Alternative Opening Procedure
crwdns2944107:0crwdnd2944107:0Donald Toddcrwdnd2944107:0crwdnd2944107:0crwdnd2944107:04crwdnd2944107:0crwdne2944107:0
crwdns2944111:0Yan 19, 2016crwdne2944111:0
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crwdns2942287:0crwdne2942287:0Prying the case open will inevitably cause damage. This method disengages the catches to allow the case to be easily opened by hand.
The technique is probably applicable to the Intel Mini which has similar catches, but has not been tried.
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Instead of a putty knife a dozen or more 1-1/2" pins are required.
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With the computer upside down identify the apertures where the catches are located along either side and also at the front.
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Insert the pins from the adjacent apertures between the wall and each catch. Be very careful to keep the pins against the case wall. This is more obvious from the second photo with the case removed.
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Lift the case off from the back first.
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Remove the pins from the main assembly.
I found that I just wedged about eight butter knives around two sides and then to gently press them all at the same time and it kind of popped up.
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Re-assembly does not require the pins. Place the case over the computer and press down evenly on the sides, not the middle. Ensure the back panel is correctly aligned before finally pushing home the catches.
Re-assembly does not require the pins. Place the case over the computer and press down evenly on the sides, not the middle. Ensure the back panel is correctly aligned before finally pushing home the catches.
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I've recently acquired a G4 Mini 1.33 "Silent Upgrade" on eBay and plan on opening up using your guide :) Thanks so very, VERY much!
There's a third technique I intuited when I looked at the other method and decided "...no. That's too rough."
The key is using a suitably thin prying tool but only to gently press on the clips, while applying pressure on the back I/O shield with your other hand so they'll pop out and stay out the moment you've applied enough pressure on them... sort of like how, in lock-picking, you have a tensioning bar to keep the pins set as you work on them one-by-one.
You start with the clip nearest one side of the back and work your way around.
Maybe it's just me, but it feels even less risky than sticking pins in, given the technique I assume is required to avoid accidentally gouging each pin into the plastic.
That said, I WILL admit that I'm not sure what "suitably thin prying tool" to recommend. Mine is some generic eBay/Aliexpress thing from 10+ years ago that doesn't seem to be made in that exact form anymore and the iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit is still on my Christmas wishlist, so I don't know how the iFixit Jimmy compares.
