Skip/dumpster find Mac Mini with problems

[manicmad]

Hi all.

I've found a Mac mini in a rubbish skip, with power adapter etc. I did ask the skip hirer if I can take it and he let me. I felt very lucky (I work in the waste industry and this is the first Mac I've found - PC's are ten-a-penny!)

It booted up, first thing I did was replace the drive and put on OSX Tiger.

However, it doesn't recognise its built in audio saying device not installed. Then the Airport failed, saying device not installed - I have tried another airport card. I have no idea if either worked before the install. I have not tried the ethernet connection yet.

It's a 1.66GHz Intel mini, 512Mb Ram(A1114) and I added a 100Gb Hard disc.

Any ideas on the reason why it says airport and sound not installed? Any firmware drivers I need to get?

Glen

 

[bobtomay]

Probably the reason it was in the trash and needs a new systemboard.

You might try resetting PRAM

and also resetting SMC which would be the firmware controlling some of these type functions.

 

[louishen]

could be why that mini is in the dumpster

What does it say in the sound preferences pane ( menu > System Preferences > Sound

good news is that the mini works, but you could try giving it a usb audio device to see if hat restores its audio functionality
Griffin iMic USB Audio Interface - Add stereo... (GC16031) at OWC

I am sure you may be able to source a cheaper one, but you have a good find there

 

[techound1]

Is the AP card firmly seated? The bounce-around in the skip may have worked it loose.

 

[Mac SK]

I know its a pain to open up...Hey it was Free.. so check inside that everything is tight. May be something loose..might of been why they dumped it.

 

[manicmad]

Is the AP card firmly seated? The bounce-around in the skip may have worked it loose.

Yes, I even tried a different card - neither worked.

Glen

 

[manicmad]

Probably the reason it was in the trash and needs a new systemboard.

You might try resetting PRAM

and also resetting SMC which would be the firmware controlling some of these type functions.

Done both - nothing to get the sound but it did cure "Crazy fan Syndrome"

could be why that mini is in the dumpster

What does it say in the sound preferences pane ( menu > System Preferences > Sound

good news is that the mini works, but you could try giving it a usb audio device to see if hat restores its audio functionality

I am sure you may be able to source a cheaper one, but you have a good find there

Says "no device is installed" or something similar.

I know its a pain to open up...Hey it was Free.. so check inside that everything is tight. May be something loose..might of been why they dumped it.

Everything is as tight as a gnat's chuff.

If I can't get it working, ie it needs a new logic board, then hey **, it goes on eBay as spare/repair!

Glen

 

[jazzly88]

Sounds like this has been disassembled before. Crazy fan syndrome can be caused by the fan control cable being unplugged (lower right hand side with cover off). There is also a ribbon cable the uses a pressure fit connector on top of the top assembly that connects the audio. Inexperienced techs break this connector regularly, causing the ribbon cable to slip out and not stay connected. Hope this helps!

 

[manicmad]

wouldn't surprise me that it had been opened before, the case looked a bit hacked and doesn't sit straight.

Have some sort of success as I have got the ethernet working, but still no airport or sound.

Guessing now logic board is knacked. Can't be bothered to go to nearest apple shop!

 

[manicmad]

slight breakthrough - Ive got the sound system recognised on about 50% of startups, but when it's recognised the audio jack seems stuck in optical mode ie red light on. Is this normal? I still have no startup chime though!