Anyone upgrade their hard drive in their new 2010 Mac Mini yet?

[DewGuy1999]

I got a mac mini 2010, hours ago. The hard drive is slow as molasses.

So i am going to repeat drew's question again...

"So has someone figured out how to deal with the thermal blanket/sensors and specifically the drive brand specific internal thermal sensor connector?"

Do we have to replace it with the same brand hard drive for the thermal sensors?

Forgot all about asking that question. If I remember correctly that was based on speculation that the new Mac mini's were going to be using the same kind of proprietary hard drive SATA/thermal sensor connector that the new iMacs were using. Apparently that turned out to not be the case. Here's a YouTube video showing a hard drive replacement on the new Mac mini:

YouTube.com: Mac mini (Unibody, Spring 2010) Hard Drive Replacement How To

Good Luck!

 

[krravi]

Forgot all about asking that question. If I remember correctly that was based on speculation that the new Mac mini's were going to be using the same kind of proprietary hard drive SATA/thermal sensor connector that the new iMacs were using. Apparently that turned out to not be the case. Here's a YouTube video showing a hard drive replacement on the new Mac mini:

YouTube.com: Mac mini (Unibody, Spring 2010) Hard Drive Replacement How To

Good Luck!

Is that the "Uninstall Life" guy? I have seen that video many times. The bad part of the video is, every time he removed the screws, the video was cut. Crucial scenes !

Today i tried to do it and backed off. The third screw of the fan, is it a screw or what is it? The iFixit site doesnt even talk about that screw. They just ask you to remove the top 2 screws and then lift the fan.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-Mac-mini-Model-A1347-Hard-Drive-Replacement/3113/2

If i follow that procedure i am afraid it will be iBrokeit.

I tried lifting the fan was very afraid of breaking the tab. So put it all back together...

Plus i really didnt have all the tiny torx bits. Just removed the back cover to get a feel for it.

I am going to get some torx bits tommorow and get back to it. But i would like to know what to do with that third screw.

Plus iFixit tells you to put two tools in the holes in the logic board and asks you to bend outwards. Wondering if that loosens a clip inside that makes the logic board unlock and slip outside. While the YouTube guy, just applied brute force to slide it out?

 

[philipma1957]

http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini2010_server/

new video

 

[tom29786]

In response to Kravvi the one screw is long about 1 inch and it goes through 2 components. Keep in mind all 3 have a small rubber ring {washer} on them, it is there to dampen vibration, so don't loose them.

Also to dissemble the server model it is different than the regular model, the regular model only has 1 screw to remove from the logic board, it is on the left if I remember correctly. Do not attempt to take out the hard drive until you remove the tape and wires from the hard drive and disconnect the sata connection before you take it out. Also either take out the memory or slightly depress them when removing the hard drive. If you have big fat hands such as I use a pair of womens eye brow tweasers.

Tom

 

[krravi]

Thanks for the other video which was very clear.
Now where can i get some small torx bits locally? Walmart?

Just got back from WalMart, Radioshack,Sears,Auto parts store and none of them had the small size.

Going to try Best Buy and then order online i guess.

 

[jons]

Thanks for the other video which was very clear.
Now where can i get some small torx bits locally? Walmart?

Just got back from WalMart, Radioshack,Sears,Auto parts store and none of them had the small size.

Going to try Best Buy and then order online i guess.

I got mine at harbor freight for about 8 bucks.

 

[krravi]

I got mine at harbor freight for about 8 bucks.

I completely forgot about that store. I ordered it from e-bay. I guess i cant do it this weekend. Was so excited about it.

 

[Zicheck]

How do you reconnect the Thermal sensors back to the Logic Board?

So has someone figured out how to deal with the thermal blanket/sensors and specifically the drive brand specific internal thermal sensor connector?

How do you reconnect the Thermal sensors back to the Logic Board, they came off easy but cant get them to go back on?
zicheckphotography@gmail.com
thanks

 

[Zicheck]

Which Hard drive do you replace?

How do you reconnect the Thermal sensors back to the Logic Board, they came off easy but cant get them to go back on?
zicheckphotography@gmail.com
thanks

Which hard drive do you replace the top one or lower one?

 

[tbayrgs]

How do you reconnect the Thermal sensors back to the Logic Board, they came off easy but cant get them to go back on?
zicheckphotography@gmail.com
thanks

Which hard drive do you replace the top one or lower one?

Do you realize you just asked yourself a question?

 

[boomhaueruk]

Realise this thread is old, but thought I'd post my tale of how not to upgrade your unibody 2010 Mac mini here.

Just managed to break the Mac mini two ways performing the upgrade and its in the bin. My other half is furious.

Some background, this was my third Mac mini (both previous were old style white) and I've done numerous DVD drive/hard drive/memory upgrades on them happily over the years.

First problem/mistake; those thermal sensors.
There are three, both I fixit and the YouTube video showed easy (but careful) prising of the connector upward from the housing with a prising tool.
When I did this, the whole tiny housing came off the motherboard rather than the connector inside it. Twice out of three times. The housing is only held on with tiny solder. Be warned.
I'm sure there is a knack to it and goodness knows I zoomed and rewound enough times, but in the end, bye bye 2 sensors.

Second mistake; pulling the motherboard back.
To be fair; one of the two teardowns does say to get a 'mac mini motherboard removal tool'.
I can now only echo this statement.
I put in two small screwdrivers as shown in the other breakdown and pulled gently back.
And broke the motherboard a tiny bit - but that's all it takes.
Turns out, from some post breakage playing, that what you need to use is your thinnest small screwdrivers and you need them both to be feeling like they've made contact with the bottom of the case. It's one of those 'once you know' situations.

Third mistake; the power connector onto the motherboard on the far right.
Just like the thermal sensors, you're meant to prise this up.
This one split in two.
If this all makes me sound like I've used too much force, I'd not be surprised, but frankly the angle and the close proximity to the hard drive make these works trickier than anything in upgrades I've seen for some time.

So there we are.

I'm not saying don't do it, I'm just saying be extra careful and if anyone has any advice about those thermal connectors, post it here!