My Problem

Initially I though I was just upgrading to a larger, faster drive in my laptop... come to find out the old drive was failing and I didn't know it.

My Fix

The firewire 400 SATA laptop hard drive enclosure from iFixIt worked great with simple instructions on how to load and use the enclosure. The drive upgrade had a set back early on when the drive would not clone due to an unreadable/unwritable file on the old drive. The software I used, which was suggested by iFixIt (www.shirt-pocket.com) showed me the file causing the issue so I deleted it. The software also requested that I support the issue for review so I did that too. That morning I had a response back from the software publisher with the answer. (Amazing)!. Once the drive was cloned I used the iFixIt instruction set for drive replacement (specific to my MacBook Pro version) which was by far "The Best" tech instructions I have encountered. The upgrade was by far a success story!

My Advice

Make sure to get the correct instruction set for your specific machine before you start. iFixit has a great instruction resource! I had two machines so I was able to go back to the website for more info. Use a bin for your hardware (screws, etc..). I took a clear bin and made a grid using tape to seperate each step into areas for each step's hardware. I was able to put the machine back together in reverse order in a snap! Wouldn't have been able to do it without iFixit's great instructions & videos! I was so excited to fix the machine I forgot to take pics... next time!!!

My Problem

After eight or so years I ran out of hard drive space (who thought 70GB was too small way back then?). And dealing with the ethernet cable running through the floor from the basement was getting old - what's the point of a laptop if you can't use it on your lap top?

My Fix

The repair was pretty boring. Printed out the instructions, taped the screws to the appropriate photos, followed the instructions to the end and then moved to the other side of the table and followed them backwards (not really). Hit the power button and everything booted up the same - only faster and from further away (no ethernet cable). I also now have a nice, "new", 70GB external hard drive to back up another old computer.

The only concern now is what the heck am I going to do with 500GB? (I know, I know...)

No problems, no issues, no story. Sorry...

My Advice

Don't worry, be happy - upgrade now.

(One piece of info unrelated to ifixit: the new OS Lion won't run on the older Intel Core Duo - you need at least the Core 2 Duo.)

My Problem

Filled 120GB on my 2006 MacBook Pro

My Fix

Smooth as silk. Easy as pie. Never opened a computer before and you would have thought I was a pro.

My Advice

Follow the guides and you will have no problems