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

  • Author: iRobot
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Add Note x
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Upgrade or replace the SuperDrive (requires a slim drive).

Sections
Tools
Relevant parts
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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 three 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 two 2.8 mm Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch.

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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.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

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

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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).

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Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

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

  • Remove the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 11 — Optical Drive  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the orange SuperDrive ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary.

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Add Note Edit Step 12  ¶ 

  • Remove the following 4 screws:

    • Two 3.3 mm silver Phillips screws on either side of the SuperDrive.

    • One 4.7 mm silver T6 Torx screw from the top left corner of the drive

    • One 6.2 mm black Phillips screw at the top right corner of the drive.

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Add Note Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • Lift the optical drive up and out of the computer.

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Add Note Edit Step 14 — Optical Drive Replacement  ¶ 

  • If your new optical drive already has brackets on it, you'll only need to transfer the data cable to your new drive.

  • Remove the two silver Phillips screws securing the mounting bracket to the left side of the optical drive.

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Add Note Edit Step 15  ¶ 

  • Rotate the drive and disconnect the orange ribbon cable from the optical drive.

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Add Note Edit Step 16  ¶ 

  • Remove the two Phillips screws securing the mounting bracket to the rear of the optical drive.

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Add Note Edit Step 17  ¶ 

  • Rotate the drive and remove the single Phillips screw securing the mounting bracket to the right side of the optical drive.

  • If you purchased an optical drive without mounting brackets, simply transfer the three silver metal brackets and orange ribbon cable to your new optical drive.

  • If you have a CD or any other object jammed in your optical drive, we have an optical drive repair guide.

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.

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