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Originally released on January 22, 2005, the Mac mini is a small form-factor desktop computer made by Apple Inc. Currently, it is one of the four desktop models in the Macintosh lineup, and serves mainly as an alternative to the all-in-one iMac.

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loose wire floating around - can I post a pic?

I replaced my hard drive. But I have a loose wire floating around. I took a picture but it doesn't look like I can post it here. I can boot up the computer but it doesn't find the new disk i installed - so i'm thinking that my loose wire is to blame.

The wire in question is connected via a connector to the board- but the other end has a small circuit board on it and is floating around. It looks identical to one that is attached (just glued?) to the hard disk connector. it looks easy enough to replace - if I knew what it was supposed to be attached to. Just need to know what part to buy. :-)

For reference, I bought this computer from someone who had already taken in apart once - so I can't be sure the wires were intact when i took it apart. I can easily point out what I'm talking about with a picture.

The directions on this site were awesome! Very easy - only problem is that damned wire!

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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PS; It doesn't really matter but my mini is the one WITH the optical drive.

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You're absolutely right. I'm sure it's a temp sensor. That makes sense. The HD I bought is a: 1.0TB Hitachi Travelstar 7200RPM OEM

Specs are 6Gb/s SATA.

I think it should work.

When I put in the disk to reload the OS everything goes fine until I get to the section that asks which drive I would like to install onto - there are no drives listed.

Guess I'll tear it apart again and check all of the connections - and glue the temp sensor back on..

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PS: From what I can see I think I have a mid 2010 (last model to have an optical drive). Looks to be a: Mac mini "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 (Mid-2010)

Does this mean my sexy new $130 drive won't work...

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To post a photo link on the "Images" icon in the lower left hand corner of this frame. Sounds like what is floating around is a temperature sensor, probably the hard drive temp sensor. Check the speed of your new drive and the BUS speed of your machine, if you have the Mid 2011 it's Serial ATA (6 Gb/s) x2.

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The link on the icons in the upper right is defective. Here's the one that takes you to the correct guides: http://www.ifixit.com/Mac-Parts/Mac-mini... This doesn't work either. Hang on and I'll see if I can get you there. Try this one: Mac mini Mid 2010 Hard Drive Replacement

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thanks for the link. i used that one. i think i did everything right - but when i start up and get to the screen where it asks what disk i would like to install the operating system on - no drives are listed...

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And, where should that 2nd temp sensor be put on? opposite side of the drive?

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