iMac Intel 20" EMC 2266 Teardown

Do you have any idea how many buses that these USB ports share? Also, what do you do with the machines you disassemble after you reassemble them?

I wonder if it's possible to add/create an aftermarket frame for the display to cover the screws and leave the matte screen exposed like the new 17" MBP?

One could make some dollars with such an idea.

all these gadgets are really good, i have the lot... now with apple updates i have lost the use of my battery, and now my bluetooth... so not to be a killjoy - is all this required to change the memory? i am hoping it is a negative...

what size screws are they. For the screw that covering the memory.

Can it be replaced with 8 GB Ram DDR III 1600

Beware that this screw is attached to the accessport, it is very easy to damage the screwhead.

Also, it is not necessary to remove this accessport, unless you want to replace the memory cards.

Why don't we sell these?

Hi im looking how to get an bondo suction cup in the philippines? or any suggestion where i buy it here in the philippines?

I would love to see the underside of the glass panel. Did they just glue the magnets to the glass, I would assume needing to add and glue these magnets would make an extra step instead of just adding tape the glass.

I love the suction cups. I think someone at ifixit must have done some time, those look like high quality thieving tools.

Quote from mrarteest:

I would love to see the underside of the glass panel.

I added a photo of the underside of the glass panel to this step. The magnets are all attached to the iMac's aluminum front bezel, not the glass. The back of the glass just has a metallic ring around the edge, as well as some alignment posts.

OK, I've got to ask: How did you figure out that you could pull the glass panel off like that? Is this a known construction technique, or did you get a hint from an insider?

I wonder if the use of magnets was purely aesthetic or because they'd like to be able to swap in different screen covers: a less glossy / privacy filter, for instance.

I'm a little confused. The glass on the front is held solely with magnets? Is that all that's preventing the glass from falling out? Seems like it would slide out accidentally at some point doesn't it?

Quote from grovberg:

I'm a little confused. The glass on the front is held solely with magnets? Is that all that's preventing the glass from falling out? Seems like it would slide out accidentally at some point doesn't it?

The glass on the front is held in place by magnets - no screws or adhesive. Of course the aluminum frame around the glass also supports the glass, and the gap tolerance between glass and frame is very small.

Quote from jerryl:

OK, I've got to ask: How did you figure out that you could pull the glass panel off like that? Is this a known construction technique, or did you get a hint from an insider?

It's not generally known, but it's not a huge secret either. There were no screws on the glass so that limited our options to either suction cups or a hammer :)

Suction cups won the roshambo, so we used them instead of the hammer :)

Quote from grovberg:

I'm a little confused. The glass on the front is held solely with magnets? Is that all that's preventing the glass from falling out? Seems like it would slide out accidentally at some point doesn't it?

Earlier this year, while shipping my faulty new iMac back to Apple, UPS must have dropped the (original) box pretty violently. Due to a screw-up (one of many) the box came back to me and I could hear the glass pieces rattling about in the box.

So, yes, it is possible for the glass to be dislodged. I suspect, though, that it would take some force - like dropping the iMac - to knock the glass off.

yup...the toilet plunger worked a treat :)

Hey I wonder if you could show the underside of the front bezel. I would like to see how they attached the magnets and how they built the bezel?

4 longer screws on bottom

Where can I buy replacement screws?

My microphone cable ripped at the plug (on the bezel side) do you sell this component? I was unplugging it and it just ripped apart.

I always wondered if you could utilize just the monitor of an iMac once the machine becomes obsolete. Maybe there is a way to connect to the LCD and plug it into a Mac mini?

Quote from arbath:

I always wondered if you could utilize just the monitor of an iMac once the machine becomes obsolete. Maybe there is a way to connect to the LCD and plug it into a Mac mini?

You can kinda-sorta do that if the computer still works using the prefpane teleport - it connects via VNC and relays all mousing and keypresses to the other computer. Save for network lag and and the fact that you cannot really move windows between the screen it works like a computer in extended desktop mode. Of course, it also means that the old computer has to run your apps - which has the benefit on the other hand that your main machine won't have to.

I suppose, 09/04 means "4th week of 2009", that's more likely.

Greets, Harry

Quote from HickUp:

I suppose, 09/04 means "4th week of 2009", that's more likely.

Greets, Harry

You're right, good point. I've updated the info on the guide. Thanks for your help.

Is this the same type of LCD as used in previous 20'' iMacs???

Just curious, but what processors and chipsets are in the new iMacs? Are they still using the core2duo mobile chip and the santa rosa chipset? How about the 24" models with better graphics?

Quote from HickUp:

I suppose, 09/04 means "4th week of 2009", that's more likely.

Greets, Harry

Dude, not to ruin your game,but it think is is made in the fourth month of 2004. These things are planned for the later generation computers along time before before it comes out for consumer sale. In this case it took Apple 4-5 years to remove the iMac to the masses.

Can I have more information about this new tft panel? It works at 8 bit? The first monitor series was very cheap, only 6 bit! :-(

Greets, Mauro

"The LCD panel is held in place with eight 11.8mm T9 Torx screws."

The 2006 model iMac LCDs were held in place with T10 Torx screws. Every model since then has had T8 Torx screws holding the LCD.

Is your T9 Torx driver very well worn, or was that entry really just a typo?

could you make a wallpaper of the 20" imac's guts like you did for the 27"?

Boy that is smart engineering... I wonder how important it really is to make the iMac so narrow. The area behind the screens is wasted space anyway. This computer is not a laptop or an iPhone. This is a dealbreaker for me.

I'm wondering what make and model is that HD?

Where does the cable for the SATA drive connect on the logic board. Is there room to attach a card to give us two SATA ports then run a cable out to a drive enclosure?

Quote from jprokos:

Where does the cable for the SATA drive connect on the logic board. Is there room to attach a card to give us two SATA ports then run a cable out to a drive enclosure?

The SATA power cable is integrated into the bundle of cables leading to the large black connector on the face of the logic board and the SATA data cable connects to the logic board above the left RAM slot, next to the IR sensor.

Doesn't AppleTV still use a PATA drive?

Quote from willhoyt:

Doesn't AppleTV still use a PATA drive?

Good call, I think you're right. I completely forgot about the AppleTV. We haven't opened one recently, but I'm pretty sure they're still using PATA drives in the AppleTV.

Quote from luke:

Good call, I think you're right. I completely forgot about the AppleTV. We haven't opened one recently, but I'm pretty sure they're still using PATA drives in the AppleTV.

Slightly off topic, but I'd love to see an AppleTV guide (hardware AND software) from you guys. I bought a 40gb apple tv about a year ago figuring I could just buy a new hard drive and install it myself. Then I started researching and found out that a. it was a PATA drive and b. required unix command line hacking to do the job. I'm sure your team could put together an easy to follow guide for it.

Now - I need to turn off my late 2008 MBP to replace the hard drive using your guide again - I'm going to a 500gb that I just bought to replace the 320 I put in there about 7 or 8 months ago... Great guides guys...

Quote from MXdaddy:

I am replacing my optical drive in my early 2008 iMAC desktop (already removed it thanks to your guide), but now am unsure of what replacement to order. How do I know if it is PATA, SATA or otherwise? Probably a dumb question for you guys, but I'm just learning. I know you should be able to tell by the connector. Any help?

The drive says: Model UJ-875 Super 875CA Manufactured: January 2008 Its a Panasonic

The optical drive, in my early 2008 24" Imac, is not grabbing discs anymore. I was wondering if you ever found the answer to your question. After some research, I found someone that had the same problem as me and changing out the cable was all that was needed. Does anyone know which cable I need to purchase? Thanks in advance, Shannon

I have the same problem i actually had a CD stuck inside my Imac early 2008 as well and brought it to the genius bar paid $85 dollar for them to take the drive apart and remove the CD from the drive. Now the control arm is stuck in the down position. The drive is constantly trying to read a CD that isn't there and is just making noise all the time. I really need to find out how to purchase a new one. Thanks to the new tear down pics i can do it myself instead of being without a computer for a week and paying $85.

Quote from scgoan:

The optical drive, in my early 2008 24" Imac, is not grabbing discs anymore. I was wondering if you ever found the answer to your question. After some research, I found someone that had the same problem as me and changing out the cable was all that was needed. Does anyone know which cable I need to purchase? Thanks in advance, Shannon

Has anyone had any luck replacing their optical/DVD super drive? After getting a CD stuck, the drive burned out. I've purchased a few drives, all of which didn't grab the CD and pull it in soon enough (I'd have to push the CD into the housing another quarter inch before it's gripped and sucked in).

I purchased a (supposedly) Apple-branded drive from eBay which has been working a little better. But now when I re-attach the screen and its screws, it sandwiches the optical drive, making a loud whirring sound, and too tight to actually get a CD in there.

So it works reasonably well if I could leave the screen off, but once on, no luck. I've tried multiple times and different ways, tightening screws, etc. I've searched and googled and can't find any help...!!!

HELP!!!??? Anyone experience this? Am I doing something wrong, forgetting a screw, something, anything?

Quote from KCSamerica:

Has anyone had any luck replacing their optical/DVD super drive? After getting a CD stuck, the drive burned out. I've purchased a few drives, all of which didn't grab the CD and pull it in soon enough (I'd have to push the CD into the housing another quarter inch before it's gripped and sucked in).

I purchased a (supposedly) Apple-branded drive from eBay which has been working a little better. But now when I re-attach the screen and its screws, it sandwiches the optical drive, making a loud whirring sound, and too tight to actually get a CD in there.

So it works reasonably well if I could leave the screen off, but once on, no luck. I've tried multiple times and different ways, tightening screws, etc. I've searched and googled and can't find any help...!!!

HELP!!!??? Anyone experience this? Am I doing something wrong, forgetting a screw, something, anything?

Hi,

I have just recently replaced the CD/DVD-Superdrive, and experienced the same problem.

Repeating the process, being very carefull when aligning the EFI-tape and the small EFI-"bumper", and the whole unit against the edges of the inside, I then got it right. Alignment with the alu-front is the key thing.

As I also have replaced the internal 320GB harddisc with an 1TB, I´m reasonably "experienced" with the repair process! (Strange that Apple are using so shortlived components?)

My advice is: Use magnetic Torc-screwdrivers, and be very carefull not loosing the small screws down in the case, particulary the screws that supports the data-connector to the LCD panel.

And, many thanks to iFixit for excellent informations and pictures that has saved costly repairs, and had the nice experience of fixing problems on my own!

Regards, Oivind Marman, Oslo, Norway.

i wonder why apple is not moving faster to LED screens? it would see with all these power supplies that you could have some serious space savings - assuming and LED screen has less power supply requirements.

it looks like it still uses an audio daughterboard, so the audio i/o isn't soldered to the logic board...correct?

Quote from invisiboninjo13:

it looks like it still uses an audio daughterboard, so the audio i/o isn't soldered to the logic board...correct?

Yes, that is correct. You can see the separate audio board pretty clearly in removing the right speaker.

The ugliest mac logic board in history in such a tuxedo of a Mac, what a shame. Would it not be more cost effective for them if they just put macbook/pro guts inside of this machine? Designing mother boards has got to be expensive. I mean if my 2006 macbook is 1 inch thick, and I were add it to the back of an LCD, I would be very happy with that. If they have to make brand new computers every 2 years they should consolidate boards.

Any info on the GPU for the 2.93 Ghz iMac and up? Are the higher GPUs (NVIDIA GeForce GT 120, 130, ATI Radeon 4850) swappable? Probably not but, I can wish can't I? :)

I know the old 20" iMacs had 6-bit twisted nematic film (TN) LCD screens and the 24" ones had superior in-plane switching (IPS) screens.

Is that still the case with the new versions, or are they using cheaper screens in the lower-priced 24" model?

Hey, the stand IS NOT that integrated, you jimmy in loss with a credit card and then pull it out to expose the screws, you use this process to VESA mount an iMac.

Quote from TyTy:

Hey, the stand IS NOT that integrated, you jimmy in loss with a credit card and then pull it out to expose the screws, you use this process to VESA mount an iMac.

I'm pretty sure there's no easy way to remove the stand on this 20" iMac. On the 24" iMac, the stand is easy to remove with the procedure you described. We haven't tried this particular product, but imacmount.com appears to offer a VESA mounting solution for iMacs that Apple does not support. I don't know if their existing kit will work with this new iMac, but it looks like it would.

How much time did it take you to disassemble this iMac? Of course you're stopping to photograph the steps but can you estimate how long it took? I want to upgrade the hard drive in my iMac 2.4Ghz 24".

Thanks for the terrific help.

Matt

Now, there is still quite a lot of shielding left on the inside of the case.

Is it possible to remove that foil (???), the fans and whatever else is still there?

So that one would be left with only the bare case and the stand with absolutely nothing attached to it.

I want to buy one and then anodize the entire case in deep black or maybe in oceanic blue :)

(Because it will have to match my anodized unibody MacBook Pro, you know :D )

Is it possible to put the logic board from the newest version of iMac into 24" iMac 2.8? I really want to run a dual display using the Apple LED monitor, but i have to way to connect it using the mini-dvi on my logic board. Any suggestions? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Quote from mrarteest:

The ugliest mac logic board in history in such a tuxedo of a Mac, what a shame. Would it not be more cost effective for them if they just put macbook/pro guts inside of this machine? Designing mother boards has got to be expensive. I mean if my 2006 macbook is 1 inch thick, and I were add it to the back of an LCD, I would be very happy with that. If they have to make brand new computers every 2 years they should consolidate boards.

Um.. try every 6 months

any idea what socket type it is? (judging by what's available on newegg, i'd say it's probably socket P)

that info could be useful to anyone who might want to upgrade to the nehalem/calpella chips this summer.

Info on the graphics card and CPU? Socketed or soldered to the motherboard?

Hmm, I'm curious about the square black chip in the bottom center of this pic. I first noticed it in the high res pic of the back of the logic board. Any idea what it is??

Also, surely you guys are kidding about the warranty sticker thing!! What's really keeping you from removing the heat sink?

the cpu is not soldered on to the board but the gpu is soldered onto board.

The education model emc 2266 which has a 2.0 ghz cpu is soldered to the motherboard.

Can the VESA Mount Adapter Kit mounted on the iMac 20" in an easier was?

Quote from Josephcsli:

Can the VESA Mount Adapter Kit be mounted on the iMac 20" in an easier way?

Do you guys have any plans to post a guide on how to remove the stand? I'm interested in hanging this guy on a wall in my kitchen.

Quote from uberwiess:

Do you guys have any plans to post a guide on how to remove the stand? I'm interested in hanging this guy on a wall in my kitchen.

Apple sells a kit for removing the stand and installing an adaptor for a VESA mount:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB902Z...

D'oh, that kit is for the 24" model, not the 20"! It actually doesn't look like Apple "officially" supports such a solution for the 20", so I guess iFixit will have to come to the rescue?

Quote from toejam07:

D'oh, that kit is for the 24" model, not the 20"! It actually doesn't look like Apple "officially" supports such a solution for the 20", so I guess iFixit will have to come to the rescue?

The way the chassis is built on the 20" model is completely different from the 24". You would actually need to have someone manufacture a 'foot' that would replace the the current one and just stick out of the back to be mounted to something. Not to forget that if you wanted to change out the foot, you're essentially gutting the whole machine down to the chassis and rear housing.

- B

Quote from uberwiess:

Do you guys have any plans to post a guide on how to remove the stand?

I've added a picture for removing the stand from this iMac. As SupermeBeing said, It's not good news for mounting. There doesn't appear to be any way to remove the stand except from the inside of the iMac, meaning you'd pretty much have to take everything out to remove the stand, as well as come up with a custom mount.

Quote from toejam07:

D'oh, that kit is for the 24" model, not the 20"! It actually doesn't look like Apple "officially" supports such a solution for the 20", so I guess iFixit will have to come to the rescue?

There's a more generic mounting bracket for both sizes at

http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9649G...