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MacMini 2010 - Fan 100%

J

jimbobba2773

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 13, 2008
16
0
I just want to ask what the best thing to do with my 2010 Mac Mini as it still has AppleCare will May 2014. The fans seem to be running 100% now (for some strange reason) and I cannot seem to get it to slow down. I've checked the sensors are plugged in and also reset the PRAM/SMC. I did replace the HDD with a 60GB SSD about 1-2 years ago and this has only just started. Memory was updated to 8GB too but I've had no problems like this.

I think the best option I can do is install the original memory 4GB and also put in a standard 500GB HDD which I book in with a Genius at my local Apple store to see what they can do. Any other ideas?

Thanks for any tips.
 
What application does tell you the fan speed in % instead of RPM? Does it also tell you the RPM, and if so, what are the RPM?

And do you also happen to know the CPU temperature (Celsius or Fahrenheit)?

Open Activity Monitor and select All Processes and then sort by CPU to show you the process(es) slowing down your Mac or speeding up your fan(s) or causing more heat.

Those Macs in their heat - a sine of over-heating? - a short story by Mister GGJstudios
 
I use iStatMenu and the fans are running around 6000rpm. The temps of the CPU/GPU drop to around the mid-30's so the CPU is cooling without an issue.
 
this happened to me when I replaced the HDD in my 2010 mini as the optical drive temperature sensor cable was damaged. Luckily the damage was fixable (the wires just came out of the plug). Perhaps it is one of the 3 heat sensors (2 for the HDD and one for the optical)
 
Got it sorted, one of the sensors had moved (the wires in the little plug) and I pushed them back in and all good! HTPC is back online and don't need to change anything.
 
I recommend using smcFanControl on any mac that has a fan!!

Will prevent your mac (logic board) from overheating...
 
I've read quite a lot of posts regarding the HDD sensors in the 2010 mini causing head aches when swapping out the stock hard drive. I wonder if its worth the hassle to replace the internal drive.

I've purchased a 1 TB drive and an external usb enclosure, cloned the drive using CCC and it seems quite adequate booting from the external. I'd however like to free up the usb port for other uses, and I'm tempted to rip apart my mini but I'm afraid to brake something in the process.

I'm curious what most people are experiencing when removing the sensor cables. Is it the glued on side of the cable that gives most of the trouble or is it the end that connects to the mother board? Are the wires pulling out from the connections? Is the sensor glued so well that its hard to separate from the drive? What should I be most concerned with if I attempt the replacement?

Thanks.
 
The problem with the sensor cable I had was the cable that plugs into the little plug was slipping out and had to be pushed back in. This is probably due to me removing it from the board from the cables and not popping it out from the plug. Took some time to identify but it works like a treat now, nice and silent. SSD makes it run like a dream but its only used as a HTPC.
 
Thanks for the reply. Do you remember if you had any problems with the sensor that I believe is glued to the hard drive? Was it easy to reattach to the drive?
 
No problems changing the drive. It was taped to the drive from memory and I just had to be careful removing the cover/tape so it didn't come off. Just take your time and be careful, you'll be right.
 
So the new hard drive was installed, and it seems as though everything is working ok. The mini is a little louder now but I think its just the hard drive spinning up that is louder, to bad really I wish it were more quiet. Iv'e checked the fan speed and iStat says it 1800rpm or so. Unless I'm mistaken that sounds normal.

The tape that holds the sensor to the drive wasn't very sticky it didn't hold the sensor in place very well, I wish I could get my hands on some of that tape to make sure it stays put.

Thanks for the help Jimbobba.
 
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