How to tell if your sata cable is fried?

[Klae]

Hey guys I was updating my mid 2011 mac mini to a 120gb ocz vertex 3 ssd and to keep the 500gb hard drive it came with. Well it wasn't downloading lion to the new ssd it kept timing out. So I tried switching the sata cables and Lion finally installed. Now when I go to see if both drives are connect only my ssd shows up and my hd is no were to be found. I took it apart and tryed seeing if the cable was disconnected but it is in fin but its a little loose? Should I try switching up the cables again? or just buy a new sata cable? I also stripped the ir reciever cable on accident. I have to replace it. (I know im a mess) help?

 

[philipma1957]

this is why I tell people to consider using the seagate t-bolt adapter if adding an ssd.

when you say the sata cable is a little loose which end the one on the hdd or the one on the logic board. if the logic board connection is loose you have misconnected something.

I have to ask where did you get the second cable?
did you have a 2 drive unit?
or did you buy the kit from ifixit?

If you had a one drive unit and purchased a cable how do you know you purchased the correct one? the second sata cable is a little bit different then the first so are your two cables a little different?


as for the ir cable just leave it be for now I would need to know what you broke on it and I think that you will need to post photos on that.

 

[Klae]

this is why I tell people to consider using the seagate t-bolt adapter if adding an ssd.

when you say the sata cable is a little loose which end the one on the hdd or the one on the logic board. if the logic board connection is loose you have misconnected something.

I have to ask where did you get the second cable?
did you have a 2 drive unit?
or did you buy the kit from ifixit?

If you had a one drive unit and purchased a cable how do you know you purchased the correct one? the second sata cable is a little bit different then the first so are your two cables a little different?


as for the ir cable just leave it be for now I would need to know what you broke on it and I think that you will need to post photos on that.

I bought the kit from ifixit. And I will post pictures later. Both drives have worked simultaneously before its just now they wont work so Im hoping it is just the cable so I can replace it.

 

[Pheo]

How well does it fit? I had a problem with it popping out once the thing was closed up as unbeknown to me the hdd had not reseated properly - so make sure you turn the thing upside down and jiggle it!

 

[shortcut3d]

I found that on the 2011 Mac mini models with two drives from the factory that the foam spacers provided can create enough pressure to unseat the SATA connection from the logic board. It is important to place the foam spacers properly as not to interfere with the SATA cable routing. The fan shroud does NOT contact the SATA cable logic board connector enough to keep the cable connected.

 

[philipma1957]

do this test turn the mini upside down leave it with the black plate off and the guts exposed connect both cables then boot.


see if both show up on screen. you can safely press on both sata jacks at the same time with two pencil eraser ends making sure the cables are connected to the logic board . Just loosen the fan and move it out of the way but don't unplug it. It sounds like you have miss seated the hdds causing the sata cable to pop loose.