SSD Installed Differently!

[nollimac]

Rather than using a business card as some have used in videos to insert the hard drive, I just screwed the grill unto the SSD hard drive after attaching the data cable. Next, pivot the grill with the attached hard drive to the left and snap the antenna in. Then, align the grill and slide in. The hard drive would have already align with the two slots on the other side. Then, once the drive is seated in the other side, slightly lift the grill and attached the data cable to the motherboard.

To me, that was much easier.

 

[opinio]

Rather than using a business card as some have used in videos to insert the hard drive, I just screwed the grill unto the SSD hard drive after attaching the data cable. Next, pivot the grill with the attached hard drive to the left and snap the antenna in. Then, align the grill and slide in. The hard drive would have already align with the two slots on the other side. Then, once the drive is seated in the other side, slightly lift the grill and attached the data cable to the motherboard.

To me, that was much easier.

business card? do you have that vid? i have never heard of inserting a hard drive with a business card. you need torx, allen key and an apple black stick helps. just wondering where the business card comes into it?

 

[jbarley]

i have never heard of inserting a hard drive with a business card.

You need to get out more often.
Using a business card or credit card to assist in positioning the HDD in the lower mount position is a commonly suggested tip.
Many DIY youtube videos show this method.

 

[eutexian]

I used an old credit card - made it really simple. the SSD just slipped into position.

 

[opinio]

You need to get out more often.
Using a business card or credit card to assist in positioning the HDD in the lower mount position is a commonly suggested tip.
Many DIY youtube videos show this method.

I've been rebuilding a modifying the current body Mac mini for 4 years now. I would have installed over 100 HDD/SSD in various minis for home and work so I have not had the need to refresh my memory on the latest shortcut way of getting a drive in the mini. I follow Apple's Technician Guide anyway. Put the body on its face (LED side face down) and slide the drive in.

It's good to see you got the lower bay terminology right. Most people get that the wrong way around.

Still, the business card method seems novel. What ever works.

 

[woodbine]

Rather than using a business card as some have used in videos to insert the hard drive, I just screwed the grill unto the SSD hard drive after attaching the data cable. Next, pivot the grill with the attached hard drive to the left and snap the antenna in. Then, align the grill and slide in. The hard drive would have already align with the two slots on the other side. Then, once the drive is seated in the other side, slightly lift the grill and attached the data cable to the motherboard.

To me, that was much easier.

That's interesting, so do the two screws on the grill line up perfectly with the screw holes on the underside of the SSD? I have not done an SSD install yet, but this would seem to be the way Apple manufacturing does it...way less fiddly.

 

[El Hikaru]

I did not use any kind of card, but the second drive slid in just fine.

 

[jbarley]

I did not use any kind of card, but the second drive slid in just fine.

That's because it was the 'second' drive, the first drive (the upper) stopped the second drive (the lower) from dropping down, thus making the alignment with the rear mounting holes easier.
This alignment with the rear mounting holes is where the credit card comes in, and is only used by some with a single drive mounted in the lower bay.

 

[thedeske]

You need to get out more often.
Using a business card or credit card to assist in positioning the HDD in the lower mount position is a commonly suggested tip.
Many DIY youtube videos show this method.

Holding the mini right side up or vertical work too

 

[utcoug]

When I installed an SSD in my late 2012 Mini, the instructions provided with the data doubler from OWC suggested a flat card to seat the drive into the grommets. I didn't think I needed the card until I had difficulty getting the antenna plate to seat properly. Taking the Mini apart once is moderately intimidating, especially within warranty. Taking it apart twice is a nightmare. Moral: Always follow instructions. Always.

 

[Elho]

there are tons of instruction videos available on youtube these days.

Which instruction video is the best to follow for installing an extra SSD besides the regular HDD in the mini?

Which one did you use?

I also read that you have to put the ssd in the lower bay (furthest away from the opening lid) if you want to create the fusion drive. Is this correct? (something to do that the mini reads the lower drive first ... )

 

[utcoug]

there are tons of instruction videos available on youtube these days.

Which instruction video is the best to follow for installing an extra SSD besides the regular HDD in the mini?

Which one did you use?

I also read that you have to put the ssd in the lower bay (furthest away from the opening lid) if you want to create the fusion drive. Is this correct? (something to do that the mini reads the lower drive first ... )

As far as I know, the Mini has to be late 2012 or newer. The latest version of Disk Utility is the only one that can do a fusion drive (OWC confirmed). I just followed the OWC data-doubler instructions on drive placement. I followed the instructions on their site to create a logical volume that included the SSD and platter HD. Supposedly, the system is smart enough to cache files on the faster drive and move lesser used files to the slower drive.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Holding the mini right side up or vertical work too

Let gravity do the work!

 

[jbarley]

also read that you have to put the ssd in the lower bay (furthest away from the opening lid)

Actually the bay you speak of is called the 'Upper', picture the mini 'right side up'.

I mention this only because there is already much confusion regards the mini's HD bay locations.

 

[Elho]

Actually the bay you speak of is called the 'Upper', picture the mini 'right side up'.

I mention this only because there is already much confusion regards the mini's HD bay locations.

Ow okay, thanks for pointing that out for me!