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Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive

Introduction

There are many benefits to adding a second hard drive to your laptop such as improved speeds, greater storage space, and less heartache when installing new software. Use this guide to install one using our optical bay hard drive enclosure.

What you need

  1. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1

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

    • Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

    Edit

  2. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

    Edit

  3. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive, Battery: step 3, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    P6 Pentalobe Screwdriver 2009 15" MacBook Pro Battery
    $5.49
    Buy

    • Three Pentalobe screws secure the battery to the upper case. They can be removed with this special driver.

    • If you don't have a Pentalobe driver, a 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.

    Edit

  4. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two exposed five-point Pentalobe screws along the top edge of the battery.

    Edit

  5. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • 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 Pentalobe screw hidden underneath.

    Edit

  6. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 6, image 1 of 2 Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit

  7. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

    • If you're installing a new battery, you should calibrate it as soon as possible.

    Edit

  8. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive, Optical Drive: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

    Edit

  10. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

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  11. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 10, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  12. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 11, image 1 of 2 Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit

  13. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 12, image 1 of 2 Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit

  14. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 13, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  15. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 14, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  16. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 15, image 1 of 2 Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 15, image 2 of 2

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

    • When reassembling, be careful that the SATA cable doesn't get stuck underneath the logic board.

    Edit

  17. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Débranchez le connecteur du câble du lecteur optique de celui-ci.

    Edit

  18. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive, Optical Drive: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the optical drive cable by pulling it straight away from the optical drive.

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

    Edit

  19. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two black Phillips #0 screws securing the small metal mounting bracket. Transfer this bracket to your new optical drive or hard drive enclosure.

    Edit

  20. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive, Dual Hard Drive: step 19, image 1 of 2 Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive, Dual Hard Drive: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the plastic spacer from the optical bay hard drive enclosure by pressing in on one of the clips on either side and lifting it up and out of the enclosure.

    Edit

  21. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 20, image 1 of 3 Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 20, image 2 of 3 Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Make sure that the hard drive connectors are facing down before placing it into the enclosure.

    • Gently place the hard drive into the enclosure's hard drive slot.

    • While firmly holding the enclosure in place with one hand, use your other hand to press the hard drive into the enclosure connectors.

    Edit

  22. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 21, image 1 of 2 Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Once the hard drive is snug, reinsert the plastic spacer while holding the hard drive against the bottom of the enclosure.

    Edit

  23. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 22, image 1 of 2 Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Use two Phillips #1 screws to secure the drive to its enclosure.

    Edit

  24. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 23, image 1 of 1

    • Attach the optical drive bracket to the new enclosure with two Phillips #0 screws.

    • Reconnect any cables you have removed from the original optical drive onto the optical bay enclosure.

    Edit

  25. Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 24, image 1 of 3 Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 24, image 2 of 3 Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Dual Hard Drive: step 24, image 3 of 3

    • Don't ditch that drive! You can still use your optical drive externally with the help of our SATA Optical Drive USB Cable.

    • Align the cable's SATA connector with the drive's port and plug in securely.

    • Plug the USB connector into your laptop and your optical drive is ready for use.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

52 other people completed this guide.

Author

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Brittany McCrigler

Member since: 03/05/12

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1 Guide Comment

Well, actually a question.

Reading the parts list for this project, I find FOUR different drives -- 2 hybrid, 2 SSD -- that I will be installing. Is that correct, or have I misinterpreted something about these components?

Nicky - Reply

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