Learn how to refurbish and stay an historical Mac mini operating

Older Mac minis

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On this article we’re going to check out refurbishing two of the earliest Mac mini fashions from Apple: The PowerPC G4/1.42 GHz fashion and the Intel-based Core Duo 1.66 GHz. Each machines are probably the most earliest “polycarbonate” mini fashions Apple made.

In reality, the 1.25GHz and the 1.42GHz fashions had been each offered on January eleventh, 2005. The 1.42 GHz fashion used to be the second one Mac mini ever made. The 1.42 GHz fashion even presented a modem port possibility:

The 1.66GHz fashion adopted on Feb. twenty eighth, 2006, and used to be necessarily the similar excluding for the velocity bump and a couple of additional ports at the again. It used to be the 6th Mac mini fashion. You’ll view complete specifications on each Mac mini ever made at EveryMac.

Whilst this teardown is most commonly for the 1.66 GHz fashion, the primary fourteen Mac minis had been very identical, so maximum of this information applies to all the ones fashions as neatly.

First, we must warning you that those machines are very refined within and comprise a lot of tiny and fragile portions. As just about 20 years have handed, their plastics usually are brittle, and disassembling them at all times carries the chance of wear and tear to parts, so continue with warning.

You’ll be able to want the next gear to take such a Mac minis aside:

A 4.5-inch (11.5cm) wall spackling deviceA medium magnetized Phillips-head screwdriverA tiny magnetized Phillips-head electronics screwdriver, or jeweler’s screwdriverA small flat plastic or steel spudgerScissorsCompressed air or an air compressorA shiny flashlightBrilliant room lighting fixturesOptionally a small magnifier or jeweler’s loupeA small roll of Kapton tapeKapton tapeA CR2032 substitute button-cell batterySharp eyes and a gradual hand

To open your Mac mini, lay it face down on a flat floor with a skinny material beneath to stop harm. Rotate it so the entrance of the device is going through you.

The usage of the 4.5-inch wall spackling device, moderately wedge the device into the device’s case at the correct aspect between the outer steel duvet and the white plastic rim. With one movement, press down at the device’s care for and to the best, making use of upward power.

The best fringe of the case must come free.

Subsequent, repeat the method the similar approach however at the entrance of the case, the usage of a unmarried fast movement to pry it up.

In any case, paintings the device into the case’s left aspect on the again nook and slide it ahead to suit it absolutely into the case. This step is the toughest as a result of with the case now tilted, there may be a large number of friction and little area at the left aspect.

Pry up as with the opposite two facets, till the ground of the device comes free from the highest steel duvet. Do not take away it absolutely but – simply pry till the 2 halves are separated, then take away the device.

Now turn the device over, and keeping it with each fingers, use your thumbs on the rear of the device at the backside part, urgent it absolutely loose from the highest duvet. You’ll be able to most definitely pay attention a slight crunching sound as the highest comes off. Set it apart for now.

At the within, as proven within the picture under, you’ll be able to realize a DVD force at the height, an AirPort antenna at the again correct aspect, an non-compulsory Bluetooth antenna/case sensor at the left aspect, a speaker, and the button-cell battery at the entrance. The IR far flung’s sensor could also be at the entrance correct aspect, with its cable connected to the entrance of the motherboard on the backside of the case.

At the DVD force, you’ll be able to notice 4 tiny Phillips screws, and two better Phillips screwed alongside the left aspect. The 4 tiny screws hang the DVD force onto the principle central plastic provider, and the 2 better screws assist hang the two.5-inch interior laborious force to the bottom of the provider.

There are 4 tiny screws at each and every nook of the principle provider, and they are simple to pass over if you do not glance intently. Two of them are hidden down small shafts at the two right-side corners, and a 3rd tiny one is visual at the provider on the left nook.

The fourth, and reasonably better provider screw could also be hidden in a small shaft at the device’s rear left nook. Make notice of this screw as a result of it’ll be necessary later.

On the rear of the device is a small revealed circuit board (PCB) connected to the rear of the DVD force, additionally with two tiny screws. There is additionally a small flat ribbon cable connected to a tiny connector on the heart of the PCB.

Additionally notice that the AirPort antenna’s twine suits between the left aspect of the PCB and the rear plastic exhaust vent.

The usage of two palms, very moderately and reasonably pinch the 2 small plastic clips underneath the AirPort antenna module and raise up at the module. It’s going to come loose from the publish it sits on. There is additionally a spring underneath it, so take away that and set it apart.

It does not take a lot power to squeeze the 2 plastic clips to loose the antenna, so do not observe an excessive amount of power. Have in mind, the plastics are brittle.

The antenna module is made via Tyco and has an Apple section quantity at the backside of it must you want to interchange it.

Subsequent, the usage of your tiny screwdriver, take away the 4 screws on all sides of the DVD force and set them apart. They are simple to lose so watch out. Do not but take away the 2 tiny screws at the PCB.

Be aware that the opposite finish of the ribbon cable is connected to the motherboard behind the unit so it needs to be freed first sooner than you’ll be able to take away the principle provider unit from the pc.

Subsequent, the usage of the spudger device or an overly skinny interest knife pry up the tiny plastic connector keeping the ribbon cable in position. This connector has two portions: a height and backside.

Pry one finally end up moderately, then pry the opposite finally end up slowly whilst pulling up gently and slowly at the ribbon cable. When simply sufficient power is carried out, the cable will come loose.

One peculiar factor about this connector is that the small flat height section will come totally off if you happen to observe sufficient power as soon as the ribbon cable is loose. You’ll relatively steer clear of that going down, so be very cautious and cross slowly.

The opposite peculiar factor about this connector is as soon as the ribbon cable is re-inserted, the friction at the height a part of the connector will increase and it is tougher to transport. We will see this in motion once we reassemble the unit under.

The usage of the spudger or a tiny knife, moderately unplug the IR sensor module’s two-wire connector at the entrance of the device, to the best of the button-cell battery. Be very cautious because the connector and wires are tiny and fragile.

On this picture, from left to correct are: the speaker, case clip, battery, IR sensor connector, IR sensor:

Subsequent, the usage of the tiny screwdriver, take away the 4 tiny screws positioned at each and every nook of the provider as described above. Those screws hang the provider unit to the ground of the device’s case.

As soon as the screws are loose, and keeping the unit in each fingers, pull up at the provider unit, and press down at the backside of the device along with your thumbs.

You’ll be able to really feel a slight resistance. That is the DVD force’s small PCB which is inserted into the SATA connector at the motherboard beneath.

Proceed urgent till you triumph over the resistance and the provider unit comes freed from the ground part. Additionally watch out of the AirPort antenna twine whilst you do that because it is hooked up to an AirPort module slightly below the PCB.

Set the ground part of the device apart for now.

Subsequent take away the 2 tiny screws from the DVD force’s PCB board.

Now that all of the screws and cable are loose, you’ll be able to take away the DVD force. It has a tendency to wish to pop out at the aspect reverse the 2 huge force screws at the left aspect of the device, so gently press ahead and to the best aspect (left aspect if going through the device from the again) to slip the DVD force each out of the provider and to detach it from the PCB on the rear.

Set the DVD force apart for now.

Lots of the early Mac minis shipped with a 2.5-inch same old laborious force. You’ll be able to most definitely wish to exchange the force with a brand new 2.5-inch SATA SSD or a bigger capability 2.5-inch laborious force.

Turn the provider unit over, and peel off the T-shaped foam pad at the backside of the laborious force. Set it apart.

Subsequent, take away the 2 huge screws at the left aspect of the provider, and the 2 identical huge screws from the ground of the laborious force. As soon as the screws are loose, most effective the force’s SATA connector friction holds it to the provider.

You’ll be able to wish to press the force ahead and to the left to loose it from the PCB’s connector. You might wish to wiggle it reasonably to loose it.

It is relatively outstanding how Apple sandwiched the force into the provider unit.

Now, the usage of compressed air or an air compressor, blast all of the mud out of the provider, the fan unit, the laborious force, DVD force, and from the ground part of the pc. The seller and fashion choice of the fan are imprinted on the fan’s backside aspect so in case your fan has failed, you’ll be able to discover a new one on-line to interchange it.

To actually blank the fan neatly, it may be got rid of via loosening the three tiny screws keeping it in, however it is most definitely now not essential. A couple of robust blasts of air are sufficient to take away maximum mud and mud.

Additionally, notice that the PCB by no means comes totally freed from the provider because it has a number of different twine connectors and is connected to the rear of the provider with adhesive. There is no wish to take away it except it is broken.

As soon as the laborious force is got rid of and all portions are wiped clean, reassembly is principally the similar steps in opposite.

Set up the brand new 2.5-inch SSD or laborious force into the provider in the similar approach you got rid of the previous one, taking care to make sure its SATA connector is firmly seated at the PCB’s connector.

Re-install all 4 force screws, after which press the T-shaped foam strip again into position in the similar place you got rid of it from, however at the new force.

Slide the DVD force again into the provider, with its rear SATA connector attaching to the SATA connector at the entrance of the PCB. Reinstall the 2 tiny PCB board screws the usage of the screwdriver.

You’ll additionally reinstall the 4 aspect screws at the DVD force now, or do it later. Doing it now makes the provider unit extra strong, and it is more straightforward than doing it as soon as the provider is reinstalled, however both approach will paintings.

Here’s the absolutely wiped clean and reassembled provider:

Sooner than you reinstall the provider to the ground of the device, check up on the motherboard, the AirPort card, its antenna cable, and different portions. Specifically take a look at the small spherical SMD capacitor marked “25V” on the left fringe of the motherboard subsequent to the AirPort card.

Those capacitors comprise electrolytic fluid and are identified to leak over the years. In case you realize any corrosion or discoloration across the capacitor, you must most definitely exchange it the usage of a soldering iron, however that is past the scope of this instructional.

Additionally, take note of any extraordinary smells across the capacitor – the electrolytic fluid within those parts is understood to have a fairly fishy odor, so if you happen to realize any peculiar odors, that is the very first thing to test.

You’ll be able to additionally wish to take a look at the tiny gold connector on the finish of the AirPort antenna cable the place it attaches to the AirPort card. Those connectors are infamous for coming free simply and whilst you cross to reinstall the provider unit to the ground of the device, it is simple to tug the cable off.

It is peculiar Apple did not safe the connector with a small strip of Kapton tape. When you’ve got any to hand, cross forward and observe a small piece over the connector now to safe it to the AirPort card.

Be aware the provider’s PCB board socket simply in the back of the AirPort card. While you reassemble the device, you’ll be able to wish to make certain the PCB connector’s edge suits snugly into this socket.

In case you like, you’ll be able to improve the device’s RAM to a most of 2GB. The specifications for the RAM are indexed on EveryMac, and are proven under:

Each reminiscence DIMMS should be the similar kind and velocity, however dimension can range inside limits – for instance, a 1GB and a 512MB in combination will paintings positive – so long as each mixed do not exceed the utmost RAM prohibit (2GB).

To take away the previous DIMMs, press gently at the two small steel clips on each and every aspect whilst pulling up the DIMM and sliding it ahead, out of its socket. Watch out because the clips are tiny and will simply spoil off if an excessive amount of force is carried out.

To put in new DIMMs, do the opposite: slide each and every new DIMM into its socket till it clicks, then press down reasonably to fasten the clips in position.

Subsequent, the usage of the spudger or small plastic knife, take away the CR2032 button-cell battery from its socket at the entrance of the decrease part of the device. There are two steel contacts keeping it in position, so you will have to wiggle it slightly to take away it.

When you’ve got a voltmeter, check the battery to verify it may well emit 3V DC. If now not, exchange it with the brand new one.

In case you would not have a voltmeter, cross forward and exchange the battery anyway. Make sure the “+” aspect faces the entrance of the device.

Additionally notice the tiny copper clip simply to the left of the battery. This piece in truth connects to the ground of the DVD force’s steel case, and the interior entrance of the device’s height case, making a connection.

If this connection is damaged, the device may not paintings.

The copper clip has a tendency to return off over the years as it is only hung on via skinny adhesive at the height of the provider, and the adhesive in most cases dries out over the years. If that is true for your device, or if the clip falls off, simply reattach it with a drop of Loctite or some other fast-drying adhesive.

There is a small peg at the height of the provider, and a small hollow at the again of the copper clip which it suits onto – so it must be simple to line up. Understand it does not make any connection to the provider itself – most effective between the DVD force and height case.

In any case, reconnect the IR receiver’s small two-wire plug onto the motherboard simply to the best of the battery.

With the ground part of the unit going through clear of you, decrease the provider down onto the ground part of the device, ensuring the PCB board’s connectors are coated up, and that the 4 nook screw holes are coated up.

Additionally, make certain the AirPort antenna’s cable is located between the rear exhaust port and the small PCB connected to the rear of the device. The cable has to return up via this opening, then to the left so as to reinstall the antenna at the provider:

Press down gently till the provider’s PCB locks in position. Reinsert the 4 nook screws, ensuring the biggest one is reinstalled in the similar place it used to be got rid of from.

That is necessary for the reason that screw creates a flooring connection to the highest of the motherboard as soon as secured. With out this connection, the device may not paintings.

Do not over-tighten the screws as it is simple to strip the threads on each the screws and the ground case. Observe simply sufficient power to cause them to cosy.

That is most likely probably the most tricky and fiddly step of reassembly. You’ll be able to wish to reconnect the provider’s ribbon cable to the rear of the PCB the usage of the small clip at the PCB.

The perfect and highest approach to do that is to reposition the highest part of the connector, snap it on absolutely, then the usage of the spudger or a interest knife, pry each corners again up just a little, however now not sufficient to take away the clip. Do that sooner than you reinsert the cable.

Whilst the clip is on this place, reinstall the ribbon cable into the PCB connector via urgent it gently down into position. As soon as it snaps into the connector, the highest part of the clip will likely be captive and may not come off. You’ll then press each and every nook of the clip down the usage of your tiny screwdriver.

As soon as all sides of the clip are secured, all of the connection will likely be cast and may not come free.

It should take a couple of tries to get the clip in position however with endurance, it is relatively simple. Pass gradual and do not observe an excessive amount of power. If unsure, take away the ribbon cable and get started over.

The general, right kind connection is proven under, underneath the best arrow:

Additionally notice the location of the AirPort antenna cable, simply to the left.

Now that the provider and ribbon cable are safe, reinstall the AirPort antenna onto its publish via first reinstalling the spring onto the publish, then snapping the antenna board down onto the 2 small plastic clips on all sides of the publish. The antenna will lock into position.

The spring acts as but some other safety/electric function designed to stop the device from operating except the case is assembled: it presses down reasonably and makes touch, appearing like a transfer as soon as the case is closed.

With out the antenna module being pressed down when the case closes, it may not paintings.

Here is the absolutely reassembled Mac, excluding for the highest case:

This ultimate step could also be tricky to get best possible however will also be executed with endurance.

The primary problem in reinstalling the highest part of the case onto the ground part is the truth there are each plastic clips all of the approach across the backside part on 3 facets, and there also are small steel clips across the rear panel at the backside part.

The steel clips additionally act like a transfer and should make touch with the steel inside the highest part of the case.

The preliminary alignment and closure of the case are relatively simple, however remaining it totally calls for an excellent quantity of power, and if the whole lot is not coated up completely, both the plastic clips can spoil off, or else the steel clips can slip outdoor the highest part of the case and save you it from remaining totally.

If the latter occurs, the case will seem to near, however there will likely be a small hole across the rear panel the place the highest part of the case seats towards it.

With a view to steer clear of this, turn the highest part of the case face down on a floor, with the entrance going through clear of you, then turn the ground part over and slowly decrease it into the highest part.

Test the clips on both sides, and the rear, and press down very slowly and gently, however do not shut the case totally.

After the 2 halves slide in combination, and the highest part has cleared all of the plastic clips on both sides, prevent, and turn the device on its entrance, with the rear panel going through up. The usage of a flashlight, check up on the alignment of the steel clips all of the approach across the rear panel.

If any are outdoor the highest part of the case, use your tiny screwdriver to press them down and within the height part.

You could have to wiggle them slightly to get the alignment best possible. Be aware that they’re reasonably curved, and thus act like small springs towards the highest part of the case at the within.

You wish to have the clips at the within, now not the outdoor all of the approach across the rear panel. What you do not want is that this:

If this occurs, you’ll be able to wish to stroll the highest part of the case back down just a little, press the steel clips in position, then reapply force to the ground.

As soon as you might be positive all of the clips on both sides are in best possible place, and that not anything is sticking out, lay the device top-down on a floor as soon as once more, and provides the ground of the case one ultimate even downward push with power. This may increasingly seal the case – as though it had by no means been opened.

There must be no gaps on any facets, anyplace – now not even tiny ones. If there are, you’ll be able to wish to use the spackling device to open the case once more and get started over. Take your time and watch out. Forcing the case closed may not paintings except the whole lot is completely aligned.

Now that the bodily {hardware} modernization is completed, it is time to set up instrument.

Reconnect the device to a observe by way of DVI or DVI->HDMI the usage of an adapter, and plug in its energy brick.

With a suitable Mac OS X set up CD or USB thumb force in a position, energy at the device.

You must pay attention the commonplace bong sound and get a gray display screen with a flashing folder. This implies the device cannot in finding an OS on any bootable force.

Both insert a Mac OS X installer DVD or a USB thumb force with an installer on it, and the Mac must come across it and boot into the set up media.

As soon as booted, you’ll be able to wish to go out the installer to Disk Utility, layout the brand new interior 2.5-inch force you put in as Mac OS Prolonged, then give up Disk Software and head again into the installer.

As soon as again within the installer, choose the interior 2.5-inch force because the set up goal and set up the OS. It should take a while if you’re putting in from DVD because the previous DVD drives have a tendency to be slightly slower.

The 1.66 GHz mini fashion can run Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, and the 1.43 GHz fashion can run 10.4 Tiger.

As soon as the installer finishes, click on Restart, and after the bong sound, hang down the Mac’s mouse button. This may increasingly force-eject the DVD sooner than the device boots. Or if the usage of a USB installer, make sure to unplug it from the Mac sooner than restarting.

The device will boot from the interior 2.5-inch force you put in onto. As soon as booted to the Finder, open Gadget Personal tastes, and click on the “Startup Disk” icon. Set the interior 2.5-inch force because the Startup Disk for long run booting.

As soon as attached to a community, it’s possible you’ll wish to additionally attempt to run Instrument Replace however it isn’t transparent how lengthy Apple helps historical variations of Mac OS X for on their replace servers.

There also are downloadable .pkg installers for the updates, however you’ll be able to wish to seek Apple’s enhance web site or on-line to seek out them.

The final launched model of Mac OS X 10.6 used to be 10.6.8 so in case you are the usage of a fashion that helps 10.6, it would be best to replace to that model.

And similar to that, your newly refurbished Mac mini lives once more:

In case you are the usage of a Mac mini which is in a position to run 10.4 Tiger, you’ll be able to additionally set up the “Vintage” surroundings which is a integrated emulator which runs Apple’s OS that got here sooner than Mac OS X: Mac OS 9.

To start out Vintage in 10.4 Tiger, open Gadget Personal tastes and click on “Vintage”. It’s going to boot into the OS 9 emulator and you’ll be able to run OS 9 apps from there.

Normally, the Mac OS 9 Gadget Folder will get put in onto the basis of the Mac OS X boot force along Mac OS X.

Be aware that every one mini fashions sooner than the 1.66 GHz 2006 fashion used ATA/100 laborious drives, together with the optical force (ATAPI in truth for optical), and the 1.66 GHz and later fashions switched to SATA laborious drives however stored the similar ATAPI DVD force.

If the DVD force to your 2006-2007 mini is not operating, one corporate – Other World Computing – nonetheless sells new substitute ATAPI DVD drives ($48). All suitable mini fashions have a {hardware} identifier of “Macmini1,1”.

Although your optical force hasn’t but failed, at that worth it is most definitely value changing it anyway, since it is prone to fail sooner or later, and the brand-new {hardware} will nearly no doubt yield higher efficiency than a just about twenty-year-old force.

And it is most definitely now not a good suggestion to open those previous machines too again and again and possibility harm.

OWC additionally sells suitable memory upgrades for older minis. The 2GB improve comprising two DIMMs is an insignificant $12 lately.

With new RAM, a brand new SSD, a brand new optical force, and a excellent cleansing, your unfashionable Mac mini must come up with years extra enjoyment into the longer term.