About how much should I repair to pay for this repair?

[MmmPancakes]

I have a 2009 Mac Mini. I recently upgraded the RAM, and while I was working in the Mini, the Bluetooth antenna cable became detached. I've tried to reconnect it, but the Bluetooth no longer works in the device. This is the extent of my knowledge of the problem.

Unfortunately, the warranty expired a few weeks ago, and regardless of that, I'm the one who hosed it so it's my burden to bear.

One local Mac repair shop here in Austin quoted me "about" $40 plus parts (if necessary) to repair it.

Is that about right? Any former geniuses here know about how much Apple would charge for this out-of-warranty fix?

I will call Apple -- but I want to be prepared, which is why I'm polling this trusted community.

 

[Benjamins]

personally I would use that $40 to buy a small bluetooth dongle.... and few cups of starbucks.

 

[MmmPancakes]

personally I would use that $40 to buy a small bluetooth dongle.... and few cups of starbucks.

This has crossed my mind. I wonder if I'm OCD, though. The thought of that cable being detached, or not having functionality native to the Mini, drives me bonkers. I haven't ruled out a dongle, though.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

$40 sounds about right for labor. The little mini can be a pain to work on. Alternatively, you could try replacing it yourself. Chances are, the bluetooth works fine, and is just disconnected.

 

[MmmPancakes]

$40 sounds about right for labor. The little mini can be a pain to work on. Alternatively, you could try replacing it yourself. Chances are, the bluetooth works fine, and is just disconnected.

I just now took it apart and saw that it was disconnected. I attached it, but the BT still doesn't work. I probably didn't attach it to the right connection, or something else is amiss. I'm kind of tired of messing with it, and would rather a pro work on it at this point.

 

[Snesley Wipes]

Try resetting the system management controller first (smc).

 

[GGJstudios]

Try resetting the system management controller first (smc).

Resetting SMC will not have any effect on a hardware problem. Did you even read the OP's post? Or did you read it and you simply have no idea what you're talking about?

 

[Snesley Wipes]

Resetting SMC will not have any effect on a hardware problem. Did you even read the OP's post? Or did you read it and you simply have no idea what you're talking about?

This EXACT same thing happened to me! I disconnected my bluetooth, keyboard, and wireless and none of them worked when reconnected until I did a SMC reset.

 

[GGJstudios]

This EXACT same thing happened to me! I disconnected my bluetooth, keyboard, and wireless and none of them worked when reconnected until I did a SMC reset.

From the link I posted on resetting the SMC:

After performing normal troubleshooting, these symptoms may indicate that an SMC reset may be necessary:

Fans
The computer's fans run at high speed although the computer is not experiencing heavy usage and is properly ventilated.

Lights
The keyboard backlight appears to behave incorrectly (on Mac computers that have this feature).
The Status Indicator Light (SIL) appears to behave incorrectly (on Mac computers that have an SIL).
Battery indicator lights, if present, appear to behave incorrectly (on portables that use non-removable batteries).
The display backlight doesn't respond correctly to ambient light changes on Mac computers that have this feature.

Power
The computer doesn't respond to the power button when pressed.
A portable Mac doesn't appear to respond properly when you close or open the lid.
The computer sleeps or shuts down unexpectedly.
The battery does not appear to be charging properly.
The MagSafe power adaptor LED doesn't appear to indicate the correct activity.

System Performance
The computer is running unusually slowly although it is not experiencing abnormally high CPU utilization.

Video
A computer that supports target display mode does not switch into or out of target display mode as expected.
A computer that supports target display mode switches into or out of target display mode at unexpected times.

The System Management Controller (SMC) is responsible for many low-level functions on Intel-based Macs. These functions include:

Responding to presses of the power button
Responding to display lid opening and closing on portable Macs
Battery management
Thermal management
The SMS (Sudden Motion Sensor)
Ambient light sensing
Keyboard backlighting
Status Indicator Light (SIL) management
Battery status indicator lights
Selecting an external (instead of internal) video source for some iMac displays

See bluetooth mentioned?

Nowhere on Apple's site will you find resetting the SMC related to bluetooth issues. There are many who think that resetting PRAM/NVRAM, or resetting the SMC or repairing permissions are cure-alls that can fix any issue, but these things have very specific functions and purposes. There is a right time to use each one.

Just because you may have reset the SMC at the same time your symptoms went away doesn't mean they're related. The reboot required may have done the job. Resetting the SMC does not relate to bluetooth issues, despite many who throw it out as a fix, not understanding what it does. Also, if you took the time to read the original post, you'll see the OP's problem deals with hardware, not software. Resetting the SMC won't fix damaged hardware.

the Bluetooth antenna cable became detached.