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MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement

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  1. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement, Battery: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery and lift the battery out of the computer.

    Before upgrading to a larger HD, you'll want to "clone" your original HD using the donation-ware program "Carbon Copy Cloner" (http://www.bombich.com/). Put the new HD in an external case; clone the original; test the clone (by starting up with it), then take apart the MacBook to put the new HD in the MacBook, and the original in the external case for use as a backup, etc. (You can't just drag the contents of the original HD to the new HD, and expect it to work; not since the days of OS 9 and before.)

    amiller770 - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    Can I put more than two gigabytes of RAM in?

    Noah Nsangou - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    mine has 2g*2=4 gb ram in. you should be fine

    on mac forum it suggested to put 4gb and a 2gb in a1261.

    david -

    I made the mistake of wanting to do a clean install of OS and start fresh after installing a SSD. Now I can't install most browsers on OSX Leopard. Does anyone know what is the most current version of OS I can put on this system? (disk or download) Can I get to Snow or Lion?

    2006 17" MackBook Pro Model#A1151

    2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo

    Memory: Two 1GB 667 MHz

    Hard Drive: Corsair Force GS: SSD 128GB

    scannon - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    You can install OS X 10.7 LION and no later version. Although LION runs ok with 2GB RAM it does help to get 1GB + 2GB = 3GB. Even if you install 2 X 4GB you will only utilize 3GB. Installing a SSD seems to make no difference since the SATA bus is only 1.5GB/s. A good 5400rpm disk is good enough. I even run BootCamp and Windows 7. Works fine. Not fast but fine. My A1212 refuses to die :-)

    asle -

    There seems to be some discrepancy about whether or not installing a SSD will help. See Phil's earlier comment from October 2015: there, *he* claims that having an SSD increases the load times significantly, (even though -- of course -- 1.5Gbps is not ideal)...

    His quotation, (re-)cited integrally:

    Just replaced my old HD with a Corsair Force LX SSD (which is SATA 1-3 compatible as required by this model) with success now my old 'outdated' laptop has super fast loading times and is postively flying faster than the speed of 'sound'. Thanks for the guide. Only problem I faced was replacing the top panel which after a few minutes of panic realised the rubber mounted Mic next to the left speaker had risen up when I had removed the top panel so after carefully pushing it back into place the panel fitted back how it should, so beware of this possible problem.

    Phil - 10/07/2015

    at0gjm -

    Bonjour j'ai besoin de cette bactérie que dois-je faire ?

    basile kouamé YAO - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  2. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement, RAM Shield: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the four identical Phillips 3.4 mm screws from the memory door. These screws have 4 mm diameter heads rather than the 3 mm heads on the body screws.

  3. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Lift the memory door up enough to get a grip on it, and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

  4. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement, Upper Case: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the three Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch. Apple was nice enough to tilt these screws at a slight angle to make them easier to remove. On the A1261 these screws have 4 mm diameter heads rather than the 3 mm heads on the body screws.

    One of the screws here wouldn't bite going back in. I'm 100% certain it's the same screw that came out of it but it wouldn't bite going back, neither would any of the other two in this section in that particular hole.

    Damon B - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    To Damon - possibly the thread on the bottom of the upper case is obstructed.

    I found that I needed to fight the latch magnet with the right-most screw in the photo. The screw was pulled away from the hole so a magnetized screwdriver was not enough to place it. I needed tweezers to hold the screw in place until it bit.

    Yishai Sered - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    No, these screws won’t bite going back in — struggled for an hour. Lost hope of success.

    Case screw holes perfectly lined-up, neatly closed body, screw threads/head are fine (Apple quality screws), perfect screwdriver.

    The left one is in, other two simply will not bite whatsoever. Slightly irritating eventually turned to madly infuriating. I have a similar, earlier model and that was smooth to replace these exact, slightly angled screws (so I have experience).

    Q: Are the centre and right-hand screws absolutely essential — or can I give up and leave them out?

    (By the time you read this, that’s what I’ll have done)(out of sheer frustration)

    Steve Arkwright - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  5. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the following six screws:

    • Two 14.5 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.

    • Four 3.4 mm Phillips screws along the hinge.

    Note for re-assembly: For the hinge use the longest four Phillips screws.

    R L - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    The Philips screws in Step 5 are longer than the other Philips screws. Would be better if the instructions differentiated them. Otherwise it is possible to use the wrong screws in Step 7 when reassembling.

    Alex - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    These instructions are actually wrong. The 14.5 mm screws are for along the hinge, the 2 on either side of the RAM slot are about 10 mm.

    Andrew Patterson - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  6. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the four 3.4 mm Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

    When reassembling, please be careful not to screw into the wrong spot. I accidentally screwed into the DVI port and it was hard to remove the screw after that. I had to disassemble the whole thing again, only to find that I couldn't remove the screw from within as it was encased. After much scraping and prodding with a sewing needle, I was able to get that screw out. Phew!

    isotope434 - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  7. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

    Screw on the right is shorter

    mikefal - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    What are these two screws called?

    ian - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  8. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

  9. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable.

    • Lift up the back of the case and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case.

    WOW this step is very hard!!! its a serious suction cup..

    nya - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    Once the upper case is free...Carefully tilt the upper case from the front towards the screen as their is a ribbon cable directly beneath the keyboard and trackpad that will need to be removed in the next step.

    Troy - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    Be very careful not to bend the screw tabs on the top case the perimeter screws attach to. Bending them causes them to quickly fatigue and potentially break off. When reassembling the top case, be sure the tabs are all *inside* the case before reseating it. If you get resistance, pull the case back up, check the tabs and reseat the top case again.

    Sheldon Carpenter - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  10. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board.

    • Remove the upper case.

    Disconnecting this cable is optional, if instead you tip up the top case ~75 degrees, propping it up with something non-metalic (wedged in or by the battery compartment). Unplugging a connector from the main circuit board always carries slight additional risk.

    amiller770 - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    It's not really necessary to disconnect the trackboard/keyboard ribbon cable. You can simply lean the upper case against the LCD.

    Russ Greene - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    how reconnect this cable?

    anatole - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    I did this with and without step 10 (removing the upper case with detached cable). Removing the cable is risk, putting it back on was not so easy. But then, leaning the keyboard part against the LCD while replacing the hard drive is also risky.

    tobybaier - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    After having successfully removed/reattached the ribbon cable several times while trying to revive this computer for back-up use the securing/release tabs on the connector broke. The connector then will not hold the cable properly and connecting fails. Tried various methods of propping the cable in the connector to get full contact but eventually all efforts failed, too. Result: essentially a dead motherboard as no replacement for the connector seems available. Sadly, not worth the extra effort to try further repairs.

    Steve colton - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  11. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Peel up the orange ribbon cable taped to the top of the hard drive. This cable is still connected to the hard drive, so you will only be able to lift up on the cable a little.

    HELP! The orange ribbon cable taped to the top of the hard drive came disconnected from the left side of the hard drive space. How do I reconnect it?

    Jillybeanz - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  12. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the two T6 Torx screws securing the hard drive retaining bracket to the lower case.

  13. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Lift the hard drive retaining bracket up and out of the computer.

  14. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:014crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Lift the hard drive by tilting it from the right hand side, then lift it gently out of the lower case.

    • If present, remove the piece of tape holding the hard drive connector in its socket on the hard drive.

    Tape is on the top and bottom of the HD.

    amiller770 - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    Note that the tape could be present on both sides of the drive...Be sure to check the underside of the drive as well.

    Troy - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    hah! After yanking on my SATA cable for a good 5 minutes, did I notice the tape on the bottom. Thanks,

    Bryan -

    Note that the tape could be present on both sides of the drive..Be sure to check the underside as well.

    Troy - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  15. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:015crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Disconnect the hard drive cable by pulling its connector away from the hard drive.

    On some models there is tape holding the connector onto the drive. You will need to carefully remove this before the connector can be detached.

    Paul Kroitor - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  16. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: crwdns2935265:016crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the two silver T6 Torx screws and white (or black) rubber bumpers from the right side of the hard drive.

    • You'll need to transfer these screws and bumpers to your new hard drive if you're changing drives. Make sure to put these on the right side of the drive when looking at the label with the SATA connector at the far end.

    Care should be taken to avoid squeezing the hard drive cover (especially in the area over the platters). It is best to only hold it edgewise and never as shown in the photos.

    Vernon Johnson - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  17. MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:017crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the two silver T6 Torx screws from the left side of the hard drive (the rubber bumpers remain in the case for the left side of the drive)

    • You'll need to transfer these screws to your new hard drive if you're changing drives.

    • If you are installing a new hard drive, we have an OS X install guide to get you up and running.

    HELP! My enclosure does Not just slip off or anything when i remove the 4 screws!!!!!!

    Brandon William - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    Its not supposed to. Just the screws and the bumper.

    Rohan -

    Don't forget, new drives need to have a partition created on them before it being recognized by the mac for OSX installation. Boot the installation CD and when it loads, select "Disk Utility" and create a new partition, then it will recognize and show the hard disk so you may select it for installation of OSX.

    theonlyexpert - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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iRobot

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1 crwdns2915208:0crwdne2915208:0

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On my A1212, all four rubber bumpers were attached to the hard drive.

michael leahy - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

While this is listed as moderate difficulty, I think it's on the easy side of moderate. If you're used to replacing PC parts, it won't be a problem. Worst problem is dealing with tiny screws with my big hands. I used SuperDuper to clone the drive before swapping.

glenthompson - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Actually, you can install hard drives up to 12mm thick

spsantos - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Actually the tools you only need are the T6-Torx and the Phillips screwdrivers. Everything else is optional for this operation. By the way: thank you, for the guidance! :)

azolee1848 - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Excellent guide. For anyone who's replaced PC parts before the job is a piece of cake. Tip: Use a muffin tin to put the screws from each step in a different muffin hole in order. Easy to reassemble. I used SuperDuper to clone the new drive.

Bill Carpenter - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Just replaced my old HD with a Corsair Force LX SSD (which is SATA 1-3 compatible as required by this model) with success now my old 'outdated' laptop has super fast loading times and is postively flying faster than the speed of 'sound'. Thanks for the guide. Only problem I faced was replacing the top panel which after a few minutes of panic realised the rubber mounted Mic next to the left speaker had risen up when I had removed the top panel so after carefully pushing it back into place the panel fitted back how it should, so beware of this possible problem.

Phil - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Rather than a HD, I installed a 240 GIG SSD. As I key this in, I'm installing Mavericks on this 2007 MBP's new SSD..

Your instructions were (as you must know) right on the mark. Your photos were accurate and easy to view. You helped make what I thought was going to be a bit of a tough job, very enjoyable and easy to accomplish. Thank you for positing the information. - Gary

Gary Lauterback - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Very good instructions. Thank you.

gerry duniec - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

This was very helpful to me as I upgraded to an SSD.

Pastor Jason - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

why would you use this laptop on a daily basis? its more than 10 years old! i bought one so i could have it in my macbook collection, not to use it everyday as my daily driver.

JCRGH - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

It could be used as a daily primary computersimply because it works and for what most people do at home, nothing else is really needed.

wrgalovich -

I have an audio interface from this era - 2008 - an Alesis IO-16 - which requires a Firewire connection and it also only works with the Mac Operating System Version from this era hence I need to get a MacBookPro from this era up and running.

Keith Oehme - May 2018

keoehme - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

I completely agree with Glenn Thompson.

Thanks to a very detailed instructions, I did it with no problem. I might take “with no problem” back, once I try to reinstall a new hard drive. But, so far, so good.

If you allow me, please pay attention to required tools. It’s listed at the beginning of those instructions. Cause I didn’t. Very important! Also remember to or take a notes where all these screws coming from :))

thanks a million!

Ivanka Savic - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Does anyone know where I can purchase the rubber bumpers?

conrad - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

•The first time my A1261 was taken apart someone else did it and we ended up with three clips, not knowing where they go. Since then I’ve taken it apart myself a few times and it looks like they are what the three 3.4mm phillips that go diagonally in the battery case screw into. However, if I try to do this, one of them obstructs the hard drive bracket. Any clues? Otherwise, I don’t know why those three screws need to come out. Seems like their function is to hold on the clips, not hold the case together.

•The four phillips on the bottom of the computer, near the hinge, are LONG. 14mm. In the instructions it says they are 3.4mm.

•I always end up with an extra TINY screw- approx. 2.5mm phillips. Does anyone know where this goes?

•It would help if the guide said that ALL of the screws on the sides and back are 3.4mm. It only mentions the length for the port side.

Mollie Dash - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Very helpful guide, but here are a few comments /suggestions.

a) If a T6 driver is unavailable, and you’re determined enough, you can use a 1/16” Allen wrench (as I did).

b) In Step 9, the first sentence should say “Lift up the back of the upper case…”, and explain what is meant by “the upper case” (i.e. “the panel containing the keyboard”, not the part with the display).

c) In Step 9 explain that the back edge of the “upper case” is held by two retainers that are able to “hinge” it upward, so it’s okay to gently force it to bend there if it’s stiff (at first I was terrified to do that). Also explain that the two screws on the rear of the computer tighten into these two retainers, and that the retainers must be bent back down perpendicular in order for the case to be reassembled.

d) If you have a clothespin or miniature Pony clamp (or two), Step 10 is totally unnecessary. Just clamp the “upper case” in position that allows the ribbon connector to stay connected.

e) Steps 16 and 17 can be done with pliers.

D Matthis - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Thank you!

I had a great time taking care of this procedure. My old MacBook Pro has a new SSD and now is faster.

Manuel - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Over the years I used this lovely guide numerous times. My dear MBP17 is getting an SSD today!

Thanks a lot for this guide!

yaneevt - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

I wonder what the maximum capacity of SSD this computer could possibly support? Such as 4TB?

Yongfan Men - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

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