Mini upgraded - now no airport

[mattwolfmatt]

I noticed that the airport wire came off while I was installing a new HD and RAM. Then I had the darndest time getting that airport wire back on. It seemed to be about an inch too short. then once I popped it back on, the little black wire next to the "watch battery" in front was impossible to get back on!

There seems to be no way to get it to fit both on the card and on the spring loaded post. The wire's just too short. I'm waiting until after I screw it down, too.

Any advice?
PS I'm writing this from my MBP.

 

[Cave Man]

You're not routing the wire properly. Look at the photos from any one of the Mini take-aparts to see its route.

 

[mattwolfmatt]

OK got it back together (I'm getting REALLY good at taking the mini apart. Or maybe it's just getting looser...)

Now the airport is connected but it constantly is changing connection strength. One bar, three bars, four bars, down to one, then two, then four.

So I know it's connected but what might cause the varying strength issue?

Thanks to all who reply.

 

[cMacSW]

chech the antenna cable is fully seated in the connector. A few of the take apart guides note this.