with this. In the end I sat the Mac Mini on it's end and lowered the originally fitted hard drive into the pin lugs on the casing. Once the logic board was in place it stopped it from falling forward / out of position.

    warrencox - Antwoord

    I installed an OWC Mercury Extreme 6G SSD into my Mac Mini. Comparing this SSD to others it is almost 1 mm wider and the screw holes are not quite as deep. Because of this it does not fit very well into the upper HD space. I recommend swapping the stock drive into the upper spot and putting this SSD in the lower slot. It fits much better.

    chris - Antwoord

    I also very much recommend turning the Mac upside-down. I struggled to get the pegs in the holes, until I held the Mac upside down and started wiggling the drive. It was pretty easy to see when the drive was seated correctly: there's a plastic tab under the top drive. If the pegs are not in the holes, you'll see that the drive is flush with the plastic tab. When the pegs are in the holes, you'll have around 2mm clearance between tab and drive.

    Vincent - Antwoord

    Can we assume that, by "upside down" you mean "rightside up"?

    raleedy -

    En français s'il vous plait :)

    Une fois le disque du dessous installé je conseil de préparer celui du dessus avant de tout remonter, sinon va falloir viser les petits trous après.. quelle misère !

    Donc on démonte tout, mon place le disque dur du dessous, on remet celui du dessus dans ses petits trous, on insère le braquet avec le disque du dessous et on remonte tout : nickel !

    Merci beaucoup iFixit ! mon Mac Mini est une machine de guerre ^^ Et merci pour les bonbons !!

    zhorglub - Antwoord

    Everthing ok with this guide. I took a lot of time, about 2:30h but it worsed. The ssd is in the lower position and the system boot ok. Now Im installing the system in the ssd and I will format the HD. I will pray for this works.

    luiscortex - Antwoord

    Everthing is fine, the IOS was installed with sucess in the SSD!

    luiscortex -

    Well, broke off all the pins to the IR sensor/power indicator LED during re-installation.

    Otherwise, it worked just fine.

    Blake Barrett - Antwoord

    Is there a pic with both hard-drives installed?

    Daniel Perez - Antwoord

    From examining the images in each step, 1 hdd or ssd will set on top of the other. Is that correct?

    Daniel Perez - Antwoord

    Would someonw PLEASE ass a new pix with both hard drives installed? Someone asked 2 years ago. This is really is the single most important picture.

    I'm installing an SSD with the original drive and I can't seem to make them both fit onto the back tray.

    scootz - Antwoord

  37. Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 37, afbeelding 1 van 2 Mac mini Mid 2011にデュアルハードドライブキットをインストールする方法: stap 37, afbeelding 2 van 2
    • マシンを起動すると、miniに両方のドライブが認識されます。

    • Xbenchスコアで確認すると、上と下のいずれにハードドライブを取り付けても、速度は変わらないことが分かります。

    • プライマリドライブとして使用するSSDを追加する際に必要な作業量を最小限に抑えるには、このガイドで当サイトが実施したようにSSDを取り付け、元のプラッタードライブを当初の底側の位置(アンテナプレートに最も近い位置)のままにしておくことをおすすめします。

    • 元通りに組み立てたら、miniをLion Recoveryモードで起動し、ディスクユーティリティからSSDを消去します。次にLionをSSDにインストールし、再起動後にシステム設定>起動ディスクへと進み、起動ディスクにSSDを選択します。

    Thanks guys! It works perfectly (mac late 2012 i7)! :)

    I had to install again Mac OS from the web on my Vertex 4 SSD and after my mac automatically has enabled the SSD as primary disc. It's really fast! :) Wow! :)

    P.S. I have switched my HD positions. So the SSD is on the bottom now.

    Alexey - Antwoord

    I would appreciate seeing another photo or two to differentiate the two drives in place-- I dont see the difference between the original hard drive location-- the old one-- and the new one. The end of the guide mentions installing the 2nd drive to the outer case, but thats confusing.

    Can someone post some clearer photographs?

    jacob - Antwoord

    I have followed the good advice here on upgrading a 2013 Mac Mini (500GB) to SSD.

    However, on step 37 I disagree. What happened:

    - I had OS X Maverick on the original 500 GB HDD

    - installed the SSD in the "Upper" position, as in the figure

    - left the original 500 GB drive in its original, "Lower" position (meaning upper when the Mac is upside down)

    - followed the steps in 37

    - install was terribly slow, ~6 hours; there was some data corruption, the SSD would not boot; I tried to fix permissions, disk etc, no help; benchmarks showed slow read with normal write speed; after a while there was an error about the SSD could not be repaired and it disappeared (unmounted)

    - at some point I've seen some complaint about Fusion drive. Then l realized that is it possible Maverick tried to treat the SSD + HDD as a single fusion drive?

    - switched the positions of the HDD and the SSD, so now the SSD was in "Lower" position. Also moved the protecting/insulating sheet to the SSD.

    - Now everything works. So, position matters!

    Zoltan - Antwoord

    Just realized that many people had the same problem. If I read the comments too, I would have saved myself a lot of trouble :). But at least we have a plausible reason for the described behavior: the position matters, and OS X may try to handle the 2 drives as one Fusion drive (and somehow fails at that). Maybe it's a setting issue, or just has not been tested this way. Consumers should not upgrade to SSD by themselves :).

    Zoltan - Antwoord

    Thank you for this advice. I had the same problem and you resolved it :)

    quentin Castel -

    What? It took me about 7 minutes. 2nd time i ever opened a computer

    kyle gilstrap -

    After connecting the new SSD to the empty bay I tried to follow the steps that recommend making a fresh install with Lion internet recovery. This process got stuck the 3 times I tried. So I googled for other options and found that I you clone your former HD with Carbon Copy Cloner, fix the permissions with disk utility and then make the SSD the bootable drive, everything goes fine. I used this tutorial: https://discussions.apple.com/message/22...

    gillagher - Antwoord

    Everything worked like a charm for me, with the exception of my new drive needing to be formatted! Thanks a million for the guide (and the extra comments attached to most of the steps)!

    SugeKNice - Antwoord

    To avoid the SSD becoming a fusion driver follow this

    http://blog.macsales.com/15619-special-n...

    Vip - Antwoord

    Zoltan I had a very similar experience as you yesterday, I installed a Samsung 840 evo SSD into the upper position and kept the original 1TB HDD in the same place, according to the guide. Then I encountered lots of weird issues trying to partition the SSD with disk utility. Not to mention its slow and sometimes the disk even unmount by itself. I spent many hours and figured out swapping the positions of the two drives might help, then it worked!!! I hope I read the comment here earlier.

    POINT IS: Better to put the SSD in the lower position and move the original disk to upper position, you may or may not have issue following the guide, but apparently lots of people have run into performance or stability issues .

    Anyway thanks for the great kit and the guide!

    JiaJing WANG - Antwoord

    Hi

    You are right, install an ssd in the upper position make the mini think that a Fusion drive is installed and try to configure itself as fusion while the twin has not the proper firmware, while with the ssd in the lower position do not fool the system.

    Marco Mazzocchi

    Marco Mazzocchi -

    When will this step get updated? I followed this instruction and ended up with original HDD as /dev/sda and SSD as /dev/sdb. Flipped it back and all is good, but why leave up backwards/wrong info?

    Forge - Antwoord

    "After reassembly, boot the Mini into Lion Recovery and use disk utility to erase your SSD. Then install Lion on your SSD. After rebooting, go into system preferences>startup disk and choose your SSD as the startup disk."

    NO! STOP! DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!

    Do NOT use the Disk Utility on the Recovery partition. Boot your Mini normally and use the Disk Utility that you access through your Applications/Utilities folder. Use Disk Utility to create a new Single Partition (Mac OS Journaled) on your new drive and verify that it can be seen in Finder. After that, Install OS X using Command - R and specifying the new SSD drive. After reboot restore from your old disk and Bob's your Uncle.

    Doug - Antwoord

    Has anyone confirmed that there is a correct order to put the drives in? Seems like people have had success and failures with either position? I was going to leave the original drive in it's slot and add a Samsung 850 EVO in the blank slot? or is it necessary to flip them? Thx for the guide. Here goes nothing...

    Tim Davenport - Antwoord

    Has anyone confirmed Ithat there is a correct order to put the drives in? Seems like people have had success and failures with either position? I was going to leave the original drive in it's slot and add a Samsung 850 EVO in the blank slot? or is it necessary to flip them? Thx for the guide. Here goes nothing..

    I successfully completed this and converted the two drives to a Fusion Drive and it seems to be working splendidly. I wasn't careful enough the first time in getting the power cables under the power supply the first attempt and the old hard drive was out of position and couldn't be screwed back in. Just make sure they are tucked under. The tips about the antenna plate were spot on. See that there are two levels of grill and one goes under and one goes above. Used my spudger in a grill hole to lift slightly as I slid it back into place.

    Didn't really think I would be able to complete this but very happy this guide was here and now I have a great set of tools for the next repair. Thx SO much!

    Tim Davenport - Antwoord

    What happens if I just swap both drives with SSD and ridding old the origina drive ? I’m In the middle of Install and don’t want to have To go back, but I guess I might be that guinee pig.

    Gerasimos Christoforatos - Antwoord

    Did this work for you? I want to do the same thing and install two SSDs. I’m interested to know if it works before I tear down my machine.

    Hemicyon -

    How did you get on? I’m guessing everything went fine and you have two (2) separate SSD’s working side-by-side (perhaps one 128GB for Mac OS X — one 1TB for Data)?

    I ask because, like you, I intend removing the original HDD completely and replacing it with 2 x SSD’s (Samsung 870QVO — 1TB each), using the iFixit Mac Mini Dual Drive Kit (£18 + P&P) which I bought — to set up either RAID-0 (seen as 1 x 2TB drive) or RAID-1 (seen as 1TB — but faster + redundancy)(size versus speed) configuration.

    Nobody has yet reported success with similar combinations (although I’m sure they have been successful).

    Whilst I’m in there, I’m going to remove/replace the thermal paste on the CPU then swap out the old CMOS battery too.

    With the Mac Mini (Late 2012) model it’s now possible (March 2023) to run MacOS Monterey 12.6.4 using OpenCore Legacy Patcher (same for the 2011 Mac Mini, I believe)(16GB RAM advisable obviously). Might try it.

    Expecting to get many more years of daily use out of this beautiful little 2012 machine!

    Steve Arkwright -

    From my experience drive order doesn’t make any difference (as stated in the beginning of the instructions).

    What gave me a hard time was the MacMini connecting the existing HDD and the new SSD into a Fusion Drive and formatting that with HFS+. That worked for 1 (!) start of my existing macOS 10.14, but then somehow corrupted the disks.

    Reformatting with APFS and restoring my backup did the trick. Works like a charm now.

    Alexander Czernay - Antwoord

    I had difficulty inserting the hdd back into the slot to align it with the 2 holes inside the case. I decided to insert it first and position it before inserting the power supply. I had less of a struggle than I did at first.

    Rafael Encarnacion - Antwoord

Conclusie

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45 opmerkingen

When adding second drive, be sure that the power supply cables are secured out of the way to allow drive to be seated correctly. If cables are in the way, screw holes do not quite line up with antenna plate.

tjod - Antwoord

This should be part of the main guide, I read this after completing my fix and I wish I had read this before. Spent about 20 mins figuring this one out. thanks. Great guide though.

Nitish Dhar -

When re-inserting the power supply make certain the left side screw is seated in the secondary drive tray and

fulled secured to the metal casing frame then turn the entire housing upside down and slide the power supply into

place (careful of cables etc.)

There are two metal anchor points on the power supply, one on the very tip

that is inserted into the Mac Mini housing and the other is on the right side of the power supply that sits

into a plastic slot up against the side of the metal housing. Tried everything to get the points home so the right

secondary hard drive tray screw holes would line up with the power supply anchor holes. This worked the first try.

lyn - Antwoord

This didn't go so well. I did manage to assemble everything according to the manual, but it was one !%!$ of a fight, and now the machine boots, but the SSD I installed is nowhere to be found.

One thing I noticed is that the cable supplied to connect the second drive to the mainboard, is slightly too long. I had to bend it quite a bit so that it would line up with the connector on the mainboard, otherwise the cable would extend about 5 mm into the mainboard and not line up. I'm afraid now that I might have broken some of the wired on the adapter while bending it. However, without bending it there was no way to attach the connector.

What to do?

nh3 - Antwoord

Same here, I have slightly damaged the ribbon cable and now the SSD is invisible to the OS :-/

Idearia SRL -

Apparently the first hard disk connector I was sent was defective (see my comment from January 6 above). Ifixit staff was very helpful and sent me a replacement that traveled from the US to Germany in just two days. I repeated the installation with the new cable, and it works. Thanks, Ifixit!

BUT—I have to add that I found this installation to be quite demanding. This is by far not the first time I've opened sensitive electronic devices to install parts or fix something, but still, there was a lot of sweating and swearing. Unless you have good nerves, I would actually NOT recommend you attempt this. The Mac Mini is packed VERY tightly and parts and connectors are really small; you definitely need tweezers and steady hands.

The second time I attempted this installation, I was actually afraid I had bricked the Mini, but fortunately it still works.

Some comments: the (very tiny!) connectors for the fan and IR sensor must be pulled UP to remove them, not to the side. (cont'd)

nh3 - Antwoord

Comments, cont'd:

… it does say so in the manual (pull them up), but mine wouldn't move when pulling them, so I tried forcing them out towards the side. I nearly destroyed one of the connectors while figuring out that up is the only way they can move. Be careful.

* Step 3: My Mac Mini needed has three (not two) T6 screws on the fan that need to be removed. Apparently, Apple slightly changed the hardware design. I edited the guide to add this. (see also benjamin's comment from January 12).

* Step 11: I found it easier to remove the harddisk after this step, instead of removing the logic board first.

* Step 14: The screw marked yellow is no longer there if you removed three screws in step 3. (see above)

* Steps 15+16: When removing the logic board using Ifixit's special tool, there is a horrible crunching noise that made me cringe, but that seems to be normal; the board is okay. No worries :)

nh3 - Antwoord

Comments, cont'd:

* Step 20+21: Took a lot of jiggling and pulling and lots of force until the power supply would come loose. I was always afraid I was breaking something.

The hardest bit was re-assembling the Mini. I found it VERY hard to replace the original (factory) hard disk. Its outer two grommets should slide into two shallow holes on the inside of the casing (hard to see), but I found it nearly impossible to achieve that, because when it appeared to be in place, the screw holes on the antenna plate would not align with those on the drive. In the end, I found it easier to attach the drive to the antenna plate first, and then slide drive plus antenna plate into the casing. Still, this needed a lot of jiggling and pushing and never seemed to fit properly. In the end, I kind of gave up and just forced the whole thing in. It worked, but it didn't feel right.

nh3 - Antwoord

Comments, cont'd:

Another issue: the connector on the cable for the second hard disk did not properly align with the socket on the logic board, at least with my Mac mini. It reaches about 5 millimeters too far into the logic board (behind the socket), and a bit towards the right of the socket. So I had some pushing and bending to do before I could finally secure the connector onto the socket (always afraid of breaking the cable).

So, this wasn't easy, and for me, it needed two attempts (first time with a broken cable).

Be aware of this and don't get too frustrated when you do this installation.

nh3 - Antwoord

I found the guide to be spot on . . . I have now taken it apart and put it back together 3 times, as the cable that came with my kit does not work. Once installed in the upper bay, I booted up and the drive was not found. So I took it all apart and hooked the new drive to the lower bay, and the old drive to the upper bay. This time when I turned it on (using recovery media) the mini only recognized the new drive which I was able to format and partition. I ended up switching back to the original configuration and it all works just as it used to, but I don't have the SSD installed and am hoping that iFixit will send me a replacement cable. So far I have not heard from them. The mini is an amazing piece of design and engineering, and very easy to take apart and reassemble. The first time it took me about and hour and the second and third got much quicker.

Paul Gibson - Antwoord

I had a bit of hard time, but eventually I succeded. One thing: the screwdriver in the kit is quite rubbish! Luckily I had another one. Be careful when re-assembling original drive: I did it twice, because I did not undestand how to secure it the first time. Remember to note the two holes hidden inside the aluminium body...

Alberto, Italy

abragaglia62 - Antwoord

I debated this for a long time (dual ssds in software raid0, just replace hdd with ssd to minimize heat distriubtion). After a lot of research I did as iFixit said, and left the hdd alone and added a 240 GB ssd, a sizeable investment (found a great one for 255). With my brand new mac mini, I took a Saturday morning and over plenty cups of coffee, I successfully installed the ssd with nary a hitch. I see others have complained about various aspects of this guide or the kit they bought but I can only speak from my experience that everything went flawlessly. I'm glad because I had a hard time justifying the price of the kit, when I had a torque set and could get the SATA cable for $20. Without the other small pieces however, and having a kit that replicated the guide, it would have been a nightmare. Hats off to iFixit!

jcknows0 - Antwoord

I could not get this to work, same as Paul Gibson. The adapter cable did not work, and the replacement cable that iFixit sent me did not work either. At least I suppose it's the cable because the drive works flawlessly and the Mac mini is fine. The dual-drive kit has completely failed for me. I've now exchanged the original internal drive with my SSD and put the original drive in an external USB enclosure (to be used as a Time Machine volume). So far, no problems, but it's not what I wanted. :(

nh3 - Antwoord

At my first run into this guide my cable was defective, but iFixit quickly send me a replacement that arrive in 4 days in Sao Paulo-BR and voilá, everything works like a charm. Thanks to iFixit and I recommend to everyone this fix 'cause extra storage is always good!

kinen - Antwoord

When adding an OWC 6G SSD to my Mini, I found that I had to swap the drives in order for it to work; it didn't like the SSD drive in the second bay (couldn't reliably read or write). Once swapped, the dual drives worked perfectly.

Glenn Eychaner - Antwoord

QUESTION: Is there an ideal physical size for using dual SSD configuration?

For example, do two 7mm drives, such as the Samsung 840 Pro, fit better or worse than two 9mm drives, such as the OCZ Vertex 4?

I'm concerned that in a space so small using two 9mm drives may not fit. Or, likewise, using two 7mm drives may leave too much room and potential for vibration noise.

Anyone have experience in this matter?

Chad - Antwoord

Great set of instructions and dual drive kit - my Mac Mini now has a 240G SSD plus 1TB HDD.

detv - Antwoord

I really liked the package with all the tools. The howto on the web was perfect very easy to follow and the result is perfect. I mounted two SSD disks and they work perfectly together so I thank iFixit very much for make it easy for all of us.

Thanks!

maclaes11 - Antwoord

Just a question to be sure I understood everything correctly.This tuto shows how to install two discs into a Mini. On step 32 we see the new SSD; how is the other disc, the former one, installed ?

Thanks

Raoul LAPOULE - Antwoord

Deconstruction guide good (with exception of having to remove fan screw in step 4).

Rebuild: I was surprised how quickly I forgot how bits fitted together! ENSURE iFixit supplied cable goes BETWEEN hard drives!!! Step 36 was easier once I'd tipped MacMini on it's front & lowered the original hard drive into the lug holes in the casing (easier than pushing it in flat).

The cable that supplies the board with power (black multi-strand - next to PSU) got caught up between hard drives and the PSU making logic board hard to fit. Once I'd pushed the cable down between the drives with spudger all OK.

Finally I had a moment of panic when I thought logic board was misaligned. The black plastic cowel (semi circular piece with single screw) didn't seem to align! Push it just a bit further & it's fine, but I ended up taking it apart again to find this out!!

A fairly simple procedure taking me about 45 minutes, so thanks iFixit!

TIP: Take your own detailed macro photos to refer back to if you're uncertain!

warrencox - Antwoord

essential guide for this extremely tricky task. Thanks!

paul martin - Antwoord

A few general notes from my successful effort; I'll leave step specific comments where applicable.

First, the kit is overkill IMHO, in that I already owned a suitable multi-piece Torx driver. I'd like to see the kit offered as parts only sans tools; however, the current sale price (as of this writing) does make the inclusion of the tool kit a good deal.

Second, "pay attention" to how your Mini is set up both before and after. I was using the "Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI Adapter" to connect an Apple 30" Cinema Display. Before I started, both the mini DisplayPort and USB ends were connected to the Mini. When I finished, I overlooked the USB end and then proceeded to have my own personal "doh!" moment trying to figure out why I wasn't getting any video. To make a long story short ("too late"?), after re-connecting the USB end I had video again (and an audible sigh of relief).

UNSC Jon 117 - Antwoord

Thanks ! awesome guide, great parts, (mid 2011 mac mini) Unfortunately the logic board tool was not shipped with the "mac mini dual drive kit". I made another from a coat hangar.

took me about an hr. I took it slow and re read every instruction after seeing some one stuffed a cable. Thanks again

dan - Antwoord

Finished in less than an hour thanks to all those who went before. I was especially gratified by those who commented on the "too long" second drive cable. I just can't understand why the guide has not been updated to make it clear that that first fold(closest to the drive connector) should actually be a Z fold to take up the excess length due to the DEFECTIVE cable manufacturing. Guys, I just can't figure out why you have not fixed this issue by now. Thankfully, alerted by others' comments, I was aware of that and quickly identified that my "45 degree" folds, per the guide, were inadequate to take up the slack so I only had to perform a short REdisassembly to refold the second drive cable. Also, the cable I got did not have any fold lines on it but had been thoughtfully pre-folded but not in an adequate fashion as I describe above.

droolinggeezer - Antwoord

Contd .. The other addition I have to offer concern removing the power supply: You must slightly displace the power supply away from the side of the case as there is a positioning bracket against which you will force the power supply if you attempt to use a simple "press and slide: approach from the accessible side of the power supply.

As several others noted, I had a struggle to get the antenna assembly reinstalled with proper alignment on all of the holes (disk and case). Part of the problem is that the back (curved) part of the antenna assembly must be slightly pried up so it can fit in the shallow recess on the outside of the case, otherwise the assembly will not slide back far enough for everything to line up. The rest of the problem I think was the "lump" of folded drive cable between the two drives due to the folding issue I described above. I was ultimately successful by slightly loosening all of the screws so there was a bit of wiggle space to get it pushed back into place.

droolinggeezer - Antwoord

Contd..

In general, the instructions were very good and I had no "do overs" except as I note above concerning the cable. As I have observed on other iFixit projects, reassembly often presents different challenges than the disassembling and I remain unclear why the otherwise excellent guides don't yet include discreet steps for that as well. just sayin'.

droolinggeezer - Antwoord

Up and running in less than an hour. Straight forward task. Accurate guide - no surprises. Thanks!

KrazeyNKrusty - Antwoord

I do a lot of hardware repairs and hacks. This manual made the process very easy. The whole process took about 30 minutes. I formatted my new drive USB cable before starting so when I hooted up the mini the new drive was mounted and ready to go.

Hint: if the power supply cables are in your way, double check the power supply and use your spudger to tuck them behind the new drive.

Hint 2: when installing the original drive, slide the drive over the new one then hold the Mac right side up as you guide the drive back into its holes. Then before letting the drive rest double check the drive cables are fully connected. Mine kept popping out until I got the old HD inserted just right.

armand - Antwoord

Mac mini is pure art. When i open my Mac mini i can't think other than it is art.

Riccardo - Antwoord

Worked like a charm - these instructions were spot-on. Watch the grommets on the antenna grate (that cushion the screws that hold in the original drive) and the spring underneath the cowling screw. Nice product, and I'd _highly_ recommend getting the toolkit!

jml9904 - Antwoord

Excellent guide. I used the protect toolkit and dual drive kit to add a 1 tb hd along with my existing ssd drive. The process was a breeze.

rixonmathew - Antwoord

SSD install in my Mac Mini mid-2011 work great so far.

I hope that it will stay that way :)

Yannick Galiacy - Antwoord

This worked fine. The guid is good, but you need to be patient. A little fiddling and everything went good. To get the main hdd back in place was the hardest part. The cords from the power to the mainboard needs to be put a little to the side.

arvemartinsagen - Antwoord

This was a very step by step process. I had very little issues. My only problem and I would add this to the airport antenna. I tried very hard thinking it was the hard drive placement on why I could not get the 2 outer screws on but it was that the antenna has a small groove that fits with the case. If you don't get that on just right you cannot replace both screws.

itadmin - Antwoord

Step 25: I had to use a T-7.

James Stewart - Antwoord

Step 23: I had to use a T7.

James Stewart - Antwoord

wow impressionnent

andre Caron - Antwoord

Has anyone had problems with hard drives dying after installing? I feel that mine had overheated, because the platers were seized. However I'm only assuming since I replaced the chip board and only got beeping and other platter noises.

Ryan Meyer - Antwoord

Easy install and this was my first time ever working on a computer with this much detail. Added the SSD to the second slot. The IR part was the hardest because I didn't want to break it. I just pushed up on the plastic rather than the wires and had no issues. Just take your time and used the 'never use force' rule. If I did have to use force I knew I was doing something incorrectly. Everything was a lot smaller than it seems in the pictures, but it went fine. Just keep good notes and take your time. Thanks iFixit!!! The tools were worth more than the $30 I paid. Great price!

Will Vernon - Antwoord

Hello. Once both drives are installed, I see that I have a disk0 and disk1. Which disk would be best to use as a boot drive for boot speed? Thanks.

handlenyc - Antwoord

Can this be performed on a late 2014 mac mini?

Aaron Resendiz - Antwoord

I just managed to install a Seagate BarraCuda 2TB SATA 6Gb/s 128MB Cache 2.5-Inch 7mm Hard Drive (ST2000LM015) in my 2014 Mac Mini. I pre-formatted the new drive, followed steps 1-32 of Mac mini Late 2014 Hard Drive Replacement, and then steps 25-35 of this article.

Dave Horlick -

Definitely killed my IR sensor due to it not being in the main guide. Only to later find in a comment :/

Mark V - Antwoord

Will I be able to install only a 1Tb ssd drive in my mac mini mid 201?

eleazarvivas - Antwoord

Does this machine actually have 2 physical hard drives? I am looking to upgrade and the shop who will do the work says there’s only room for one. Please advise. Thanks!

Fat Mikey - Antwoord

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