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OWC Data Doubler Logic Board Puller "No Joy"

I

IffySituation

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 12, 2014
54
0
Minnesota
Hey has anyone else had great difficulty pulling a logic board from a late 2012 MacMini? I was using OWC'S tool and the board would just not come free, I was using quite a bit of force on the tool, and the board would come out maybe a 1/4". I fought with it for an hour or so. It seemed like the tabs or something were caught still. I just couldn't do it. Thankfully the mini booted just fine after aborting this install. Yes, I had all the connectors off including the logic board connector, and all pertinent screws
Any ideas besides the Apple Store or OWC that charges $99
Thanks
 
IffySituation said:
Yes about 8x this weekend and while I was trying to upgrade
Click to expand...

Can you possibly try "walking" the board out of its slot?
i.e. pull on the left side of the board, then pull on the right side of the board. Do that swapping left side/right side and see if you can get it to release that way?

It was tight when i did my upgrade but nothing to the degree of stubbornness that you seem to be experiencing. You could take it to Apple if you have a store nearby and let them give it a go.
 
Mine was very difficult but it will come out. You have to absolutely ensure the two prongs are firmly pushed down and then apply quite a lot of pressure - look closely at which side looks to be loosening first and break it out more that way then go to the other side.

M.
 
IffySituation said:
Hey has anyone else had great difficulty pulling a logic board from a late 2012 MacMini? I was using OWC'S tool and the board would just not come free, I was using quite a bit of force on the tool, and the board would come out maybe a 1/4". I fought with it for an hour or so. It seemed like the tabs or something were caught still. I just couldn't do it. Thankfully the mini booted just fine after aborting this install. Yes, I had all the connectors off including the logic board connector, and all pertinent screws
Any ideas besides the Apple Store or OWC that charges $99
Thanks
Click to expand...

I've never used a logic board tool, but rather just two precision screw drivers. But in either event, I would put them in the holes, pull on them, and the board would pop out about a quarter inch at best. Then I pull them out. Put them back in straight, and pull on them again to get it out about a half inch total. At which point I could gently remove the board with my bare hands by gripping the IO board.

The odd part to me is I always felt like the direction I would pull on the screwdrivers felt backwards to me. I always felt like I should pry them the other direction. Oh well.

This has worked perfectly for me on a 2011, 2x2012's, and a 2014.
 
I had trouble too but I don't think it's the tool issue.. there are little latch "hooks" ... see red boxes in image of logic board. I gently pressed on each one and nudge the board out a little until it "passes" the catch.
 

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I did mine for the first time just last night and it was tough.
All the videos say to pull but I had better luck by turning it around and pushing.
The power supply side came away maybe 1/8" but the other side seemed totally stuck at first.
Just a little more persuasion (more than I was at first comfortable with) was all it took.
I think I used a spudger on that stuck side between the back and the side of the case but I doubt that really did anything.
 
Yeah I tried that as well, I'm gonna given it a go tonite or tmrw. Thanks for all the responses, I would have commented to all but the email notification wasn't happening for some reason.
 
IffySituation said:
Yeah I tried that as well, I'm gonna given it a go tonite or tmrw. Thanks for all the responses, I would have commented to all but the email notification wasn't happening for some reason.
Click to expand...

Mine was a tough pull. I think the poor old Mac Mini they use in the demo video has been ravaged quite a few times and has little resistance left.
 
I use the OWC board removal tool with no problems on several Minis.

Perhaps I am doing it wrong ... but I put the tool through the holes clear down to the contact the case, and then use it like a "pry-bar" to leverage jack the board slowly out of the case. I do not use the tool to pull or push the motherboard without the leverage action against the case.
 
Had the same issue 2 weeks ago with my 2012 mini, almost gave up. I found the OWC board removal tool putting too much strain on the board. Using the tool the right corner would move out a little but the left corner would not move. I eventually adjusted the board with the tool so the right corner moved out a little and then pushed firmly on the back of the board using my thumbs. I made a point to be extremely careful to prevent my thumbs slipping up or down as the board would have cracked. At first nothing happened, so I stopped a moment and then pushed again. Using slow constant pressure the board finally slid forward and out. After that it was clear sailing. Best of luck.
 
It is tricky to use the first time, but after you have done it a few times you will wonder what all the fuss was. :)

Get the tool in firmly and as others have said, try to "walk" it out side by side a little at a time, it should get to a stage of just "popping" out.

Be careful when you slide the board out you don't hit the ram slots on the outer case.
 
I had bother with mine, but I had forgotten to take one of the screws out the board.!

watched video twice and still could not see where i went wrong. removed last screw and it popped out very easy.
 
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