Mini HD died..

NickK · 13 Nov 2010 at 23:34

Think the mac mini'd HD has died. Attempted to access the machine over network and nothing.. switched on the TV an a blackscreen with a beach ball.

So I powered off and connected up the monitor and start up only to be met with the grey screen and no progress.

Console mode with the start up disc and the disc verification states it needs repair.. repair states it's beyond help and needs a reformat. Attempted target mode over firewire. Nothing.

Luckily that machine has very little of value stored on it and now I'm just attempting a reformat now and see if the drive is totally mullered.. and so far it's looking very mullered.

Not that this really has any impact on your lives

craptakular · 13 Nov 2010 at 23:36

Covered under warranty for a replacement?

d_brennen · 13 Nov 2010 at 23:40

2.5" drive I guess? At least the reasonable size ones aint too dear these days - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=14&subid=896&sortby=priceAsc

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-203-SE

NickK · 13 Nov 2010 at 23:51

Oxy said:
Covered under warranty for a replacement?

Yes. So there's no worry there. Basically it's cut and dried.. it's all stock, never been messed around with and the drive can read the identify (ie size etc) but no data.

Tempted to add an SSD to it, however my MBP is my main machine and it has one already. The mini is a server and was meant to cover if the MBP died (it's a nVidia bump-gate GPU one). So it'll get it's replacement and we'll go from there (although 8GB and an SSD is tempting but it wouldn't get enough use atm).

Rameses · 14 Nov 2010 at 11:34

May as well slap in a 500GB 7200rpm drive like I have, it made a great improvement overall!

PeterNem · 14 Nov 2010 at 12:19

For something a cheap as a HDD I think I'd ignore the warranty tbh and just stick a new large one in yourself.

PardonTheWait · 14 Nov 2010 at 12:21

PeterNem said:
For something a cheap as a HDD I think I'd ignore the warranty tbh and just stick a new large one in yourself.

Don't do it drunk like I did with one of mine and snap off your remote sensor!

It's dead easy when you're sober though.

craptakular · 14 Nov 2010 at 13:05

Any guides? I'm gonna be ordering a mini soon and am tempted to get one those hybrid seagate flash drive/mechanical ones.

Rameses · 14 Nov 2010 at 13:45

I used ifixit one

The only fiddly bit is the antennas, flicking them off the springs and moving them to one side. Take off Superdrive and then you can access the HDD.

I did nearly brown my pants when I accidentally pulled off one of the antennas but upon closer inspection they are tiny little gold plugs that you clip back on (should it happen to you).

I was done in 20 minutes, 5 minutes spent panicking about the antennas.