2018 Mac Mini RAM upgrade impossible, stripped Torx screw

[wave-forms]

Took it into the Apple Store today and they replaced the screw for me in the back room. So that's all sorted out!

On another note, the moment I mentioned I was going to upgrade the RAM, the "Genius" who was helping me said that Apple doesn't do RAM upgrades on the new Mac mini (he thought I was going to ask them to do it). I had to find the official Apple article to convince him that Apple says to specifically bring this computer to an Apple store if you want to upgrade the RAM. It's beside the point, but man, Apple clearly doesn't arm their Geniuses very well on their new machines.

Just a word of cation to the OP: I found that the motherboard Torx 8 screws were incredibly tight.
The diameter of the handle on my small T8 screwdriver was too small to get sufficient torque.
Luckily I had another set around with a much larger handle.

Thanks for the info! The tools I got from OWC are presumably the exact ones I need for opening up the 2018 Mac mini (that's what they are advertised as), but I'll keep that in mind when I get to the motherboard.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Nice to have that resolved.

I had to find the official Apple article to convince him that Apple says to specifically bring this computer to an Apple store if you want to upgrade the RAM.

Can you post a link to that here?

 

[Ploki]

Took it into the Apple Store today and they replaced the screw for me in the back room. So that's all sorted out!

On another note, the moment I mentioned I was going to upgrade the RAM, the "Genius" who was helping me said that Apple doesn't do RAM upgrades on the new Mac mini (he thought I was going to ask them to do it).

lol they dont do repairs and ram replacements but have spare screws?

 

[wave-forms]

Can you post a link to that here?

Definitely, just updated my previous comment with the link!

lol they dont do repairs and ram replacements but have spare screws?

I was thinking that as well. It's such a specific screw too, seeing as it's not just a screw but a post that holds the bottom cover on. Apparently they have extras lying around.

 

[WilliamG]

Took it into the Apple Store today and they replaced the screw for me in the back room. So that's all sorted out!

On another note, the moment I mentioned I was going to upgrade the RAM, the "Genius" who was helping me said that Apple doesn't do RAM upgrades on the new Mac mini (he thought I was going to ask them to do it). I had to find the official Apple article to convince him that Apple says to specifically bring this computer to an Apple store if you want to upgrade the RAM. It's beside the point, but man, Apple clearly doesn't arm their Geniuses very well on their new machines.


Thanks for the info! The tools I got from OWC are presumably the exact ones I need for opening up the 2018 Mac mini (that's what they are advertised as), but I'll keep that in mind when I get to the motherboard.

Please don’t use a T8 on the motherboard. You'll likely end up stripping the screws. It’s a T10, takes a medium amount of force, but it will break free.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I am surprised the support document says to go to there Apple store to upgrade the RAM. I take that means having to buy the RAM from them to have installed? I can't see Apple putting in third party RAM. Is there a price sheet for how much Apple would charge to install RAM after purchase?

 

[F-Train]

I am surprised the support document says to go to there Apple store to upgrade the RAM. I take that means having to buy the RAM from them to have installed? I can't see Apple putting in third party RAM. Is there a price sheet for how much Apple would charge to install RAM after purchase?

My understanding is that Apple will install its RAM at its price, which you can see in its mini price list, and that there may be an additional charge for labour. In other words, Apple’s RAM price list may not be labour inclusive if the RAM is installed after the computer is purchased.

 

[Duncan68]

I am surprised the support document says to go to there Apple store to upgrade the RAM. I take that means having to buy the RAM from them to have installed? I can't see Apple putting in third party RAM. Is there a price sheet for how much Apple would charge to install RAM after purchase?

I read somewhere that Apple charges $400 for an upgrade to 16GB. I don't know how accurate that is and it may be subject to change.

 

[Apple_Robert]

After reading this thread and watching a YouTube video on RAM upgrade, I am considering exchanging this new base i3 and getting 16gb RAM. Using this with my 60" 4K tv and sometimes the trackpad seems a little laggy. I am using a heavy duty 25 ft HDMI cord. I checked the pressure a few ago and it is showing green. Using almost 6 out of the 8gb.

 

[F-Train]

I read somewhere that Apple charges $400 for an upgrade to 16GB. I don't know how accurate that is and it may be subject to change.

Good point. The 8GB, which you keep, is apparently valued at $200, which if correct would mean that 16GB after the original purchase is $400.

 

[Spectrum]

Please don’t use a T8 on the motherboard. You'll likely end up stripping the screws. It’s a T10, takes a medium amount of force, but it will break free.

Sorry my mistake in the comment above. I was using the correct driver (as specified by iFixit guide), so that is indeed a T10. But he driver handle diameter on my set is identical for T6,7,8,9,10. And for these screws, I couldn't get enough torque. I'll update my post.
[doublepost=1548769751][/doublepost]

My understanding is that Apple will install its RAM at its price, which you can see in its mini price list, and that there may be an additional charge for labour. In other words, Apple’s RAM price list may not be labour inclusive if the RAM is installed after the computer is purchased.

Someone on these boards (in NYC I think) got a quote - and it was massive.

 

[Fishrrman]

Very gracious of Apple to replace that stripped screw!

 

[mavots]

Definitely, just updated my previous comment with the link!


I was thinking that as well. It's such a specific screw too, seeing as it's not just a screw but a post that holds the bottom cover on. Apparently they have extras lying around.

I lost one of the back cover screws on my 2012 Unibody Macbook Pro. I went to the store and they wanted to know which side of the MBP was missing. Apparently there was a long one and TWO different short ones. I lost a short one and the Genius gave me a new one.

FYI- I once removed a tiny stripped screw inside the same MBP (HDD replacement) by using my trusty Swiss Army knife's tiny pliers and grabbing the screw by the outside edges and carefully turning it about a quarter turn at a time. Thankfully I had some extra tiny screws from various OWC upgrades. That Mac Mini screw looks like a real one off.

 

[Miscellaneous]

Upgraded Mac Mini 2018 Ram Earlier Today...

The upgrade was very straightforward and quite easy however for some bizzare reason I messed up when putting the antenna grate back on.

I have tightened the TR6 Security post and flush fitting screws way too much and now I have stripped some of the screws.

My Mac Mini is out of warranty, I have tried a few methods as suggested by iFixIt on YouTube including an Elastic Band method and Super Glue method, with no luck.

I have attached a photo of the worst one...

 

[D.T.]

Upgraded Mac Mini 2018 Ram Earlier Today...

The upgrade was very straightforward and quite easy however for some bizzare reason I messed up when putting the antenna grate back on.

I have tightened the TR6 Security post and flush fitting screws way too much and now I have stripped some of the screws.

My Mac Mini is out of warranty, I have tried a few methods as suggested by iFixIt on YouTube including an Elastic Band method and Super Glue method, with no luck.

I have attached a photo of the worst one...View attachment 926643

If you get the right pliers, you should be able to get that out. Granted there's not much surface area, but it's also not torqued down like a lug nut

Get some small, long nose vise grips, let me find something ...

IRWIN VISE-GRIP Original Locking Pliers, Long Nose, 4-Inch (1602L3), 100mm - Locking Jaw Pliers - Amazon.com

IRWIN VISE-GRIP Original Locking Pliers, Long Nose, 4-Inch (1602L3), 100mm - Locking Jaw Pliers - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

You probably won't have enough clearance to make a whole turn, but you're just looking at breaking it free, then you can even wedge (carefully) a small straight slot screwdriver to one side of the pin for a better bite - or if it's loose enough after a few times with the pliers, even a stripped Torx will probably remove it.

 

[gages]

Upgraded Mac Mini 2018 Ram Earlier Today...

The upgrade was very straightforward and quite easy however for some bizzare reason I messed up when putting the antenna grate back on.

I have tightened the TR6 Security post and flush fitting screws way too much and now I have stripped some of the screws.

My Mac Mini is out of warranty, I have tried a few methods as suggested by iFixIt on YouTube including an Elastic Band method and Super Glue method, with no luck.

I have attached a photo of the worst one...View attachment 926643

Try this

ENGINEER PZ-60 Screw Removal Pliers, 193mm Long Nose Pliers with screw extracting serrated jaws

Screw saurus with a nose pliers that can be gripped and turned in narrow depths Features: Fallen or rusted screws can be gripped and turned with the vertical groove at the tip Unique tip shape allows for low head screws (truss screws). The tip allows for vertical grip to work in narrow space...

www.amazon.com

The threads go the other way, meant to grip screws.

 

[Miscellaneous]

Thanks @D.T. & @gages

I'll keep you updated with my progress, I've just tried another method using thick tape to cover the screw in order to try to fill the gaps when inserting the TR6 screwdriver, still no luck!

Cheers!

 

[D.T.]

Thanks @D.T. & @gages

I'll keep you updated with my progress, I've just tried another method using thick tape to cover the screw in order to try to fill the gaps when inserting the TR6 screwdriver, still no luck!

Cheers!

The thing with the vise grip / locking type pliers, is you set a clamp strength, and then they lock, so you don't have to have some kind of Hulk-like grip strength

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Kaida]

that screw is protruding. Just use a pliers to clamp on it and turn counter clockwise.

I always thought apple is very strict out of the factory for new products, 1 small scratch on the casing and the will reject it completely. Really surprised to see this out of their factory.

 

[Miscellaneous]

Quick Update...

I ordered a new Security TR6 screwdriver from Amazon which arrived earlier today. It had very bad reviews in regards to it’s quality but was the only one that was available with the fastest delivery service.

Thankfully it came in handy but is already starting to wear away at the tip so maybe I should have gone for a better product.

Good news is that I’ve managed to remove all but one of the screws now, the one remaining is pictured in my previous post.

It’s one of the flush fitting screws and does not stick out a great amount, probably less than 1mm, so I’m very wary of how to get this one out without causing any damage.

 

[Kaida]

Quick Update...

I ordered a new Security TR6 screwdriver from Amazon which arrived earlier today. It had very bad reviews in regards to it’s quality but was the only one that was available with the fastest delivery service.

Thankfully it came in handy but is already starting to wear away at the tip so maybe I should have gone for a better product.

Good news is that I’ve managed to remove all but one of the screws now, the one remaining is pictured in my previous post.

It’s one of the flush fitting screws and does not stick out a great amount, probably less than 1mm, so I’m very wary of how to get this one out without causing any damage.

deleted. tried it myself and it didn't work

 

[drsox]

Definitely. I ordered it early this month and received it about a week ago. Are you suggesting I return it?

Absolutely. Try again with the replacement.

 

[Miscellaneous]

Good News!

After much struggling to remove the screw, stripping it even more and slightly scratching the antenna plate surrounding the remaining flush fitting screw. I took the Mac Mini to a local computer repair shop and they were able to remove the screw very easily within 10 minutes of leaving it with them.

I asked the technician how he managed to do it and he said that he just used a bigger screwdriver and the screw came out straight away.

In contrast, I contacted Amsys (AASP) and they wanted to collect the Mac Mini, assess the issue and also wanted around £110 for their out of warranty service, including return delivery. Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic I couldn't simply just take it into my local Apple Store.

I also managed to find a new set of screws online at AliExpress. They are listed as being for the Late 2014 Mac Mini however I do believe that they are the same part used in the Late 2018.

Bottom Case Screw Set for Mac Mini Unibody A1347 (Late 2014) Security Antenna Plate Cover Screws Replacement|Screws| - AliExpress

Cheap Screws, Buy Quality Home Improvement Directly from China Suppliers:Bottom Case Screw Set for Mac Mini Unibody A1347 (Late 2014) Security Antenna Plate Cover Screws Replacement Enjoy ✓Free Shipping Worldwide! ✓Limited Time Sale ✓Easy Return.

www.aliexpress.com

I thought I would update the thread just in case anyone else ever comes across this issue.

For anyone performing a RAM upgrade on the Mac Mini (Late 2018), remember to use a very light touch when tightening the screws.

Cheers!

 

[00helloworld00]

Please don’t use a T8 on the motherboard. You'll likely end up stripping the screws. It’s a T10, takes a medium amount of force, but it will break free.

Yes, it's quit difficult to unscrew twos from the motherboard by t10. But after I replaced the memory and put all others back, I cannot screw tightly these two t10 back on motherboard again.

These two t10 are extremely loose, no matter how many times I screwed it....Am I broken that holes....?

 

[ian87w]

Wow, Apple really doesn't want users to upgrade/replace anything on the mini. With all their engineering and design prowess, I will never understand why they make it so hard to access the RAM and hard drive.