Tutorial: How to replace a MacBook Pro hard drive

Replacing the hard drive in the new Uni-body MacBooks and MacBook Pro’s is a very simple process. But what do you do if you’re like me and have an older MacBook Pro? By older, Mine is a early 2008 MacBook Pro, the first released with the multi-touch “gestures” in the track pad.

So how complicated is it? Well, that really depends on your level of “geek-ness”, and whether or not you have the right tools and a LOT of patience.

So now that I have scared off the squeamish, it’s time to get down to the “nitty gritty” and upgrade that hard drive.

Tools required:

1. Philips Screwdriver Size #00
2. T6 Torx Screw Driver
3. Spudger. (Small plastic knife-like removal tool. Or Plastic Knife.

Start off by placing a soft cloth on your work surface. This will prevent any scratches to the finish of your MBP. I used a ShamWow, but you can use a regular towel. Now, take a deep breath. It’s gonna be alright…..

Remove the 4 phillips screws on the left side. (side with power connector).

Remove the 4 phillips screws on the right side. (side with DVI connector)

Remove the two phillips screws from the rear.

Flip over your Mac and remove the four phillips screws at the rear.

Remove Battery.

Once you have removed the battery, there are two phillips screws at the bottom of the battery compartment. Remove them both.

Now remove the three phillips screws that cover the memory compartment, and remove the cover.

Remove the two torx screws on either side of the RAM compartment.

Now, flip your Mac back over. Grasp the back of the upper case and begin to lift GENTLY. As it begins to come lose, move your fingers towards the front and work the upper case till it comes up. GENTLY.

When it comes up, flip the end with the trackpad up towards your monitor and let it rest. Be careful here as to not damage the keyboard ribbon cable or connector.

Use your screwdriver to GENTLY pry the HDD ribbon cable from the main board. CARFUL as to not damage the connector.

Now use your spudger to gently pry the ribbon cable from the top of the hard drive.

Remove the two torx screws from the HDD retaining bracket.

Carefully, lift out the hard drive from the left side where the retainer was and remove the ribbon cable from the HDD.

Now remove the two torx screws/rubber bumpers from the right side of the HDD.

Remove the two torx screws/HDD mounts from the left side of the HDD.

Now that the HDD is out, all you have to do is screw in the four HDD mounts on that we just removed from the left and right sides of the drive onto your new HDD and follow these directions in reverse.

Hope this helps, and until next time.

Peace out, my peeps!