Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:

• Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.
• Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

Using both hands, lift the lower case near the vent to pop it off two clips securing it to the upper case.

Remove the lower case and set it aside.

Three special five-point Torx screws secure the battery to the upper case. They can be removed with this special driver.

If you don't have the special 5-point tool, a common 1.5 mm flathead screwdriver can be used in a pinch. Be sure the head of your flathead screwdriver fits snugly across two of the five "points" of the screw head before trying to break the screw free, as a loose fit will easily strip the screw head. If the head of your screwdriver fits too loosely, find a bigger bit and file it down until it fits snugly before proceeding.

You do not necessarily have to follow steps 3-7 to remove the battery in order to replace the hard drive. However it is recommended to remove all power sources from electronics before working on them.

Remove the two exposed five-point Torx security screws along the top edge of the battery.

Use the tip of a spudger to bend back the finger of the "Warning: Do not remove the battery" sticker while you remove the five-point Torx security screw hidden underneath.

Lift the battery by its plastic pull tab and slide it away from the long edge of the upper case.

Do not try to completely remove the battery just yet.

Tilt the battery back enough to access the battery cable connector.

Pull the battery cable connector away from its socket on the logic board and remove the battery from the upper case.

Apple sticks a small strip of clear plastic with adhesive applied to one side to the logic board behind the camera cable connector to keep it in its socket. When moving it out of the way, be sure not to break any surface-mount components off the logic board.

Hold the end of the cable retainer down with one finger while you use the tip of a spudger to slightly lift the other end and rotate it away from the camera cable connector.

Disconnect the camera cable by pulling the male end straight away from its socket.

Pull the connector parallel to the face of the logic board, not straight up.

Peel the camera cable off the adhesive securing it to the optical drive.

This step is only required if you have an anti-glare display. If you have a glossy display, skip this step.

Disconnect the Bluetooth cable by pulling the male end straight away from its socket.

Pull the connector parallel to the face of the logic board, not straight up.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the Bluetooth antenna cable from its socket on the board.

This step is only required if you have an anti-glare display.

Remove the two 8 mm Phillips screws securing the Bluetooth/camera cable retainer to the upper case.

One of the screws may remain captive in the Bluetooth/camera cable ground loop. If replacing the display, be sure to transfer this screw to the new unit.

Lift the Bluetooth board/cable retainer assembly out of the upper case.

Use a spudger to pry the optical drive connector straight up off the logic board.

Remove three 3.5 mm Phillips screws securing the optical drive to the upper case.

Lift the optical drive from its left edge and pull it out of the computer.