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Accessing the RAM requires the removal of the internal frame.
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Power down your Mac mini, disconnect all of the cables, and flip it over.
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Insert the Jimmy into the crack between the aluminum top housing and the plastic lower housing.
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The Jimmy should reach a stop about 3/8" down.
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Gently bend the Jimmy outwards to pry the crack open a little larger and lift the lower housing up a small amount.
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Once you have the first side free, rotate the Mac mini and start prying up on the front edge.
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Use the same prying motion to both bend the clips inward and lift the lower housing up out of the top housing.
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You may need to move the Jimmy along the edge to pry up all of the clips. Be patient and do a little bit at a time.
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Keep working around the perimeter, freeing the clips along the final edge.
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Flip the Mac mini back over and lift the top housing off of the lower housing.
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Slightly squeeze the two retaining arms toward each other and lift the AirPort antenna off its post.
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Use the tip of a spudger to slightly lift the left side of the ZIF cable lock up from its socket.
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Lift the audio board ribbon cable up out of its socket.
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crwdns2935267:0crwdne2935267:0Tweezers$4.99
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Use a pair of tweezers to lift the hard drive thermal sensor cable connector up off its socket on the logic board.
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Remove the recessed Phillips screw near the power button securing the internal frame to the bottom housing.
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Remove the recessed Phillips screw near the sleep light securing the internal frame to the bottom housing.
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Remove the Phillips screw from the internal frame near the Bluetooth antenna.
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Remove the Phillips screw near the audio ports securing the internal frame to the bottom case.
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Gently lift the internal frame up from the bottom housing, minding the AirPort antenna and any other cables that may get caught.
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Simultaneously pull the tabs on each side of the RAM chip away from the center of the chip. These tabs lock the chip in place and releasing them will cause the chip to "pop" up.
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Pull the RAM chip directly out from its connector.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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As a quick warning for noobs (that'd be me before I attempted this repair :P ), you need a matching pair of RAM (two chips the same size and spec). Otherwise, the computer won't boot up. ^_^
There were 2x 1GB chips in my 2007 mini. I bought 1x 2GB chip, because I read somewhere that model only would allow 3GB. After replacing a 1GB chip with the new 2GB chip, the system is only showing 1GB RAM installed. Is this what you’re talking about? If I buy another 2GB chip, will it work? PC2-5300 2 GB RAM Chip
Jeff Box -
That is not always true. Often, perhaps…60/40, ish? My 2007 mac mini 2,1 is running one 1gb stick and one 2gb stick, a 500gb Kingston SSD and a salvaged superdrive from a MBP. I am tempted to try a core 2 quad or Xeon in it. For no particular reason than to see if it runs. anyone tried that one? I also had a 2008 mac pro 3,1 running four 2gb and four 4gb of under spec ram without issues.
In the 25 years i’ve been hanging out in server rooms, the client side of the working guidelines for ram matching has become less strict., but still, I believe, the ability to mix is in the manufacturing process. there’s no way but experience to be able to confirm that different makes, speed or size will function together. Unless of course stated in manufacturers documentation. The quality of the individual components will decide.
It will either work or it wont.
If you don’t have ram laying about, then your 100% right, buy matching pairs. otherwise, try it 'till it fires!
I successfully run 3GB in my A1176 Minis. When I put the 2GB chip in the bottom slot with the 1GB chip in the top slot, the machine would not boot and the power LED would blink continuously. When I put the 1GB chip in the bottom slot with the 2GB chip in the top slot, the machine works perfectly and sees all 3GB of RAM. (I don’t know if this is a rule or not, this is strictly my anecdotal experience.) I have *not* experienced installing 3GB and having the Mini run and only report 1GB. If you do that, I’d recommend checking to assure that the 2GB stick is seated properly.
I’ve also used 4GB without any trouble in A1176 Minis, but this model can only address a maximum of 3GB RAM. I have run performance comparisons between one equipped with 4GB and equipped with 3GB RAM and they measured identically. If you’re upgrading an A1176 from 2GB (equipped with a pair of 1GB chips) to 3GB, you can save a few dollars by just buying a single PC2-5300 2GB stick.
Mark B -
Thanks a lot, 1Gb -> 4Gb is done !
