Installing Apple TV 1st Generation Hard Drive Replacement

User-Contributed Guide

User-Contributed Guide

This guide is not managed by iFixit staff.

Replace the hard drive in your Apple TV 1st Generation.

  • Add Note x
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Replace the hard drive in your Apple TV 1st Generation.

Sections
Tools
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Lower Case  ¶ 

  • Flip the Apple TV over so that the bottom of the unit is facing up.

  • You need to remove the rubber base to get access to the screws.

  • Starting at one side of the device, use a hairdryer or a heat gun to soften the adhesive holding the rubber base in place.

  • The rubber base will be hot after heating, take extreme while proceeding.

  • While the adhesive is still warm, peel the bottom of the rubber base upwards to detach it from the metal plate.

  • Repeat the procedure described above until the rubber base has been completely removed.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Remove the four T10 Torx screws securing the lower case to the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Lift and remove the lower case from the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Carefully pull the hard drive data cable straight up from its socket on the logic board.

  • During reassembly, make sure the hard drive data cable is firmly seated in its socket on the logic board. Otherwise, during boot-up you will see a flashing question mark "?".

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Add Note Edit Step 5 — Hard Drive  ¶ 

  • Remove the four T8 Torx screws securing the hard drive to the lower case.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Peel and remove the hard drive up off the lower case.

  • The hard drive is held on to the lower case with mild adhesive.

  • Disconnect the hard drive data cable from its socket on the hard drive.

  • If you are replacing your hard drive, ensure to transfer the hard drive data cable to your new hard drive.

  • Hard drive remains.

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Add Note Edit Step 7 — Hard Drive Replacement  ¶ 

  • Align the new hard drive with the screw holes on the lower case.

  • While holding the hard drive in place, insert and tighten the screws back into the lower case.

  • Don't forget to reconnect the hard drive data cable to its socket on the logic board.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

For more information, check out the Apple TV 1st Generation device page.

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