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2007 Mac Mini won't boot; small chip found loose inside

J

jarak

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 29, 2018
12
0
Mac Mini around 2007 with non apple peripherals: usb microsoft mouse keyboard, monitor. 10.7.5 Lion

Nothing on the screen during boot; doesn't get to the apple chime.

I don't know if the 3mm chip belongs to the machine. It's slightly damaged (pins bent); I can't tell where it might have been attached if it's from the machine.

Everything seems ok and properly connected inside. I reseated the memory and took out hard drive, put it back.
Machine worked fine a few days ago.
Fan turns on and the hard disk makes some clicks as if it's damaged, however when I opened it and tested the disk as an external disk, it seemed just fine.

I attempted to boot with mac cd disk but this did not work.
don't know if the 3mm chip belongs to the machine. It's slightly damaged.
Everything seems ok and properly connected inside. I reseated the memory and took out hard drive, put it back.

Is there a simple preferred way to post pics; I have more if needed.

img20180729143605




http://www.filedropper.com/img20180729143605
 

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Look at a logic/mother board of your macmini on Ifixit or online.
Then compare that to your board.
If you can locate the missing area, Place the part in.
Start mac mini

Any computer reapir place should fix this.
 
jarak said:
Mac Mini around 2007 with non apple peripherals: usb microsoft mouse keyboard, monitor. 10.7.5 Lion

Nothing on the screen during boot; doesn't get to the apple chime.

I don't know if the 3mm chip belongs to the machine. It's slightly damaged (pins bent); I can't tell where it might have been attached if it's from the machine.

Everything seems ok and properly connected inside. I reseated the memory and took out hard drive, put it back.
Machine worked fine a few days ago.
Fan turns on and the hard disk makes some clicks as if it's damaged, however when I opened it and tested the disk as an external disk, it seemed just fine.

I attempted to boot with mac cd disk but this did not work.
don't know if the 3mm chip belongs to the machine. It's slightly damaged.
Everything seems ok and properly connected inside. I reseated the memory and took out hard drive, put it back.

Is there a simple preferred way to post pics; I have more if needed.

img20180729143605




http://www.filedropper.com/img20180729143605
Click to expand...

That is a switch for the power button. You are gonna need to solder that to the board or replace the logic board.
 
I assume that's why machine does not start?
I can't find anything missing or the location of the chip.
How would this chip get loose and damaged as I haven't opened it in a long time.

What's the location of the chip
online image
https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/RVgwGtAIZQIJmCn1






jeboles said:
That is a switch for the power button. You are gonna need to solder that to the board or replace the logic board.
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1533118629][/doublepost]Could there be any other reason the machine does not start e.g. battery, etc.
 

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I might have given you slightly bad advice. Check the board that is attached to the power button switch, mainly under the white plasic with the power logo. I bet that is where the problem lies.
 
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I don't see any board under power button. The power button has a small cable that attaches to the main board.
The machine turns on and the fan works but it does not boot.
Can you post a picture of what you are mentioning.

There is a small 1" board slightly above and to the right of the power button (if looked at from the rear ports), however it looks fine and nothing appears missing. It's not part of the main board.

Also I don't know if the chip belongs to the machine or if it's related to booting.
[doublepost=1533205330][/doublepost]Is there a way for me to try booting some other OS e.g. Linux on the machine
 
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If the response after pressing the power button is fan, plus some apparent noise from the hard drive, then that's doing something, and the power button is apparently attached enough to get power from somewhere.
 
I agree.
I am also being exposed to pranks. i.e. the machine could be damaged in another way but the chip was put in for fun.
Nothing really appears damaged.
Is there a link to a detailed/good troubleshooting guide.

I am also wondering if the boot partition is somehow affected. Does the apple chime occur before any activity with the hard disk.

The other issue is there is no original apple and mac keyboard so I am not completely sure about the keys.
 
Try a PRAM/NVRAM reset.
Unplug power cord to make sure it is "off"
Power cord in.
Press and release the power button, then immediately press and hold (on your Windows keyboard) Windows-Alt-P-R
You should hear the boot chime. Keep holding the same four keys until you hear the boot chime two more times. You may see other evidence of a reset on the screen, with a little flashing, etc. Just keep holding the same 4 keys, up to about a minute (if there is no chime at all) then release the keys.
Does that change anything at all?
 
..
[doublepost=1533470769][/doublepost]I've tried most of these
https://www.macworld.com/article/20...teps-to-take-when-your-mac-wont-start-up.html

the NVRAM in step 5 without removing power cord.

If I do remove the cord and reconnect the machine turns on without using the power button. How would I perform the procedure in that case?

I tried removing the cord and reconnecting, then immediately pressing the 4 keys and holding for 1 minute.
There is no chime and nothing whatsoever on the screen.
 
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Power cord OUT, then plug in again. Again, immediately press and hold those 4 keys (same as if you pressed the power button)
I'm not sure if that will actually do anything, when you have a logic board problem, but you should try it anyway.
 
ok I tried that. Nothing happens.

Is there a way to test the hard drive connection as the hard drive itself seems to be ok.
[doublepost=1533471328][/doublepost]I just tried starting while holding D;
The installation CD 1 is currently in the drive. I don't know if that matters or if I should remove it.
Is there a way to remove the CD. Currently I have to manually pry it out with tweezers.
[doublepost=1533473183][/doublepost]Will system start if battery is missing or expired.

If I lift the part with the drives and then put it back down, machine turns on without pressing the power key.
If I disconnect cord and put the upper part with the drives back, then reconnect the power cord, machine starts without pressing the power key.
Is this normal.
 
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A 2007 Mini?
With all those problems?
Time to start looking for something newer...
 
It'd be nice to figure out what happened. It is quite strange, the loose, damaged chip and all.

Can anhyone figure out if the chip comes from the machine and from where.

I mostly use it as a stereo...

Also, if it's a prank that could happen with the new machine


Fishrrman said:
A 2007 Mini?
With all those problems?
Time to start looking for something newer...
Click to expand...
 
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It's not the little board with a cord attached dangling at the top. It is an actual chip that looks damaged. lI'll post them here again. Is it for both wi-fi and bluetooth.where should it be; A little bit strange as I was using it the same day or the day before w wifi.

I use wifi but not bluetooth

Any ideas on why the machine does not boot.

ApolloBoy said:
That "chip" dangling in your Mac mini is actually your wi-fi/Bluetooth antenna, nothing to worry about.
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1534073927][/doublepost]Do you have any idea where the chip came from. I cannot find it.
Also I am in the Balkans so access to computer stores is not the best esp those that know macs


Expobill said:
Look at a logic/mother board of your macmini on Ifixit or online.
Then compare that to your board.
If you can locate the missing area, Place the part in.
Start mac mini

Any computer reapir place should fix this.
Click to expand...
 

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If you hit the power button and fans spin, could RAM/RAM slot be bad? Also, that switch broken ain't doing any favors.
 
I don't know. I tried reseating RAM or running with one chip at a time in different slots

Which switch do you think is broken?


jeboles said:
If you hit the power button and fans spin, could RAM/RAM slot be bad? Also, that switch broken ain't doing any favors.
Click to expand...
 
Some paranoid person might have poked at the infrared sensor thinking it's a spy cam. Who else have access to where the mini was stored?
 
FrancoisC said:
That loose chip in your mini is the infrared sensor/receptor.

Link: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+mini+Model+A1176+IR+Board+&+Cable+Replacement/1106
Click to expand...

would it have anything to do with the mac not booting? If not, why do you think it's not booting.

It seems like one would have to remove a lot of parts to get to it though.
[doublepost=1535742080][/doublepost]
Consultant said:
Some paranoid person might have poked at the infrared sensor thinking it's a spy cam. Who else have access to where the mini was stored?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately a bunch of people could have access including ones I may not know.
 
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