Replacing Hard Drive in MacMini

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thekiwi

295 posts

Ultimate Geek

#151871 8-Sep-2014 14:31

Hi

Got a 2011 MacMini which we use for the HTPC, and yesterday its Hard Drive packed in.

Have checked online and whilst not a straight forward job, it doesnt appear impossible to replace it with a new one., ie:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+Mid+2011+Hard+Drive+Replacement/6422

However one thing "surprises me" is there is reference to a tool for removing the Logic Board ... which in all honesty just looks like a bent piece of wire.

Has anyone replaced a drive in one of these machines themselves? Any ideas on the specifics of the "tool"?

Cheers

lowededwookie

51 posts

Master Geek

#1124372 8-Sep-2014 14:50

I'm not sure about the 2011 one. Is that the thin one or the one you need a putty knife for?

I thought the HDDs were supposed to be easy in the new ones.

I have done a drive replacement on the older models and it's intense but relatively trivial.

Not sure what you mean by logic board though.

thekiwi

295 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1124378 8-Sep-2014 14:54

lowededwookie: I'm not sure about the 2011 one. Is that the thin one or the one you need a putty knife for?

I thought the HDDs were supposed to be easy in the new ones.

I have done a drive replacement on the older models and it's intense but relatively trivial.

Not sure what you mean by logic board though.

Its the thinner profile ones without the DVD.
Getting inside is simple enough by turning the big black platter on the underside.... but the Fixit guide says to slide the logic board fwd as little to get access to the Hard Drive.

Mind you, have just found a video that shows its possible ti slide it out without board removal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab3F4yI6G0o&feature=related

lowededwookie

51 posts

Master Geek

#1124392 8-Sep-2014 15:14

Ahh I see now.

That really is well packed in isn't it?

Critter

23 posts

Geek

#1124443 8-Sep-2014 15:52

I found this video a bit easier to follow than the iFixit instructions:

http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini2011_hd_h/
(http://videos.macsales.com/Video/harddrive/mini_2011/mini_2011_hd2_h.mov)

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek

#1124460 8-Sep-2014 16:09

I used the ifixit instructions when I replaced mine with SSD + 2nd HD extension. If you are in Welly you can borrow the tools with collateral :)

thekiwi

295 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1124760 9-Sep-2014 06:06

khull: I used the ifixit instructions when I replaced mine with SSD + 2nd HD extension. If you are in Welly you can borrow the tools with collateral :)

Awesome thanks ... but unfortunately Im quite a travel from the capital! :)

thekiwi

295 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1127277 12-Sep-2014 15:08

Well, that ended up being a lot easier than expected.

Getting everything undone and removed was very little agro, and getting drive in was literally just a case of lifting it out. Probably hardest part was reattaching Hard Drive connector! :)

With a blank hard drive, and only a Windows Keyboard, it wasnt "so" simple, as none the "COMMAND + R" equivalents would work and it was totally by accident that just holding down ALT brought up the Internet Recovery menu ... and away we went.

Was a little apprehensive with the whole "No DVD Drive and using the internet to recover", but it was a a doodle.

For the record, got a Samsung 850 Pro put in and its certainly a sweet little unit.