MacBook/MacBook Pro 15" 8x SuperDrive

My Problem

I wanted to install Ubuntu on my 2006 MacBook (2,1) and run it side by side with Mac OS X, but my optical drive failed, so I could not get Ubuntu loaded.

My Fix

I ordered a new optical drive from ifixit.com as well as new battery (which has died long ago, but I never did anything about it). I also ordered an SSD drive, because well... who doesn't want a faster hard drive? The repair went very well, and ifixit's online guides were superb. But... because I was rushing through re-assembly to make dinner reservation, I ended up with three screws left over -- DOH!

Anyway, the new optical drive is just great, my MacBook now runs Ubuntu like a champ, and Mac OS X now runs faster than ever since I swapped out it's original hard drive for a peppy lil' SSD drive. Sweet!

My Advice

Never toss out an old laptop or pc when you can spruce it up for hundreds less than a new computer. While you're upgrading or repairing your machine, be sure to clean out any dust bunnies and anything else that may have been sucked up or crawled (an old larvae casing in my case - ick) into the machine via the cooling vents or fan. I cleaned the innards of my machine with an unused, soft toothbrush. Last but not least, allow yourself plenty of time to re-assembly everything while being constantly interrupted by your family who want to know what in the world you're doing ...and why. :-) Have fun, everyone!!!

My Problem

I had a CD stuck in my CD/DVD drive so I called Apple support and they talked me through all the remedies, none of which worked. So then I made a Genius Bar appointment and they got the CD out but then I had an awful, continuous noise (the sound of the drive trying to eject) and the drive no longer worked.

My Fix

I then did online research to no avail. Then I called MacMedics who I had paid $300 to only weeks before to replace my start-up disc (which was full) with a larger disc. They said the drive needed to be replaced and it would cost $300 more! I posted my plight on Facebook and a friend told me about ifixit.com. I looked up the part but it was very confusing to find the right part. Another friend mentioned Mac Business Solutions and I called them but they said that, since my computer was now considered "vintage" (over 5 years old) they wouldn't be able to get the part. I went back to ifixit and ordered what seemed to be the right part but then I couldn't complete the repair myself because I couldn't follow the instructions with my computer dismantled. I called Mac Business Solutions back and they said, if I had the part, they could install it for $75 which was only $20 more than it would have cost me to print out the guide to replace the part so I took it today and they replaced the part in half an hour and it works!!!!! Yay!!!!!

My Advice

The hardest part was finding the right part because they are referred to by different names by different sources. But it turns out, ifixit was right! So you can trust them. Another piece of advice is to have another device available to follow the guide while you make the repair. The guides can be very long and expensive to print out, depending on your printer, so it pays to have another device available to access the guide while you work.

My Problem

The DVD player in my wife's early 2008 MacBook Pro stopped playing DVD's reliably. We RV full-time, and her computer is her TV. She watches 4 to 6 DVD's a week, and a new computer wasn't an option. (A new Mac wouldn't have a DVD drive anyway!)

My Fix

Repair was pretty easy. I've worked on this model before, so I was familiar with the process. It's not hard, but you do want to go slow and keep track of all of the parts and little screws (lots of little screws)

My Advice

I set a piece of paper next to the laptop for all of the parts and screws, placing each one on the paper in the same location it came out of the computer. Makes it easier to make sure where everything goes when putting it back together.

My Problem

The SuperDrive would not accept a disk.

My Fix

The repair went very smoothly.

My Advice

Step 10 of the repair guide suggests you remove the ribbon cable attaching the SuperDrive connector to the logic board. I found this to be unnecessary. After removing the three screws holding the drive in place, I was able to lift the drive gently and slide it off the connector. Slipping the new one on the connector was just as easy. I try to avoid separating ribbon cables if I can avoid it.

My Problem

The superdrive on my MBP gave up the ghost a while ago and I went without it for a while. Eventually I decided I needed to do something about it and on a whim searched for replacement drives. I found iFixit and after a little reading decided to go for it.

My Fix

Easy to replace - but also very easy to lose the little screws that you remove from the computer.

My Advice

Keep a nice bowl handy to hold all of the loose screws while your in the thick of the replacement.

My Problem

I have a MacBook Pro that I have had for about 4 years, which for me is a record. It just won't die. And the pieces that do die, places likeifixit make it so easy to replace. My SuperDrive decided it would no longer read DVD's or DVD-DL's. Ordered one, and 10 minutes later the problem was solved! And it lives on...

My Fix

With the right tools, it was a 10 minute swap. Easy peasy!

My Advice

Not nearly as hard as you may think. If you're not familiar with taking a MacBook Pro apart, just follow the step by steps, be careful with the screws, and take your time.

My Problem

MacBook Core 2 Duo, 2Ghz, Black model, Late 2006, A1181.

Bluetooth not found, Heat on cpu-core up to 90 degrees Celsius, Fan got noisy and Dvd not accepting or ejecting disks.

I don't know ware the magic has gone. It's not here any more.

My Fix

After a "practice run" before I got my parts everything went smooth. Thanks to the different guides on iFixit all the repairs felt solid. UNTIL... I booted up my machine and everything worked great I thought. Time for the real TEST, the DVD Drive. It did not accept my disk! Something was blocking the entry. I finally got a disk inside by forcing it in there, not a god idea. The disk mounted on the desktop but now something was blocking it from ejecting. I let my mac and myself get some rest over the night and in the morning I opened the mac again to physically remove the disk from the drive. After reinserting the dvd drive and booting my mac it accepts and ejects disks properly. Now the Magic is back!!

My Advice

My advice is to not be scared by all the Magic hiding inside your device. By following the guides you are safe(er) than just going on your own.