How hard is reassembling the Macbook Pro?

[Wolfpup]

As you guys can probably tell, I'm still trying to talk myself into a Macbook Pro I've confirmed with you guys that replacing the hard drive does NOT void the warrenty (unless you break something). I've read the iFixit guide forwards and back...and started to think maybe it's not so hard to get into.

It's a lot of screws, but only two of them are torx, and I think my Belkin tool kit probably has a T6 head. And probably my smallest phillips head in there would work for the rest.

So from someone who's had these apart, how hard is it, really? The worst part seems like it would be getting the keyboard to fit back in place correctly, so that it's completely flush with the case.

Are all the phillips screws the same, once you take them out? Any issues sticking the cable that's glued to the hard drive back on?

Where the heck do I get a small enough phillips screw driver or T6 torx screwdriver if mine aren't small enough?

 

[DaLurker]

As you guys can probably tell, I'm still trying to talk myself into a Macbook Pro I've confirmed with you guys that replacing the hard drive does NOT void the warrenty (unless you break something). I've read the iFixit guide forwards and back...and started to think maybe it's not so hard to get into.

It's a lot of screws, but only two of them are torx, and I think my Belkin tool kit probably has a T6 head. And probably my smallest phillips head in there would work for the rest.

So from someone who's had these apart, how hard is it, really? The worst part seems like it would be getting the keyboard to fit back in place correctly, so that it's completely flush with the case.

Are all the phillips screws the same, once you take them out? Any issues sticking the cable that's glued to the hard drive back on?

Where the heck do I get a small enough phillips screw driver or T6 torx screwdriver if mine aren't small enough?

I think taking apart a MBP does void the warranty. Someone please confirm!

 

[tejota1911]

As you guys can probably tell, I'm still trying to talk myself into a Macbook Pro I've confirmed with you guys that replacing the hard drive does NOT void the warrenty (unless you break something). I've read the iFixit guide forwards and back...and started to think maybe it's not so hard to get into.

It's a lot of screws, but only two of them are torx, and I think my Belkin tool kit probably has a T6 head. And probably my smallest phillips head in there would work for the rest.

So from someone who's had these apart, how hard is it, really? The worst part seems like it would be getting the keyboard to fit back in place correctly, so that it's completely flush with the case.

Are all the phillips screws the same, once you take them out? Any issues sticking the cable that's glued to the hard drive back on?

Where the heck do I get a small enough phillips screw driver or T6 torx screwdriver if mine aren't small enough?

I just did mine last Friday, and it was easier than I expected. I purchased the screwdrivers at Lowes for about $5 each. THe brand was Kobalt, and they each came with extra bits that store in the grip. Here's a couple tips:

The iFixit guide tells you to remove the ribbon cable for the keyboard and the ribbon cable for the hard drive from the board. I chose not to do this. I left the cable for the keyboard connected and just tilted the keyboard toward the LCD. There was enough play in the cable to get the keyboard out of the way without removing the cable. The same applies to the hard drive.

You are right about putting the keyboard back on. When you put it back in place, the right side, where the DVD drive is, doesn't sit flush. You have to squeeze it a little to get a few different connectors to snap together. Once they have, you can go ahead and start putting the screws back in.

There are a couple different sized screws. What I did is, on each step of the instructions, I grouped those screws together. I then put them in order of first removed. Then when I was putting everything back together, the screws closest to me were the ones that went in next.

Hope this helps. I was a little nervous at first, but like I said, it was easier than I expected. Now I'm reaping the benefits of a 160GB 7200RPM drive.

BTW-My MPB looks perfect. You can't tell its ever been opened. Be gentle so you don't strip any of the screws.

 

[MikeyTree]

I think taking apart a MBP does void the warranty. Someone please confirm!

It does void the warranty. I called applecare and a nearby Apple store a couple days ago to ask. However, it is in the discretion of the service tech to decide whether to report it, void the warranty, and refuse to do the service. Do you really want to put yourself in that kind of dangerous predicament?

 

[Wolfpup]

I just did mine last Friday, and it was easier than I expected. I purchased the screwdrivers at Lowes for about $5 each. THe brand was Kobalt, and they each came with extra bits that store in the grip. Here's a couple tips:

The iFixit guide tells you to remove the ribbon cable for the keyboard and the ribbon cable for the hard drive from the board. I chose not to do this. I left the cable for the keyboard connected and just tilted the keyboard toward the LCD. There was enough play in the cable to get the keyboard out of the way without removing the cable. The same applies to the hard drive.

You are right about putting the keyboard back on. When you put it back in place, the right side, where the DVD drive is, doesn't sit flush. You have to squeeze it a little to get a few different connectors to snap together. Once they have, you can go ahead and start putting the screws back in.

There are a couple different sized screws. What I did is, on each step of the instructions, I grouped those screws together. I then put them in order of first removed. Then when I was putting everything back together, the screws closest to me were the ones that went in next.

Hope this helps. I was a little nervous at first, but like I said, it was easier than I expected. Now I'm reaping the benefits of a 160GB 7200RPM drive.

BTW-My MPB looks perfect. You can't tell its ever been opened. Be gentle so you don't strip any of the screws.

Fantastic information! Exactly what I wanted to know.

Where did you find the 160GB 7200RPM drive? Ideally I'd want to put in a Seagate version of one of those, but Newegg dosen't have any, nor does ZipZoomFly.

It does void the warranty. I called applecare and a nearby Apple store a couple days ago to ask. However, it is in the discretion of the service tech to decide whether to report it, void the warranty, and refuse to do the service. Do you really want to put yourself in that kind of dangerous predicament?

EEK! Dang nabbit
I guess I'm back to *not* being able to get one

 

[Sbrocket]

Why do you need to replace the hard drive as soon as you get it anyway, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Wolfpup]

Why do you need to replace the hard drive as soon as you get it anyway, if you don't mind me asking?

Data security. I'm not willing to risk sending in a hard drive with personal info on it, so I need to swap the hard drive in case the system needs warrenty service (so the original, unused drive can be swapped back). My employer doesn't want used drives sent in like that either for any system that contains work info.

 

[Sbrocket]

Data security. I'm not willing to risk sending in a hard drive with personal info on it, so I need to swap the hard drive in case the system needs warrenty service (so the original, unused drive can be swapped back). My employer doesn't want used drives sent in like that either for any system that contains work info.

Wait, I remember this. Did you think the answer would be different if you asked again in a different thread?

It still voids the warranty. That hasn't changed in less than a week. That, of course, doesn't bar you from replacing the drive but its a bit futile if Apple won't do warranty service anyway. You can always take your chances with Apple ignoring the replaced hard drive (which I doubt if you sent it directly to Apple instead of going to a store), or you can rely on your ability to swap out the drive multiple times if you needed repair work without leaving anymarks.

 

[subzozo]

Its just a cake if you do it in the organized way, record your steps, parts, etc... Think about it, its just as hard as a LEGO game you play when you was a kid.

 

[Wolfpup]

Wait, I remember this. Did you think the answer would be different if you asked again in a different thread?

I was asking a different question-whether it voids the warrenty (I think I was asking something else last time...unless I'm totally confused, which is possible )

It still voids the warranty. That hasn't changed in less than a week. That, of course, doesn't bar you from replacing the drive but its a bit futile if Apple won't do warranty service anyway. You can always take your chances with Apple ignoring the replaced hard drive (which I doubt if you sent it directly to Apple instead of going to a store), or you can rely on your ability to swap out the drive multiple times if you needed repair work without leaving anymarks.

*SIGH* I guess I just don't want to give up on a Mac

 

[tejota1911]

Wolfpup-

I got the drive from www.ncix.com They are located in Canada, but they are the only place besides OWC that had it in stock, and their price was $174USD. They shipped it overnight, and I had it the next morning.

If you are worried about the warranty, just keep your old drive, and stick it back in if you ever have to get warrant work done. If you hang around these forums long enough you will start thinking that EVERYBODY has problems with their Macs, and that warranty service is a weekly occurrence to the average Mac user. This is simply not true. Most Mac(and PC users) never need warranty service. However, when they do, you hear about it in forums such as these. I personally am a happy MBP owner who has NEVER had to take my MBP in for service. I purchased it in early November 2006. I did not purchase Applecare, because I know that I won't keep the computer long enough to need it. If by some chance my MBP needs service in the last couple months of my warranty, I'll simply install the old hard drive. It only took me about 20 minutes the first time I did it. What's another 20 minutes?

 

[Wolfpup]

Wolfpup-

I got the drive from www.ncix.com They are located in Canada, but they are the only place besides OWC that had it in stock, and their price was $174USD. They shipped it overnight, and I had it the next morning.

If you are worried about the warranty, just keep your old drive, and stick it back in if you ever have to get warrant work done. If you hang around these forums long enough you will start thinking that EVERYBODY has problems with their Macs, and that warranty service is a weekly occurrence to the average Mac user. This is simply not true. Most Mac(and PC users) never need warranty service. However, when they do, you hear about it in forums such as these. I personally am a happy MBP owner who has NEVER had to take my MBP in for service. I purchased it in early November 2006. I did not purchase Applecare, because I know that I won't keep the computer long enough to need it. If by some chance my MBP needs service in the last couple months of my warranty, I'll simply install the old hard drive. It only took me about 20 minutes the first time I did it. What's another 20 minutes?

Whoa-20 minutes? That's not bad at all. I like how you didn't disconnect the keyboard. When I read through those instructions, I wasn't sure why they did-figured I'd try just propping it up-maybe covering the screen with something first.

And thanks for those links for that drive-that's definitely the model I'll want for any notebook I get.

I should ask-how hard was unsticking those cables and sticking them back down on the new drive?

I'm still skiddish about whether opening the case at all voids the warranty. I posted in Apple's forums too, and got two really well thought out opinions saying opposite things (plus it sounds like even Apple's people will tell you conflicting things, and you're at the mercy of whoever works on it).

From the warranty, there's basically two exclusions that seem to apply:

(Exclusions: )
...(d) to damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider; (e) to a product or part that has been modified to significantly alter functionality or capability without the written permission of Apple...

D seems to say damage caused by swapping the drive isn't covered (makes sense). But E seems like it could be interpreted by Apple to include swapping a drive as voiding the warranty. Kind of a stretch, but I can see them saying that. Seems like you're kind of at their mercy.

Oh, and I know what you mean about it seeming like everyone's Macs die weekly from coming to forums Never mind that my iMac is fine, and my iPods have survived some real abuse without complaining

 

[tejota1911]

Wolfpup-

I forgot your question about the cables stuck to the hard drive. It's no big deal. The bottom of the cable is sticky. You just pull it up, like you were removing a piece of tape. It stays sticky, and keeps its shape. So, all you do is when you have installed the new drive, you push the cables down onto it and they stick.

Two other things that the iFixit guide doesn't mention:

1. The iFixit guide was done on the older MacBook Pro, and it tells you to remove some bluetooth card from beside the hard drive. Well, in the newer MBP it's not there. So, you don't have to worry about that step.

2. There is a hard drive mounting/vibration dampening device that you have to move from the old drive to the new one. It basically consists of four rubber grommets that screw to the sides of the hard drive. You just unscrew them from the old drive and screw them onto the new drive in the same locations. It's easy, but I didn't want you to get to that point and look at your instructions, and not see anything about them. I don't know if it is something new, or if the iFixit guide just decided not to mention it.

Good Luck!

 

[Taylor C]

@Tejota:

I replaced the hard drive in my MBP over the weekend, and can clearly see that the clips above the DVD drive aren't in all the way--the casing bulges up a bit. I've tried squeezing them down without taking it apart, but that obviously doesn't work. How should I go about fixing it? Do I have to disassemble the entire machine again?

 

[tejota1911]

@Tejota:

I replaced the hard drive in my MBP over the weekend, and can clearly see that the clips above the DVD drive aren't in all the way--the casing bulges up a bit. I've tried squeezing them down without taking it apart, but that obviously doesn't work. How should I go about fixing it? Do I have to disassemble the entire machine again?

In a word, yes.

I can't believe you were able to get all the screws, from the sides of the MBP, back in straight with it like that. Anyway, take it back apart so that you have the keyboard panel separated from the bottom of the MBP. Stick the edge closest to you in first(at an angle), and as you lower the part closest to the screen in squeeze about an inch in from the front, all along the section where the dvd drive is. You will start to hear each connector snap into place.

If you want you can try only removing the screws from the sides of the MBP, and squeezing it. This may work and save you the trouble of opening it back up. Your Call.