Macbook Pro 15 Core 2 Duo Models A1226 And A1260 Hard Drive Cable Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          15 - 45 minutes

Sections

Battery
1 step
RAM Shield
1 step
Upper Case
7 steps
Hard Drive Cable
7 steps

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BackMacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 & A1260
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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Battery

Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery, and lift the battery out of the computer.

Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery, and lift the battery out of the computer.

1024

Step 2

              RAM Shield

Remove the three identical 2mm Phillips screws from the memory door.
Lift the memory door up enough to grip it and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

Remove the three identical 2mm Phillips screws from the memory door.

Lift the memory door up enough to grip it and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

Step 3

              Upper Case

Remove the two 2.8 mm Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch.

Remove the two 2.8 mm Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch.

Step 4

Remove the following 6 screws:
Two 10 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.
Four 14.5 mm Phillips screws along the hinge.

Remove the following 6 screws:

Two 10 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.

Four 14.5 mm Phillips screws along the hinge.

Step 5

Remove the four 3.2 mm PH00 Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

Remove the four 3.2 mm PH00 Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

Step 6

Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

Step 7

Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

Step 8

Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable.
Lift up at the rear of the case and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case.
There are four plastic clips above the DVD slot, and another above and to the left of the IR sensor. These clips can be very difficult to disengage without prying. They can also be difficult to re-engage during reassembly.
Reassembly Tip: Press down firmly on the tip of the top case above the location of each clip until you hear a snap to reseat them in their slots.
Reassembly Tip: The two center DVD clips will rarely snap back into place properly without help, and downward pressure will instead simply deform the frame around the DVD slot. Support the frame by inserting a plastic spudger into the DVD slot directly under the clip location until it is snug, then press down until you hear the snap.

Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable.

Lift up at the rear of the case and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case.

There are four plastic clips above the DVD slot, and another above and to the left of the IR sensor. These clips can be very difficult to disengage without prying. They can also be difficult to re-engage during reassembly.

Reassembly Tip: Press down firmly on the tip of the top case above the location of each clip until you hear a snap to reseat them in their slots.

Reassembly Tip: The two center DVD clips will rarely snap back into place properly without help, and downward pressure will instead simply deform the frame around the DVD slot. Support the frame by inserting a plastic spudger into the DVD slot directly under the clip location until it is snug, then press down until you hear the snap.

Step 9

Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary.
Note: It is possible to replace the hard drive without disconnecting the keyboard from the chassis, but it will need to be held upright to keep it out of the way, while still allowing you both hands to work on the drive removal.
Be careful when removing the keyboard-trackpad ribbon cable to ensure that the rear of the upper case is disengaged from the area near the hinge. It is easy to accidentally bend the screw receivers on either side of the keyboard.
Remove the upper case.

Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary.

Note: It is possible to replace the hard drive without disconnecting the keyboard from the chassis, but it will need to be held upright to keep it out of the way, while still allowing you both hands to work on the drive removal.

Be careful when removing the keyboard-trackpad ribbon cable to ensure that the rear of the upper case is disengaged from the area near the hinge. It is easy to accidentally bend the screw receivers on either side of the keyboard.

Remove the upper case.

Step 10

              Hard Drive Cable

Disconnect the hard drive ribbon cable connector from the logic board.

Disconnect the hard drive ribbon cable connector from the logic board.

Step 11

Disconnect the sleep light and IR sensor connectors from the ribbon cable on top of the hard drive.

Disconnect the sleep light and IR sensor connectors from the ribbon cable on top of the hard drive.

Step 12

Using a spudger, carefully loosen the adhesive holding the ribbon cable to the surface of the hard drive.

Using a spudger, carefully loosen the adhesive holding the ribbon cable to the surface of the hard drive.

Step 13

Remove the two silver Torx screws securing the hard drive bracket to the lower case.

Remove the two silver Torx screws securing the hard drive bracket to the lower case.

Step 14

Remove the hard drive bracket from the lower case.

Remove the hard drive bracket from the lower case.

Step 15

Lift the hard drive from the right side and pull it up and out of the lower case.

Lift the hard drive from the right side and pull it up and out of the lower case.

Step 16

Disconnect the hard drive cable from the rear of the hard drive.
Hard drive cable remains.

Disconnect the hard drive cable from the rear of the hard drive.

Hard drive cable remains.

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

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                    Andrew Bookholt

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Introduction#

What you need#

Introduction

What you need