Mini with broken IR connector

[davekro]

I am considering a used 2012 mini.
1) Is there any thing else the late 2012 mac Mini's IR sensor does besides receive commands from the Apple remote for music control? I'm looking at a used iMac that says IR connector broken. Since this i7 2.6 mini has a 512SSD and 1 TB HDD, he must have broken the IR connector when he took it apart to to install the 512 SSD drive. Could I simply just add a USB IR sensor like this to regain OEM IR funtionality?
http://twistedmelon.com/mira/hardware.html

2) Is it safe to assume the SSD & HDD in this unit act like a fusion drive? I 'think' I recall reading a while back the software prompts the 'fusion drive' (like) operation after booting with the new drive(s), but I'm not sure.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Celerondon]

1) Is there any thing else the late 2012 mac Mini's IR sensor does besides receive commands from the Apple remote for music control?...Could I simply just add a USB IR sensor like this to regain OEM IR funtionality?
http://twistedmelon.com/mira/hardware.html

2) Is it safe to assume the SSD & HDD in this unit act like a fusion drive?

1) Other than similar video actions, the IR sensor has some limited use for program launching and similar functions. By the way, the power LED is on the same board. You may want to determine if the power LED on this mini works and decide if you want to use the mini without it. I don't know about the sensor but for $34.99 I would be tempted to try that Manta bundle package. Perhaps someone else on this forum will know whether this USB alternative will work.

2) No! It is not "safe to assume" that the SSD & HDD are (or act like) a Fusion Drive (FD). The two drives either are or are not configured as a FD. The drive installer had to make a conscious choice during the setup process to determine how to use the drives.

 

[davekro]

1) Other than similar video actions, the IR sensor has some limited use for program launching and similar functions. By the way, the power LED is on the same board. You may want to determine if the power LED on this mini works and decide if you want to use the mini without it. I don't know about the sensor but for $34.99 I would be tempted to try that Manta bundle package. Perhaps someone else on this forum will know whether this USB alternative will work.

Meaning the pinpoint light next to the IR port on the front is on the tiny IR PCB? Make sense since it is right next to the IR 'window'. I just plugged the Mini in to check... no light. Hmm, I guess it is no big deal to not have a power light on the Mini.

Do you have a link to the Manta bundle package you speak of. I cannot find what it is. the 19.99 Manta linked in my OP
http://twistedmelon.com/mira/hardware.html
Blinks for IR commands rec'd, but don't think it would have a 'power on' light for the device it's usb is plugged into.

I might spend for a usb IR receiver that also acted a a power lite for the Mini.

 

[Celerondon]

Do you have a link to the Manta bundle package you speak of. I cannot find what it is. the 19.99 Manta linked in my OP
http://twistedmelon.com/mira/hardware.html
Blinks for IR commands rec'd, but don't think it would have a 'power on' light for the device it's usb is plugged into.

With any luck, the connector pins on the logic board are still good. This would allow you to repair the problem instead of this workaround.

That site is a little confusing. The Manta apparently needs Mira software to work. Here is a link to the page that shows all of their products. The bundle package is in the upper right corner. http://twistedmelon.com/shop/

Here is a link for the complete OEM style assembly. If you still have a good connector on your logic board this part could be the best fix! http://www.welovemacs.com/9230251.html

This iFixit page tells all about this part and the replacement procedure. Please be sure to read all of the comments. https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+Late+2012+IR+Sensor+Replacement/11719

 

[davekro]

With any luck, the connector pins on the logic board are still good. This would allow you to repair the problem instead of this workaround.

That site is a little confusing. The Manta apparently needs Mira software to work. Here is a link to the page that shows all of their products. The bundle package is in the upper right corner. http://twistedmelon.com/shop/

Here is a link for the complete OEM style assembly. If you still have a good connector on your logic board this part could be the best fix! http://www.welovemacs.com/9230251.html

This iFixit page tells all about this part and the replacement procedure. Please be sure to read all of the comments. https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+Late+2012+IR+Sensor+Replacement/11719

Unfortunately, the previous owner confirmed that he broke the socket on the logic board. No idea if the the traces were pulled up too or if a new socket could be resoldered on. I have a tech friend that may be willing to remove and replace a PCB socket, but this one is damned dinky. Even IF the main PCB socket IS available, I don't think I'd want to go down that road... but I wonder if it is? Good link w/ pics of IR socket and a question of repairability (but no answer).
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5724684

Ok, bundle ='s TR-1 + software. Isn't the software only needed if the computer did not come with IR capability? Mine has it but w/ unconnectable IR receiver board. Still no mention of ability of a power on light, but I guess I could just send an Apple remote command and if I see the Manta's red light blink, the Mini is powered on. I always leave it on except when on an occasional vacation, so not a big deal.

Thanks for the info Celerondon.

 

[Capt Mary]

With any luck, the connector pins on the logic board are still good. This would allow you to repair the problem instead of this workaround.

That site is a little confusing. The Manta apparently needs Mira software to work. Here is a link to the page that shows all of their products. The bundle package is in the upper right corner. http://twistedmelon.com/shop/

Here is a link for the complete OEM style assembly. If you still have a good connector on your logic board this part could be the best fix! http://www.welovemacs.com/9230251.html

This iFixit page tells all about this part and the replacement procedure. Please be sure to read all of the comments. https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+Late+2012+IR+Sensor+Replacement/11719

I also broke the connector socket on the logic board when removing the IR cable to install a new SSD. Happily, I was able to get a NON_AUTHORIZED repair done - the shop soldered the socket back on and everything works great again. He had to do it twice because the first time wasn't a good connection. He applied heat from the underside of the board and used a low-temp solder. He was going to charge me $50 since I'd taken everything apart but on the 2nd try, I decided to have him reassemble and test it in the shop and load the OS for which he charged a total of $130. Very well priced compared to Apple and the authorized repair shops who would not do the repair but instead would replace the entire logic board. WARNING: The video demos I saw did not give enough detail or caution about removing this cable. You must not only lift it very gently, but you must lift it from the wires. It's so small that you really can't even see that there is a socket on the board until after you've removed the cable. I hope this info helps someone else avoid the time I had to invest.

 

[weaztek]

I have a 2018 Mac Mini that never came with an IR sensor. ?

I spent $22 on this IR flirc USB dongle https://flirc.tv/flirc-usb and like $5 on an Apple remote from eBay. It was well worth the money to get volume & playback options on my remote. The flirc comes with software which is akin to making keyboard shortcuts, easy peezy.