Hey Tatsujin, glad to hear the instructions were able to help you out during your installation! If you ever have a question during an install feel free to reach us at 1-800-275-4576 for assistance!
The part about disconnecting the IR Board is a really bad idea, if you're not totally familiar with how it's connected and where to pry. Very easy to break the connector pins (basically solder) on the connection point. Screws up the logic board. Computer still works, but IR services are not available and "on" light doesn't work. Again, bad plan.
Um, it's physically impossible to slide the logic board harness forward without disconnecting the IR. Look at the IR connector at 3:05 of the video and pause: it's clearly not possible to slide the harness forward without breaking the IR connector...
@@juanosorno8153 Now that I have looked at other videos, I do think it is in fact possible, but getting the hard drive out is a bit trickier. Incidentally, I did get my mini to boot again, I had hard drive formatting issues that was preventing it from booting. But still no power light on the front anymore which is part of the IR connector.
@@juanosorno8153 There is no need to remove RAM, move PCB and disconnecting the IR board. This video is overkill. I just replaced the drive myself. It can be removed easily right after the antenna. When you're putting new drive back, align it so it is secured in the rubber holes inside the case.
DO NOT DO THIS until you read the comments about the IR CONNECTOR. THE BASE OF THE IR CONNECTOR IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE. This video does NOT give good enough detailed instructions about how careful you need to be when disconnecting the IR connector. I, as well as others, have ripped the connector base right off of the motherboard. I believe it should be CLEARLY stated that you need to hold the base with one spudger while you gently prying the connector from the back side (side with the wires) with another spudger.
I am very sorry to hear you had tore your IR Connector Ivan, have you already contacted one of our technicians? While we can't cover damage by a user we may be able to assist with locating a replacement part. If you haven't already please reach out to us at support@owc.com.
I just did this myself. I had to 2011 minis to upgrade. First one went perfectly following this guid. The second one was a nightmare, and my IR connector won't re-attach. Upon closer inspection, the base came off with the connector.
I wish I'd read your comment before starting; I've just done exactly what you said might happen. Broken half the motherboard seat for the IR connector, so half is still attached and the other half is loose. Any chance this can be repaired or am I done for?
The drive does not need to be cloned if you do not want to. If you have an external backup or time machine you can use Migration Assistant to get your data transferred over to the new drive.
Flawless instructions, much appreciated. Upgraded to 1TB SSD + 16GB RAM.
Hey Tatsujin, glad to hear the instructions were able to help you out during your installation! If you ever have a question during an install feel free to reach us at 1-800-275-4576 for assistance!
The part about disconnecting the IR Board is a really bad idea, if you're not totally familiar with how it's connected and where to pry. Very easy to break the connector pins (basically solder) on the connection point. Screws up the logic board. Computer still works, but IR services are not available and "on" light doesn't work. Again, bad plan.
Um, it's physically impossible to slide the logic board harness forward without disconnecting the IR. Look at the IR connector at 3:05 of the video and pause: it's clearly not possible to slide the harness forward without breaking the IR connector...
Boy do I wish I'd read this comment before I attempted this. Logic board is ruined, Mac mini will not boot.
Ufff thank you for the heads up. I am exploring the possibility of doing this myself. Can it be done without disconnecting the IR Board?
@@juanosorno8153 Now that I have looked at other videos, I do think it is in fact possible, but getting the hard drive out is a bit trickier. Incidentally, I did get my mini to boot again, I had hard drive formatting issues that was preventing it from booting. But still no power light on the front anymore which is part of the IR connector.
@@juanosorno8153 There is no need to remove RAM, move PCB and disconnecting the IR board. This video is overkill. I just replaced the drive myself. It can be removed easily right after the antenna. When you're putting new drive back, align it so it is secured in the rubber holes inside the case.
DO NOT DO THIS until you read the comments about the IR CONNECTOR.
THE BASE OF THE IR CONNECTOR IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE.
This video does NOT give good enough detailed instructions about how careful you need to be when disconnecting the IR connector. I, as well as others, have ripped the connector base right off of the motherboard. I believe it should be CLEARLY stated that you need to hold the base with one spudger while you gently prying the connector from the back side (side with the wires) with another spudger.
I am very sorry to hear you had tore your IR Connector Ivan, have you already contacted one of our technicians? While we can't cover damage by a user we may be able to assist with locating a replacement part. If you haven't already please reach out to us at support@owc.com.
I just did this myself. I had to 2011 minis to upgrade. First one went perfectly following this guid. The second one was a nightmare, and my IR connector won't re-attach. Upon closer inspection, the base came off with the connector.
I wish I'd read your comment before starting; I've just done exactly what you said might happen. Broken half the motherboard seat for the IR connector, so half is still attached and the other half is loose. Any chance this can be repaired or am I done for?
Wont you have to reinstall the os? Do you have instructions on that
I have a model A1347. I have no dots on the case (step 1), so finding it difficult to start this...
Thanks!
Very interesting.
This Apple case is a truly design nightmare.
I think this is the most upgradable mac mini ever.
I mean the easiest one
can i put any ssd to work on the mid 2011? A ssd with differente capacities? What about RAM? Can i upgrade to 16gb? The best video!!
Yes
does the drive need to be cloned?
The drive does not need to be cloned if you do not want to. If you have an external backup or time machine you can use Migration Assistant to get your data transferred over to the new drive.
thanks!
Ye