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MacBook Core Duo Hard Drive Replacement

Introduction

Replace or upgrade your MacBook Core Duo's hard drive with a new SATA hard drive or SSD up to 9.5mm thick. A new drive can give you extra storage space and also increase your MacBook's speed.

What you need

Video Overview

  1. MacBook Core Duo Hard Drive Replacement, Battery: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Use a coin or spudger to rotate the battery-locking screw 90 degrees clockwise.

    Edit

  2. MacBook Core Duo Hard Drive Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the battery out of the computer.

    Edit

  3. MacBook Core Duo Hard Drive Replacement, Memory Cover: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the three evenly-spaced Phillips screws from along the rear wall of the battery compartment.

    • The screws are captive to the metal memory cover.

    • When replacing the battery casing, use a spudger to re-insert the foam cushioning behind the rear wall for propper battery spacing.

    Edit

  5. MacBook Core Duo Hard Drive Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Lift up on L-shaped memory cover, slide it to the right, and lift it out of the computer.

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  6. MacBook Core Duo Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Grasp the white plastic tab attached to the hard drive and pull it to the right, removing the hard drive from the computer.

    • The hard drive goes back into its compartment with the label facing down.

    Edit

  7. MacBook Core Duo Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two black T8 Torx screws securing the silver bracket to the hard drive.

    Edit

  8. MacBook Core Duo Hard Drive Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Rotate the hard drive and remove the two black T8 Torx screws on the other side of the drive.

    Edit

  9. MacBook Core Duo Hard Drive Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the silver metal hard drive bracket off of the hard drive.

    • You'll need to transfer this metal bracket to your new hard drive.

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

    Edit
Conclusion

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

613 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 13 other contributors

iRobot

Member since: 09/24/09

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20 Comments

Thanks iFixit for this great walkthrough. Yes, it worked find. Have a look: http://www.vimeo.com/17134347 ;) Keep on rockin' /Sebastian

Sebastian Perschke - Reply

Any suggestions for when the rubber track comes out with the hard disk? Short of dismantling the whole thing?

billkline - Reply

I saw no replies to the "black rubber lip in the slot" comment. What is the fix for that rubber liner track strip coming loose from the inside of the HD enclosure, please?

Mike -

Thanks for the guide, iFixit! It worked like a cham.

scheppdogg532 - Reply

I was wondering if there are any harddrives that are known to be incompatible with this MacBook (aside from dimensions of course)?

Jeannine Guenette - Reply

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