Mac Pro Internal SATA Bluray Drive Replacement (Early 2008)

Member-Contributed Guide

Member-Contributed Guide

An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.

Installation of an Internal SATA Blu-ray Drive, which involves installing a SATA Cable. This is due to the Mac Pro (Early 2008) Series only coming with the PATA 40 Pin Cable. "More Intrusive"

  • Author: Joshua Byrne
  • Time estimate: 30 minutes - 1 hour
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Installation of the optical drive is straightforward but does contain some difficult procedures. We highly recommend you thoroughly read this manual before beginning the installation to avoid any surprises along the way.

Edit Step 1 Internal SATA Bluray Drive (Early 2008)  ¶ 

Image 1/1:

Edit Step 1 Internal SATA Bluray Drive (Early 2008)  ¶ 

  • Before beginning make sure all power and external cables are removed from the Mac Pro.

Edit Step 2  ¶ 

Image 1/1:

Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Begin by removing the side door on the Mac Pro.

Edit Step 3  ¶ 

Image 1/1: Then, remove all 4 of the drive bays and set them aside.

Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Make sure that the locking latch on the back-right side of the Mac Pro is in the unlocked "Up" position

  • Then, remove all 4 of the drive bays and set them aside.

Edit Step 4  ¶ 

Image 1/2: Using a Phillips P0 screwdriver, loosen the PCI Express cover retaining plate and remove it.

Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Look inside the PCI Express Bay at the top right of the Mac Pro. You'll need to remove items from this location next.

  • Using a Phillips P0 screwdriver, loosen the PCI Express cover retaining plate and remove it.

    • There is a tab at the top that the metal plate latches into. You'll need to unscrew the 2 screws and slide the plate down out of the tab.

Edit Step 5  ¶ 

Image 1/1: 1) Release the small locking clip at the front of the card’s logic board connector by pushing the clip up toward the media shelf.

Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Warning: When removing or installing a card, handle it only by the edges. Do not touch its connectors or any of the components on the card. Lift the card straight out from the connector to remove it, and insert it straight into the connector to install it. Do not rock the card from side to side and don’t force the card into the slot.

  • 1) Release the small locking clip at the front of the card’s logic board connector by pushing the clip up toward the media shelf.

  • 2) Holding the card by the top corners, pull up the card and remove it from its expansion slot.

Edit Step 6  ¶ 

Image 1/3: Remove the second Phillips screw at the bottom front of the assembly.

Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Using a long-handled, magnetized #1 Phillips screwdriver, remove the screw at the top rear of the front fan assembly that mounts the assembly to the logic board.

  • Remove the second Phillips screw at the bottom front of the assembly.

Edit Step 7  ¶ 

Image 1/3: Place the fingers of one hand under the lip of the heatsink cover nearest the logic board. Lift the lip slightly toward the media shelf to release the tabs and magnets under the top face of the cover

Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Note: The heatsink cover is held in place by a number of tabs and magnets on the underside of the cover. You must release the tabs before you can remove the cover from the enclosure.

  • Place the fingers of one hand under the lip of the heatsink cover nearest the logic board. Lift the lip slightly toward the media shelf to release the tabs and magnets under the top face of the cover

  • With your fingers still under the cover’s bottom lip, lift the cover straight up to release the remaining tabs and magnets under the front face of the cover

  • Remove the cover from the enclosure.

Edit Step 8  ¶ 

Image 1/2: Replacement Note: Before re-installing the front fan assembly in the enclosure, make sure that the fan cables are routed correctly in the fan channel. This can also be slightly tricky so pay attention to the alignment of the connectors on the fan unit and logic board.

Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Remove the screws holding the fan enclosure in place. Mine had one at the top which screwed directly into the logic board, and another at the bottom (underneath the left yellow arrow on image 1). Place one hand on each end of the fan, lift straight up, and remove the fan from the enclosure.

  • Replacement Note: Before re-installing the front fan assembly in the enclosure, make sure that the fan cables are routed correctly in the fan channel. This can also be slightly tricky so pay attention to the alignment of the connectors on the fan unit and logic board.

Edit Step 9  ¶ 

Image 1/3: Pull the optical drive carrier part way out of the computer.

Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Make sure the latch on the back panel is up, so that the drives and carriers are unlocked.

  • Pull the optical drive carrier part way out of the computer.

  • Disconnect the power and ribbon cables from the optical drive(s) and remove the carrier.

Edit Step 10  ¶ 

Image 1/2: Insert the L shaped SATA cable into the top SATA port on the logic board.

Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Now that you have fully exposed the logic board, look for the 2 SATA ports, circled here.

  • Insert the L shaped SATA cable into the top SATA port on the logic board.

1 Edit Step 11  ¶ 

Image 1/2: Make sure you have the cable all the way tucked in behind the connector before proceeding. See the first graphic as an example.

1 Edit Step 11  ¶ 

  • Start routing the SATA cable that you have already attached to the logic board up through the corner of the optical bay, following the existing wires.

  • Make sure you have the cable all the way tucked in behind the connector before proceeding. See the first graphic as an example.

Edit Step 12  ¶ 

Image 1/1: Note: There are 4 screws provided by Apple already on the back side of the drive carrier. Remove and use them to fasten the drive to the carrier.

Edit Step 12  ¶ 

  • Insert your new SATA optical drive into the carrier in the empty lower bay.

  • Note: There are 4 screws provided by Apple already on the back side of the drive carrier. Remove and use them to fasten the drive to the carrier.

1 Edit Step 13  ¶ 

Image 1/1: Using your finger tips, pull the tray out about 2''

1 Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • Using a paper clip, insert the paper clip into the emergency eject hole, which will release the drive door 1/2''.

  • Using your finger tips, pull the tray out about 2''

  • Then in accordance with the optical drive design remove the drive plate door.

  • Note: When buying a optical drive, ensure that it is Mac Compatible. This will confirm that the drive door is removable.

Edit Step 14  ¶ 

Image 1/1:

Edit Step 14  ¶ 

  • Connect the power converter cable to the already provided secondary power connector.

Edit Step 15  ¶ 

Image 1/2: Note: Also connect the PATA and power cable to the other optical drive, if applicable.

Edit Step 15  ¶ 

  • Insert the SATA cable and the power cable in the new drive.

  • Note: Also connect the PATA and power cable to the other optical drive, if applicable.

Edit Step 16  ¶ 

Image 1/1: Warning: Carefully route the cabling so that it is not pinched or disconnected when fitting the carrier into the optical bay.

Edit Step 16  ¶ 

  • Set the optical drive assembly into the optical drive bay. There are two screws that line up onto a track in the bottom of the bay.

  • Warning: Carefully route the cabling so that it is not pinched or disconnected when fitting the carrier into the optical bay.

  • Fully insert so the drive assembly is flush with the bay.

  • New optical drive is installed. Reassemble Mac Pro.

Conclusion

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

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3 Comments

Just did this with my 2007 Mac Pro and the steps are the same.

I used straight SATA cables (since I had two lying around), which get bent a bit by the fan assembly. It should work ok if you're real careful with the assembly steps, but if you have a choice, get a SATA cable with an L-shaped end as shown in the guide.

jkempinger - Reply

Make sure you buy a cable that's long enough,

I'd suggest at least 70 cm or 1 meter!

rob - Reply

The optical drive design remove the drive plate door, where can you get a replacement plate that fix the MacPro?

taz - Reply