My Problem

My old PowerBook G4 had trickled down to Grandma. She quickly took to Mac OS X (was a former PC user) and was rolling along just fine until one day she told me "it wouldn't start". After checking it out in a little more detail, it became pretty obvious the drive was dead. Not "mostly dead". *Totally* dead. Miracle Max and a variety of disk repair utilities failed to revive the drive. It had gone to meet its maker and joined the choir invisible. So, I bought Grandma a new MacBook and was going to chuck or donate the poor PB4 when I thought, "Maybe I can fix this so my 5 yr old can beat on it instead of my late model MacBook Pro". iFixit was the immediate next stop.

My Fix

The iFixit web site easily directed me to the appropriate replacement hard drive options for my computer. I ordered a new 160 GB ATA WD drive and downloaded the instructions. When I finally sat down to do the repair, it took me less than 30 minutes...and that was while dealing with the 5 year old simultaneously. The pictures in the guide were spot on regarding every detail, even down to the various pieces of tape likely to be encountered and when to remove/replace them. The repair couldn't have gone any more smoothly.

My Advice

It's pretty rare that I sit down to take the time to comment on a web site, application or purchase. However, the iFixit web site and instructions made this so simple that I had to come back and leave a compliment. I had seen the web site before and been impressed with how thorough the guides appeared to be. Having now used one of the guides myself, I'm even more impressed. Save yourself some money. Use iFixit instead of your local repair shop.

My Problem

Failed Hard Drive - Machine would not boot from HD. I Purchaed the Hard Drive and the recommended Tool Set with prying tools and the Bit Drive Kit which I found all to be essentail! I could not have done the repair without them. THANK YOU ifixit!!!! - You have a life long customer!

My Fix

Seamlessly! Your detailed step by step instructions were invaluable! It would have taken me hours to figure out how to dissaasembly. Your notes and tips were exactely on mark. It made the reapir quick and easy, which bit size to use saved a ton of time. Even the notes on Eraseing the HD first before installing OS!

My Advice

Setting up double sided tape on a sheet of paper to hold the small screws was a life saver. I also labled Step number and parts location next to the screws - which made reassembly a breeze.

My Problem

The iBook in this story was passed down from my sister to my mother, then given to me since, as my mother says, it stopped working. After booting the device from a Disk Warrior disk, I determined the unit needed a new hard drive.

I spent a few months researching the cost and steps necessary for putting a new drive in the iBook and found the iFixit site. The process looked intimidating. I could see a few steps where I was sure I was going to damage things beyond repair, but decided to proceed all the same. What did I have to lose? I was enticed by the thought of having a working Mac laptop for the cost of a new hard drive.

I did briefly contemplate allowing the blue-themed big box technology store do the install, but decided against it when the clerk told me it would only take 30 minutes. I had seen the steps on iFixit. Not only did I not believe it could be done in 30 minutes, I didn't believe it could be done well in 30 minutes.

I ordered all my parts from iFixit, including a RAM upgrade, since I was going to have the iBook opened up already.

My Fix

I had a second laptop with the installation guide from iFixit opened for reference. I don't think I would have been able to do this task without it.

I made sticky notes for each step, on which I placed the screws removed during that step, set on a diagram of where the screws were located relative to the laptop. This helped me stay organized.

I somehow missed the note that I was going to need a T8 Torx tool and had to go out to Wal-Mart at 11:30 pm to purchase one. Of the two Torx sets I own, neither had a tool smaller than T10.

I did end up with one extra screw--one I missed in the replacement of the upper shield. I think the reference photo for this step was confusing for me. I also lost one of the springs from the battery compartment. I found it the next morning, but I'm not willing to re-open the iBook to install it.

My Advice

It takes more force than I thought to get the plastic case removed. This is anxiety-producing. I was sure I was going to crack it beyond use. I also stressed over damaging the connectors on the mother board, but they are not as fragile as I thought.

Use the spudger to push/pry and move things. It is a wonderful tool.

This is the most difficult computer repair/installation I have ever attempted and I am extremely happy that it was successful. I would not even have attempted it without iFixit.