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Place the MacBook Pro on a clean and smooth surface
We’ll need:
√ a Torx #6 screwdriver
√ Philips #0 (or #00) screwdriver
√ a S-ATA o S-ATA2 2.5" Hard drive
This guide is related to the 15" MacBook Pro. 17" models could be slightly different.
Remove the battery
Put the MacBook Pro bottom up, act on both battery locks at the same time to remove the battery.
Open RAM bay
Using the Philips screwdriver remove the 3 screws locking the RAM bay. The screws are highlighted in yellow in the picture.
Open RAM bay
Move the cover by 30 degrees, then slide it away.
Remove Torx screws in RAM bay
The two Torx screws are highlighted in yellow.
Remove screws in battery bay
On the opposite side of RAM bay we can find, in the Battery bay, two screws that we are going to remove.
Beware of magnet on the right side if battery bay, it could trap the screw.
Remove the latest screws on the bottom
Close to the the hinge we’ll find the latest four screws to be removed on the bottom (highlighted in yellow).
Store carefully the screws
Screws are not all the same. It would be safer to store them in a kind-of “map” representing the position they actually belong.
Remove the screws on the side
Turn the MacBook Pro, on the right side (DVI side) we’ll remove the four screws highlighted in yellow in the picture.
Remove the screws on the side
Repeat the operation on the left side (power supply).
While removing the screw close to the “Mag-safe” bay be careful: its magnet could trap the screw, and it could be unpleasant to get it back.
Remove the screws on the side
The latest side screws are located on the back, beside the hinge.
These screws are sightly different from the other 8 we've removed on the two sides.
Remove the screws on the side
Once more we’ll store the removed screws in a kind-of map, representing the original position they actually are from.
Remove upper panel (keyboard)
The right tool for this task is supposed to be the famous “black-stik”, the nylon tool designed for that kind of hooks.
In this case the point of your fingers can be an excellent replacement, even more effective.
Remove upper panel (keyboard)
Once freed the hooks on the top slightly move the panel up.
Remove upper panel (keyboard)
By moving up and down the panel, let’s free (with a noisy “clack!”) the hooks on the bottom side of the keyboard panel.
Remove upper panel (keyboard)
Keyboard panel is now mechanically free, the only keyboard flat keeps it linked to the motherboard.
Remove upper panel (keyboard)
Remove keyboard flat connector.
The hard drive is finally exposed
Replace the drive
We have to remove two screws (highlighted in yellow).
It isn’t necessary to unplug any cable.
Replace the drive
Remove also the metal bar below the screws.
Replace the drive
Detach the flat on the upper surface of the drive.
Replace the drive
Move away the drive by sliding it on the side.
Replace the drive
Unplug power and data connector.
Replace the drive
By using the Torx #6 move the side gummy screws from the old drive to the new one.
Replace the drive
On the upper surface of the drive there is a thermal tape we will detach very carefully, as we’re going to reuse it.
Below the tape there is a kind-of thin and large “coin”, bundled to the drive by glue or bi-adhesive tape.
In order to detach it we could use a blade as a lever.
Replace the drive
Transfer both the “coin” and the tape on the new drive, in the same location of the old one.
Replace the drive
Plug-in the drive, and put it in place.
Close the MacBook Pro
We start closing the case, by reversing the opening sequence.
Close the MacBook Pro
Before placing the keyboard panel we’ll verify that its hooks have a 90° angle, because probably we’ve lightly changed their shape while opening the panel.
Close the MacBook Pro
Plug-in back the keyboard connector, ensure it’s well connected.
Close the MacBook Pro
Despite the opening sequence, the upper panel should be hooked by keeping it parallel to the bottom case.
Close the MacBook Pro
Above the optical unit there are no screws locking the case, only the hooks will keep it closed.
These hooks require a good pression with fingers, press your fingers on the side with decision.
Close the MacBook Pro
Verify that the pression was sufficient, the case should be carefully locked above the optical unit.
Close the MacBook Pro
Beware of DVI holes, they aren’t for our screws!
Press down on the keyboard panel while screwing, this will keep the case closed.
Close the MacBook Pro
Also on the other side, press down on the keyboard panel while putting bak the screw.
Close the MacBook Pro
Finally, in the battery bay, keep closed the case wile locking the screws.
© and Credits
All material used is orginal and specifically produced for faqintosh.com - Credits:
⌘ Tampano (operator)
⌘ Marco Balestra (pictures, author)
© 2008 by faqintosh.com
