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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement

What you need

  1. MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement, 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.

  2. MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement: 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.

  3. MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement, 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.

  4. MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the two exposed five-point Pentalobe screws along the top edge of the battery.

  5. MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement: 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.

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

  7. MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement: 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.

  8. MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 8, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Remove two Phillips screws securing the hard drive bracket to the upper case.

    • These screws are captive to the hard drive bracket.

    • Lift the the retaining bracket out of the upper case.

  9. MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Lift the hard drive by its pull tab and pull it out of the chassis, minding the cable attaching it to the computer.

  10. MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the hard drive cable by pulling its connector straight away from the hard drive.

  11. MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 11, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 11, image 2 of 2
    • Remove two T6 Torx screws from each side of the hard drive (four screws total).

    • 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 OS X install guide to get you up and running.

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