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iMac Intel 27" EMC 2390 Optical Drive Replacement

Brett Hartt and 2 other contributors

Last updated on Nov 12, 2015

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Difficult

Prerequisite Only This is a prerequisite-only guide! This guide is part of another procedure and isn’t meant to be used alone.

Introduction

Go to step 1 ↓

Internal Prereq for replacing the optical drive.

What you need

Tools

Heavy-Duty Suction Cups (Pair)
$16.95

4.9
Paper Clip
Affiliate link
Available for sale on Amazon

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Spudger
4.9
TR10 Torx Security Screwdriver
4.7
Tweezers
$4.99

4.9

1. Step 1 Glass Panel
  Tool used on this step:
  Heavy-Duty Suction Cups (Pair)
  $16.95
  
  Buy
  Stick a heavy-duty suction cup near each of the two top corners of the glass panel.
  
  To attach the suction cups, first position the suction cup with the movable handle parallel to the face of the glass panel (as indicated in the second picture).
  
  While lightly holding the suction cup against the glass, raise the movable handle until it is parallel with the other handle (as indicated by the third picture).
  
  If your suction cups refuse to stick, try cleaning both the glass panel and the suction cup with a damp soft, lint-free cloth. (Dampen with distilled water, and if needed, an equal ratio of distilled water and white vinegar for best results.)
  
  Do not use the suction cups to carry the display glass because if one of them fails to stick, you could drop the screen and break it.
  
  The original iMac box makes a good place to store the glass panel. Otherwise, a padded horizontal surface, like a towel on a desk, will do nicely.
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2. Step 2
  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.
  
  Pull the glass panel away from the lower edge of the iMac and carefully set it aside.
  
  Don't use the suction cups to carry the glass panel—if either one loses its grip, the panel could fall and break.
  
  After setting the glass panel down safely, be sure to release the suction cups, as the suction force over time can crack the glass.
  
  During reinstallation, be sure to meticulously clean the inside of the glass panel and the face of the LCD as any dust or fingerprints trapped inside will be annoyingly visible when the machine is turned on.
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1. Step 3 Display
  Remove the eight T10 Torx screws securing the LCD to the outer case.
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2. Step 4
  Carefully lay the iMac stand-side down on a flat surface.
  
  Due to tight tolerances, you will have to use a thin hooked tool to lift the display out of the outer case. As seen in the third picture, we made one out of a bent paperclip.
  
  Use a thin hooked tool to lift one side of the top edge of the display by its steel outer frame.
  
  After lifting the top edge of the display on one side, hold it out of the outer case while you use a hooked tool to lift the other side.
  
  Do not lift the top edge of the display out of the outer case too far, as several short ribbon cables still connect the two components.
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3. Step 5
  Using your fingers, carefully pull the vertical sync cable out of its socket on the LED driver board near the top left corner of your iMac.
  
  Be sure to pull the connector parallel to the LED driver board, straight out of its socket.
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5. Step 6
  Squeeze the two display data cable connector arms together to unlock it from its socket on the logic board.
  
  Pull the display data cable connector away from its socket on the logic board.
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6. Step 7
  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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7. Step 8
  Lift the display for enough clearance to disconnect the LCD thermal sensor cable connector from its socket on the logic board.
  
  If your fan is spinning full speed after completion, check this connection or the hard drive's thermal sensor cable.
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8. Step 9
  Carefully pull the display toward the top edge of your iMac and lift it out of the outer case.
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1. Step 10 Optical Drive
  Remove the four T10 Torx screws securing the optical drive to the outer case.
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2. Step 11
  Pull the optical drive thermal sensor connector straight away from its socket on the logic board.
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3. Step 12
  Insert a spudger between the optical drive connector and the optical drive.
  
  Twist the spudger to slightly separate the optical drive connector from the optical drive, then use your fingers to pull the connector away from the drive.
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4. Step 13
  Lift the left edge of the optical drive slightly and pull it away from the right side of the outer case.
  
  During reassembly, note that there are two holes in the optical drive face plate into which two stubby plastic posts must engage for proper positioning.
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