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Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement

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  1. Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement, Bottom Cover: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement, Bottom Cover: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Place your thumbs in the depressions cut into the bottom cover.

    • Rotate the bottom cover counter-clockwise until the white dot painted on the bottom cover is aligned with the ring inscribed on the outer case.

  2. Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Tilt the mini enough to allow the bottom cover to fall away from the outer case.

    • Remove the bottom cover and set it aside.

  3. Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement, Fan: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the two 11.3 mm T6 Torx screws securing the fan to the logic board near the antenna plate.

  4. Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Lift the ear of the fan nearest the RAM up off the standoff secured to the outer case.

    • If the fan doesn't separate from the standoff screw with a moderate amount of force, you can use a T6 Torx driver to simply remove this screw.

  5. Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Lift the fan out of the mini for enough clearance to access its connector.

    • Carefully pull the fan cables upward to lift the fan connector up out of its socket on the logic board.

    • Remove the fan.

  6. Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement, Cowling: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the single 3.5 mm T6 Torx screw securing the cowling to the heat sink.

  7. Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Lift the cowling from the end nearest the antenna plate.

    • Rotate the cowling away from the outer case and remove it from the mini.

  8. Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement, Antenna Plate: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the following screws securing the antenna plate to the mini:

    • Two 6.6 mm T8 or T9 Torx screws

    • Two 5.0 mm T8 Torx or 2.0 mm Hex screws (either will work)

  9. Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Slightly lift the antenna plate from the end closest to the RAM.

    • Carefully pull the antenna plate straight away from the circular rim of the outer case.

    • Do not remove the antenna plate yet. It is still attached to the AirPort/ Bluetooth board.

  10. Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Use the tip of a spudger to carefully pry the antenna connector up off the AirPort/Bluetooth board.

  11. Mac mini Mid 2010 Antenna Plate Replacement: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the antenna plate from the mini.

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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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GalvanicMacPro, to my recollection, the plate needs to be more fully inserted before all screws will line up again.

bkbkbk - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

bkbkbk,

I can see that it has a very particular orientation, going under the Mini's housing from about 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock, so to speak, and that I've done. I can't for the life of me see how it ever lined up originally!

GalvanicMacPro -

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