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 291

You can install hard drives up to 9.5mm thick.

Sections
Tools
Relevant Parts
Relevant Parts (continued)
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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.

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Add Note Edit Step 2 — RAM Shield  ¶ 

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

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

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

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

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Add Note 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 · 8 In stock

Phillips #00 Screwdriver

$4.95 · 50+ In stock

Related Products

500 GB 7200 RPM 2.5" Hard Drive

$99.95 · 32 In stock

MacBook Pro 17" (Model A1151) Hard Drive Bracket

$19.95 · 2 In stock

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