24" iMac: installing a VESA mount adapter

[Force Flow]

It's not often I wander in to this part of the forum :p

I'm working on a 24" iMac in my office, and just got a VESA adapter from apple to put the iMac on a mounting arm.

While I was able to remove the iMac's stand easily enough thanks to the instructions, the actual hinge inside the iMac dropped back down. So, I can't seem to pull it back out to attach the VESA adapter flange.

What's the trick? I see lots of suggestions for this VESA adapter, but nothing about what to do when this happens.


Thanks :)

[Force Flow]

I revisited this project one last time before giving up and letting an Apple store handle it (they were going to fully disassemble the iMac--I didn't have the suction cup tools available to pry off the front plastic panel)

Anyway, by sheer chance, I found a spindle of waxed string. Why someone would have or need waxed string, I have no idea.

So, I cut two pieces about 2' long each, being careful not to fray the ends. I then stuck them through two screw holes, each about a quarter of the way from the ends.

I wrapped the pieces of string around my left hand, and used my right to press down the release lever with a screw driver (this also held the iMac on the table) and gave the strings a good, steady pull until the hinge snapped into place.

Note 1: The strings will dig into your bare hand pretty good. As silly as it sounds (and if you're concerned about it), I'd suggest a work glove.

Note 2: I attepted this earlier with insulated wire and regular ol' white string. Both stretched and snapped. The waxed white string was the only thing that was tough enough that wouldn't stretch and snap or dig into my hand too badly.

As an afterthough, 25lb fishing wire might also do the trick, although the pound rating is merely an educated guess on my part.