While trying to replace my White late-2006 Intel iMac's hard drive, I inadvertently tore the EMI shielding while removing it. It's not a complete tear, but I was wondering if anyone knew if electrical tape is sufficient to tape the rip together? Or do I actually need to find EMI shielding tape? Thanks in advance!
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White Intel iMac HD Replacement EMI Shielding
- Thread starter baummer
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I think to block as much electromagnetic interference as possible, you should use actual EMI tape, but I'm just sort of guessing here. I'm about to conduct the same surgery on my Early 2006 iMac; did you happen to find that EMI tape anywhere? I'm not sure where to get it!
I could not find any where I live. I went to the big box home stores (Home Depot, Lowes, etc.) and they didn't sell it. From what I found it's not easy to find and is typically sold in bulk. I don't need thousands of rolls of it so I spoke to an electrician and was told that normal black electrical tape would work fine so long as I applied the tape smoothly and made sure it stuck. Haven't had a problem since and I'm approaching the 2 week mark.
Word of advice, to prevent tearing go really, really slow. You might also look into a pry stick. Also, find the service manual for the iMac...it was so much more helpful than the install tutorial I followed. Let me know if you can't find it. Good luck! The worst part is removing the LCD panel because of the tiny screws and the difficulty with which to extract them...a thin pair of tweezers will definitely be your friend for that task.
Thanks baummer. I do have the service manual and I just have to buy those torx screwdrivers and then surgery will begin! The tip I heard was to use magnetic screwdrivers, but tweezers are a good idea, too. I'm scared to death of that EMI foil, though.
Maybe if the foil tears, I'll go beg at the Apple store for a little EMI tape. I don't know about that electrical tape suggestion... I guess if you tape a tear together then it'd be fine, but if you put tape over a hole in the foil then that doesn't seem right. I mean, the computer will work fine, but it will just leak electromagnetic waves.
Maybe if the foil tears, I'll go beg at the Apple store for a little EMI tape. I don't know about that electrical tape suggestion... I guess if you tape a tear together then it'd be fine, but if you put tape over a hole in the foil then that doesn't seem right. I mean, the computer will work fine, but it will just leak electromagnetic waves.
Well, it's not that difficult. I was trying to rush and I inadvertently tore the shielding, but not a big tear and it didn't completely detach. I also didn't have the tool the service manual suggests. If you follow the service manual and go slowly, you will be fine. It also helps if you have a second person to help. For me the trickiest part was getting the EMI shielding undone and actually removing the LCD. Everything else was pretty easy. As far as leaking EMI waves if the EMI shielding gets torn, I'm not so sure it's enough leaking that will cause a problem with anything. Like I said, no problems, in or out of the computer, for 2 weeks now. Most electrical stuff is shielded anyway, so unless you're a walking microwave I'm sure you'll be fine in such a situation.
A small tear in the EMI foil is unlikely to cause any problems. Apple must
install it so they can certify compliance with stringent FCC residential RFI
requirements (at the time of sale) -- but a little added leakage probably
won't cause noticable interference with your in-home TV/radio reception.
If you're worried about it, tape a strip of aluminum foil over the tear.
LK
install it so they can certify compliance with stringent FCC residential RFI
requirements (at the time of sale) -- but a little added leakage probably
won't cause noticable interference with your in-home TV/radio reception.
If you're worried about it, tape a strip of aluminum foil over the tear.
LK