Category: Laptop Repair and Service
Contents of this article
- Reset procedure
- Ram Reset
- Disassembling
Apple Mac mini
Common Reset Procedures
When a reset procedure is required for troubleshooting, follow the applicable steps:
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
To reset power management via the SMC chip:
1. Unplug all cables from computer, including power cord.
2. Wait at least 15 seconds. The SMC reset occurs automatically once the Mac mini has been unplugged from AC power source for several seconds.
3. Plug power cord back in, making sure power button is not being pressed.
4. Reconnect keyboard and mouse to computer.
5. Press power button on back to start up computer.
Resetting the SMC means you will also need to reset the date and time (using the Date & Time pane of System Preferences).
Resetting the Parameter RAM (PRAM)
To reset PRAM,
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in Step 4.
Note: If the keyboard does not have an Option key, use the Alt key instead.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys.
Important: You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.
When a reset procedure is required for troubleshooting, follow the applicable steps:
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
To reset power management via the SMC chip:
1. Unplug all cables from computer, including power cord.
2. Wait at least 15 seconds. The SMC reset occurs automatically once the Mac mini has been unplugged from AC power source for several seconds.
3. Plug power cord back in, making sure power button is not being pressed.
4. Reconnect keyboard and mouse to computer.
5. Press power button on back to start up computer.
Resetting the SMC means you will also need to reset the date and time (using the Date & Time pane of System Preferences).
Resetting the Parameter RAM (PRAM)
To reset PRAM,
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in Step 4.
Note: If the keyboard does not have an Option key, use the Alt key instead.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys.
Important: You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.
Starting Up in Safe Mode
A Safe Boot is a special way to start Mac OS X when troubleshooting. To start up into Safe Mode (Safe Boot),
1. Make sure the computer is shut down.
2. Press the power button.
3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
Note: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not
before.
4. Release the Shift key when you see the screen with the gray Apple and progress indicator
(looks like a spinning gear). During startup, ”Safe Boot” appears on the Mac OS X startup
screen. To leave Safe Mode, restart the computer normally, without holding down any keys
during startup.
A Safe Boot is a special way to start Mac OS X when troubleshooting. To start up into Safe Mode (Safe Boot),
1. Make sure the computer is shut down.
2. Press the power button.
3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
Note: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not
before.
4. Release the Shift key when you see the screen with the gray Apple and progress indicator
(looks like a spinning gear). During startup, ”Safe Boot” appears on the Mac OS X startup
screen. To leave Safe Mode, restart the computer normally, without holding down any keys
during startup.
DISASSEMBLING PROCEDURE
Top Housing
Tools
# Putty knife
# ESD mat and wrist strap
# Putty knife
# ESD mat and wrist strap
Removal
1. Turn the computer over.
2. Insert the tool (0.25 inch / 6.35 millimeters) into the gap.
3. Pry the tool away from the computer.
Note: You will hear little cracking sounds as the latches release and the bottom separates from the top housing
4. Repeat on other side.
5. Using your fingers, push the I/O panel upward. The cracking sounds will continue as you push the I/O panel off the top housing; this is normal.
1. Turn the computer over.
2. Insert the tool (0.25 inch / 6.35 millimeters) into the gap.
3. Pry the tool away from the computer.
Note: You will hear little cracking sounds as the latches release and the bottom separates from the top housing
4. Repeat on other side.
5. Using your fingers, push the I/O panel upward. The cracking sounds will continue as you push the I/O panel off the top housing; this is normal.
Reassembly
1. Align rear I/O panel with top housing.
2. Make sure the white latches are tucked inside bottom housing as you press the top and bottom together.
3. Squeeze until there are no visible gaps.
1. Align rear I/O panel with top housing.
2. Make sure the white latches are tucked inside bottom housing as you press the top and bottom together.
3. Squeeze until there are no visible gaps.
Top housing
Tools
# Phillips #0 screwdriver
# Black stick
# Phillips #0 screwdriver
# Black stick
Removal
Note: Depending on the configuration, the internal frame will either have an optical drive or a second hard drive installed on the internal frame.
The internal frameremoval procedure is the same for both.
1. Locate 3 antennas on internal frame.
2. Squeeze black posts together and pull AirPort antenna board straight up and off the post.
Note: Depending on the configuration, the internal frame will either have an optical drive or a second hard drive installed on the internal frame.
The internal frameremoval procedure is the same for both.
1. Locate 3 antennas on internal frame.
2. Squeeze black posts together and pull AirPort antenna board straight up and off the post.
3. Pull the 2 other antennas straight up
and off the spring posts.
Important: Leave antennas connected to the AirPort/ Bluetooth card unless you are replacing the antennas or the AirPort/Bluetooth card.
4. With a black stick, disconnect the audio flexible cable from interconnect board.
Important: Leave antennas connected to the AirPort/ Bluetooth card unless you are replacing the antennas or the AirPort/Bluetooth card.
4. With a black stick, disconnect the audio flexible cable from interconnect board.
5 Remove 4 internal frame screws, located in
each corner:
# 3 (922-7325)
# 1 longer screw, near power on LED (922- 7324)
6 Lift internal frame up and off bottom housing.
Important: Leave antennas connected to the AirPort/ Bluetooth card unless you are replacing the antennas or the AirPort/Bluetooth card.
# 3 (922-7325)
# 1 longer screw, near power on LED (922- 7324)
6 Lift internal frame up and off bottom housing.
Important: Leave antennas connected to the AirPort/ Bluetooth card unless you are replacing the antennas or the AirPort/Bluetooth card.
