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eMac Hard Drive Replacement

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  1. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Door Removal: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Door Removal: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Door Removal: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • It should be noted that these guides are written based on a late-model eMac (2005, 1.42GHz, DDR). They will differ slightly from the older model eMacs that use PC-133 RAM.

    • Lay the eMac screen-down on a flat surface. I've found it convenient to use a carpeted floor because the computer is so heavy.

    • Remove the single phillips #2 screw on the RAM door, and remove the door

    • The screw is captive in the door, so don't worry about losing it.

  2. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Bottom Screw Removal: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Before starting this process it's important to note that the eMac can have some seriously dangerous voltages inside of it, thanks to the CRT display. Before working on an eMac, you should unplug it, press the power button to clear any stored charge on the motherboard, and then let it sit for 24-hours (or more) to allow the CRT to discharge.

    • You can read more about CRT safety procedures here. If you aren't experienced with working on devices featuring a CRT, it's recommended that you don't proceed any further.

    • On the bottom side of the eMac, remove the following screws:

    • A single 2.5mm hex screw

    • Two #2 phillips screws

  3. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Top and Side Screws: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Top and Side Screws: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Top and Side Screws: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove two 2.5mm hex screws from each of the other sides of the computer.

  4. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Power Button Cable: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Power Button Cable: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Now, the shell can almost be separated from the computer.

    • There is a cable that connects to the power button. This must be disconnected before removing the housing completely.

    • Lift the housing enough to allow you to fit your hand through the access door, and disconnect the cable at the power button.

  5. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Shell Removal: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Now the entire shell can be removed from the computer.

  6. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Panel Removal: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Panel Removal: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Panel Removal: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • The motherboard access panel is held on by 4 phillips #2 screws.

    • Remove the screws, then use your fingers to pull on the top tabs to separate the panel from the computer frame.

  7. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Cables: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Cables: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Cables: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • To remove the fan assembly, several cables must be disconnected first:

    • 3-pin fan cable

    • Ground wire, requires phillips #2 screwdriver

    • 2-pin AC cable to power supply

  8. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Screws: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Screws: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Now remove the following screws securing the fan assembly:

    • 3x coarse thread phillips #2

    • 1x machine thread phillips #2

  9. eMac Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • There may be a zip tie holding another cable to the fan assembly, cut it to remove the fan assembly.

  10. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Assembly Removal: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Assembly Removal: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • You should now be able to remove the fan assembly.

    • Doing this will expose more of the CRT neck, be careful not to touch this area because it can contain high voltages (and is fragile)

  11. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Bottom Connectors: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • There are four connectors at the bottom of the motherboard that must be removed.

  12. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Display Connector: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Display Connector: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Display Connector: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • There is a large display connector that must be removed. This can be done by squeezing the tabs and pulling.

  13. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Power Button Cable: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • The power button cable may be tucked in the casing, you will need to un-tuck it.

  14. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Screws: crwdns2935265:014crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Screws: crwdns2935265:014crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Screws: crwdns2935265:014crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • There are several phillips #2 screws that hold the eMac motherboard assembly to the rest of the computer. They will all need to be removed.

    • 2 large ones near the drive bay door.

    • 7 smaller ones scattered around

  15. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Screws (Continued): crwdns2935265:015crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Screws (Continued): crwdns2935265:015crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • More of the screw locations from the previous step

  16. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Motherboard Assembly: crwdns2935265:016crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • The motherboard assembly should now come free.

  17. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Power Cable: crwdns2935265:017crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Power Cable: crwdns2935265:017crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Disconnect the 4-pin hard drive power connector.

  18. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Caddy Screws: crwdns2935265:018crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • The hard drive is fastened to a caddy. In order to remove it, the caddy must be removed first.

    • It is secured to the motherboard assembly with two phillips #2 screws. Remove them, but don't pull the drive out yet.

  19. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, IDE Cable: crwdns2935265:019crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, IDE Cable: crwdns2935265:019crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • The drive is still connected with an IDE cable, which is folded under the caddy.

    • Disconnect the IDE cable from the motherboard, and lift the drive caddy out.

  20. eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Drive Screws: crwdns2935265:020crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Drive Screws: crwdns2935265:020crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 eMac Hard Drive Replacement, Drive Screws: crwdns2935265:020crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • The hard drive is held in the caddy with four phillips screws. Remove them.

    • Also disconnect the IDE cable from the drive. It can now be removed from the caddy.

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

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Chris Green

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Community

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I love you.

Maybe I’m being premature, but this gives me hope that I might be able to release the drive that’s been trapped inside my eMac for 20 years, after which I will for sure love you. My first obstacle is stripped hex screws, but my second was not knowing what the !&&* to do if I DID manage to open it! I’m determined to find a way past those jerks and then get through the next 19 steps. Thanks in advance!

Mary Colbert - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

I'm really surprised you're not including the directions to discharge the CRT. The eMacs in particular have a hard neck to avoid touching and the risk is being hit by 25,000+ volts. We were always taught to discharge these as soon as removing the back panel.

Rebecca Winter - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Top of step two, Rebecca.

PJ Sayegh -

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