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MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement

What you need

  1. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement, MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

    • Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.

  2. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Wedge your fingers between the lower case and the vent, and lift upward to release the clips holding the lower case to the upper case.

    • Remove the lower case.

  3. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Whenever working near the logic board, it is always wise to first disconnect the battery to avoid short circuits.

    • If present, grab the plastic tab attached to the battery connector and pull it toward the front edge of the device. For Late-2011 models the battery connector will not have a tab and is simply a plug that inserts straight down into the motherboard--to remove pry the plug straight up.

    • If the plastic tab is missing, use a spudger to pry the connector up from its socket.

    • Pull the tab parallel to the face of the logic board.

  4. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the two Phillips screws securing the hard drive bracket to the upper case.

    • These screws are captive to the hard drive bracket.

  5. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the hard drive bracket from the upper case.

  6. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • Use the hard drive's pull tab to lift it out of the upper case.

    • Don't try to completely remove the hard drive just yet! Its cable is still connected.

  7. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • Pull the hard drive connector away from the body of the hard drive.

    • Remove the hard drive from your MacBook Pro.

  8. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the following four screws securing the hard drive cable assembly to the upper case:

    • Two 1.6 mm Phillips screws securing the shield that covers the hard drive cable connector.

    • Two 2.2 mm Phillips screws securing the hard drive cable connector to the upper case.

    • Remove the shield from the logic board.

  9. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive connector up and out of its socket on the logic board.

  10. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Hard Drive Cable Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1
    • Lift the hard drive cable out of the upper case.

Conclusion

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

System

Member since: 09/24/09

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