Introduction
iMac won't read disks? Use this guide to replace a non-functional optical drive.
What you need
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Tool used on this step:Heavy-Duty Suction Cups (Pair)$14.95
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Stick a suction cup near each of the two top corners of the glass panel.
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If your suction cups refuse to stick, try cleaning both the glass panel and the suction cup with a mild solvent.
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Gently lift the glass panel perpendicular to the face of the LCD enough to clear the steel mounting pins attached along the underside of the top edge of the glass panel.
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Pull the glass panel away from the lower edge of the iMac and carefully set it aside.
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Pull the vertical sync ribbon cable out of its socket on the LED driver board near the top left corner of your iMac.
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Rotate the display out of the outer case enough to disconnect the LED backlight power cable from the LED driver board.
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Squeeze the two display data cable connector arms together to unlock it from its socket on the logic board.
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Pull the display data cable connector away from its socket on the logic board.
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Carefully pull the display toward the top edge of your iMac and lift it out of the outer case, minding any cables that may get caught.
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Pull the optical drive thermal sensor connector straight away from its socket on the logic board.
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Lift the inner edge of the optical drive and maneuver its connector past the frame attached to the logic board.
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Carefully pull the optical drive off its mounting pins on the edge of the outer case to gain clearance for disconnecting the optical drive cable.
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Peel back the portion of aluminum tape highlighted in red, leaving the rest attached to the black plastic optical drive bracket.
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Rotate the optical drive bracket slightly away from the optical drive.
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Pull the optical drive bracket away from the open end of the optical drive, minding any tabs that may get caught.
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Use the tip of a spudger to peel back the piece of foam tape covering the optical drive thermal sensor.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully pry the thermal sensor up off the adhesive securing it to the optical drive.
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