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MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement

Featured Guide

This guide has been found to be exceptionally cool by the iFixit staff.

Replace the hard drive in your MacBook Pro 17" Model A1151, A1212, A1229, or A1261.

Author: iRobot
Difficulty: Moderate

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x 290

You can install hard drives up to 9.5mm thick.

Sections

Battery 1 step
RAM Shield 2 steps
Upper Case 7 steps
Hard Drive 5 steps
Hard Drive Replacement 2 steps

Tools

Relevant Parts

500 GB 5400 RPM Western Digital SATA Hard Drive (New)

Relevant Parts (continued)

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Edit Step 1 — Battery ¶

Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery and lift the battery out of the computer.

Edit Step 2 — RAM Shield ¶

Remove the four identical Phillips screws from the memory door.

Edit Step 3 ¶

Lift the memory door up enough to get a grip on it, and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

Edit Step 4 — Upper Case ¶

Remove the three Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch. Apple was nice enough to tilt these screws at a slight angle to make them easier to remove.

Edit Step 5 ¶

Remove the following six screws:
- Two T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.
- Four Phillips screws along the hinge.

Edit Step 6 ¶

Remove the four Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

Edit Step 7 ¶

Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

Edit Step 8 ¶

Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

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Required Tools

Spudger

$2.95 · 50+ In stock

T6 Torx Screwdriver

$4.95 · 50+ In stock

Phillips #00 Screwdriver

$4.95 · 50+ In stock

Recommended Tools

Universal Drive Adaptor

$29.95 · 50+ In stock

iFixit Lock Pick Set

$29.95 · 27 In stock

Inspection Scope

$39.95 · 40 In stock

Frictionless Ratchet

$24.95 · 49 In stock

Portable Anti-Static Mat

$24.95 · 19 In stock

iFixit

MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261