/
EN
/

Site Navigation

Your Account

Choose Language

MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement

Introduction

Upgrade or replace the combo or SuperDrive (requires a slim drive). Be sure to determine which model Macbook you have when installing new parts because earlier models have a PATA/IDE connection to the motherboard rather than SATA.

What you need

  1. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement, MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 1, image 1 of 1

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

  2. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the battery out of the computer.

  3. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

  4. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

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

  5. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

  6. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

  7. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • 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)

  8. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • 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)

  9. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • 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)

  10. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

  12. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

  13. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive 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.

  14. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Grasp the white plastic tab attached to the hard drive and pull it to the left, removing the hard drive from the computer.

  15. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two Phillips screws from the front edge of the optical drive.

    • Two 3.25 mm Phillips #000, (Head: 4 mm. dia. x .3 mm thick)

  16. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the orange optical drive ribbon cable from the logic board. This cable can also be disconnected by prying straight up using a spudger.

  17. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the newly revealed display data cable. If there is no pull-tab on the top of the connector, it may be helpful to use a spudger to disconnect this connector.

  18. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the (once again) newly-revealed hard drive cable.

  19. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Peel up the foil tape between the fan and the optical drive. Lift the foil tape from the fan side, leaving it attached to the optical drive.

    • During reassembly, be sure to route the cables beneath the tape before reattaching it.

  20. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Pull up the display data cable from along the edge of the optical drive to reveal a silver Phillips screw.

  21. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the 2 mm Phillips #00 screw securing the optical drive.

    • The Bluetooth cable may be covering the screw. If so, carefully push it aside. You may need to unscrew the cable clip to free the cable enough.

  22. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the Bluetooth antenna board from the right side of the optical drive.

  23. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 1

    • Deroute the hard drive cable from along the front of the optical drive.

  24. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the front edge of the optical drive and slide it up and out of the computer.

  25. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 1

    • Peel up the black tape partially covering the orange optical drive cable.

  26. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the orange cable from the optical drive.

  27. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 26, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger to carefully pry the silver metal bracket off the left side of the optical drive. Be careful not to bend the bracket, as it is very thin and bends easily. If the bracket doesn't come free easily, heating the adhesive may make prying the bracket off easier.

  28. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 27, image 1 of 1

    • Peel up the L-shaped piece of black tape from the top of the drive.

    • You'll want to reapply this tape in the same position on your replacement drive.

  29. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 28, image 1 of 1

    • Peel up the silver foil tape from the optical drive.

    • You'll want to reapply this tape in the same position on your replacement drive.

  30. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 29, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two Phillips screws securing the mounting bracket to the right side of the optical drive.

    • This bracket is designed to slide back and forth slightly, so don't tighten the screws so much that the bracket is unable to slide.

  31. MacBook Core 2 Duo Optical Drive Replacement: step 30, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger to pry the gray Bluetooth antenna holder off the top of the optical drive.

    • You'll want to reapply this piece in the same position on your replacement drive.

    • If you have a CD or any other object jammed in your optical drive, we have an optical drive repair guide.

Conclusion

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

Author

System

Member since: 09/24/09

2,562 Guides authored

0 Comments

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 0

All Time: 4