Mac Mini Mid 2007 Won't boot after T7200 CPU Upgrade

[castroa320]

Hi there. This is my first post on the Mac-Forums. So the problem is I got this Mac Mini from eBay a couple of days ago which I took the risk of upgrading the CPU from a 1.83 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo processor to a 2.0 GHZ T7200 Intel Core 2 Duo processor. I followed the online guides carefully and upgraded the CPU. During this time, I took the time to dust out everything with a compressed air can. I removed the RAM chips and everything. Now, I put it back together and I only get the white light indicating its on. But I have no chime, no Apple logo or anything. The screen stays black. With this problem, i've looked online for various solutions like resetting the PRAM and resetting the SMC and all that but still, no luck unfortunately. I've opened the machine reseated the RAM chips and even the CPU itself. Checked all the connections and everything is good. I did manage to break the Airport WiFi antenna... (stupid me the cable just broke off ). I ordered a new one on eBay because that since I'll be using the WiFi on this machine a lot. But I don't think that would affect the boot up process or cause anything like this problem. I'm out of suggestions and need some advice on how to get this little machine back on track. Any help is appreciated!


-Thank you!!

 

[pm-r]

I'm out of suggestions and need some advice on how to get this little machine back on track. Any help is appreciated!

Try putting it back to the way it was when you got it and hopefully the replacement Airport WiFi antenna will work as well.

I am assuming it was in working shape when you received it, yes???





- Patrick
======

 

[castroa320]

I am assuming it was in working shape when you received it, yes???

Yes it was. I've put in the old processor in so many times to check if it works but no success. Worst thing is that I've had windows server loaded and ready to go with all my server applications before this upgrade process. Of course I have Mac OS X installed on the other partition. I've heard you had to upgrade the firmware before the upgraded but I don't see the need since this is the MacMini 2,1 if I'm not mistaking. This is the 1.83 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo model.

 

[pm-r]

I guess the next step would be to have a more knowledgable Mac tech than yourself have a look at it and maybe get it working — IF you think iy would even be worth it.

Or do you have any Hackintosh friends that could possibly help. And they often have spare parts lying around, but maybe not for any older 2007 minis.




- Patrick
======

 

[castroa320]

I guess the next step would be to have a more knowledgable Mac tech than yourself have a look at it and maybe get it working — IF you think iy would even be worth it.

Or do you have any Hackintosh friends that could possibly help. And they often have spare parts lying around, but maybe not for any older 2007 minis.




- Patrick
======

Bummer! I don't have any friends that are tech savvy at all I guess my only thought would be to buy a really cheap mac mini motherboard. But for some reason I think that is not gonna work. Is my gut feeling wrong?

 

[dtravis7]

I did the same thing with my first generation Mini 1.66Ghz Core Duo to a C2D 2.16. I have long forgotten the Intel numbers, but used one from a friends broken 2.16 Ghz iMac he sent me. I had your issue and in my case I was not feeling well when I did the mod and there was a shield under the motherboard and one of the metal fingers in the back when putting the board back in the Mini bent and shorted out a trace. Fixing that and it came alive. I did NOT even with that mini have to upgrade the firmware. I later did to get 3GB Ram in the machine. It still works to to this day.

 

[pm-r]

Bummer! I don't have any friends that are tech savvy at all

I did the same thing with my first generation Mini 1.66Ghz Core Duo to a C2D 2.16. … … … It still works to to this day.

It looks like you might have one now!! ;D






- Patrick
======

 

[castroa320]

I had your issue and in my case I was not feeling well when I did the mod and there was a shield under the motherboard and one of the metal fingers in the back when putting the board back in the Mini bent and shorted out a trace. Fixing that and it came alive.

Can't seem to find anything out of the ordinary. Do you remember the exact location? i looked under the motherboard in the back and all that.

 

[castroa320]

Any other suggestions anyone? I'm kinda getting desperate to get this Mac Mini up and running since it has to be a file server in the next upcoming weeks.

 

[dtravis7]

by the side of the motherboard where the power jack is.

 

[castroa320]

by the side of the motherboard where the power jack is.

Seemed kinda out of shape but I put it back to place and I still get the same results.

 

[castroa320]

One update though. The machine does not seem to respond to me pressing the power button initially but turns on by its self really. I've tested this out by not pressing the power button and letting it turn on by itself. It does however respond to turn off the machine via power button. Weird...

 

[castroa320]

Well I did manage to find another Mac Mini for cheap that is the same year. Same specs and everything. That might be a solution but would not mind getting the original one to work. I can find use for it. I won't even bother to upgrade the processor on the other one.

 

[pigoo3]

I've put in the old processor in so many times to check if it works but no success.

I'm coming to this converation a bit late. I would have suggested the same thing pm-r recommended...which was...install the original CPU. If as indicated the Mac-Mini is still not working with the original CPU (and the Mac-Mini was working fine when it was iniitially received). Then something went wrong when the CPU swap took place.

Maybe something was physically damaged...maybe something was damaged due to static electricity...maybe something wasn't connected properly upon reassembly...etc. What went wrong is almost impossible for us to guess...since we were not there when the CPU swap took place.

Sorry to hear about this. Good luck,

- Nick

 

[castroa320]

I'm coming to this converation a bit late. I would have suggested the same thing pm-r recommended...which was...install the original CPU. If as indicated the Mac-Mini is still not working with the original CPU (and the Mac-Mini was working fine when it was iniitially received). Then something went wrong when the CPU swap took place.

Maybe something was physically damaged...maybe something was damaged due to static electricity...maybe something wasn't connected properly upon reassembly...etc. What went wrong is almost impossible for us to guess...since we were not there when the CPU swap took place.

Sorry to hear about this. Good luck,

- Nick

What I was afraid of. I did manage to order another Mac Mini to replace this one. Very unfortunate but if anyone has any suggestions to fix this issue, i'm open to it. Would not mind getting this one to work because I can put it to good use I guess.

Thanks everyone!!