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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement

System

Last updated on Sep 17, 2016

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Introduction

Go to step 1 ↓

Upgrade your hard drive for more storage space!

What you need

Parts

1 TB SSD Hybrid 2.5" Hard Drive (Upgrade Kit) Available for sale on iFixit
This kit contains the drive and all tools needed.

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500 GB SSD Hybrid 2.5" Hard Drive (Upgrade Kit) Available for sale on iFixit
This kit contains the part and all tools needed.

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256 GB Solid State Drive (Upgrade Kit) Available for sale on iFixit
This kit contains the drive and all tools needed.

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128 GB Solid State Drive (Upgrade Kit) Available for sale on iFixit
This kit contains the part and all tools needed.

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Universal Drive Adapter Available for sale on iFixit

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500 GB 5400 RPM 2.5" Hard Drive Available for sale on iFixit

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320 GB 5400 RPM 2.5" Hard Drive Available for sale on iFixit

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1 TB 5400 RPM 2.5" Hard Drive Available for sale on iFixit

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512 GB SSD Available for sale on iFixit

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1 TB SSD For sale from another site

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Tools

1. Step 1 MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Hard Drive Replacement
  Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:
  
  Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.
  
  Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.
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2. Step 2
  Using both hands, lift the lower case near the vent to pop it off two clips securing it to the upper case.
  
  Remove the lower case and set it aside.
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3. Step 3
  Three Pentalobe screws secure the battery to the upper case. They can be removed with .
  
  If you don't have a Pentalobe driver, a 1.5 mm flathead screwdriver can be used in a pinch. Be sure the head of your flathead screwdriver fits snugly across two of the five "points" of the screw head before trying to break the screw free, as a loose fit will easily strip the screw head. If the head of your screwdriver fits too loosely, find a bigger bit and file it down until it fits snugly before proceeding.
  
  You do not necessarily have to follow steps 3-7 to remove the battery in order to replace the hard drive. However, it is recommended to remove all power sources from electronics before working on them.
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4. Step 4
  Remove the two exposed five-point Pentalobe screws along the top edge of the battery.
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6. Step 5
  Use the tip of a spudger to bend back the finger of the "Warning: Do not remove the battery" sticker while you remove the five-point Pentalobe screw hidden underneath.
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7. Step 6
  Lift the battery by its plastic pull tab and slide it away from the long edge of the upper case.
  
  Do not try to completely remove the battery just yet.
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8. Step 7
  Tilt the battery back enough to access the battery cable connector.
  
  Pull the battery cable connector away from its socket on the logic board and remove the battery from the upper case.
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9. Step 8
  Remove two Phillips screws securing the hard drive bracket to the upper case.
  
  These screws are captive to the hard drive bracket.
  
  Lift the the retaining bracket out of the upper case.
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10. Step 9
  Lift the hard drive by its pull tab and pull it out of the chassis, minding the cable attaching it to the computer.
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11. Step 10
  Remove the hard drive cable by pulling its connector straight away from the hard drive.
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12. Step 11
  Remove two T6 Torx screws from each side of the hard drive (four screws total).
  
  You'll need to transfer these screws to your new hard drive if you're changing drives.
  
  If you are installing a new hard drive, we have an OS X install guide to get you up and running.
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