Mac Mini with lion heat and fan problems really worried

[MissKreeps]

I really hope someone can help me with my problems as iv registered hear primarily because of this
but i got a mac mini for christmas just gone with lion on it my dad bought me it from america, i live in the UK but after checking and double checking all the power stats on the machine and in its booklets and getting advice from the apple store in america a swell found it safe to be plugged in in the UK with the power differences in our plugs being different.
well i haven't used it much as i did have a mac book but have used my mini more since the light pack behind the screen in my laptop went and this issue means im not using my mini much in fear it'll die.

Its info is
Os X Lion
2.3 GHz intel core i5
2gb RAM 1333MHz DDR3 (am hoping to upgrade this to 4 gigs it was originally meant to have 4 gig but the store in america only had the store model and my dad wasn't in america long enough to wait for them to order it with 4 gig ram)

well after burning myself and my partner burning his self when touching the machine i got a little worried and DLed a few temperature monitors that have been mentioned multiple times on hear to check the temps
i have Istat now
well right now the readings have got me very worried as the CPU readings are coming in at 100 degrees Celsius and above
CPU A 100 degrees C
CPU 1 100 degrees C
CPU Proximity 93 degrees C
with a Fan RPM permanently at 0 i cant even feel air being expelled trough its back vent or anything
the longer the machine is on the hotter it gets and the worse its performance gets i haven't had such issues with performance since i used a PC and i have a 3 year old mac book that if it had a back light is so far running better then this im really worried and not sure what to do
what do you on hear suggest and can you shed some light onto why i appear to have no fans running iv tried goggling as much as i can on this mac but haven't come across anything with readings hotter then 90 degrees or fans running at 0 rpm so have no clue as to if this is normal or if i really need tot take it to the mac store with my laptop and get it sorted (thankfully should still be under warranty it only being about 3-4 month old)

please excuse spelling or gramatical errors one im english and useing a mac which really messes with my spelling sometimes due to differences in american and english spelling also spelling and grammar are my weakest thing so sorry

 

[Adamantoise]

Well, I understood you just fine, your grammar isn't bad.

In any case, I think it's obvious what your problem is. Your fan is simply not spinning, thus your Mini's CPU is not being cooled, thus resulting in its extremely high temperatures.

Personally, I think it's out of your hands, take it to the Apple store and have them fix it.

Edit: I also think it's important that you refrain from using your Mini for intensive tasks before taking it to Apple. You just don't know when the machine will die out due to thermal stress.

In other words, do what you can to cool the machine down yourself (keep it in a well ventilated room), and please avoid processor intensive tasks till you take it to the Apple store.

 

[Dhelsdon]

Sounds like you've got a dead fan, temperatures like that are indeed a concern. That is not far off the max temp rating my a few degrees if i am not mistaken. I'd advise to call 1-800-APPLE or whatever the number is in your area. Hopefully they can send you a replacement part or you may have to buy one online.

 

[MissKreeps]

thanks guys i feared that was the issue especially with it having such delayed performance at times "/
unfortunatley i cant phone them best i can do is take it to the apple store with my mac book to meadowhall when i go to see about getting the laptop repaired i just wasnt sure as i knew the macbook used to give me temperature readings close to those only that had a fan "/

better get the mac store info and such off my dad

 

[keysersoze]

thanks guys i feared that was the issue especially with it having such delayed performance at times "/
unfortunatley i cant phone them best i can do is take it to the apple store with my mac book to meadowhall when i go to see about getting the laptop repaired i just wasnt sure as i knew the macbook used to give me temperature readings close to those only that had a fan "/

better get the mac store info and such off my dad

Sucks, but should be very easy to have Apple Store deal with. It's under warranty... just tell them the fan is dead and it's overheating. I can't imagine you will have any hassle and hopefully they will fix it or replace it very fast for you. Good luck.

 

[MissKreeps]

Indeeds thanks guys I did do a hardware diagnostics test with its inbuilt hardware tester thing,I didn't know it had one till a few hour ago and it has come back with an exhaust error code

Hopefully it won't be to much hassel will be phoning my nearest apple store tomorrow to make sure they will do it, especially as I'm in the UK and is was bought in the USA while my dad was there and if they will well be taking it this weekend as I have to go through for my 3 year old mac book to see if I can get its light fixed.
For now though iv unplugged it and put it back in its box not gonna risk any damage to it by useing it with no fans

Bit unhappy that it needs a fix allready but hey ho least its under warranty

 

[philipma1957]

dude turn the mini upside lay it on a soft surface remove the black plate. this is how the ram goes in so you need to learn this anyway.


you will see this

http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/VSBK45eaYv4AVsjx.huge


do not do this

http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/VQFHMQkFM64QrdVD.huge

but look at the attached wire. I will turn my mini upside with power running to show photos..


first shot is my upside down mini running.

second shot is the wire that can ship loose.

The shot is blurry because my fan is spinning.

the pipe cleaner points to the connection. I buy and upgrade mac minis about one in 50 come with that wire not snapped in. if you push it with a pencil rubber/eraser it should attach and the fan will spin.

 

[Ayemerica]

dude turn the mini upside lay it on a soft surface remove the black plate. this is how the ram goes in so you need to learn this anyway.


you will see this

http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/VSBK45eaYv4AVsjx.huge


do not do this

http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/VQFHMQkFM64QrdVD.huge

but look at the attached wire. I will turn my mini upside with power running to show photos..


first shot is my upside down mini running.

second shot is the wire that can ship loose.

The shot is blurry because my fan is spinning.

the pipe cleaner points to the connection. I buy and upgrade mac minis about one in 50 come with that wire not snapped in. if you push it with a pencil rubber/eraser it should attach and the fan will spin.

what is that blue light, is that a cooling plate lol.

 

[msjones]

Meadowhall is my local apple store too

I had a problem with the 2010 mac mini which I also bought from America, logicboard failure within a month. The guys at apple replaced it for me there and then with a new mini.

 

[MissKreeps]

dude turn the mini upside lay it on a soft surface remove the black plate. this is how the ram goes in so you need to learn this anyway.


you will see this

http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/VSBK45eaYv4AVsjx.huge


do not do this

http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/VQFHMQkFM64QrdVD.huge

but look at the attached wire. I will turn my mini upside with power running to show photos..


first shot is my upside down mini running.

second shot is the wire that can ship loose.

The shot is blurry because my fan is spinning.

the pipe cleaner points to the connection. I buy and upgrade mac minis about one in 50 come with that wire not snapped in. if you push it with a pencil rubber/eraser it should attach and the fan will spin.

can not say thankyou enough really i tried this and its worked fans are happily spinning i just hope it lasts as when i finally got the plate off (damn there really stiff) i noticed theres a partial heat/burn on the metal on that plate above where the fan is

i just have one thing to ask its only just on and fans are running i can hear it now but on the speed thing it keeps fluctuateing between 1790rpm and 1810rpm is that normal?

 

[philipma1957]

YEAH 1790 to 1810 is not a big deal. If you push the machine by playing a game or streaming video the fans will speed up to as high as 5000.

If you had a scorch mark on your machine I would still bring it in to apple. You can even print this thread out to explain what happened. Your actions would not void the warranty. Opening the back cover is allowed by the owner and plugging in a wired apple left unplugged is not wrong to do. I do not like that your machine left that scorch mark due to apples lack of quality control.

ie unplugged fan

 

[MissKreeps]

YEAH 1790 to 1810 is not a big deal. If you push the machine by playing a game or streaming video the fans will speed up to as high as 5000.

If you had a scorch mark on your machine I would still bring it in to apple. You can even print this thread out to explain what happened. Your actions would not void the warranty. Opening the back cover is allowed by the owner and plugging in a wired apple left unplugged is not wrong to do. I do not like that your machine left that scorch mark due to apples lack of quality control.

ie unplugged fan

yea as i said its only light mark but it worried me as i am very worried about any heat damage that could have been caused especially as it got as high as 106 degrees c in the CPUs i just wish i had spotted it earlier as before i spotted it id been running apps and mini games on it for a good length of time, but only noticed when after playing on a game i tried drawing with my design tablet and the input delay was appalling thats when we noticed it was running very very hot

lesson learned next time i get an apple product make sure everything works before using it

 

[MissKreeps]

well unfortunately after a few hours the fans stopped running again and CPU temp started raiseing i think the fans could actually be quite faulty....well ill be taking it into meadowhall apple store this weekend wish me luck on getting it sorted i hope it gets done quick

 

[philipma1957]

yes I had the feeling that there was damage. This thread should be read by all new mini owners.

first step turn the mini upside remove the cover and boot. look for the fan to spin.

i do this with all my mods then power down to do the mod. I was lucky and did not burn the two or three minis I got like this.

 

[MissKreeps]

yes I had the feeling that there was damage. This thread should be read by all new mini owners.

first step turn the mini upside remove the cover and boot. look for the fan to spin.

i do this with all my mods then power down to do the mod. I was lucky and did not burn the two or three minis I got like this.

Indeeds or do the inbuilt hardware test thats there after you first set it up it makes me sad that its happend its left me without my own computer now untill it gets fixed i do hope meadowhall are quick at dealing with it also it was a christmas present from my mum and dad so its pretty gutting that its allready in need of repair

 

[MissKreeps]

Update: so was taken in and theyve repaired it due to pick it up shortly
thanks for the advice and help