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cannot open the bottom cover of the Mac mini

A

AleRod

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 1, 2011
29
24
I bought a new Mac mini in Hong Kong. I want to upgrade it to 8gb RAM but I cannot open the bottom cover of the mini. It is really hard, looks like it is jammed.
Now I am in my country and here we do not have Apple Stores.
What can I do to open it? :confused: I tried to force it in any way possible but unsuccesful. :( Anyone had this kind of problem?
Please help me.
 
You're trying to turn it, right? The dots should be matching up when it's on. Are they?

Here's Apple's support link on installing new ram which shows how to remove it. If that doesn't work, you may have to send it in.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4432#1
 
AleRod said:
I bought a new Mac mini in Hong Kong. I want to upgrade it to 8gb RAM but I cannot open the bottom cover of the mini. It is really hard, looks like it is jammed.
Now I am in my country and here we do not have Apple Stores.
What can I do to open it? :confused: I tried to force it in any way possible but unsuccesful. :( Anyone had this kind of problem?
Please help me.
Click to expand...

Also go to IFIXIT.COM lots of help on opening a Mini
 
Mine was very hard to twist but I eventually managed to apply enough pressure to turn it. I put a bit of WD-40 on it before replacing it, so the latches would slide more easily next time.
 
blueroom said:
Do not put WD40 on anything. Clean it off, how often do you plan on opening the Mini after all.
Click to expand...
:D Why the heck not? It's not like I drenched it. (Used a Q-tip.) Had you been there when I was struggling with it, you'd understand the need to fix the problem.
 
I'll take my chances, rather than not be able to open the mini next time I need to, which seems to be the OP's problem.

WD-40 is a harmless lubricant. I've used it on hundreds of things and never had any problem. But if you're concerned, by all means, don't use it.
 
It is the rubber seal that is making it sticky, not the three studs......

The trick is NOT to press down while trying to twist it since you'll pushing the seal harder against the metal housing. Try using your finger nails in the corner without pressing down or better still make a small jig out of two wooden dowels (and a cross brace) that fit exactly the indents and use that for twisting.
 
MJL said:
The trick is NOT to press down while trying to twist it since you'll pushing the seal harder against the metal housing.
Click to expand...

This is the answer.....The OP is most likely trying too hard. I couldn't get ours off either at first. Was trying to push down too hard and no go. DO NOT push down, just lightly twist and it comes right off. It's crazy but that's the deal.
 
Correct - DON'T PRESS DOWN ON COVER!!

2011 Mac Mini and yes, the secret is to not press down hard on the round plastic piece. I initially thought there was something wrong with my 2 week old mini when I tried to open the bugger in order to change the memory. The force needs to be parallel to to bottom of the mini - putting it in scientific jargon.
 
I received my base 2011 mini this week. Everything is working great, except the bottom cover. I opened it up, but it was extremely difficult. Now I am trying to close it back, but it will not turn even half way. Would Apple give me a new lid, or should I return it for a new one? Thanks for any help.

----------

Btw, in order to open it I had to use some force. Once the bottom was in the open position, I had to use a flat screwdriver in order to lift the lid, since it would not tilt.
 
TazExprez said:
I received my base 2011 mini this week. Everything is working great, except the bottom cover. I opened it up, but it was extremely difficult. Now I am trying to close it back, but it will not turn even half way. Would Apple give me a new lid, or should I return it for a new one? Thanks for any help.

----------

Btw, in order to open it I had to use some force. Once the bottom was in the open position, I had to use a flat screwdriver in order to lift the lid, since it would not tilt.
Click to expand...

Bring it to apple store asap.

the cover is easy to remove.

so you did it wrong or you got a bad one.
 
I went to the Apple Store today and the guy opened it a couple of times and so did I. I guess I did not put enough force at first. I saw someone on YouTube doing it in the air. I am only able to do it in a flat surface using sideways force. Are any of you able to do it in the air without much force? Thanks again.

I may keep it anyway since I will do the 8GB upgrade today and not do anything else, internally.
 
Just had the same problem, here's how I solved it.

- Got two large balls of blu-tack.
- Pushed them into each of the holes on the plastic base.
- Turned the Mac mini back the correct way
- Pushed the Mac mini on to a flat surface, so it was stuck to it.
- Turned the aluminium part of the Mac Mini anti-clockwise
- Off comes the base!
 
Some of the lids stick more then others. Once you get the cover off you can use a 2mm or maybe a 2.5 mm hex I think it is a 2.0 mm hex. Unscrew the 3 cover bolts. then screw them back a little looser. (very little) put the cover on and see if it is a bit easier . I have opened a few hundred I have had 3 or 4 tight ones. one was really tight.
 
I've opened some and found one harder than the others. None of them required any drastic measures. Though one was still clinging to the case after shifting the plastic over. The spudger from the owc data doubler kit resolved in in seconds.

Don't press down. the one that stuck was a mini i got on craigslist that had symptoms of being mistreated.
 
Correct:
MJL said:
The trick is NOT to press down while trying to twist it since you'll pushing the seal harder against the metal housing.
Click to expand...

Fingernails worked for me. I was pushing down too hard (thumbs) and brute force won´t open the mf.

Isn´t Newton a genius?
 
richswilson said:
Just had the same problem, here's how I solved it.

- Got two large balls of blu-tack.
- Pushed them into each of the holes on the plastic base.
- Turned the Mac mini back the correct way
- Pushed the Mac mini on to a flat surface, so it was stuck to it.
- Turned the aluminium part of the Mac Mini anti-clockwise
- Off comes the base!
Click to expand...

Now that's what I call lateral thinking !
 
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