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MBP replace superdrive with harddrive?

Reply by Wilhelmsson

Hi everyone!

My superdrive has stopped working, so i would like to replace it with a harddrive...

Has anyone here got any experience of doing such?

What kind of harddrive can I install?

When I look at the ifixit gudie for replacing the superdrive it looks like its in a "case", just like the harddrive, but which size is the "case"?

I would realy like some good tip!

Best regards // Wilhelmsson

Reply reply by Wilhelmsson

I forgot to tell you all that I have a MBP 15" 3,1 dual 2 core...

Reply reply by Sarabian

You would need the correct mod kit, or the ability to manufacture a mod kit for it.

Personally, I can't see crippling a laptop for a 2nd hard drive. It's your computer, tho.

Reply reply by Wilhelmsson

a mod kit? Where could i got one?

My superdrive is broken and a new one is to expensive for me!

Reply reply by fastroger

http://newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?main...

Reply reply by fastroger

+ http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SE-T084M-RSWD-External-Lightscribe/dp/B001ECBZ1G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=...-1

Reply reply by Wilhelmsson

thanks for the link fastroger! A much cheeper solution then I found i Sweden, were i live :)

I have a friend though that's on a trip in the US so he can bring one with him home :)

so thanks again !!

Reply reply by Wilhelmsson

Hi again, when I try to find out if the optical drive for my MBP 3,1 is SATA och PATA i could only find this info:

Linking: ATAPI

Revision of the Firmware: ZA0E

Does this make any sence to you guys? What should i buy?

thanks in advance

Reply reply by fastroger

i opened my mb2,1 to find out what i need. in the systeminfo (about this mac) for my mb2,1 it says PATA interface.

maybe you also need PATA to sata (if you want to build a sata harddrive in the opti bay) - but to be sure just open your mbp / backside of the cd-dvd drive and check it out.

the best thing is in this case the B VERSION because its only 9,5 mm high. i bought the normal 12,5mm version and have to remove the lid.

the transport took 6 days from usa to germany. no extra tax - no problems with duty.

one thing doesnt work => pata to sata => if my hibernate state is configured to "full sleep to hdd" ( image of ram is written to hdd - no power on standby) --- this doesnt work -- i have to use "sleep to ram"

Reply reply by fastroger

15 min work ... http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/MacBo...-Pro-15-Inch-Core-2-Duo-Model-A1211-Optical-Drive-Replacement/461/1

(looks like normal pata interface - so you ll need the = OBHD9-SATAB (9,5mm)

or OBHD-SATA (12,7mm) or OBHD-SATA (12,7mm) ==> !! => for this case you ll need to resize the high by yourself .... just remove, let the lid out.

Reply reply by Wilhelmsson

Thanks for the extensive help.

You were talking about problems with the sleep function, is this when you put the screen lid down ?

Okay, i think i'd rather buy the case completed, without having to fix and trix with the case to make it fit, so the 9,5 mm case is the one for me ? :)

If I now have a pata interface and through the case install a Sata 2,5" harddrive, am I going to have any other problems? other then the sleep problem you mentioned ?

I will try to get some free time this weekend to open up my MBP..

Thanks again Roger, I know I have a lot of questions but I love being on the safe side when it comes to computers :)

Reply reply by fastroger

no prob. you r welcome.

the 9,5mm should fit- for 99,9%

for 100,00 % sure => i can only speak for the tested,

my mb2,1 with 12,5mm (without lid) bay

(pata to sata bay => build in sata 160 wd black drive 70mb/sec performance) configuration.

-with this config ive got no performance loss, compared to the mentioned drive connected to the normal internal hdd sata connector.

---

if you put the screen lid down, the mb(p)x,y goes to sleep, thats right.

what hibernate mode you are actually using you can try out by checking the actual wake-up time.

if your wake up time (close the lid - wait a "minute" - open the lid) is under 5 seconds (or immediantly) you are using Suspend-to-RAM (default mb(p) state => so no config changes are needed, just good to know)

sleep problems with hibernate state 3. (suspend to HDD) // till now ive got no solution for this, but for me its not really a huge problem. im just using the normal(default) hibernate state 2 (suspend to ram--it just cost a little power, but its wake-up time its much faster that suspend-to-hdd, hstate 3)

hibernate state 2 (leopard default on my mb2,1) (suspend to RAM - cost little battery power) functions without probs. for more information about hibernate state (how to config it fast/fineTuning & more, with just really simple actions, youve to google for the words: leopard hibernatemode.

----

my personal test phase:

till now (4 weeks heavy use) i didnt find any other problems.

Reply reply by QEIIRepair

Mod Kits are available on many internet dealers such as www.amazon.com and www.ebay.com; but I wouldn't trust eBay with my money. Also, don't you think that a superdrive will be more use to you than a second hard drive. You should get an external hard drive and replace the internal superdrive. But I suppose if I can hold that point, I have to mention that you could buy an external superdrive on www.amazon.com too.

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