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Difficulty

Easy

Steps

5

Time Required

                          5 minutes

Sections

3

  • Battery
  • 2 steps
  • Memory Cover
  • 2 steps
  • RAM
  • 1 step

Flags

1

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Introduction

The Mid 2009 2.13 GHz model is the only A1181 MacBook that uses PC2-6400 RAM.

What you need

Step 1

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

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

1024

Step 2

  • Lift the battery out of the computer.

Lift the battery out of the computer.

Step 3

              Memory Cover
  • Unscrew the three evenly-spaced Phillips screws from along the rear wall of the battery compartment.
  • The screws are captive to the metal memory cover so you cannot lose them.
  • Using The Flexible Extension sold by iFixit will help with this step.

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

The screws are captive to the metal memory cover so you cannot lose them.

Using The Flexible Extension sold by iFixit will help with this step.

Step 4

  • Grasp the right end of the L-shaped memory cover, then pull it towards you so it clears the battery compartment opening.
  • Lift the memory cover up and out of the computer.

Grasp the right end of the L-shaped memory cover, then pull it towards you so it clears the battery compartment opening.

Lift the memory cover up and out of the computer.

Step 5

              Pull the RAM out
  • Pull back on the metal lever and slide the RAM chip out from its compartment.
  • Unlike the iBook line, the MacBook has two SO-DIMM RAM slots.
  • When installing RAM, be sure to push the chips in firmly or else the computer will not register them.

Pull back on the metal lever and slide the RAM chip out from its compartment.

Unlike the iBook line, the MacBook has two SO-DIMM RAM slots.

When installing RAM, be sure to push the chips in firmly or else the computer will not register them.

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

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                    iRobot

Member since: 09/24/2009

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andreahull - Nov 20, 2011

Reply

dbrogren - Aug 16, 2012

Reply

Success! Fifth time was the charm! I tried to move up from the original 2x1Gb RAM configuration in my MacBook 6.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo to 6 Gb RAM (1x4 Gb + 1x2 Gb, all from iFixit). Followed instructions exactly after grounding myself several times etc, put the 4Gb module on the left and 2 Gb on the right but got the dreaded “three beep.” Tried re-installing w/ the 4Gb module on the right–no joy. Tried re-installing old 1+1; no problem, so obviously I was seating the modules correctly. Fourth time: Just installed the new 2 GB and left on of the old 1 Gb–success! The 4 Gb module seemed to be the problem. Tried one more time–attempt number FIVE. Put the 4 Gb back in for the third time (in place of one of the old 1 Gb of course–SUCCESS. I heard a different click this time too. Anyway–I now have six times the RAM I originally had installed–Yea! Thanks, iFixit! Now, I’ll work in my iMac!

Nellie - Sep 4, 2012

Ok - I took your lead and started trying all the different combinations I could create and finally one just worked. So don’t give up people - just use process of elimination and you will find the right combo! I did try one new, one old 3 different ways before it took.

Nellie - Sep 4, 2012

Reply

I am trying to replace the original RAM (1GB on each side) with two new 2GB chips on each side (the PC2-5300). I keep getting the 3 beep response with both or just one new chip. When I put the old ones back in everything is fine. Any suggestions?

Mads Larsen - Oct 16, 2012

Reply

someone told me that the macbook 2,1 could take 4 gb ram but only make use of 3 gb…. ?

can someone verify if this is true ?? and is it then posible to combine 1gb and 2gb of 2ddr pc5300 ?