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

Featured Guide

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
  • Add Note x
  • x 290

You can install hard drives up to 9.5mm thick.

Sections
Tools
Relevant Parts
Relevant Parts (continued)
Image #1

Add Note 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.

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 2 — RAM Shield  ¶ 

  • Remove the four identical Phillips screws from the memory door.

Image #1

Add Note 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.

Image #1

Add Note 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.

Image #1

Add Note 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.

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

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

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

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

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

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

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable.

  • Lift up the back of the case and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case.

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board.

  • Remove the upper case.

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 11 — Hard Drive  ¶ 

  • Peel up the orange ribbon cable taped to the top of the hard drive. This cable is still connected to the hard drive, so you will only be able to lift up on the cable a little.

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 12  ¶ 

  • Remove the two T6 Torx screws securing the hard drive retaining bracket to the lower case.

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • Lift the hard drive retaining bracket up and out of the computer.

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 14  ¶ 

  • Lift the hard drive by tilting it from the right hand side, then lift it gently out of the lower case.

  • If present, remove the piece of tape holding the hard drive connector in its socket on the hard drive.

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 15  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the hard drive cable by pulling its connector away from the hard drive.

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 16 — Hard Drive Replacement  ¶ 

  • Remove the two silver T6 Torx screws and white (or black) rubber bumpers from the right side of the hard drive.

  • You'll need to transfer these screws and bumpers to your new hard drive if you're changing drives. Make sure to put these on the right side of the drive when looking at the label with the SATA connector at the far end.

Image #1

Add Note Edit Step 17  ¶ 

  • Remove the two silver T6 Torx screws from the left side of the hard drive (the rubber bumpers remain in the case for the left side of the drive)

  • You'll need to transfer these screws to your new hard drive if you're changing drives.

  • If you are installing a new hard drive, we have an OS X install guide to get you up and running.

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

For more information, check out the MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 device page.

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 · 15 In stock

Inspection Scope

$39.95 · 38 In stock

Frictionless Ratchet

$24.95 · 48 In stock

Portable Anti-Static Mat

$24.95 · 16 In stock

Popular Device Products

500 GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive (New)

$109.95 · 7 In stock

750 GB 7200 RPM Seagate SATA Hard Drive Upgrade Kit (New)

$149.95 · 31 In stock

Universal Drive Adaptor

$29.95 · 50+ In stock

Arctic Silver Thermal Paste

$8.95 · 50+ In stock

Arctic Silver ArctiClean

$7.95 · 13 In stock

Comments Add Note Comments are offturn on