MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Hard Drive Replacement

  • Author: iRobot
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Add Note x
  • x 201

You can install hard drives up to 9.5mm thick.

Sections
Tools
Relevant parts
first image

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.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 2 — RAM Shield  ¶ 

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

first image

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.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 4 — Upper Case  ¶ 

  • Remove the two 2.8 mm Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Remove the following 6 screws:

    • Two 10 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.

    • Four 14.5 mm Phillips screws along the hinge.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

first image

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 at the rear 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 (there are some hidden plastic clips that need to be clicked off).

first image

Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary.

  • Remove the upper case.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 11 — Hard Drive  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the orange hard drive ribbon cable from the logic board.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 12  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to carefully loosen the adhesive securing the sleep light and IR sensor connectors to the top of the hard drive.

  • The entire ribbon cable may be glued to the hard drive. In that case, just carefully pry it up bit by bit with a spudger.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • Remove the two T6 screws that are holding down the hard drive retaining bracket (on the right side of the drive).

  • Some machines may use Phillips screws.

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

first image

Add Note Edit Step 14  ¶ 

  • Lift up the hard drive with one hand and use your other hand to disconnect the hard drive cable.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 15 — Hard Drive Replacement  ¶ 

  • Remove the two silver T6 Torx screws and 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.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 16  ¶ 

  • Remove the two black T6 Torx screws and black rubber bumpers from the left side of the hard drive.

  • You'll need to transfer these screws and bumpers 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 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 device page.

Did you successfully follow this guide?

Notes Add Note Notes are offturn on