Imac SSD install FAIL

[matthewt24]

Hoping for some advice from the wise members of this forum. I have a mid-2010 21.5” iMac, with which I recently attempted a DIY SSD install. In the process, I damaged the internal LCD DisplayPort connector cable pins beyond repair. I took the machine to a local repair shop, who, after ordering a new cable, was unable to bring it back to life. They claimed that most cables were simply not compatible, and Apple no longer sold this part. I then checked with Micro Center, and they stated the only fix was to purchase an entirely new LCD screen ($400!?!). I’ve basically given up hope, now looking for options to potentially recover a portion of my investment.

- Is there a market for an unused OWC 500GB 3G SSD kit?
- How about selling the parts of my old iMac (everything still works except for the LCD connector)?
- Give the repair shop route another shot (Recommendations for reputable shops in the Columbus, OH area?)

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[velocityg4]

Could you post some pics of the damage? Then we may give better advice.

 

[Fishrrman]

You're not going to like my reply.

Such are "the hazards of trying to do it yourself."

You have two choices:
1. Throw money at it, with no guarantee it will work again
or
2. Time to start shopping for a replacement.

If this is your "main" Mac, it's already 9 years old.
Not worth putting more $$$ into.

If you can't afford "brand new", the Apple-refurbished store might be a good place to look...

 

[OldMacs4Me]

You're not going to like my reply.

Such are "the hazards of trying to do it yourself."

You have two choices:
1. Throw money at it, with no guarantee it will work again
or
2. Time to start shopping for a replacement.

If this is your "main" Mac, it's already 9 years old.
Not worth putting more $$$ into.

If you can't afford "brand new", the Apple-refurbished store might be a good place to look...

My last 4 Mac Purchases were just used. Most recent was a MacPro 4,1 for $500. Still a very capable computer if you have no need for the latest and greatest version of OS-X. Remember without warranty the price needs to be a good deal lower than units that still have a year or so left on an extended warranty, it's also important to be able to trust the seller.

 

[matthewt24]

Thanks all for the responses. I’m already looking for a replacement, searching/waiting for a good deal. I was just hoping to squeeze any possible $$ out of this one, either to recover my cost on the unused SSD, or a couple bucks for the parts of my old Mac.
[doublepost=1560100285][/doublepost] And here’s a pic of the wrecked connector.

 

[mikehalloran]

Such are "the hazards of trying to do it yourself."

...without knowing what you were doing.

Unfortunately, the OWC and iFixIt sites preach the gospel of removing the screen which was absolutely unnecessary for this upgrade. iFixIt users post notes saying this but the official instructions don’t incorporate them.

The damage is done.

There’s a market for the kit. The temp sensor only works on late 2009–10 21.5–27” iMacs. That’s what eBay is for. Likewise, you can part out the 2010 but easier to sell the dead soldier as-is. Explain the issue completely to eliminate misunderstandings. You are unlikely to get much but some tech somewhere will want it.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

...without knowing what you were doing.

Unfortunately, the OWC and iFixIt sites preach the gospel of removing the screen which was absolutely unnecessary for this upgrade. iFixIt users post notes saying this but the official instructions don’t incorporate them.

The damage is done.

There’s a market for the kit. The temp sensor only works on late 2009–10 21.5–27” iMacs. That’s what eBay is for. Likewise, you can part out the 2010 but easier to sell the dead soldier as-is. Explain the issue completely to eliminate misunderstandings. You are unlikely to get much but some tech somewhere will want it.

I believe that the hard drive temperature sensor sold by OWC works with the 2011 iMac. I replaced the hard drive with a WOC SSD plus the temperature sensor. This 21" iMac works so well that I don't want to get rid of it, even after buying a 2019 iMac.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

https://www.amazon.com/Padarsey-Replacement-593-1280-593-1280-593-1280A/dp/B07BRQVGTJ

Here's the LCD cable, yours separates from both ends right?

Don't give up on this repair!

 

[smirking]

Likewise, you can part out the 2010 but easier to sell the dead soldier as-is. Explain the issue completely to eliminate misunderstandings. You are unlikely to get much but some tech somewhere will want it.

Yeah, what Mike said. Just put it on eBay as an item that's being sold as-is for parts only. Given how you got to this point, I don't think it's wise for you to part it out yourself.

Someone will want it and hopefully you might be able to get a slight bit more since you know exactly what's wrong with it. A lot of the items put up for sale in an as-is state are a mystery. Whoever buys it has to assume that the unit could be a total loss and they'd be insane to actually bid anything reasonable.

 

[mikehalloran]

I believe that the hard drive temperature sensor sold by OWC works with the 2011 iMac. I replaced the hard drive with a WOC SSD plus the temperature sensor. This 21" iMac works so well that I don't want to get rid of it, even after buying a 2019 iMac.

Believe what you want but the temp sensor for the 2011 and later iMac is not interchangeable with the one for the late 2009–2010.

You will see that the part numbers are different and OWCs notes stating the same. Knowing how they each work and having done many of both, I can confirm this.

The late 2009-10 is actually a separate sensor—OWC “integrates” it so that they can sell a $39 part but, like the Apple unit, it’s actually separate. There are ways to cheat around it without using the OWC part.

The 2011-on is integrated into the wiring harness that is wired differently than the earlier years.

 

[Lankyman]

As Mr Brightside has commented, don't give up on the repair. After removing the screen from my mid-2011 iMac on numerous occasions the exact same cable got damaged on mine (law of averages I suppose). Anyway, there are plenty sellers on the auction site with this cable with prices ranging from $5 to $10 dollars.

I got a cable in between those price points, it fit perfectly and booted up straightaway without issue. Well worth my modest outlay.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

As Mr Brightside has commented, don't give up on the repair. After removing the screen from my mid-2011 iMac on numerous occasions the exact same cable got damaged on mine (law of averages I suppose). Anyway, there are plenty sellers on the auction site with this cable with prices ranging from $5 to $10 dollars.

I get a cable in between those price points, it fit perfectly and booted up straightaway without issue. Well worth my modest outlay.

This!!

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Believe what you want but the temp sensor for the 2011 and later iMac is not interchangeable with the one for the late 2009–2010.

You will see that the part numbers are different and OWCs notes stating the same. Knowing how they each work and having done many of both, I can confirm this.

The late 2009-10 is actually a separate sensor—OWC “integrates” it so that they can sell a $39 part but, like the Apple unit, it’s actually separate. There are ways to cheat around it without using the OWC part.

The 2011-on is integrated into the wiring harness that is wired differently than the earlier years.

Maybe I misread your post.
I replaced the hard drive on my early 2011 21" iMac with a SSD, and controlled the fan speed with an app while I waited for the temperature sensor to arrive. On boot-up and after, the hard drive fan was running at full speed until I launched the fan control app and then restarted the iMac.

Once I attached the temperature sensor to the SSD and connected the 2-lead plug to the temperature sensor receptacle on the iMac, I deleted the fan control app. The old hard drive had a non-removable temperature sensor right in the center of it, with a very small 2-lead plug and wire harness.

I used this one:
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD11/

How about this one? It won't work with the 2010 iMac?
https://eshop.macsales.com/search/?q=2009-2010+(21.5"+&+27")

 

[RyanXM]

Search eBay for Part Number 922-9497. That is the Internal Display Port cable that you need. Plenty of then available for ~$20.