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iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement

iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement

Brittany McCrigler

Brittany McCrigler and 9 other contributors

Last updated on April 27, 2023

30 minutes
Moderate
Featured Guide

Introduction

Go to step 1

This guide will help you replace the hard drive.

What you need

Fix Kit

This kit contains all the parts and tools needed to complete this guide.

Parts

Tools

Show more…

  1. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement, 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. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement, Glass Panel: step 2, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement, Glass Panel: step 2, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Heavy-Duty Suction Cups (Pair)
    $14.95
    Add To Cart

    • 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. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: 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.

    Edit

  4. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement, Front Bezel: step 4, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement, Front Bezel: step 4, image 2 of 2

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

    • Eight 13 mm T8 Torx screws

    • Four 25 mm T8 Torx screws

    • You may have different-length screws depending on your model:

    • Six 13 mm T8 Torx screws

    • Four 25 mm T8 Torx screws

    • Two 35 mm T8 Torx screws

    Edit

  5. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • The front bezel is still attached to the iMac by the microphone cable.

    • Gently lift the front bezel from its top edge off the rear case. It helps to use your thumbs to push down very gently on the corners of the display.

    • Once the top edge of the front bezel has cleared the rear case, rotate the front bezel toward the stand and lift it off the rear case.

    • When reinstalling the front bezel, start at the lower edge and make sure it is flush with the rear case before lowering the top edge onto the iMac.

    Edit

  6. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the microphone cable connector, removing tape as necessary.

    • For the front bezel to sit properly, be sure to tuck the microphone cable and connector into the void next to the camera board.

    Edit

  7. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement, Display Panel: step 7, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement, Display Panel: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the LCD temperature sensor by pulling the connector straight out of its socket on the logic board.

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

    Edit

  8. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  9. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the display data cable connector from its socket on the logic board by pulling the attached plastic tab towards you and away from the iMac.

    Edit

  11. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Lay the iMac down on a table before you remove the LCD so that it doesn't fall.

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

    • Lift the right side of the display panel a few inches up from the iMac.

    • Do not lift the LCD all the way up; there are still connectors attaching the LCD to the internals.

    Edit

  12. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • With the LCD lifted, disconnect the LCD cable by pulling down.

    • The LCD cable is attached to the underside of the power supply; be careful where you put your fingers so you don't get zapped by a capacitor.

    • On reassembly, you may find it helpful to remove the power supply, reconnect the LCD power cable, and then reinstall the power supply.

    • Alternatively, the LCD power cable can be disconnected from the LCD, rather than the power supply.

    Edit

  13. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Continue to lift the LCD from the right side.

    • Remove the LCD.

    Edit

  14. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 13, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  15. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the hard drive thermal sensor by pulling its connector upwards toward the top of your iMac.

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

    Edit

  16. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Pressing the top of the hard drive bracket down to release it from the rear case requires a substantial amount of force. We recommend laying your iMac stand-side down on a table to avoid knocking it over.

    • Press the hard drive bracket down toward the bottom edge of your iMac to free it from the rear case, then rotate the top of the drive toward yourself.

    Edit

  17. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Rotate the hard drive toward yourself, then lift it up off its mounting pins.

    • The hard drive is still connected via the SATA cables.

    • When reinstalling your hard drive, be careful not to push the rubber grommets through the openings in the chassis with the lower hard drive pins as retrieving them may require logic board removal.

    Edit

  18. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Insert the flat end of a spudger between the SATA power cable connector and the edge of the hard drive.

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

    Edit

  19. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the SATA power connector away from the hard drive.

    Edit

  20. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the SATA data cable by pulling its connector away from the hard drive.

    Edit

  21. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 20, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the piece of foam tape covering the hard drive thermal sensor.

    Edit

  22. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 2 iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Use the tip of a spudger to lift the thermal sensor lock finger while pulling lightly on the thermal sensor cable.

    • If your thermal sensor seems to be stuck to the face of the hard drive, skip to the next step.

    Edit

  23. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the thermal sensor bracket off the face of the hard drive.

    • If you're replacing your hard drive, transfer this bracket and the thermal sensor to your new hard drive. If the adhesive refuses to stick during reinstallation, apply double-sided tape to the underside of the two flat ears of the thermal sensor bracket.

    Edit

  24. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 1

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

    • After you remove these two screws, the hard drive bracket will fall away from the hard drive.

    • Don't forget to transfer these to your new hard drive.

    Edit

  25. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two T8 Torx pins from the connector side of your hard drive.

    • Don't forget to transfer these to your new hard drive.

    Edit

  26. iMac Intel 24" EMC 2134 and 2211 Hard Drive Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to remove the piece of EMI foam from the underside of your hard drive.

    • Don't forget to transfer this 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.

438 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 9 other contributors

Brittany McCrigler

Member since: 03/05/12

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49 Comments

Thank you Brittany for putting together an awesome guide! I was able to swap in a leftover MBA SSD into my 2007 iMac before gifting it to my father-in-law. This iMac was showing its age with Lion installed, mostly due to 2 GB of RAM and a so-so magnetic drive. I was hesitant to gift a hand-me-down with little usable life. Not anymore! I have no doubt that the 5GB of RAM and a super fast SSD breathed another 5+ years of enjoyment into this iMac. Reuse beats recycling! Thank you!

stevejansen - Reply

But without any OSX updates .... Your path is Linux

stagiaireekimia -

FYI - The iFixit store links for the Torx screwdriver incorrectly displays the security Torx drivers. I had my own set of regular Torx drivers and competed this successfully. I did not find the security (center post) variant of the Torx screwhead anywhere in my iMac.

stevejansen - Reply

Security Torx drivers work on both regular Torx and security Torx bits, so we sell the security drivers to keep people from having to buy two tools.

David Hodson -

Excellent guide. The entire process took less than 90 minutes and I was not in a hurry. Everybody told me that the iMacs were designed to be "user-proof" and had to be worked on by qualified technicians. What do they know? Now my computer is back up and running with a 1TB drive and it cost less than $150 - even with shipping costs factored in. Great job guys!!!

ljheppner - Reply

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