MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Hard Drive Replacement

http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/6K1ntK2gQvPdI5nU Walter Galan Moderate MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260

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) Universal Drive Adapter Installing MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Battery Installing MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 RAM Shield Installing MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Upper Case Installing MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 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/ZQqBWIySQis4ltko http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/C4RnZqHVqTkn6ffp Remove the three identical 2mm Phillips screws from the memory door. Remove the three identical 2mm Phillips screws from the memory door. Lift the memory door up enough to grip it and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing. Lift the memory door up enough to grip it and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/EuQlcUFSESCHorVd http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/LTvjTmlQXoyxYkcT Remove the two 2.8 mm Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch. Remove the two 2.8 mm Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/eYmRONYxf6P2eRSC Remove the following 6 screws: Remove the following 6 screws: Two 10 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot. Two 10 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot. Four 14.5 mm Phillips screws along the hinge. Four 14.5 mm Phillips screws along the hinge. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/eUcl2TLR3vThlE3c Remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws on the port side of the computer. Remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws on the port side of the computer. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/rMgJwjPUQZcy4ZKu Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the rear of the computer. Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the rear of the computer. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/ifA1gAROgltFGDnA Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the side of the computer. Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the side of the computer. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/X1urA1P64oVIAPdr 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 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. 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 four plastic clips above the DVD slot, and another above and to the left of the IR sensor. These clips can be very difficult to disengage without prying. They can also be difficult to re-engage during reassembly. There are four plastic clips above the DVD slot, and another above and to the left of the IR sensor. These clips can be very difficult to disengage without prying. They can also be difficult to re-engage during reassembly. Reassembly Tip: Press down firmly on the tip of the top case above the location of each clip until you hear a snap to reseat them in their slots. '''Reassembly Tip:''' Press down firmly on the tip of the top case above the location of each clip until you hear a ''snap'' to reseat them in their slots. Reassembly Tip: The two center DVD clips will rarely snap back into place properly without help, and downward pressure will instead simply deform the frame around the DVD slot. Support the frame by inserting a plastic spudger into the DVD slot directly under the clip location until it is snug, then press down until you hear the snap. '''Reassembly Tip:''' The two center DVD clips will rarely snap back into place properly without help, and downward pressure will instead simply deform the frame around the DVD slot. Support the frame by inserting a plastic spudger into the DVD slot directly under the clip location until it is snug, then press down until you hear the ''snap''. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/AWVpQDJmt36GHxMS http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/eH3s2DbqQ2suOdTx http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Y4T4QJ2YCbSIMVcc Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary. Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary. Note: It is possible to replace the hard drive without disconnecting the keyboard from the chassis, but it will need to be held upright to keep it out of the way, while still allowing you both hands to work on the drive removal. Be careful when removing the keyboard-trackpad ribbon cable to ensure that the rear of the upper case is disengaged from the area near the hinge. It is easy to accidentally bend the screw receivers on either side of the keyboard. Note: It is possible to replace the hard drive without disconnecting the keyboard from the chassis, but it will need to be held upright to keep it out of the way, while still allowing you both hands to work on the drive removal. Be careful when removing the keyboard-trackpad ribbon cable to ensure that the rear of the upper case is disengaged from the area near the hinge. It is easy to accidentally bend the screw receivers on either side of the keyboard. Remove the upper case. Remove the upper case. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/CRBYPZtYRqpWYY4O http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/vDejGGqTqMEthQWW Disconnect the orange hard drive ribbon cable from the logic board. Disconnect the orange hard drive ribbon cable from the logic board. Remove tape as necessary and use a spudger (or carefully push a credit card under the tape) to carefully loosen the adhesive securing the sleep light and IR sensor connectors to the top of the hard drive. Remove tape as necessary and use a spudger (or carefully push a credit card under the tape) to carefully loosen the adhesive securing the sleep light and IR sensor connectors to the top of the hard drive. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/DCYjANWiRMCLfrEk http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/H5LKLrtBIIeAXMZn Remove the two 8.2 mm T6 Torx screws securing the hard drive retaining bracket to the lower case. Remove the two 8.2 mm T6 Torx screws securing the hard drive retaining bracket to the lower case. Use a spudger if the hard drive ribbon cable is firmly glued to the top of the drive. You might have to work slowly in order to not damage it. Use a spudger if the hard drive ribbon cable is firmly glued to the top of the drive. You might have to work slowly in order to not damage it. Lift the hard drive retaining bracket up and out of the computer. Lift the hard drive retaining bracket up and out of the computer. Lift up the hard drive with one hand and use your other hand to disconnect the hard drive cable. Lift up the hard drive with one hand and use your other hand to disconnect the hard drive cable. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/fjB2Yc61XxReTnxZ http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/emKnPuqpqLfKwZk6 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/ZgBgHSMZYxTV6eqA Remove the two silver T6 6 mm Torx screws from the left side of the hard drive. Remove the two silver T6 6 mm Torx screws from the left side of the hard 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. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/6K1ntK2gQvPdI5nU Remove the two black T6 Torx screws and white rubber bumpers from the right side of the hard drive. Remove the two black T6 Torx screws and white 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. 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 <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/BJPRvqWd51YgNrHo

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