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Was upgrading Mac Mini 2018 RAM and accidentally pulled the fan connector “socket” off the logic board! Looks like it may been attached with some kind of adhesive at Apple.
Is this fixable? I hope I didn’t just turn my brand new Mini into a paperweight!
Any help appreciated!!
Thanks!
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FIXED!
Took my Mac Mini to the Apple Store, and they said the only fix they could do was to replace the entire Logic Board. They said since I “just bought the computer” they would replace it for FREE! Even though, I was the one who broke it doing a memory upgrade!!
GREAT customer support from Apple on this one!!
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Cheryl to be clear, are you saying Apple replaced your computer? I have a customer that did the same thing to his brand new Mac. It’s never even been used. i’ll be taking it in today and hope they will honor the same offer they gave you.
Thank you.
Chris Leeds Independent Apple Specialist Well Connected Life
They did not replace the whole physical computer. They opened my Mac Mini and replaced the logic board.
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It is fixable only through Micro Soldering
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Thanks. Micro Soldering is above my level of expertise, so I guess I will have to see if an Apple tech can repair it, or if I need to just order a new one with the 32 Gb of RAM and end up paying $3600 (including the original one I broke) for a new Mac Mini! Lesson learned: Never try these upgrades at Midnight. And if you feel a little uneasy about your skills for an upgrade, trust your instincts.
I am happy to hear others are having better luck than I did, however.
You''ll need to find an independent Apple person, Apple or its authorized service partners won't touch it either ;-{
I had the same problem. I was able to solder it back on with a regular soldering iron and a soldering iron stand with magnifying glass. It took me about an hour with multi tries to do it though. I'm writing this on the upgraded Mac Mini with 32Gb of RAM.
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Here's someone else who facing the same issue: The connect point of WIFI antenna was broken during tear down. Depending on your damage you might be as lucky.
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Cheryl,
Thank you for your information. Presently, the best answer here as voted by others here is “micro soldering.” Based on my personal first-hand experience I must disagree.
I took my client’s Mac Mini with its broken-off fan connector back to Apple. I explainED the situation that the customer had tried to upgrade the RAM and left it at that. Seeing as it was a pretty new purchase, Apple agreed to send it to Depot for repair.
It came back fixed with its original warranty, completely free of charge. How’s that for an answer?
Thank you.
Chris Leeds
Independent Apple Specialist
Well Connected Life
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3 Comments
Can you post a few pics showing the damage Adding images to an existing question
by Dan
Sure. Photo has been attached.
by Cheryl
@cw2 - You're lucky too! The pads are still intact on the logic board. You'll need to find someone with the needed tools and skills to solder it back on.
by Dan