The Tech Bench

Mac Mini 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

We do a lot of Mac Mini hard drive and RAM upgrades here at MyService.

From time to time we’ll get one in who has lost audio or wireless after a customer attempted DIY upgrade. We’re seeing this happen more and more with the latest revs of Minis.

The cables and wireless connectors are much more delicate in the latter models so extra care should be given when working on these Minis.

A good rule of thumb is to not disconnect a cable if you don’t have to.

If you damage a cable or connector when attempting a DIY upgrade, we can help.

Our Mac Mini page lists the different hard drive upgrade services we offer as well as the free diagnostic option if your Mini has been damaged.

[ MyService Mac Mini Repairs & Upgrades ]

Inside of an iMac G5. Temperature Sensors Highlighted.

Machine Type: iMac Intel or G5

Symptom: Fans are always running (come on more often) after a hard drive upgrade or service.

Likely Cause: Temperature sensors were not reseated properly.

The temperature sensors help tell the computer when to turn the fans on and what speed they run.

On the iMac, there are temp sensors over the optical and hard drive. If these sensors aren’t secured properly in the right position to a new drive, the readings may not be accurate causing the fans to come on when they shouldn’t.

Since the temp sensors are originally applied using sticky glue, they should be secured back into place when installing a new hard drive or optical.

We’ve seen a lot of cases of iMacs coming in with the fans always on after someone (not MyService) installed a new hard drive. The temp sensor was usually in the wrong place or had come loose inside the case.

If you’ve done a DIY upgrade, make sure to check the temp sensors first if you are experiencing any fan issues.

15" MacBook Pro "Santa Rosa" Hard Drive Cable

Machine Type: MacBook Pro (sliver keyboard)

Symptom: When the laptop is moved, the system powers off, even while running off AC power.

Likely Cause: Bad Hard Drive cable.

The hard drive cable on the MBP consists of the SATA hard drive interface(1), the connector for the sleep light(2), the IR connector(3) and the logic board interface(4)

If specific care is not taken when changing out the hard drive, the cable can become damaged. This damage may not be noticeable to the naked eye.

When the hard drive cable gets damaged, the signal can get broken when the cable is flexed (the Mac is moved.) When this occurs, the system sees it as a possible short and immediately powers off.

So far, we’ve only seen this issue on books where the hard drive was installed by a 3rd party or DIY.

Although the issue at first appears to be power or logic board related, a new hard drive cable is all it takes to bring the MacBook Pro back to normal.

This is a good example of how delicate these cables are and why proper cable handling is important.

[ MyService Free Diagnostic ] Suspect your MacBook Pro has this issue? We can help.