My Problem

We have 70 2012 MacBook Pros, currently used by three 5th grade classes, that were very slow and up for replacement. Rather than buying new devices, the kids decided to "restart" their devices by replacing the original hard drives with new solid state drives.

My Fix

It took a lot of planning (purchasing enough tools, training volunteers, and making sure instructions were accessible for 5th graders), but it went off without a hitch. In 1.5 hours students replaced 36 hard drives, and the remaining hard drives will be replaced during free periods by kids over the next few weeks. The best part of the project is they got to see how much waste they saved by replacing a component of a device rather than the whole device. I absolutely loved hearing kids debrief and talk about the differences between a hard drive and a SSD. They learned about repair, sustainability, and about a technology that not many people their age are familiar with (SSDs).

My Advice

It's a pretty simple repair that is possible even with children. The hardest thing is to keep them from going too fast, but given the success rate I'd say anyone could do this repair.

My Problem

I was getting 10 minutes of the spinning color wheel after every key stoke. The fine folks at the Apple said it could be because my mid-2009 mac was too old to run El Capitan and recommended I upgrade the HD and RAM since I can't afford a new computer.

My Fix

I am a complete tech novice and know very little to nothing about hardware and operating systems, but I followed the repair guide on the iFixit site and was able to install the new hardware (SSD HD and RAM) pretty easily. It was getting OS X onto the HD that was a challenge, but I persevered and now my trusty ole computer is back and I am once again a complete person!

My Advice

Download a copy of your latest operating system before you change out your HD.

My Problem

The fan on my Macbook Pro 13" (mid 2012) was making this grinding noise. I took it to the Geek Squad (Best Buy) and they told me that it could cost in excess of $500 to repair and advised me to buy another computer. It is important for me to note that they referred to my laptop as "Very Old," and told me the high cost was due to the cost of finding parts for the "Vintage" models. Yet, I reminded the gentleman that Best Buy STILL SELLS my laptop.

My Fix

With shipping and the tools I needed, my total cost was under $70.00. The fan alone was $39.99. I followed the very clear and simple directions and within minutes, my MBP was up and running....perfectly!

I can't thank you all at iFixit.com for all the help and for shipping the part to my hotel while I was on vacation.

My Advice

I am not a tech-y and one doesn't really have to be when fixing a part like this. Don't be afraid to attempt to fix something on your computer on your own, before paying hundreds of dollars. We live in a disposable world and I wasn't ready to get rid of my 2012 Macbook Pro, since it is lightly used and I love it. Also, just so everyone knows, if you are told your laptop is "done," there are sites that will buy it back. I was already getting estimates in the $400's for my laptop. I am so glad I didn't have to buy another one or foolishly sell this one for peanuts.

Lastly, don't mess with other torx screwdrivers if you have your own set. It's easier to just buy what is recommended here on this site. You don't want to strip the screws.

My Problem

Left fan runs / stops randomly, and makes big noise!

My Fix

Easy to replace within 10 min.

My Advice

To browse infixit instruction before fixing it. It is hopeful!

My Problem

The mini wasn't broken, but the stock hard drive was of the slow 5400 rpm variety, which made the computer itself very slow when running OS X 10.11. So I wanted to find out if I could replace its hard drive with a speedier SSD, and ifixit had the tools and instructions I needed.

My Fix

The repair went fine. The step-by-step instructions were complete and accurate. They took all the guesswork out of how to disassemble the unit to get to the drive bay. There was a little bit of work getting the new SSD to sit in the mount, but that's down to Apple not making it easy. Other than that, it was pretty straightforward. I swapped the drives, put the mini back together, turned it on and cloned the old drive to the new. The drive swap took about 30 minutes, and the cloning took about six hours.

My Advice

I might add one more step at the very end of the drive replacement instructions that shows removing the SATA adapter from the drive itself, which is needed for connecting the new SSD. But I knew about this detail from swapping out laptop drives in older PowerBooks, so that wasn't a mystery for me. Someone doing this task the first time might not know about this detail.

My Problem

Needed to upgrade the SSD drive

My Fix

Great - The iMac runs like it is brand new

My Advice

Pricing and Shipping were hassle-free

My Problem

the glass of screen was broken

My Fix

Its go very easy with your help

My Advice

No

My Problem

I had a broken clutch cover (the black plastic cover between the screen and the keyboard).

My Fix

The instructions were very helpful, but I had a few issues (see below). Very happy with the end result with the crack in the clutch cover now removed.

My Advice

STEP 11 - I had a stripped screw - Phillips head (first time this has happened) when removing the camera cable holder. I used a Drimmel power tool with small spinning disk to cut a single groove in the top of the screw. I then used a regular screw driver to remove the screw. I got lucky because I had enough room to use the spinning cutting disk.

My Problem

My Macbook one day wouldn't boot, giving the folder/question mark story. The only way I could get a full boot was by making my internal drive an external. That narrowed the problem to either the HDD cable or the motherboard, I optimistically ordered the cable and started praying.

My Fix

The replacement took less than 5 minutes and afterward my broken computer was once became my trusty Macbook and booted without issue.

My Advice

If my repair has taught me anything: keep digging until you've narrowed it down as much as possible and then start with the cheapest fix.

My Problem

Left fan on a MacBook Pro - was very noisy

My Fix

Perfect /easy - iFixit instructions were fantastic.

My Advice

Check the iFixit list before you just click on the tools they recommend - they should also recommend an anti-static wrist loop. Also use an egg box or daily/weekly pill dispenser to keep all the little screws as you go.