Mac Mini Core 2 Duo problem

[CooperBox]

I trust this Intel-related query is acceptable here on our PPC forum.
I'm currently refubishing a 1.83Ghz mid 2007 MacMini2,1 which was apparently functioning fairly well albeit with reports of reduced performance.
Found the fan well clogged, and with a small piece of the liner plucked away which produced a rubbing sound when turned by hand. Similar sound after cleaning and I have no doubt that most repairers would have ditched it. I thought it was a candidate for some t.l.c however, and 1hr later with the liner cleaned up and spindle re-oiled, it spun quickly and silently almost like new and surprisingly without noticeable side or end play.
Then came my first encounter with those pesky heat-cooler plastic retainers, which I mananged to remove without a breakage, and sucessfully re-install after processor re-pasting - which was long overdue.
Long story short, after re-assembly the Mac appeared to power on, but would display no image. After numerous checks still no image.
I then again disassembled completely, and found no obvious connection problems, until I gave a detailed inspection of the logic board.
Corrosion and partial fracture on 2 components:-


A third leg on a component also appears to be affected by corrosion:-



Could anybody please advise what these components actually are, and whether these could be responsible for the lack of screen image.
I fear it will be impossible to change these out, although I may attempt an attack with the soldering iron, to clean and add solder to the partial fracture areas.
Plan B is already in motion, which is to source another logic board. Any possible offers here......?

On a related note, the 1.83Ghz T5600 'Merom' processor could obviously be upgraded to a T2700 2Ghz 'Merom'. Which begs the obvious question, could one upgrade confortably to a 2.0 GHz or 2.26 GHz 'Penryn' on the same board?
I note all these Core 2 Dual upgrade processors can now be found very cheaply. Not so sure about replacement boards though.......

 

[LightBulbFun]

did you make sure to turn the little black processor retention screw back into the locked position when putting the system back together? you would be surprised at how many people forget to do this

as for the components you pointed out they are the Chokes/inductors for the CPU VRM circuitry and are vital for operation of the System.

and as for the CPU upgrade, the max CPU that you can fit to a MacMini1,1/2,1 is a 2.33Ghz Core 2 Duo T7600, there are no Penryn Socket M CPUs.

 

[CooperBox]

LBFun, thanks for the feedback.
Regarding the disassembly, I was somewhat surprised that when I removed the heat-sink, it came out with the processor still attached (see photo below), and even a light tap wasn't sufficient to free them - it took a spudger on both sides as a leverage to break the bonding of the super hard thermal paste. I then immediately checked the processor socket lockscrew, and surprised to see it was still in the locked position. Following a detailed inspection for no damaged pins (all found perfect), clean and re-paste, the T5600 processor was re-inserted into it's socket and securely locked in place.

From past discussions I realise that you're one of several 'processor kings' on this forum. I wasn't aware there was a 2.33Ghz Core 2 Duo T7600, as according to Macktracker that wasn't offered as an option on the 2007-2009 MacMini2,1.
I think I'd be a little concerned though about the higher operating temperatures with a 2.33Ghz. What's your view on this?

I've just been reading now that a few upgraders were paying $300 for that 2.33Ghz T7600 back in 2008! Also that one guy replaced a broken plastic heatsink retention pin with 2 zip-ties! No way would I have done that. I've ordered Nylon screws, hex nuts, and washers that may come in useful one day.

I've been advised of the availability of a logic board from a slightly earlier MacMini1,1 (Core Duo 1.66MHz) and guess that same board would comfortably accomodate my current 1.83Ghz T5600. Am I right in assuming that?

 

[DouglasCarroll]

I recently upgraded my Mac mini to a core2duo and it was the best upgrade I ever could do, works great. I suspect you overlooked something when you were putting it back together. Take it apart and recheck all the connections.

Good luck

LBFun, thanks for the feedback.
Regarding the disassembly, I was somewhat surprised that when I removed the heat-sink, it came out with the processor still attached (see photo below), and even a light tap wasn't sufficient to free them - it took a spudger on both sides as a leverage to break the bonding of the super hard thermal paste. I then immediately checked the processor socket lockscrew, and surprised to see it was still in the locked position. Following a detailed inspection for no damaged pins (all found perfect), clean and re-paste, the T5600 processor was re-inserted into it's socket and securely locked in place.

From past discussions I realise that you're one of several 'processor kings' on this forum. I wasn't aware there was a 2.33Ghz Core 2 Duo T7600, as according to Macktracker that wasn't offered as an option on the 2007-2009 MacMini2,1.
I think I'd be a little concerned though about the higher operating temperatures with a 2.33Ghz. What's your view on this?

I've just been reading now that a few upgraders were paying $300 for that 2.33Ghz T7600 back in 2008! Also that one guy replaced a broken plastic heatsink retention pin with 2 zip-ties! No way would I have done that. I've ordered Nylon screws, hex nuts, and washers that may come in useful one day.

I've been advised of the availability of a logic board from a slightly earlier MacMini1,1 (Core Duo 1.66MHz) and guess that same board would comfortably accomodate my current 1.83Ghz T5600. Am I right in assuming that?

View attachment 771672

 

[LightBulbFun]

LBFun, thanks for the feedback.
Regarding the disassembly, I was somewhat surprised that when I removed the heat-sink, it came out with the processor still attached (see photo below), and even a light tap wasn't sufficient to free them - it took a spudger on both sides as a leverage to break the bonding of the super hard thermal paste. I then immediately checked the processor socket lockscrew, and surprised to see it was still in the locked position. Following a detailed inspection for no damaged pins (all found perfect), clean and re-paste, the T5600 processor was re-inserted into it's socket and securely locked in place.

From past discussions I realise that you're one of several 'processor kings' on this forum. I wasn't aware there was a 2.33Ghz Core 2 Duo T7600, as according to Macktracker that wasn't offered as an option on the 2007-2009 MacMini2,1.
I think I'd be a little concerned though about the higher operating temperatures with a 2.33Ghz. What's your view on this?

I've just been reading now that a few upgraders were paying $300 for that 2.33Ghz T7600 back in 2008! Also that one guy replaced a broken plastic heatsink retention pin with 2 zip-ties! No way would I have done that. I've ordered Nylon screws, hex nuts, and washers that may come in useful one day.

I've been advised of the availability of a logic board from a slightly earlier MacMini1,1 (Core Duo 1.66MHz) and guess that same board would comfortably accomodate my current 1.83Ghz T5600. Am I right in assuming that?

View attachment 771672

the T7600 has the same 35W TDP as all other Socket M CPUs so thermals are not an issue, many people have upgraded their Mac Minis to T7600s with no issues.

a MacMini1,1 board should drop in however its worth noting you will want to flash it to MacMini2,1 for Full Core 2 Duo support and to support more then 2GB of RAM luckily @dosdude1 has made a nifty tool to allow you to do this with ease

 

[DearthnVader]

Sorry to be a dick, but I kind of am one.

There is a section for the Intel Mini, it's not PPC, just because it's old, doesn't make this the section for it.

 

[0248294]

Sorry to be a dick, but I kind of am one.

There is a section for the Intel Mini, it's not PPC, just because it's old, doesn't make this the section for it.

Let me be a dick back, and say that early Intel fits here as most of the Intel Mac sections will tear apart threads on older machines with comments that it's old trash and the OP should buy a new one. A separate section for early Intel machines, like PowerPC has been given one, would be best, but as there is none, it fits into the mindset of us here.

 

[LightBulbFun]

Let me be a dick back, and say that early Intel fits here as most of the Intel Mac sections will tear apart threads on older machines with comments that it's old trash and the OP should buy a new one. A separate section for early Intel machines, like PowerPC has been given one, would be best, but as there is none, it fits into the mindset of us here.

I dont think your even being a Dick in your response

you make a good and valid point/argument

a good example of this is @AphoticD 2008 MacBook Pro thread, if he had posted that in the MBP Sub forum I doubt he would of gotten the vast and technical contributions that he did get on that thread

 

[AphoticD]

+1 for support of Early Intel on the PowerPC forum.

We all understand the technicality. But there's a time and place for retro Mac hardware... and this sub-forum appears to be it.

In the same regard, I believe we would happily accept and provide support for threads regarding 68k Macs here too.

 

[MultiFinder17]

I have your same mini, and it has been flashed to a 2,1 and had the 2.33GHz C2D installed in it. No issues whatsoever, and the machine blazes through the relatively simple tasks that are thrown at it (mostly editing videos to be used a the middle school I teach at). Seeing as how those chips ar super cheap these days, it’s a no brainer upgrade.

 

[bunnspecial]

Sorry to be a dick, but I kind of am one.

There is a section for the Intel Mini, it's not PPC, just because it's old, doesn't make this the section for it.

As others have said...

Good luck getting help with older Intel Macs in most of the relevant sub-fora.

We have asked many, many times for an older Intel sub-forum, but the moderators refuse to do so.

The folks who frequent this forum also use and know a lot about early Intel Macs, and this has become a de-facto home for them. If you have an issue with those questions being here, by all means take it up with the moderators.

 

[z970]

So perhaps this forum would be more accurate in being "Old Macs" over "PowerPC Macs", then?

I get the feeling.

 

[DearthnVader]

I feel where everyone is coming from, seems we need an obsolete products sub-forum?

 

[amagichnich]

I feel where everyone is coming from, seems we need an obsolete products sub-forum?

Only problem is: who says a product is obsolete? Many may consider the first iPad to obsolete for example

 

[AphoticD]

Only problem is: who says a product is obsolete? Many may consider the first iPad to obsolete for example

It's a bit of a rough term really. Apple will label products outside of current OS support as Obsolete, but it doesn't stop the Mac from working in the same way it did when it was first released. Any Mac built in the last 10 years will continue to meet the needs of most everyday users. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our beloved PowerPCs. But, they still have a place in my life.

My 1st gen iPad (bought new in 2010) is getting daily use by my kids for watching Youtube and playing "Vintage" iOS games. Amazingly, the battery still holds it's charge as if it were brand new. It's been everywhere with me. It's a great eBook reader too.

 

[pl1984]

I feel where everyone is coming from, seems we need an obsolete products sub-forum?

In a way such a forum already exits. It's called "Apple Collectors" under the "Special Interests" heading.

Regarding posting Intel stuff in this forum. I agree with the general consensus older Intel systems should be welcome here. It's my opinion these forums exists for people to share information, get help, and discuss things of interest. If the participants of a specific forum have no objection to a particular discussion then I see no harm in having it. If a few people object my feeling is they're free to ignore the discussion.

 

[swamprock]

It's a bit of a rough term really. Apple will label products outside of current OS support as Obsolete, but it doesn't stop the Mac from working in the same way it did when it was first released. Any Mac built in the last 10 years will continue to meet the needs of most everyday users. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our beloved PowerPCs. But, they still have a place in my life.

My 1st gen iPad (bought new in 2010) is getting daily use by my kids for watching Youtube and playing "Vintage" iOS games. Amazingly, the battery still holds it's charge as if it were brand new. It's been everywhere with me. It's a great eBook reader too.

If you jailbreak it and install the virtual memory hack, you can actually web surf with it. The lightest weight browser I found for the 1st gen iPad is the Adblock browser. I even paid the $2 for it, it worked so well. It'll crash on occasion with some heavy sites, but most work pretty well. Had the original iPad had 512mb of memory rather than 256mb, it'd still be much more useful in this day and age. All of that said, my old iPad has retired to my iCade machine, running iMame4all, Mame4IOS, and iFBA for some classic arcade game goodness

I am curious if the last installable YouTube app still plays videos. IIRC, Airplay worked well with the original iPad...

 

[AphoticD]

If you jailbreak it and install the virtual memory hack, you can actually web surf with it. The lightest weight browser I found for the 1st gen iPad is the Adblock browser. I even paid the $2 for it, it worked so well. It'll crash on occasion with some heavy sites, but most work pretty well. Had the original iPad had 512mb of memory rather than 256mb, it'd still be much more useful in this day and age. All of that said, my old iPad has retired to my iCade machine, running iMame4all, Mame4IOS, and iFBA for some classic arcade game goodness

I am curious if the last installable YouTube app still plays videos. IIRC, Airplay worked well with the original iPad...

Cool. I haven’t tried any jailbreaks on it. The last version of Chrome will browse and play YouTube videos without any tweaks or issues. It’s been working reliably like this since being Obsoleted by iOS 6 about 2 and a half years after the iPad was released.

 

[CooperBox]

Thanks for your replies, and I appreciate all the comments - from big and little dicks alike ......
Had I posted this in the Mac Mini forum I wonder if I would have received the same valuable advise, who knows.

Anyway back to my original posts. I disassembled the Mini completely a 3rd time, re-pasted and ensured positive locking of the 1.83Ghz T5600. When completed and re-assembled, with fingers & toes crossed and holding my breath, I pressed the power button. Bingo! Obviously a strange gremlin had previously found it's way in, as everything was now running smoothly. Although the connectors on those chokes/inductors within the CPU VRM circuitry looked far from perfect, one assumes they weren't causing my problem.
The Mini has now been running well for several days, so I'm now finished with this, and the aquaintance who asked for help should come back tomorrow to collect. Although it took much longer than anticipated - several days in fact, once again I won't charge a cent, as I did this for the love and especially the experience of these vintage Intel MacMinis. I've got more out of this in experience than money would compensate for. Even managed to extract and re-use 3 times those 4 heat-sink nylon retainers, I wonder if that may get me into the Guiness book of records....

As a happy footnote: Just in case I'd needed to change out the logic board, I looked around for another cheap MacMini, but most of the same model were in the $110 region. Then saw one fully fuctional for 50 euros (equivalent of US$56), and bought it from a guy who delivered to my door. Triple layer of icing on the cake - not only was it a 2GHz T7200 model, it also has a Crucial M500 120GB SSD installed. The additional icing layer was that realising I was a great fan of older/vintage Macs, I was told by the seller that he had an unservicaeable MacBookPro that was taking up valuable space, and suspecting it was just a problem with the HD, offered to donate it to me. More on this in a later thread.

​

 

[z970]

Thanks for your replies, and I appreciate all the comments - from big and little dicks alike ......
Had I posted this in the Mac Mini forum I wonder if I would have received the same valuable advise, who knows.

Gee, with all this dick talk, you'd think this thread would get moderated in some way.

I've had good experience in the Mac Pro forum. Similar people there compared to here, from what I've seen. You might have gotten along fine with the help from the Mac Mini guys.