I've done many, many repairs via iFixit's repair guides, and this is my first fatal mistake. In the process of changing the hard drive, I inadvertently pulled the logic board out too far and damaged the IR Sensor and the Optical Drive Thermal Sensor - the wires ripped right out of the connector. Note to self: buy a Logic Board Removal Tool next time.

Anyway, it wasn't clear to me from looking at the iFixit site if those parts (cables?) are available from iFixit. Is one of them part of the HD cable and the other part of the optical drive cable? If I need to sacrifice the optical drive, I'm fine with that, as I don't need it. The connectors in question are indicated in the attached picture.

I'm looking for whatever I need to buy to fix my mistake, and suggestions are appreciated - thanks!

⟐ Commented January 04, 2019 at 18:36 MST

Which Card does I Need To buy?

Thanks

⟐ Answer accepted November 02, 2018 at 9:22 MST

even though I told him it was working each time I booted with Pram reset by comm and + option + p +r he snubbed!

HE simply connected a Mac air through the same Thunder bolt to via and say see this laptop display is picked up by the v7 monitor yours is blank because the display is dead. I told him I was using a hdmi to a Visio 26"tv at 1360x768 resolution at 60 hz and never uused any adapters he won't listen.

I did contest him how he can expect a Mac mini to adjust to a new external display like that of a laptop, as laptops do adapt since they need to plug to any projection output. He simply joked what difference both are computers!

i Also reasoned why they don't change the pram battery as it is 3 years old and apple puts in only a regular CR2032 battery! He again snubbed " no in your case it doesn't seem to be the problem". You see the logic board I'd dead, it's the most expensive of this least expensive Mac mini either pay $300for the board and $90 for the labour total $390 and you will get it in 7 days as I have to order it, Alternatively buy a new 2014 Mac mini for $499 only, only thing is you can't put RAM into it as it's not removable! Consider your options and let me know!".

At this moment I decided to try the battery replacement myself told him I will think over and come back in 1-3 days. I headed straight to L street Walmart picked up TS99818A ultra tough ultra steel 44 piece precision screwdriver bits set $6.97 and energizer 2 pack CR2032 batteries $4.97 so with taxes for less than $12, I wanted to fix it myself!

Mac mini Mid 2011 I used the instructions and in 1hour as I was over cautious, I got it done! Plugged in and switched on not even the lights came on! Then I opened again to know I forgot to plug the fan connector. So did that and finally closed the box and plugged hdmi and power cord, well I say the white screen then the Normal Mac boot it was fixed!

I did login and play a few itunes videos, then you tube, rebooted, shutdown multiple times in various intervals to be very sure.

Waited over night and tried today morning 2/15 and it is working just as normal!

I just would say Apple check your Genius's IQ please we can't be paying for their dumb brains!

All who face this problem of pink and white vertical stripes, pink and white bars, pink and white lines with AHT no problem, change your PRAM batteries! 2011 models the PRAM dies in 2014-2015 that is all you need fixing, if apple can't help you can do it yourself!

Thanks and Regards,

Shankar Raj.J

⟐ Answer accepted May 27, 2017 at 6:56 MST

⟐ Answer accepted September 08, 2016 at 7:29 MST

⟐ Answer edited August 24, 2016 at 5:58 MST

⟐ Commented April 13, 2020 at 23:43 MST

It could see the SSD I had imaged on my mac book pro, but when using boot manager, it wouldn't let me boot from it, or a USB OSX Mountain Lion install disk (tested on the previously mentioned mac book pro)

Just wondering if anyone had successfully managed this before I go and start throwing my toys about...

⟐ Commented January 16, 2017 at 7:01 MST

Im looking at Intel Core2 Duo E7500 Wolfdale 2.93GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor BX80571E7500 from NewEgg that looks like it would give my mini a good boost and i am also going to get another stick of RAM for it.

Would the 2.93GHz work without a problem in the A1176?

⟐ Answered September 21, 2016 at 2:31 MST

I'd like to put two enterprise class 2.5" 1TB SATA drives. The specs on the drive is as follows:

Seagate Constellation.2 ST91000640NS 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache 2.5": 15mm z-height

If not, can someone suggest another 7200RPM 2.5" SATA drive w/ 1TB of capacity? I am not seeing any. Thanks!

⟐ Answered April 08, 2013 at 11:56 MST

However, I encountered difficulty in re-installing the Antenna Plate, particularly the two 5.0mm T8 Torx on both sides. While it was originally perfectly fit (when I tried to remove the antenna plate), it is now re-installed with only one side of the T8 torx on either one side and the two 6.6mm T8 screws in the bottom part, leaving one 5.0mm screw uninstalled. Though my mac mini worked perfectly fine without that screw.

I don't think I have damaged or transformed the antenna plate and I believe that the antenna plate was not perfectly fit out of the box. Do anyone of you encounter this problem? Any solution?

⟐ Commented January 20, 2026 at 17:10 MST

Sandy

⟐ Answered August 24, 2022 at 19:10 MST

I have broken fan connector. I can not restore the sequence cables. Help me please. Fan 610-0164. FIXED! RIGHT LOCATION! Foto 3

⟐ Commented July 26, 2022 at 12:06 MST

Is this fixable? I hope I didn’t just turn my brand new Mini into a paperweight!

Any help appreciated!!

Thanks!

⟐ Answered April 25, 2020 at 20:41 MST

I would like to replace the original hard disk for a SSD.

I have found the following SSDs and would like to know if they are compatible. I have phoned Samsung but they referred me to Apple.

• Samsung 860 EVO 250 GB 250GB 2.5" SATA III
• Samsung 860 EVO 500 GB 500GB 2.5" SATA III
• Samsung 860 EVO 1 TB 1000GB 2.5" SATA III

Is there also an instruction available how to replace the disk?

Kind Regards,

Rob

⟐ Comment deleted April 25, 2020 at 11:35 MST

But I want to replace installed 1TB 5400 rpm HD with Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD. I read all of the posts and answers here but I am not sure that it will work :( I already ordered a repait kit from ifixit...

Can anybody help me about this question because I already bought my mini mac since I thought HD->SDD upgrade would be possible. And I dont want to buy an extra SSD for nothing.

Best wishes...

Devrim

My SATA interface and HD like as follows, according to the system report.

Any issue?

⟐ Commented January 05, 2019 at 17:01 MST

Any suggestions?

⟐ Commented August 16, 2018 at 5:59 MST

wondering if any 2.5s will work?

even solid state drives?

⟐ Answer accepted August 29, 2015 at 18:36 MST

Has anyone replaced the innards with a mac mini?

That's my next project! Any thios would be appreciated.

⟐ Answered April 23, 2010 at 21:24 MST

Would like to check if a Samsung M.2 PCIe SSD (MZHPV256HDGL) might work on my Mini.

Have been told that with an adapter for the Flex Cable identified as 821-00010-A and all should work perfectly, but it doesn't!

The Mini doesn't even detects the drive! Verified thru the System Information tool, Disk Utility, etc.

Thanks in advance to the community!

Guillermo

Hello, we’re in July 2023, and despite @danj or @mayer awful comments/recommendations, my custom configuration still works like the first day 💪 💪 💪

I strongly recommend buying the specific adapter (Flex Cable identified as 821-00010-A), and any PCIe SSD with respective connector, to boost & upgrade your 2014 Mini.

Regards!!

⟐ Commented July 05, 2024 at 3:27 MST

•The Fan runs loudly at full speed, and stays on all the time, as soon as the computer is booted.

Other Symptom(s) or Details:

•All operations of the machine seem to be slower than they used to be, whether using just the OS, or running an application (I do not know if this is a related problem).

•80GB HD with 47GB free space. 1GB RAM installed. Computer is used *only* for email, internet browsing, and to run Finale (music notation software - no audio processing)

⟐ Commented June 02, 2020 at 2:16 MST