Installing Mac mini Model A1283 Bottom Housing

Step 1 Internal Frame

• In the next few steps you will be removing the AirPort and Bluetooth antennas (shown in red) from the internal frame. Be very careful, as breaking the brackets will require replacing the internal frame.
• We will first remove the AirPort antenna, located in the lower left corner of this picture.
Step 2



• Slightly squeeze the two retaining arms toward each other and lift the AirPort antenna off its post.
• Squeezing the two posts excessively will surely break them off the internal frame. Work delicately.
• During reinstallation, you will have to slightly squeeze the two posts together so they fit into the openings on the AirPort antenna board.
Step 3
• The two Bluetooth antenna boards simply lift off the internal frame.
• Grab the Bluetooth antenna nearest the port side of the computer by the edges of the board and pull it straight up off the internal frame.
• Pull carefully, as it may offer significant resistance and release suddenly.
Step 4
• Remove the antenna board near the front of the mini by pulling it straight up off the internal frame.
• If necessary, remove the piece of tape securing the antenna leads to the internal frame.
• Be sure to keep track of the springs under each of the three antenna boards.
Step 5
• Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the audio ribbon cable connector up off the audio board.
Step 6
• Remove the following four screws securing the internal frame to the bottom housing:
• Three 6.7 mm Phillips #00 screws
• One 9.5 mm Phillips #00 screw
• The screw in the lower right corner of this image is recessed deep in the internal frame and longer than the other three screws. A flashlight and a thin screwdriver aid in removal.
Step 7
• Lift the internal frame off the bottom housing, starting at the rear edge, until you feel the concealed edge connector on the motherboard disconnect. Then lift straight off, minding the bluetooth and 802.11 antenna cables.
• When reassembling, the wifi antenna wire routes to the inside of the vent and then over the top of the vent.
Step 8 AirPort/Bluetooth Combo Card
• Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the three antenna connectors off the AirPort/Bluetooth combo card.
• The black/blue antenna cable attaches to the AirPort card near the corner of the mini, and the white antenna cable attaches nearest the center of the mini.
Step 9
• Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the AirPort/Bluetooth ribbon cable connector up off the combo card.
Step 10
• Remove the three silver Phillips screws securing the combo card to the logic board.
• Lift the combo card out of your mini.
Step 11 Logic Board
• Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the power button cable connector up off the logic board.
Step 12
• Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the sleep light cable connector up off the logic board.
• During reassembly, make sure the cable does not come near the lug on the bottom case (shown in green) to avoid damaging the cable.
Step 13
• Remove the single T10 Torx lug next to the RAM sockets on the logic board.
Step 14
• Use a spudger to lift the free end of the logic board off the bottom housing near the PRAM battery.
Step 15
• While slightly lifting the free end of the board pull it away from the port side of the mini, minding any edges that may get caught.
Step 16 Bottom Housing
• Remove the single Phillips screw between the headphone and microphone jacks on the audio board.
Step 17
• Lift the audio board by its free edge and pull it away from the port side of the mini.
Step 18
• Bottom housing remains.

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Walter Galan

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