Mac mini Model A1283 Optical Drive Replacement
Introduction
Go to step 1Upgrade or replace the combo or SuperDrive.
What you need
Parts
Tools
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You'll need a putty knife in order to open the case. A 1.5 inch thin putty knife will work well, but you'll want to grind the edge down. Rub the putty knife's short edge back and forth on a sheet of all purpose rough grit sandpaper (100 grit will work fine) until it attains a beveled edge.
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Carefully insert a putty knife into the crevice in between the top cover and bottom housing. Start on the left side first. Push the blade down until you meet firm resistance (roughly 3/8 of an inch).
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Gently enlarge the existing crevice by rotating the putty knife downward and away from the mini.
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This is easier if you use two putty knives. Insert the first putty knife at the point on the left side where the gap is largest, press the handle of the knife downward and away from the mini.
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Then insert the second knife next to it and push that knife down and out.
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Take the first knife out of the mini and put it back in on the other side of the second knife, push down and out.
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Repeat this process all the way around the mini.
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The top cover should now be marginally separated from the bottom housing. Use your fingers to completely separate the two, starting with the I/O side of the mini.
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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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Grab the Bluetooth antenna nearest the port side of the computer by the edges of the board and pull it straight up off the internal frame.
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Remove the antenna board near the front of the mini by pulling it straight up off the internal frame.
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If necessary, remove the piece of tape securing the antenna leads to the internal frame.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the audio ribbon cable connector up off the audio board.
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Remove the following four screws securing the internal frame to the bottom housing:
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Three 6.7 mm Phillips #00 screws
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One 9.5 mm Phillips #00 screw
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Lift the internal frame off the bottom housing, starting at the rear edge, until you feel the concealed edge connector on the motherboard disconnect. Then lift straight off, minding the bluetooth and 802.11 antenna cables.
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Use the tip of a spudger to remove the black electrical tape spanning the interconnect board and optical drive.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the audio ribbon cable from the interconnect board.
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If necessary, remove the yellow kapton tape covering the internal frame and the optical drive.
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Turn the mini 180 degrees and remove the two Phillips screws securing the optical drive to the internal frame on the other side.
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Insert the flat end of a spudger into the crevice between the optical drive and the interconnect board.
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Carefully increase the crevice to disconnect the optical drive from the interconnect board.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
