Mac Mini - dead !

[lecoyte]

I have one of the original Mac mini's. The video is dead or pretty well.

It is a power PC.
It runs an 80GB 4200 rpm hard drive.
It has Bluetooth, Wireless, superdrive

I am thinking of canabalising this and making it into a windows pc.

Does anyone have any good ideas what to do ?

Thanks

[PrntRhd]

donate it to a charity.

[Erik]

Windows is designed around Intel technology (and its clones), and will not run on a PPC processor. If you really wanted to use it with another OS you would be limited to some Linux variants.

[lecoyte]

Actually what I meant was to to change the guts of the machine...

Change the processor & MOBO... but don't know if this is possible in this...

[Whyzman]

Is this the beast?

If so, I suspect that there would be problems with heat...

[Variable]

Mini's work fine, I havn't seen any heat issues. Replacing the motherboard should be possible, I've replaced the hard drives and memory in them but nothing else. Maybe you can find a fleebay replacement cheaper.

http://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.333/.f

[Whyzman]

Variable, the poster said that the desire was to perhaps change it into a PC... Tha's why I thought heat issues...

[Variable]

I guess it is up to what you mean by making it a pc. If you mean installing a MS OS that won't work, as Erik said. If you mean changing out the motherboard processor, etc, and then installing a MS OS. I doubt you can find a motherboard to fit. They are very tiny, 6.5" X 6.5". I have never seen a PC motherboard that small. In any case, I doubt the connectors would work from the apple devices to a PC motherboard. I would say it was an impossible task.

[lecoyte]

but.... they make an intel version right now.

I suppose that a better question might be this....

Can I buy a replacement core duo mobo and processor, cheaply.

Will they work with the wireless card and the Super drive ?

[Ajmukon]

Can I buy a replacement core duo mobo and processor, cheaply. yes, you can buy standard replacement parts for any computer- as long as the case is standard. the question should be: Will they FIT into the MAC mini? probably not as it is probably a proprietary designed motherboard.... you might be able to get the Intel motherboard for the MAC mini from apple.. but that might cost an arm and a leg...

Will they work with the wireless card and the Super drive ? i have no idea, but see above.

try asking this question on the MAC forums. I am sure someone has tried and figured out whether it is possible

[Variable]

Yes, that might work, if you like tinkering with the OS, I beleive there is a hack to install XP on a mini. The Intel mini's and the Power PC minis are the same size. A replacement motherboard and CPU may fit, but you may have to be creative, like not putting the cover back on. The link I gave you have everything you need to purchase.

Can I buy a replacement core duo mobo and processor, cheaply.
Define cheaply. You can buy a used mini for about $500. The motherboard and CPU come together, they Run $350+ and up. This is an Mac product made in China to be small and "affordable." It is not a DIY type unit, it is not worth spending the money IMHO to take a broken mini and upgrade it to be a sub par PC. It may surf the web and email fine. But don't plan on gaming much. Before you give up hope, take the cover off. It may be the solder is coming loose and you can fix it.

[lecoyte]

good idea.... thanks a bunch for these comments