How do I replace the hard drive?

I got a message that my internal hard drive is failing, and I need to back up the data I can and replace it.
I'm running a 27' iMac and I can open any of the users except for the main one. The unit just freezes while booting, unless powered up in safe mode.
Is it possible to do this myself, or ... what options are open to me?
Thanks.

If you have never worked on a computer before and, especially, working inside Macs, in general, and iMacs, specifically, then this is NOT a DIY project for you to undertake.
The aluminum model iMacs are an excersize in patience and tedium to get at anything inside.
Take your Mac into either an Apple Store or Apple Authorized repair service center and pay to have them replace the hard drive.
Apple uses proprietary hard drives that have a special connection for temp sensors that control the iMac's internal fans.
Try and get a backup of your data before you bring this in for the hard drive replacement.
Good Luck!

Similar Messages

How do I replace the hard drive in my Macbook Pro

Okay...
I need more space on my computer, so I want to replace the hard drive. I have no OSX install disk, but my computer is running Lion from the app store download. Can I just back up my data onto my new hard drive, and literally just swap them out? Also, how should I back up my drive? should I use a hard drive enclosure with my future drive, and just use time machine or something? Would time machine back up everything? Would the drive become bootable? Please help!

The best way to do this is buy your new drive. Get the largest you can buy, and don't buy anything from Western Digital, just a recommendation. The Samsung 1TB is pretty sweet. Put that drive in a external encloser (they're inexpensive). Using CarbonCopyCloner, clone your internal drive to your external one. This is the cleanest way to do it.
Then, boot to the cloned drive, just to make sure it works. It's just a test. Shut down. Replace drive (you can find the instructions for your MacBook Pro, by searching the support section of this website, the manual is there).
Start up with new drive. Make sure everything is fine. Use old drive in external enclosure as either a data drive or scratch drive for Photoshop or whatever you do.
I would set up Time Machine going forward with your new drive. You need a drive at least as large, and probably 50% larger than your internal drive.

My hard drive crashed! How do I replace the hard drive?

My mid 2010 MacBook Pro 13" started making a horrible skipping/clicking noise when I insterted a disk. It wouldn't eject the disk so I powered it down to restart it, but when it came back on, all that appeared was a grey screen with a flashing file folder and a question mark in the folder. I read that this means my hard drive crashed (I tried holding C upon restart and the 2 or 3 other tips they gave me with no luck.) I having been looking through the forums to see what type of hard drive I need to replace it with, and found my answer...but, I am wondering if those hard drives come with the operating system? Do I need to purchase one and put it onto the new hard drive BEFORE installing it in the computer? Sorry if these are silly ?'s I am not technologically savvy at all!

It seems your had drive has passed away too.. It means you loose all your data you haven´t backed-up.
Chaging the hard drive is very simple, all you need is a new hard drive, internet connection for download the system again, and two types of screw drivers: A very small Philips and a very small Star screw.
The how to you find in page 37 of the manual:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1528/en_US/MacBook_Pro_13inch_Mid20 10.pdf
After you install the new SSD or Hard Drive you have to install the system. To do that push the power button and hold the "OPTION" key on until a small menu to connect wireless network is shown.
Log on your wi-fi and it will start download the installer of the system. All you need is install the system again, and re-download all your apps even ones you boght in APP Store.
Hope it helps.!

How Do I Replace the Hard Drive in my 20" Intel iMac?

Pretty sure the hard drive in my iMac is dead. When I try to start it up it makes clicking noises then i get a grey screen with a flashing ? mark folder.
I was able to boot from the software disk so i could run disk utility but when i did i doesn't even reocgnize there's a hard drive installed to test/repair. Same thing happens when I try to reinstall the operating system.
Does this sound like a failed hard drive?
I want to get this thing running again, but I don't want to spend a lot of $.
Is it as simple as popping a new HD in and reinstalling the operating system?
If so, how do I figure out what types of drives are compatible?
Thanks!
Justin

Easy after you've done a few.
Not so easy if you have not, plus it's real easy to mess up and do more harm than good.
See > iMac Intel 20" EMC 2105 and 2118 Repair Manual - iFixit
Best bet is to first call your Local Apple Authourzed Service Providers and get some estimates.
See > Apple - Store Locator

How do I replace the Hard drive in my iMac?

I have a GREEN iMac (333 Mhz, 128 MB RAM, and a tray loading CD-ROM in front) and the original OS is OS 9.1 and I upgraded to OS X 10.3.5. When I installed Panther, it took up just about all of my HDD. I have a Western Digital 10 GB HDD and I want to Install it and then re-install Panther but I can not figure out how to get to the HDD to remove it. I have see posts for the RED and GREY iMacs, but they did not look like mine so I am not sure they would be revelent, or are they? I am a NEWLY converted MAC person from IBM PC's. HELP!!
Worf
iMac G3 333 mhz (Green) Mac OS 9.1.x CD-ROM Tray Loader

The firmware upgrade can only be done while booted from a writeable drive (CD-ROM is not good enough) running Mac OS 9.1 to 9.2.2.
Once the firmware update is in, it should accept up to the two SO-DIMMs I described above.
Hard drives up to just under 128 GB (which sometimes reads like 137 GB because of binary-to-decimal conversion) should be supported. There are size limits, and an older drive may throw off too much heat to be reliable and long-lived in that enclosure.
This article indicates that tray-load iMacs are on the list of "OSX must be installed on a partition completely within the first 8 GB of the drive":
106235- Mac OS X: Disk Appears Dimmed (or "Grayed Out") in the Installer

My hard drive on my MacBook Pro stopped working and I had to replace the hard drive. I cannot get my playlists and photos to appear in my iTunes and iPhoto. Does anyone know how to resolve this?

My hard drive on my MacBook Pro stopped working and I had to replace the hard drive. I cannot get my playlists and photos to appear in my iTunes and iPhoto. Does anyone know how to resolve this?

Peace Lilly wrote:
... Will I loose everything if I connect the iphone to the itunes as a new device?
To avoid that...
See these 2 Links...
Syncing to a New Computer...
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3141
Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991

My mac mini hard drive is failing. I am no longer under warranty. Do you know how much it cost to have Apple replace the hard drive? or How I can replace it myself?

MY mac mini hard drive is failing. I am no longer under warranty. Do you know how much it cost to have Apple replace the hard drive? or How I can replace it myself?

You can do it yourself. I did on my 2009 Mini
http://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Mini
Also, this place sells HSDs and has install videos.
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/

My HP computer's hard drive crashed. I have replaced the hard drive and reinstalled all of the software. I have copied my I tunes library from my backup hard drive to the new one. How do I restore the permissions? This is the 3 rd time I have had to d

My HP computer's hard drive crashed. I have replaced the hard drive and reinstalled all of the software. I have copied my I tunes library from my backup hard drive to the new one. How do I restore the permissions? This is the 3 rd time I have had to do this. THe share screen says you are limited to 5 ??

No backup is not good.
You can transfer itunes purchases from an ipod. File>Transfer Purchases

HT201250 I had to replace the hard drive in my old MacBook. I replaced it. Installed OSX10.6. Then using the system software I reinstalled data from my Time Machine backup. On completion it asked for my password. It is not accepted. I am locked out how I

I had to replace the hard drive in my old MacBook. I replaced it. Installed OSX10.6. Then using the system software I reinstalled data from my Time Machine backup. On completion it asked for my password. It is not accepted. I am locked out how I overcome this?
I was already using 10.7. But only had the disc for 10.6.

Sorry I am new to this. Am I in the right area? I am using my iPhone to make contact. I am worried.

How hard is it to replace the hard drive on a 21.5 inch iMac.

My iMac is telling me the hard drive is failing. After a web search, I discovered that you need suction cups to take off the glass to replace the drive. I'm adjust wondering how hard it is to do? I'm Fairly mechanically inclined, so I think I can do it myself. I'd just like to know how tricky it is.

If this is a new 2011 iMac, you can't replace the hard drive except by Apple as they have proprietary software installed on hard drives to monitor the status.
Very likely it's not, as you would be making a warranty call instead of trying to replace it yourself.
However, the info is out there to keep in mind when you buy a new iMac.

HT1329 I've had to replace the hard drive on my PC and have lost all my music apps etc on i tunes. How do I retrieve them ?

I've had to replace the hard drive on my PC and have lost all of my itunes !!! How can I retrieve the music ?

See Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2

Need guide on how - remove/replace the hard drive in my dv6t-6100, manual on hp shows different dv6

i am trying to remove and replace my hard drive on my dv6t-6100 beats edition laptop, every where i look on the internet and manual on hp for my model shows how to remove hard drive on a different dv6 than i have, which show a rectangle coverwhere the drive is with screw to remove hard drive cover, i dont have that on the bottom of my laptop. Please help
Another problem I have is my screen flickers a lot from time to time like something is loose, can i do something to fix that.
Thank you so much in advance

Here a repair site for the MacBook http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Unibody_Model_A1342
For a hard drive try Newegg.com http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=380&name=Laptop-Hard-Dr ives&Order=PRICE
Or OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/2.5-Notebook/
Here are video instructions on replacing the hard drive on the White Unibody http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_13_09_unibody_hd/
To transfer your current hard drive I like the free application Carbon Copy Cloner. It makes a bootable copy of everything on your hard drive http://www.bombich.com/index.html You'll need a cheap SATA external hard drive case. Put the new drive in the case then partition and format the new drive and clone your old drive to the new one. Check that it's set up right by booting up from the external drive. Then replace your old hard drive with the new one.
Here's a cheap SATA external hard drive case on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Vantec-NexStar-2-5-Inch-External-Enclosure/dp/B002JQNXZC/r ef=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332118549&sr=8-1
You can get a new third party power adapter on eBay for about $20
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=macbook+power+adapter&_sacat=0&_sop=12&_dmpt =Apple_Laptops&_odkw=macbook+power+adapter&_osacat=111422&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270. l1313
You can order a Snow Leopard 10.6 install disk for $29 as long as you have at least 1gb of RAM and 5gb of free space on your hard drive. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY
A 10.5 Leopard disk will run you around $200
To upgrade your iLife and iWork. If you only want iPhoto or other single apps from iLife '11 you can get them from the App Store after you've upgraded to 10.6.6. iPhoto, iMovie or Garage Band for $15 each and Pages, Keynote or Numbers from iWork '09 for $20 each.

HT201295 Recently Apple replaced the hard drive on Mac running Yosmite 10.10.2 and now when i try to rn FaceTime, the computer says "no camera available". Does anyone no how to fix this?

Recently Apple replaced the hard drive on Mac running Yosmite 10.10.2 and now when i try to rn FaceTime, the computer says "no camera available". Does anyone no how to fix this?

Assuming there is no hardware problem try reinstalling Yosemite. If this does not work then take it back to the Apple Store.
Reinstalling OS X Without Erasing the Drive
Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Reinstalling OS X Without Erasing the Drive
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility and press the Continue button. After Disk Utility loads select the Macintosh HD entry from the the left side list. Click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If Disk Utility reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit Disk Utility and return to the main menu.
Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
Also see:
Reinstall OS X Without Erasing the Drive
Choose the version you have installed now:
OS X Yosemite- Reinstall OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

How do I authorise my Imac for Itunes after replacing the hard drive?

Dear All,
Apologies, but I am new to forums and understand that the issue of "Authorisation" of Itunes purchases and rentals has been done to death! However, I have tried everything and have exhausted normal research on the Net, there doesnt seem to be standard sollution to my problem. I have replaced the Hard Drive in my Imac 2008 with an SSD which makes the Imac very fast and effcient and completely clean of the usual trash in an old computer. So before renting my first movie, I did the following:..................................
Formatted the hard drive and downloaded and upgraded to OSX to 10.5.8 (the latest I can go on this Imac (I think) Intel 3.06Ghz 2 core and 4GB SSDRAM)
Upgraded Itunes to the latest available
Upgraded Quicktime to the latest available.
I rented a film which will not play and initially I got the "not authorised on this computer" message which kept repeating despite saying it was "waiting"
So I did the usual apple support search and tried the following:..................................
I checked that my apple User ID and password where up to date and that I was purchasing on the right ID
Tried the standard.....Itunes/Store/Authorise this computer - tried unauthorising and then re-authorising No luck
I tried deleting the (/Users/Shared/SC info) file No luck
I tried the Terminal based solution "sumo chmod -R 777 /Shared/Users" fix It didnt work either
I don't get the authorisation warning any more but just get a black screen with a grey horizontal stripe across the middle
I would be very grateful if somene could give me another sollution to try............................
Thank you very much,
Sfithy

Double & triple check that you installed the hard drive correctly.

HT204053 I recently replaced the hard drive on my Windows 7 computer and lost all of my music content. It should be on the iCloud, however. How can I get it back to iTunes? Can I "reverse-synch" and send it FROM my iPhone TO my computer?

I recently replaced the hard drive on my Windows 7 computer and in the process lost all my music. I think it should be on the iCoud. Can I get it back from the iCloud to my computer? Or can I "reverse-synch" FROM my iPhone TO iTunes?

All the music you purchased from iTunes can be re-downloaded, all the music you acquired without purchasing from iTunes can be accessed using Senuti (not free). The combination of these 2 will get your music back.

How do I replace the hard drive?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for