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Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive

Introduction

There are many benefits to adding a second hard drive to your iMac such as improved speeds, greater storage space, and less heartache when installing new software. Use this guide to install one using our optical bay hard drive enclosure.

What you need

  1. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Access Door: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Loosen the single Phillips screw in the center of the access door.

    • This screw is captive in the access door.

    • Remove the access door from your iMac.

    Edit

  2. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Glass Panel: step 2, image 1 of 2 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Glass Panel: step 2, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Heavy-Duty Suction Cups (Pair)
    $14.95
    Buy

    • The glass panel is fixed onto the front bezel with fourteen magnets around its perimeter.

    • Stick two suction cups to opposing corners of the glass panel.

    • To attach the suction cups we sell, first position the suction cup with the movable handle parallel to the face of the glass panel. While lightly holding the suction cup against the glass, raise the movable handle until it is parallel with the other handle.

    • If your suction cups refuse to stick, try cleaning both the glass panel and the suction cup with a mild solvent such as Windex.

    Edit

  3. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Gently pull the glass panel straight up off the iMac.

    • The glass panel has several positioning pins around its perimeter. To avoid shearing these pins off the glass panel, be sure to only pull straight up during removal.

    • Be meticulous about cleaning the LCD and the inside face of the glass panel before reinstallation, as any fingerprints or dust trapped inside will be annoyingly visible when the display is on. Placing the glass flat, inside face down, on a fresh aluminum-foil surface is a good way to keep it clean.

    Edit

  4. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Front Bezel: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following 12 screws securing the front bezel to the rear case:

    • Eight 13 mm T8 Torx.

    • Four 25 mm T8 Torx.

    Edit

  5. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Place your hands at the top corners of the bezel (to the side) and lift the bezel 2-3cm from the body by working from the top. After this you can also disengage the bottom of the bezel (the memory modules will prevent the bottom of the bezel to detach first). When reassembling, start with the bottom of the bezel.

    • The top of the bezel hosts a microphone attached to the logic board. Gently lift the bezel to not damage the microphone wiring or connector by accidentally pulling the cable.

    • At this point, you can either detach the microphone cable and remove the bezel, or keep the microphone cable attached and rest the bezel on your work surface or the chassis of the Mac.

    • To fully detach the bezel: disconnect the microphone cable connector, removing tape as necessary.

    • To keep it attached, leave the microphone cable attached to the logic board, and place the bezel 'above' the chassis, with the microphone cable forming a hinge.

    • If you keep the microphone attached to the chassis, make sure you don't accidentally damage the microphone or logic board by bumping into the loose bezel.

    Edit

  6. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 6, image 1 of 2 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • When reassembling the bezel:

    • be sure to tuck the microphone cable and connector into the void next to the camera board.

    • Gently guide the microphone connector and cables through the ±1in long slot at the right of the iSight camera. Once the bezel is properly assembled, gently push the microphone connector and cable into the bezel through that slot.

    Edit

  7. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Display Panel: step 7, image 1 of 2 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Display Panel: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the LCD temperature sensor connector straight up out of its socket on the logic board.

    • If necessary, de-route the LCD temperature sensor cable from behind the logic board.

    • When you remove the LCD, check the routing of the LCD temperature display cable. On reinstalling the display, be sure this cable does not block one of the bottom screws for the front bezel.

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  8. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two 5.3 mm T6 Torx screws securing the data display cable to the logic board.

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  9. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Use the attached black tab to pull the data display cable connector away from the logic board.

    Edit

  10. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 10, image 1 of 2 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the eight 12 mm T8 Torx screws securing the display panel to the rear case.

    • Depending on the age of your driver, a T9 Torx bit may fit better.

    • Lift the display panel from its left edge and rotate it toward the right edge of the iMac.

    Edit

  12. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 11, image 1 of 2 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • With the display panel still lifted, disconnect the four inverter cables.

    • During reinstallation, place the four inverter cable connectors in voids between components attached to the rear panel so the display panel will sit flush.

    • During reassembly, the order of the inverter cables is interchangeable within each socket.

    • If you are replacing a hard drive and have an extra set of hands, it is possible to reach in and remove the drive without disconnecting anything but the LCD temp and display connector in the previous step with the LCD in its propped position.

    Edit

  13. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Optical Drive: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • If necessary, remove the pieces of tape securing the hard drive/optical drive thermal sensor cables to your iMac.

    Edit

  14. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the optical drive thermal sensor connector from the logic board by pulling its connector toward the top of your iMac.

    • When removing this connector, it is helpful to use your thumbnails to push the ears on either side of the connector toward the top of your iMac.

    Edit

  15. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two fine-thread 7 mm T10 Torx screws securing the optical drive to the rear case.

    Edit

  16. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the free end of the optical drive slightly out of the rear case.

    • Remove the two 3.5 mm T6 Torx screws securing the optical drive connector to the optical drive.

    Edit

  17. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 16, image 1 of 2 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the flat end of a spudger between the optical drive connector and the body of the optical drive.

    • Twist the spudger to separate the connector from the optical drive.

    • It may be necessary to work from alternating sides of the connector until it is disconnected.

    Edit

  18. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the optical drive out of the rear case and pull it away from the side of the rear case to release the strip of EMI tape attached to its surface.

    • The optical drive thermal sensor is still attached to the underside of the optical drive.

    Edit

  19. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Optical Drive: step 18, image 1 of 2 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Optical Drive: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • If necessary, remove the piece of foam tape covering the optical drive thermal sensor.

    • To remove the optical drive thermal sensor, use the tip of a spudger to lift the center finger of the thermal sensor bracket while applying slight tension to the thermal sensor cable.

    • If your thermal sensor is stuck to the optical drive, skip to the next step.

    Edit

  20. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the optical drive thermal sensor bracket up off the adhesive securing it to the optical drive.

    • If the adhesive gets dirty or will not stick to your new optical drive, place some double-sided tape under the two semicircular ears of the thermal sensor bracket.

    Edit

  21. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 20, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger to remove the small piece of EMI foam from the bottom of the optical drive.

    • Don't forget to transfer this to your new optical drive.

    Edit

  22. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 21, image 1 of 2 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the two 6.5 mm T10 Torx screws from both sides of the optical drive (four screws total).

    Edit

  23. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 22, image 1 of 1

    • Peel the strip of EMI tape off the optical drive.

    • Don't forget to transfer this to your new optical drive.

    Edit

  24. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 23, image 1 of 2 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 23, image 2 of 2

    • Slightly rotate the optical drive bracket away from the optical drive.

    • Pull the optical drive bracket away from the open end of the optical drive, minding any tabs that may get caught.

    • If you have a disk or anything else stuck inside your optical drive, we have a guide to fix it.

    Edit

  25. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Optical Drive Enclosure Faceplate: step 24, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the three 3.0 mm Phillips screws from the optical bay enclosure.

    Edit

  26. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 25, image 1 of 3 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 25, image 2 of 3 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 25, image 3 of 3

    • Starting from the left edge, gently pull open the optical bay enclosure.

    • Continue to pull open the two halves of the enclosure until they separate.

    Edit

  27. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 26, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two 3.0 mm Phillips screws securing the faceplate to the optical bay enclosure.

    Edit

  28. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 27, image 1 of 3 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 27, image 2 of 3 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 27, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the black plastic faceplate out of the optical bay enclosure.

    • You will no longer need the faceplate or the two Phillips screws that held it in place. Set those parts aside if you ever wish to put the faceplate back into the enclosure.

    • Reassemble the optical bay enclosure without the faceplate, reusing the original three 3.0 mm Phillips screws to keep it intact.

    Edit

  29. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Dual Hard Drive: step 28, image 1 of 2 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive, Dual Hard Drive: step 28, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the plastic positioner from the optical bay hard drive enclosure by pressing in on one of the clips on either side and lifting it up and out of the enclosure.

    Edit

  30. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 29, image 1 of 3 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 29, image 2 of 3 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 29, image 3 of 3

    • Make sure that the hard drive connectors are facing down before placing it into the enclosure.

    • Gently place the hard drive into the enclosure's hard drive slot.

    • While firmly holding the enclosure in place with one hand, use your other hand to press the hard drive into the enclosure connectors.

    Edit

  31. Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 30, image 1 of 2 Installing iMac Intel 20" EMC 2133 and 2210 Dual Hard Drive: step 30, image 2 of 2

    • Once the hard drive is snug, reinsert the plastic positioner while holding the hard drive against the bottom of the enclosure.

    • Reconnect any cables you have removed from the original optical drive onto the optical bay enclosure.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

64 other people completed this guide.

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Brittany McCrigler

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10 Comments

my iMac2008early dvdrom is PATA!!!!!!

plz fix you page!!!

Pak Ho Leung - Reply

I'd sound a caution before replacing the optical drive with anything else if it's on PATA. It'll be slow... Better using an external enclosure and FW800.

markstoter - Reply

I have an iMac early 2008. Do you recommended to replace the optical super drive super with an SSD?

Fabio ABATAR - Reply

Cool. It worked nicely. I replaced the superdrive with an SSD. As expected, due to the slow PATA connection, speed increase is not as dramatic as one would expect with a SATA.

arthurgruber - Reply

i followed this guide but i replaced original 3,5 hard drive with ssd and i replace optical drive (PATA) with a 2,5 hard drive 500gb 7200 rpm sata with an adapter bay

and made fusion drive, now iMac start in 15 seconds and it come back to life

MacAlle - Reply

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