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

Replace the hard drive in your MacBook Pro 17" Model A1151, A1212, A1229, or A1261.

http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/QqcX3G3OPcQYgV45 iRobot Moderate MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261

You can install hard drives up to 9.5mm thick.

Relevant parts

Tools

Phillips 00 Screwdriver Spudger T6 Torx Screwdriver 500 GB 5400 RPM Western Digital SATA Hard Drive (New) 500 GB 7200 RPM Seagate SATA Hard Drive (New) 750 GB 7200 RPM Seagate SATA Hard Drive (New) MacBook Pro 17" (Model A1151) Hard Drive Bracket MacBook Pro 17" (Models A1212/A1229/A1261) Hard Drive Bracket Universal Drive Adapter This guide has been found to be exceptionally cool by the iFixit staff. Installing MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Battery Installing MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 RAM Shield Installing MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Upper Case Installing MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery and lift the battery out of the computer. Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery and lift the battery out of the computer. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/inpTqi3kC2oEILvL Remove the four identical Phillips screws from the memory door. Remove the four identical Phillips screws from the memory door. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/HsUpwplSeoYxfAZT Lift the memory door up enough to get a grip on it, and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing. Lift the memory door up enough to get a grip on it, and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/1k2Wi6HlKV5VrdgH 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. 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. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/WKwoXwvApSbynKjr Remove the following six screws: Remove the following six screws: Two T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot. Two T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot. Four Phillips screws along the hinge. Four Phillips screws along the hinge. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/YAspW4EEkCJRDsKl Remove the four Phillips screws on the port side of the computer. Remove the four Phillips screws on the port side of the computer. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/23e4TihsxnA3YS1D Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two Phillips screws from the rear of the computer. Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two Phillips screws from the rear of the computer. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Dq4YYMmEB13YHvA2 Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four Phillips screws from the side of the computer. Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four Phillips screws from the side of the computer. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/rrRpmdNyglq1mYXy Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable. 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. 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. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/VlILCxOuvQBBOu6Z Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board. Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board. Remove the upper case. Remove the upper case. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/CKcJBnPVxu3JFxFu 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. 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. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/DRnUGWXsxBE3Hkjt Remove the two T6 Torx screws securing the hard drive retaining bracket to the lower case. Remove the two T6 Torx screws securing the hard drive retaining bracket to the lower case. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/iogeTpbBTgFxXQHS Lift the hard drive retaining bracket up and out of the computer. Lift the hard drive retaining bracket up and out of the computer. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/HI2KLxRkEQMv3s6Z Lift the hard drive by tilting it from the right hand side, then lift it gently out of the lower case. 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. If present, remove the piece of tape holding the hard drive connector in its socket on the hard drive. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/UdxtoX4gdtoAl1P2 Disconnect the hard drive cable by pulling its connector away from the hard drive. Disconnect the hard drive cable by pulling its connector away from the hard drive. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/C2uKoKtsqVptgmFL Remove the two silver T6 Torx screws and white (or black) rubber bumpers from the right side of the hard drive. 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. 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. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/QqcX3G3OPcQYgV45 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) 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. 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 <a href="/Guide/Installing+Mac+OS+X+v10.5+Leopard/751/1">OS X install guide</a> to get you up and running. If you are installing a new hard drive, we have an [guide|751|OS X install guide] to get you up and running. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/boKPEQnYtU2dOdXD

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