HT1366 how to replace the hard drive?

Question

Hello Forum!
This is my first posting on this site, so pardon me if I am not aware of protocol or procedure.  My daughter gave me a MacBook notebook that apparently was water damaged and ceased to operate thinking I might be able to get it operating again (she has since replaced it with a more current Mac).  I removed the back case (8 screws) and was surprised to see a sparkling clean interior with no apparent damage of any kind.  I have worked on many water damaged PCs before, and was expecting the usual evidence of water damage like rusted components and connections.  But this unit was as clean and corrosion free as a whistle!
However, what did surprise me was a missing hard drive, or I should say that I was not able to find a hard drive.  Rather, there was a square shaped hole and a multi-pinned connector where a hard drive would logically be found.  This hole or mount location is right beside the battery at the right side bottom of the interior of the notebook.  The DDR memory modules are located immediately above the hole.  I have been looking for a schematic layout of the MacBook but haven't found it yet.
I understand the MacBook could be ordered with three different capacity hard drives, and therefore I should be able to find one for sale at a Mac dealer or repair facility.
I did not receive any of the other equipment that was originally supplied with the unit such as the power cord and/or charger.  I would also need to install the appropriate operating system.
I would appreciate any input or assistance getting this unit back to operational condition.  I am on a disability pension, and bucks are tight, so any cost saving suggestions would also be helpful.
Thanks in advance!
JT

Answer 1

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.