MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Replacement

Step 1 Lower Case

• Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:
• Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.
• Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.
Step 2



• Wedge your fingers between the lower case and the vent, and lift upward to release the two clips holding the lower case to the upper case.
• During reassembly, carefully align the lower case and then press it firmly until both clips engage.
• Remove the lower case.
Step 3 Battery
• Whenever working near the logic board, it is always wise to first disconnect the battery to avoid short circuits.
• If present, grab the plastic tab attached to the battery connector and pull it toward the front edge of the device. For Late-2011 models the battery connector will not have a tab and is simply a plug that inserts straight down into the motherboard--to remove pry the plug straight up.
• If the plastic tab is missing, use a spudger to pry the connector up from its socket.
• Pull the tab parallel to the face of the logic board.
Step 4 Hard Drive
• Remove the two Phillips screws securing the hard drive bracket to the upper case.
• These screws are captive to the hard drive bracket.
Step 5
• Remove the hard drive bracket from the upper case.
Step 6
• Use the hard drive's pull tab to lift it out of the upper case.
• Don't try to completely remove the hard drive just yet! Its cable is still connected.
Step 7
• Pull the hard drive connector away from the body of the hard drive.
• Remove the hard drive from your MacBook Pro.
Step 8 Hard Drive
• Remove the four T6 Torx screws around the outer edge of the hard drive.
• If desired, peel off the plastic pull tab and transfer it to your new hard drive.
• 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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Andrew Bookholt

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