Apple TV 1st Generation Hard Drive Replacement

Step 1 Lower Case

• Flip the Apple TV over so that the bottom of the unit is facing up.
• You need to remove the rubber base to get access to the screws.
• Starting at one side of the device, use a hairdryer or a heat gun to soften the adhesive holding the rubber base in place.
• The rubber base will be hot after heating, take extreme caution while proceeding to avoid personal injury.
• While the adhesive is still warm, peel the bottom of the rubber base upwards to detach it from the metal plate.
• The rubber base can tear if the adhesive hasn't been softened enough.
• Repeat the procedure described above until the rubber base has been completely removed.
Step 2

• Remove the four T10 Torx screws that secure the lower case to the upper case.
Step 3
• Carefully lift the lower case from the upper case enough to allow access to the internals of the Apple TV.
• Be aware that the hard drive is physically attached to the lower case and that a ribbon cable runs from the drive to the logic board in the upper case.
Step 4
• Carefully pull the hard drive data cable straight up from its socket on the logic board.
• During reassembly, make sure the hard drive data cable is firmly seated in its socket on the logic board; otherwise, during boot-up you will see a flashing question mark "?".
Step 5 Hard Drive
• Remove the four T8 Torx screws securing the hard drive to the lower case.
Step 6
• Peel and remove the hard drive up off the lower case.
• The hard drive is held on to the lower case with mild adhesive.
• Disconnect the hard drive data cable from its socket on the hard drive.
• If you are replacing your hard drive, ensure to transfer the hard drive data cable to your new hard drive.
• Hard drive remains.
Step 7 Hard Drive
• Align the new hard drive with the screw holes on the lower case.
• While holding the hard drive in place, insert and tighten the screws back into the lower case.
• Don't forget to reconnect the hard drive data cable to its socket on the logic board.

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Walter Galan

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