Screwed up while trying to install SSD

[dunderheid]

Repaired superglue problem!

@ silverjam and @ phillipma1957 - thanks for your help a week or so ago. This is just to let you know I got my Mini fixed by a mac repair man not too far from me. He managed to remove the superglue and replace the sensor for the optical drive. All working fine now - cost me £85 though. Hard lesson learnt! Thanks again. Cheers from Bonnie Scotland!

 

[glnta]

See pics...

silverjam

I had the same problem as you.

I have a 2012 2.6ghz core i7 mac mini. I broke the fan connectror clean off the logic board. I wasn't willing to pay the quoted 413.00 for repair !!

I removed the cover from the fan and see that the label on the fan motor said 12v, 0.66a. I found an old wall plug-in transformer of 12v and 0.5a so cut the plug of that and wired it to the fan (after cutting off the fan 4 pin plug) The fan works as it should but always at max RPM which is quite loud.

I know that the usb ports are only 5v. I have tried to wire the fan to an old usb lead (using red and white wires for power) but I get no response from the fan.

How did you get your fan to work via USB when you have a voltage difference ???

Incidently, I thread my power supply cable through the left side of one of the vent holes in the back of the mini, so there is no need to drill a hole in the casing.

Thanks in advance for any input.

UPDATE

I should have ignored numerous pictures of the pin out on apple usb plugs on Google.

It turns out that the colours I needed to use on the USB cable were red (+) and yellow (-) NOT red and white.

I now have the fan working via USB and the quietness is superb )The temperature is way down so very happy.I know that the fan spin speed is lower because of the voltage drop but the fan has never sped at full speed anyway since I bought the mac mini.

 

[gcortesi]

Also broke off fan connector

As it turns out, I too broke off the fan connector. I never should have read the iFixit information on installing a SSD in my MacMini. It can be done without messing with the fan connector, which is VERY fragile. I went to the Apple store and they would not fix it for any price. They indicated that this was a user modification and they do not repair altered systems. I too decided to power the fan via USB. I didn't find this thread until after I made the mods. I tried soldering the fan wires directly to the logic board, but that didn't work. The connections are too tiny. In any case, I used a thin USB power cable that came with an old portable drive case. It had a USB connector on one end and a mini power connector on the other. I simply cut off the power connector and soldered the two wires (for +5V and ground) to the outside two wires of the 4 fan wires. I also fed the USB power thru the fan opening so I didn't drill the case or remove the logic board. Since the fan runs at 5V, it is pretty quiet. You can hear it, but it certainly is not running full speed. The only problem is that the fan never stops running unless you power down the Mac Mini. In any case, it's nice to see that I'm not the only one who ended up going down this path and making the mistake.

Guy

One note - to those who are simply leaving the bottom cover off and letting the Mac sit on a fan, I'd avoid this method. The cooling of the CPU for the Mac Mini requires that the bottom cover remain in place. I did try to cool the mini this way at first, but the CPU would roast when I was doing anything CPU intensive, such as transcoding. Sitting the mini on a large fan with the bottom cover off will cool the inside of the case, but watch the CPU temp, since the CPU sits on the other side of the logic board and doesn't benefit from a fan underneath the logic board. The USB powered fan method is definitely the best alternative to repairing the fan connector. Be sure to use 5V and not 12V or your fan will run at full speed all the time and make a lot of noise. 5V seems to provide a fan speed that is about mid-way, which is a good compromise and seems to adequately cool the Mac Mini under most conditions including running a Plex server, transcoding, etc.

silverjam

I had the same problem as you.

I have a 2012 2.6ghz core i7 mac mini. I broke the fan connectror clean off the logic board. I wasn't willing to pay the quoted 413.00 for repair !!

I removed the cover from the fan and see that the label on the fan motor said 12v, 0.66a. I found an old wall plug-in transformer of 12v and 0.5a so cut the plug of that and wired it to the fan (after cutting off the fan 4 pin plug) The fan works as it should but always at max RPM which is quite loud.

I know that the usb ports are only 5v. I have tried to wire the fan to an old usb lead (using red and white wires for power) but I get no response from the fan.

How did you get your fan to work via USB when you have a voltage difference ???

Incidently, I thread my power supply cable through the left side of one of the vent holes in the back of the mini, so there is no need to drill a hole in the casing.

Thanks in advance for any input.

UPDATE

I should have ignored numerous pictures of the pin out on apple usb plugs on Google.

It turns out that the colours I needed to use on the USB cable were red (+) and yellow (-) NOT red and white.

I now have the fan working via USB and the quietness is superb )The temperature is way down so very happy.I know that the fan spin speed is lower because of the voltage drop but the fan has never sped at full speed anyway since I bought the mac mini.

 

[therecluse26]

It's quite risky, but if you're at all handy with a soldering iron, cutting the connector off of the fan and just soldering the wires directly to the logic board where the socket connects is an option... I just did it and now it works just as if it was connected normally (passed the system hardware test). I will admit though, it is scary having a soldering iron anywhere near your logic board, but totally worth it imo. The above posters have some great alternative ideas as well!

 

[Keda]

Great Fix!

First of all, many thanks to Silverjam for posting this fix!

Like others, I accidentally broke the connection to the logic board during an upgrade and had the wires soldered to the board at a repair shop. Although the Mini would boot, the fan ran at a VERY loud 100% all the time.

I used Silverjam's technique to reroute my fan's power to the USB port, and I can use my Mini again without earplugs. I did simplify the original approach, so that I did not have to drill or remove the logic board (yes, I'm lazy ). The only parts that I removed during the repair were the fan and the plastic shield over the heatsink (1 torx screw). I went slowly and the process took me just over an hour.

Here are a few notes from my repair:

1. Routing wires through the chassis: I liked the idea of using USB power, but REALLY wanted to avoid removing the logic board. After examining the back of the Mini, I noticed that the outer slots on each side of the fan opening did not run to the fan. These had a metal tab on the inside to close the gap that otherwise would have existed between the fan connection and the edge of the fixture. I was able to pull/push this metal tab down from the inside of the Mac, and open a hole that was just large enough for the fully shielded USB cable to pass through. (see attached images)

2. Routing the wires: Once I had determined the proper length for the USB wires, I cut the two data wires and stripped the rubber/shielding down to the point at which the USB cable emerged from the fan casing. I used electrical tape to "clean" this up and prevent metal shards from shedding off the shielding and onto the logic board. Also, I cut the two data cables from the fan and taped them to the fan body. With just the bare power and ground cables to work with, it was very easy to position them within the small enclosure.

Here are the pics (oops two loaded upside down):

 

[nadtech]

Blue magic

Hi guys yep like a pro. I messed up the pins on the board and that's the 2012 i7 2.3 1tb ssd + 1tb hard drive 16gb ram.
I didn't just mess the pins up for the FAN CONNECTOR, yep I messed up the pins for the IR port and the green power light. Something to do with THC sorry I meant TLC.
Right now after seeing 2 broken connectors right in front of me.
started hunting for a fix on the net.
Many people can live with a usb power fan fix I couldn't/wouldn't.
So after a lot of thought and forums googling etc.
found Bluecentre.co.uk at BLUECENTRE.CO.UK
You can courier your unit to them or drop it off.
And within a good time frame the email arrived with pictures that my mac mini is now fixed. The cost was reasonable and the service excellent.
this company repaires all macs iPads and all sorts. I will try to upload a photo.
Also I think I broke a track on the board hence I think that's why they had to add a wire from one of the pins to the resistor ( I think )

 

[kanewtz]

Reading this post worries me about installing my M500 SSD into my Late '12 Mac Mini using the OWC Data Doubler Kit....how likely am I to encounter this problem?

 

[QuietGamer]

Microcenter SSD up-grade Mini

Reading this post worries me about installing my M500 SSD into my Late '12 Mac Mini using the OWC Data Doubler Kit....how likely am I to encounter this problem?

I broke off the fan header when I did the SSD upgrade in a 2011 Mini years ago also.

When looking for options with my 2014 model I checked my local Microcenter and found that they would change the the HD to an SSD for $60 as long as I bought the SSD from them. That would put the liability for any screw ups with them. That $ does not include reinstalling the OS which is another $60 but you could do it yourself.

Don't know if that will help you in your situation but the info might help someone who is interested in doing the upgrade that runs across this thread.

As far as your up-grade.....depends on your comfort level with the gamble.

 

[thunng8]

Reading this post worries me about installing my M500 SSD into my Late '12 Mac Mini using the OWC Data Doubler Kit....how likely am I to encounter this problem?

I just did mine yesterday. If you are careful and follow the instructions carefully it should be fine.

 

[kanewtz]

I just did mine yesterday. If you are careful and follow the instructions carefully it should be fine.

Have any tips/lessons learnt you feel like sharing either here or VIA PM?

Thanks!

 

[nadtech]

Go for it

I would still recomend everyone to have a go at the ssd upgrade themselves. It is fairly simple as long as you don't put too much force on the connectors.
And what you learn along the way is exceptional.
Good luck.

----------

Be careful on the ir and led connector cable on right
And the fan connector
All the rest is fairly easy.

 

[Joelburman]

I must say I'm a little surprised about the amount of damaged minis in here when upgrading/switching to SSD. I've done the switch myself and a problem is that many tutorial videos include total unnessery steps and the video I used didn't do a good job showing of the directions of the harddrive when its put back.

So when doing the fix make sure your really patient and think everything through and you should be fine.

 

[nollimac]

I must say I'm a little surprised about the amount of damaged minis in here when upgrading/switching to SSD. I've done the switch myself and a problem is that many tutorial videos include total unnessery steps and the video I used didn't do a good job showing of the directions of the harddrive when its put back.

So when doing the fix make sure your really patient and think everything through and you should be fine.

I was just thinking about that...maybe that's why Apple introduced Minis that are not upgradeable.

 

[thunng8]

I was just thinking about that...maybe that's why Apple introduced Minis that are not upgradeable.

They are upgradeable in the context of this thread.

----------

Have any tips/lessons learnt you feel like sharing either here or VIA PM?

Thanks!

Just be careful when taking off the airport and ir connector. I.e. Be gentle and use the proper tools.

 

[adam9c1]

Help me understand this.

The Mac Mini will operate OK if the OEM fan is broken/disconnected but the board temp is OK?
I have done probably six 2009 Mini drive replacements and it was a piece of cake.
I paid extra and bought a 2011 Mini (used) modded with a SSD.

I recently upgraded two 2010 Minis without issues (using ifixit guide and ifixit screwdriver set).
Is the 2011 and 2012 much more difficult? Fan connector more prone to failure?

 

[Celerondon]

Help me understand this.

The Mac Mini will operate OK if the OEM fan is broken/disconnected but the board temp is OK?
I have done probably six 2009 Mini drive replacements and it was a piece of cake.
I paid extra and bought a 2011 Mini (used) modded with a SSD.

I recently upgraded two 2010 Minis without issues (using ifixit guide and ifixit screwdriver set).
Is the 2011 and 2012 much more difficult? Fan connector more prone to failure?

You asked if "The Mac Mini will operate OK if the OEM fan is broken/disconnected but the board temp is OK?"
Nope. No way.
Simply put, it cannot operate OK if the OEM fan is broken or disconnected. Even though this thread has accounts of patch jobs that result in fixed speed fan operation that is not "OK" either!

The Intel processors in these recent minis have multiple cores and the systems use sophisticated power and thermal management schemes. Just because the computer still functions without a variable speed fan that does not mean that it is working properly. For proper operation these machines have thermal sensors that enable them to control fan speed with a temperature management scheme. One poster mentioned that the single speed fan on his patched up mini seemed to be a good way of cooling the computer when transcoding. Please don't rely on that report. When I use Handbrake or similar apps on my mini the cooling system maxes out. It is obvious that the patched mini with a fixed speed fan is cutting back by throttling the CPU to avoid overheating when it fails to fry under load.

Another poster said, "Go for it" and also stated blithely that "I would still recomend everyone to have a go at the ssd upgrade themselves."

This is simply wrongheaded advice. Some folks are like you. They have good hands and enough knowledge and experience to complete these procedures with ease. Other folks are ham-handed, totally inexperienced, or otherwise limited. How can we not know this? Doesn't every member of this forum have someone in their family or immediate circle of friends who should never ever try to use tools on a Mac mini?

The newer minis are somewhat more difficult but that isn't the problem. You could probably handle them with ease. The real issue is that these repair or modification induced problems occur when the skills and experience of the do-it-yourself technician don't match the requirements of working with delicate components and connectors in the tight confines of a Mac mini.

 

[Vegas888]

Did you pull the connector off the wire connected to the fan, or the socket off the board?

If you pulled the socket off the board, you are a bit boned.

However if you pulled the connector off the fan, replace the fan. Relatively easier and cheaper to find!

[doublepost=1498417616][/doublepost]I pulled the socket off the board...so a bit boned meaning I am S.O.L. and need to replace the entire logic board? The "pins" got ripped off the logic board so nothing for the fan cable ZIF socket to connect to.

 

[Celerondon]

[doublepost=1498417616][/doublepost]I pulled the socket off the board...so a bit boned meaning I am S.O.L. and need to replace the entire logic board? The "pins" got ripped off the logic board so nothing for the fan cable ZIF socket to connect to.

Which version of the Mac mini do you have?

 

[Vegas888]

It's a Macbook Air 13" late 2010 A1369 model. Thank you.

 

[treekram]

It's a Macbook Air 13" late 2010 A1369 model. Thank you.

You should try posting in the Macbook Air forum (if you haven't already). I noticed that somebody on iFixit had a similar issue but no one responded to the question of what can be done.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Late+2010+Fan+Replacement/4508

 

[DrSnaut]

Hello people,

I recently got a broken fan connector mac mini and I went trough the process of fixing it. I have found a solution which is kind of a hybrid of several things opted here. I am grateful for all the information posted here, so here is my solution as a thank you for the people contributing to this issue and for the ones struggling with this issue right now. I will try to supply with some information to the subject, how I got to it as a little bonus, but everything should be summarised in the 1 picture I photoshopped (all information, no stylisation).

Resoldering the pads wasn’t an option anymore

The pads of the connector were torn off, so soldering straight on the motherboard wasn’t an option anymore, Using the fan with just the USB power supply was too loud in my opinion. So I ended up with a small box with a PWM volume control and the program SMCfancontrol as a heat indicator.

Connecting the Fan with just USB

I have connected the fan with just an USB cable. It made the fan run, but too loud in my opinion. It reminded me of the sound when my girlfriend is using the hairdryer with the door closed. A more elegant solution is using the PWM function of the fan to control the speed, and hence get it to run quiet. For this I needed the pinout of the fan and something that would control the PWM speed. The schematic for the PWM controller (and some explanation) can be found on this website:

https://www.overclockers.com/pwm-fan-controller/?cn-reloaded=1

Fan pinout

Do not doubt the pinout I have written out there, rather check the orientation of the connector (the direction you look at it, flips the pinout around). I have opened up the broken fan that was on the mac mini, and found the chip that powers the fan (MTD6501). From there I could measure continuity on the board. It doesn’t follow regular PWM pinouts as you would see on a PC motherboard. To confirm you can peel back the sticker on the wire side and locate the + silkscreen next to the wire, this is the 12V wire (where we apply 5V from the USB). Next to the + are Sense, then PWM, then ground.

Building the board

There’s not much to add to what a schematic has to say. Just connect everything together, be sure that the USB cable that goes into the mac’s USB port has only 2 connections (V+ and GND), and the boxes’ cable that goes to the fan has 3 connections (V+, PWM and GND).

Connecting the box

I have used one regular old USB cord, and old USB extension cord as the connectors for the project. I have set it up in such a way that connecting the box can only go in one way and therefore is fool proof. Eventually I’ll make a little base the mac mini will stand on with the pot on the bottom but this solution will do for now.



Tips for electronic novices

Okay, some tips to help you out. If you feel you can’t handle this project, ask a buddy that has some experience in electronics. If you have all the materials, you can build and test this board in a few hours. Use longer cables you shorten later so you have space to manoeuvre, use an USB wall plug to test the setup before you build it into the mac mini.
Try to not see solder as the stuff that makes a connection, but have a solid connection that you ‘seal’ with solder. Clean and tin your soldering iron, try to apply heat to the components/wire before you add the solder to it. It has to do with feel, and you can get a better sense of this feeling by practicing pre-tinning of wires. When soldered correctly your connection is shiny, not dull.
Learn how to use a multimeter. Even if it’s just to check the connections of your soldered board.
Last of all, label your wires or work with consistent wire colors.

Last note

Since you’re digging in the mac mini as it is, consider the option to clean and replace the thermal paste. Don’t spend crazy amounts of money on paste, you’re using a mac mini. I like the paste by Thermal Grizzly since it comes with a spatula (yeah, just spread the paste to be sure you cover the whole thing. Don’t mind the rice corn pro’s; check a video on the topic by Gamers Nexus) and has nice viscosity, not to sticky, not to dry, easy to clean. More ram or an SSD replacement will do thousand fold of what expensive paste will do in terms of computing power. Thank you.

 

[Mo_11]

OK. Here are the pics. That way you save a bit of time and having any more problems. I am sure it is the two outside wires on the fan. The two inside wires are just taped to stop any short circuiting. Note which ones attach to red and black on the USB wire. Double check with your system though because it may be different. Note also I use an apple cable to maintain the warranty (ha ha ha yeah right). Having said that my fix is entirely apple products (except solder and tape).

Also see my attempt at soldering. You might have to bend the silver metal on the other side of the black back plate (the peripheral port plate (USB, HDMI etc)) when you drill the hole. You will know what I mean when you go to drill the small hole for the USB cable. I just bent it back instead of drilling through it was well. Double check any edges that might cut the wire.

I forgot to mention, you will have to take the logic board out as well. You may be able to get away with not taking it out, but you will need to re-wire the cable through the chassis differently to my config. Check on the web if you don't know how to do that.

iFixit has a good summary of how to do this. Just ignore all the hard drive comments as it relates to changing you hard drive. you can use two screw drivers or similar to dislodge the logic board in the instructions instead of their U shaped tool.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-Mac-Mini-Mid-2011-Hard-Drive-Replacement/6422/1#.T7bhiI5zrlI

Finally, use the App SMC Fan Control and set it to show temp only. It sits in your menu bar showing the temp so you have peace of mind.

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23049/smcfancontrol

Hope this helps.

Silver

Hi Silver, thanks for sharing your tip. i tried today to do the same thing but the fan won't turn on it's a DC 12V fan. I tried many possibilities with the wires that i tested with a 5v phone plug and directly on the mac mini and nothing..
the last time i tried the mac mini the fan was spinning ( firstly i had manage to solder the fan on the mother board but it not held long time .. so i went to your tip..). If you have an idea .. thanks !