 MacMini hdd Upgrade?

[JP]

I've been considering upgrading the 500Gb internal hdd on our MacMini and I've had a bit of a look around but I can't find any definitive answers to the questions I have.

I'm not sure which version of the MacMini we have so I'm hoping this gives the information that is needed:

• Model Identifier: Macmini2,1
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
• Processor Speed: 2 GHz
• Number Of Processors: 1
• Total Number Of Cores: 2
• L2 Cache: 4 MB
• Memory: 2 GB
• Bus Speed: 667 MHz

I was thinking originally of upgrading to a 1TB hdd but having looked at the prices I may as well go for a 2TB drive. Is my MacMini compatible with a hdd of that capacity?

If not, what size capacity I be able to use?

I've also got a 500GB external hdd which is approaching it's limit now that I've finally managed to all of our bazillion CDs onto it so that will need to be upgraded before this happens anyway.

I presume that when I have upgraded the external drive that I'll be able to get some software which will allow me to back up the internal drive and then copy everything back onto the replacement hdd?

In reference to external hard drives, is there a limit on capacity? I imagine that a 1TB drive would be plenty as buying another 500GBs of CDs is a long way off and I'll probably have replaced the whole thing by then.

While looking into this I've also been thinking about possibly upgrading the RAM at the same time as it's so cheap. Although I have 2GB and there's space to fit another 2GB I vaguely remember reading when I first bought this that for some reason I'll only have access to 3GBs in total?

The RAM is definitely a secondary upgrade though and I'm more interested in the hdd upgrade.

I know there are loads of guides out there to help people with these things but has anybody on here upgraded a Mini themselves?

I need to sort myself out a Time Machine drive as I was using an old 250GB drive when I first bought it but that ran out of space fairly quickly. I can't imagine that there's any real reason to be considering the official Time Capsule rather than a third part drive?

I'll probably have loads more questions as I progress with this but thanks in advance for any advice.

[smouty]

I think the minis use a laptop HDD so 750Mb or 1Tb is probably the max.
An external NAS my be an option.

I have upgraded one and they are twats to open.

[Ginger Tosser]

I've done memory upgrades on 4 of the older minis, you do find it gets much easier.

HDD I've not bothered with as I tend to store more externally. That said the older mini is probably easier to upgrade the HDD, although the initial struggle is to open the case.

Watch out for the HDD temperature sensor, and the little sensor cable at the front of the mini.

[Brad]

When I opened my Mac Mini I severed the 'sudden drop' sensor cable. If you're gonna sever a cable that's the best one to do I guess!

[JP]

I've done memory upgrades on 4 of the older minis, you do find it gets much easier.

Thanks.

Am I right in thinking that my best option is to buy a second 2GB module even though I'll only have access to 3GB of the 4GB that I'll have installed? Do you recommend any particular memory that I should be buying as I nothing about this stuff?

I think the minis use a laptop HDD so 750Mb or 1Tb is probably the max.

Can anybody confirm which of these figures are correct?

[Brad]

No reason you won't be able to access 4GB mate. Assuming you're running a 64 bit OS of course e.g. Snow Leopard
I recommend Crucial.

[JP]

I have no idea why it wouldn't to be honest but from what I'd before it seems to be that way.

I've just found this shop who answer some of the questions that I've been asking and they're stating that it's a matter of installing 4GB but accessing 3GBs and also that 750GB is the max hdd capacity.


I can't see any mention of the OS version but I presume that they mean the latest version.

I am running the latest version of Snow Leopard but when I check the System Profiler I get this:
64-bit Kernel and Extensions: No

I'm not sure if it's supposed to support it or not?

[Brad]

It's not supposed to support 64 bit kernel mode. My macbook doesn't but it still runs apps in 64 bit mode and they can still address all 4 gigs of RAM. That website is wrong I'm pretty sure. They've made some assumptions it seems.

[Vince]

I upgraded the HDD in mine the other week, it wasn't too hard. As they only use 2.5 inch drives I think the biggest you can get is around 750GB, although that will be quite pricey. I went for a 500gb 7200rpm in mine.

As far as the upgrade process goes its pretty easy. You put your new drive in a caddy, plug it in via usb and then use something like SuperDuper! to clone your primary hard drive. This takes quite a while but when done you take your mini apart, replace the drive with the new one and it should just boot up. You can find plenty of walkthroughs on the web, its not a hard job.

On the RAM i've not upgraded mine, but Cruicial seem to think the max is 2GB and various forums think you can put in 3GB, ie 1 stick of 1GB and 1 of 2GB. Not really sure on the reason why though.

[Brad]

Crucial have an analyser for the mac now. Download it and it'll tell you what you have in there and what you can put in there.

SECOND IMPACT: If your mac mini is really old then Crucial may say that you can only put 2 x 1GB in there. In this scenario there are rumors that if you put 2 x 1GB in there then you can in fact access 3GB. However, John's Mini sounds more recent and if the Crucial anayser says it can take 2 x 2gb then you'll get the full 4gb usable.

THIRD STRIKE: Read John's initial post properly. I think this original thoughts are correct. Firmware limitation mean it will only see 3.3gb of the 4gb. Worht putting 2 x 2gb sticks in though to get the dual channel performance post over a 1x2gb and 1x1gb configuration.