MacBook Core 2 Duo Magsafe Board Replacement

Step 1 MacBook Core 2 Duo Magsafe Board Replacement

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

Step 2

Lift the battery out of the computer.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Rotate the L-shaped memory cover so it clears the battery compartment opening and lift it up and out of the computer.

Step 5

Remove the following 3 screws:
One 11 mm Phillips#00 in the middle of the case. (Head: 5mm dia. x .75mm thick)
Two 14.5 mm Phillips #00 (Head: 5mm dia. x .75mm thick)
If the screws stick in the case, you can use a magnetized screwdriver to draw them out.
The shorter of the three screws goes in the middle.

Step 6

Remove the following 3 screws from the rear wall of the battery compartment:
One 3 mm Phillips #0. (Head: 2.75 mm. dia.)
Two 4 mm Phillips #0 on the either side. (Head: 2.75mm dia.)
Take extra caution with these screws as they can strip easily.

Step 7

Remove the two Phillips screws from either side of the right wall of the battery compartment (not the ones closest to the battery connector).
Two 6.25 mm Phillips #000. (Head: 4 mm. dia. x .5mm thick)

Step 8

Remove the four indicated Phillips screws from the front wall of the battery compartment. When working from the left, remove the 2nd, 4th, 7th and 9th screw.
Four 3.25 mm Phillips #000. (Head: 4 mm. dia. x 4mm thick)

Step 9

Remove the following 4 screws from the back of the computer:
The longer screws go on the inside, shorter screws on the outside.
Two 11 mm Phillips #00, with Shank (2.2mm dia. x 2 mm len.) (Head: 3.2 mm. dia. x .5mm thick)
Two 7.25 mm Phillips #00, with Shank (2mm dia. x 3.75 mm len.) (Head: 3.2 mm. dia. x .5mm thick)

Step 10

Remove the two Phillips screws from the optical drive side of the computer.
Two 5.2 mm Phillips #00, with Shank (2.3mm dia. x 3.5 mm len.) (Head: 3.2 mm. dia. x .5mm thick)
It is not necessary to remove the similar screws on the other side of the computer.

Step 11

There's a trackpad and keyboard ribbon connecting the upper case to the logic board, so don't pull the upper case off entirely just yet.
Starting near the display and working around to the front of the computer, pry up on the upper case. A or a medium hard guitar pick may help you to do this.
The upper case is likely to stick at the connection above the optical drive. If this is the case, first free all other sides, then proceed to pull upward on the upper case from either side of the optical drive opening.
If you stand the base on end to get a better look you may displace the total of 4 grey plastic clips that hold the keyboard in place. Don't panic. They slide into slots at the top right-most edge near the CD drive.

Step 12

MacBook Core 2 Duo Magsafe Board Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

While holding up the upper case, pull up the black tab of the silver cable away from its connector.
If there is no black tab, you can also use a spudger to gently pry the connector from its housing. This connector is tall, so be sure to pry straight up.
If you happen to break your upper case cable when removing the upper case, we stock the individually and we have a [invalid guide link] that makes replacing it easy.
While you have the upper case removed, you may want to take the opportunity to remove dust, hair, etc. It's best to use a can of compressed air, though if you use a brush, make sure that its bristles are made of a material (usually animal hair) that doesn't generate static electricity, which can destroy electronics.
Upon reassembly, there are 4 grey plastic clips on the optical drive side of the keyboard (refer to second picture). They must be installed in their slots for the keyboard to snap in properly.
To make the reassamble process easier, it's better to pull out the clips first by pulling it straight up gently. Be careful not to put too much strength because it will break.

Step 13

Remove the left 3 mm and right 8 mm (right screw is unnecessary to remove on some models)
One 3.25mm Phillips #000 (Head: 4mm dia. x .5mm thick)
One 8.5mm Phillips #000 (Head: 4mm dia. x .75mm thick
The Phillips screws securing the MagSafe board and the left speaker to the lower case. The next two speaker steps are unnecessary one some models as are steps 16 and 17 as the magsafe will drop in without removing these.

Step 14

MacBook Core 2 Duo Magsafe Board Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3

Gently de-route the speaker cable from the left I/O frame.
Use a spudger to lift the left speaker out of its housing. Grasp it with your fingers and move it out of the way.
Do not attempt to fully remove the speaker from the laptop, it is still attached the the logic board.

Step 15

The MagSafe board connector is underneath the wires, be sure to pull on the connector itself pulling parallel to the socket.
Disconnect the MagSafe board connector from the logic board.

Step 16

Remove the following three screws securing the left I/O frame:
Two 7.5 mm Phillips screws from the top and bottom end of the left I/O frame.
One 9 mm Phillips from the middle of the left I/O frame.
On some models, all three screws may be the same size.
If present, remove the black plastic spacer at the bottom of the left I/O frame.

Step 17

Lift the left I/O frame up and out of the computer.
Pay attention to the thin metal EMI fingers, as they may catch as you remove the left I/O frame.

Step 18

The MagSafe board is now free of all connections and can be detached freely from the logic board.
Using your fingers, pull out the MagSafe board.

MacBook Core 2 Duo Magsafe Board Replacement

Introduction

What you need

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