How-to: Disassembling the Mini
Removing the Internal Frame
Prerequisites
Tools You Will Need
- #1 Phillips Screwdriver
- Screw Tray
Disassembly
Removing the memory is optional, but strongly recommended. The DIMM may get in the way of removing the frame.
First, the two antennae, if present, need to be removed. Start with the AirPort antenna which is closest to the power button. With the nonconductive stick, press the black plastic catch toward the back of the computer releasing the antenna. Loosen any Kapton tape holding the antenna to the frame; just peel back the tape, remove the wire and reattach the tape to the frame. Lift the antenna straight up and move it aside. Be very careful not to bind the antenna as it may affect reception.
(Kapton tape is a non-conductive tape. It remains sticky for quite a while, if you’re careful to re-attach it quickly. If you lose the tape or it won’t reattach, you can order it online or at a local electronics shop. We don’t advise using standard electrical tape as it leaves behind a residue.)
The Bluetooth antenna sits in two small channels in the internal frame and can be simply lifted upward and released. Again, be careful not to bind the antenna. Loosen any tape holding the antenna to the frame.
Carefully remove the tape holding the power switch wire to the frame. Once the wire is free, remove the three screws holding the frame in place. Two screws are not easy to see, as they are in fairly deep cavities. (Having a magnetic screwdriver comes in handy here.) Put the screws aside. If you’re planning on doing additional steps, don’t worry about labeling the screws as they’re all different sizes and these are the only set of 3. You’ll be able to identify them easily.
Once the screws are removed, lift the frame straight up off the logic board. Do not twist or bend, just lift vertically. If you have antennae to deal with, they should be routed between the frame and interconnect board and will need to be carefully negotiated out of that space as you lift the frame vertically. There is a rigid bus connector beneath the frame; break it and celebrate with a brand new Mac mini. As you lift the frame, feed the antennae through the access hole and let them sit loosely on the back of the mini. Once the frame is free of the logic board and housing, invert the frame and set it down with optical drive on the bottom; we need to preserve that bus connector.
Reassembly
If you have AirPort or Bluetooth, the antennae will need to be properly routed as the frame is installed. Feed the antennae through the rear access hole carefully avoiding binding the wire. Work the antennae wires into the narrow channel between the interconnect board and the frame. This should position the wires properly to be later secured to the top of the frame and ensure that they don't get pinched by the bus connector.
Carefully align the frame’s bus connector with its counterpart on the logic board. Gently press straight down while taking out any slack in the antennae; it will connect with a minimum of force. Do not twist or bend the frame. Make sure the power button wire doesn’t get caught on the frame or trapped underneath the frame.
Locate the three matching screws that hold the frame to the logic board and base. You may need to slightly move the frame to align the holes with the logic board and bottom of the case. Start with the screw closest to the power button; it is the easiest to sight, and the easiest to align. Secure the screw, but don’t over-tighten. Repeat with the other two screws.
Resecure the power button wire with the Kapton tape. Make sure the wire is clear of the side of the case, such that it doesn’t get pinched when putting the lid on.
Route the Bluetooth antenna (the smaller one) along the side of the optical drive and resecure it to the frame. There are two small channels---very hard to see that receive two tabs on the bottom of the antenna. Simply press it back into place and resecure any Kapton tape keeping the wire away from the case. The AirPort antenna routes along the back of the frame and is secured to a catch and a plastic pin on the top of the frame. Align the pin and press the antenna down on the catch which may need a bit of work with your finger to fully secure. Give it a gentle tug upward to check that the catch is in place. Resecure any Kapton tape and it's ready for reassembly.
Replace the DIMM, and re-install the case.