How to replace hard drive on MacBook?

I need to replace the hard drive on an older MacBook...how do I go about doing this?
I'm pretty sure I just need to buy a new one, but don't know if it has to come from the Apple store.
When I was last at Apple, they told me I could probably have it done at Best Buy.
Please help...I'm not very computer savvy.

You can find replacement drives plus installation tutorials at OWC.

Similar Messages

  • How to replace hard drive in macbook pro?

    How to replace hard drive in macbook pro?

    Hi S,
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  • HOW TO REPLACE HARD DRIVE WHITE MACBOOK EARLY 2009

    I have a White MacBook Early 2009, I need suggestions. My Macbook is still running fine, but would like to know which Hard Drive I should purchase as replacement. Thinking of going 500GB if possible, I already downloaded the instructions. Just trying to get my ducks in order for when that time comes, hopefully not for a few more years.

    For a new hard drive try Newegg.com  
    Regular SATA drives http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=380&name=Laptop-Hard-Dr ives&Order=PRICE  Use the list at the left for larger and faster drives.
    SSD drives
    http://www.newegg.com/Internal-SSD/SubCategory/ID-636?Order=PRICE  Use the list at the left for larger and faster drives.
    Or OWC for regular hard drives and SSDs  http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/2.5-Notebook/
    Here are instructions on replacing the hard drive in a MacBook with a removable battery. http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=45088
    To transfer your current hard drive I like the applications Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper. They make a bootable copy of everything on your hard drive. http://www.bombich.com/index.html or http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html 
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    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=pd_cp_pc_0
      If you don’t have the tools to open up the MacBook OWC has a set for $5
    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TOOLKITMHD/

  • I replaced hard drive in macbook pro and when turning on i get a blinking question mark

    just replaced hard drive on my '09 macbook pro and rebooted to get the blinking question mark.  what do i do? not sure i have the installation disk.  i had this happen once on an older macbook and was able to figure it out but i can't remember what i did.

    Schedule an appointment with a Genius the SSD is gone.

  • How to replace hard drive in mini 110-3131dx

     Trying to replace hard drive in the mini 110-3131DX.....  I have a replacement ... How do I open the case.  I see a orange slider bar  in battery compartment,   but no screws to take out or covers to remove.  It has a solid no opening base except where the battery is removed.
    Thk
    This question was solved.
    View Solution.

    You're welcome, Tim.
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    The specs state it shipped with W7 Basic.  That OS should load without issues.
    If you are trying to install XP, it will not install unless you load the SATA ACHI drivers either at the F6 prompt or you need to slipstream them into a copy of your XP installation.
    If you are attempting to install XP, please read this link below and that should solve that issue.
    Your notebook has the Intel NM10 Express Chipset.
    http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-Systems-and/SATA-drivers-for-XP-solution-on-0x000000...
    Best Regards,
    Paul

  • Macbook Pro 13" Late 2011 hard drive fails, how to replace hard drive?

    Hi!
    I have a Macbook Pro 13" Late 2011 (OS X Mountain Lion v 1.3.18 (352.4). I tried to install OS X Mavericks but it showed this error message:
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    The laptop was still doing fine so I didn't do anything. Then it started to act funny: iPhoto stopped working, hangs when I watch video streaming, and it started to run really slow. I only use the laptop's basic features- internet, watching movies, editing using iMovies so it's really strange for me that the hard drive failed all of a sudden.
    I called Apple support and a kind fellow tried to troubleshoot it, thinking it was only a software problem. In the end, he said I need to bring my macbook to the service center and have the hard drive replaced. I know it will cost a lot so I want to replace the it myself.
    Here are my questions:
    1) Can this problem really be solved by just replacing the hard drive?
    2) Can I use SSD this time so my Macbook can run faster?
    3) What SSD is recommended for my late 2011 Macbook 13"?
    4) I don't have the installation disk, can I still install the OS X Mountain Lion? How?
    I am looking for other sites as well but I hope this community could share some tips too.
    Thanks a lot!

    I've switched out the hard drive on my Late 2011 model several times and I've never disconnected the battery cable.
    In my "Opinion" it is not necessary to do that. Not sure if it is or not recommended by Apple.
    EDIT:
    I just looked at my User Manual, PDF I downloaded from Apple, and there is no mention of disconnecting the battery.
    Here's a link to the manual for my model.
    http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/1000/MA1602/en_US/macbook_pro_15inch_late_ 2011.pdf

  • Replaced Hard Drive in MacBook Pro - now TC wants to back up whole drive

    I replaced the 120 Gig hard drive in my MacBook Pro with a 320 Gig drive and cloned the old drive back to the new one. Time Machine now wants to treat this as a different drive from the one I have backed up on my Time Capsule. How do I convince TM to backup the new drive incrementally to the old image on the TC rather than creating a whole new back up?

    The cloning software you used probably does not copy the journaling entries. Since TM relies on the event-driven journaling entries, it has no choice but to start a new full backup all over again.

  • Replace hard drive in macbook pro

    Is it possible and is it user serviceable to replace the 500 gig hard drive in my Macbook pro with a LARGER drive???

    No
    13", 15", new, old, how old etc
    It is possible to put larger drives in MBP's, if I know what you have I may be able to suggest one

  • How to change hard drive on MacBook

    How do I install a new hard drive on a MacBook  please

    •Mac Laptop Repair  Guides - iFixit:
    http://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Laptop
    http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook
    Depending on the identity of the product, details of the process
    will vary somewhat; and the data speed of the hard drive bus
    may affect alternative replacements, such as an SSD upgrade.
    Good luck

  • Replacement hard drive on Macbook Pro 13in early 2011 advice needed!

    Hi!
    I am replacing the hard drive in my MacBook Pro 13in from early 2011. The choices I can afford are either the Seagate 500GB 7200 rpm or the WD Scorpio Blue 500GB 5400rpm drive. I heard that the faster spinning drive causes reduced battery life and more noise. Is this true? Which one would you all suggest I choose?
    Thanks!!

    Hi,
    I am using the same model with upgraded RAM. I am also changing my hard drive to a SSD which can't be compared to a spinning drive. The best choice would be getting a SSD, however, if you have to choose between those two you listed, I would go with Seagate. Not only because it is affordable, but also most of manufactured laptops have that brand. About the battery life and more noise, that statement is "true", but it is not noticeable. I mean, faster spinning will consume more battery than slower spinning of course, but it will not effect your battery life significantly. Because it is spinning faster, it will have faster read/write ability than 5400 rpm HDDs. Overall, it really depends on how much budget you got. A 128 GB or 256 GB SSD would be affordable with a fantastic ability to do many tasks.
    I hope it helped you.

  • Problem with replaced hard drive on macbook (late 2008, 13" aluminum)

    i replaced my macbook (late 2008, 13" aluminum) hard drive and get a blinking folder upon reboot.  I can't seem to reboot from the original disc that came with my macbook.  What do I do next? I tried holding "c" down but still get the blinking folder

    With the disc inserted try starting up while holding the option key. That should take you to the boot panel where you can select the dvd.

  • How to Clone Hard Drive from Macbook Pro to Macbook Pro with Retina

    Hey everyone! I had a question about cloning my laptop's hard drive. I was considering buying a MBP with Retina, but was wondering how I would accomplish copying over my current hard drive to the retina, as I know you can't take out the retina's hard drive, and it is flash. Any suggestions?

    Connect the two with a Firewire cable if they both have Firewire ports (or use Thunderbolt if the both have Thunderbolt ports.) Boot the new computer into Target Disk Mode and the old computer normally. The new computer's disk drive should appear on the Desktop of the old computer.
    Clone using Restore Option of Disk Utility
      1. Open Disk Utility in the Utilities folder.
      2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.
      3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
      4. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination
          entry field.
      5. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
      6. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
    Destination means the new computer's drive Source means the old computer's drive.
    Be sure the old computer is running a version of Mountain Lion that is later than the version installed on the new computer. After cloning you will probably need to run the new 10.8.2 updater for the new computer. OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.2 Update for 13" Macbook Pro with Retina Display, 21.5" iMac (Late 2012), Mac mini (Late 2012).

  • How to replace hard drive and transfer everything over?

    I've looked everywhere but am unable to find a definitive guide on how to do this.
    Currently I have an early 2011 MBP that came with Snow Leopard and upgraded to Lion later. It has an HDD and I want to replace it with an SSD and transfer everything over to the SSD. Considering Lion created a Recovery partition (and there is also an EFI partition), I'm confused on how to do this the best way to basically copy my current hard drive to the new SSD.
    The best I've figured out is to connect the SSD with a SATA-USB cable, use the Lion Recovery Disk Assistant ( http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1433 ) to create a Recovery partition on the new SSD, then, booting into Recovery, install Lion on the new SSD, and then use Migration Assistant to transfer all my files over.
    Is there a simpler or better-explained way to basically copy my current hard drive over to a new SSD and then remove the HDD and use the SSD?

    How to replace or upgrade a drive in a laptop
    Step One: Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU 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 DU and return to the installer.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    Step Two: Remove the old drive and install the new drive.  Place the old drive in an external USB enclosure.  You can buy one at OWC who is also a good vendor for drives.
    Step Three: Boot from the external drive.  Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager appears.  Select the icon for the external drive then click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Step Four: New Hard Drive Preparation
    1.  Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    2. After DU loads select your new hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area.  If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing.  Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (for Intel Macs) or APM (for PPC Macs) then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
    Step Five: Clone the old drive to the new drive
    1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
    2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.
    3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
    4. Check the box labeled Erase destination.
    5. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
    6. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
    7. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
    Destination means the new internal drive. Source means the old external drive.
    Step Six: Open the Startup Disk preferences and select the new internal volume.  Click on the Restart button.  You should boot from the new drive.  Eject the external drive and disconnect it from the computer.

  • Replacing Hard drive in macbook

    Hello,
    I recently bought an imac g5 running Leopard on ebay, long story short, this computer no longer works.
    Since then I have bought a macbook on ebay.
    This computer is refurbished and is running Tiger 10.4.11 i believe.
    This hard drive can only hold 60 gb, and then old drive from my imac is 160 gb.
    I was wondering if it would be possible to replace the drive in my macbook with my old one, or will this screw my computer up?
    I think this would make it easier because then it would be running leopard, have a lot more space, and also have all of my information.
    So if this doesn't work it's no big deal.
    I don't kno much about computers, so sorry if this is a stupid question.
    Thank you for your input.

    bj4mac wrote:
    Pardon me for grafting into this post, but does any of this void the warranty?
    Thanks
    No.
    http://images.apple.com/legal/warranty/docs/cpuwarranty.pdf
    It's sort of a tricky line of thinking, like changing the oil in your car. A lot of people do that for their new cars under warranty. As long as it's done correctly and the replacement part itself doesn't cause any damage (that would be exceedingly rare), doing it yourself does not affect the overall warranty. Any failure of the new drive is not the responsibility of Apple, and any damage from faulty installation procedures would not be their responsibility. Even if something went wrong with the installation, a completely unrelated defect (like a dead LCD screen) would be covered. These are basic warranty protections in the US and many other countries.
    In any case, most hard drive manufacturers do have their own warranty terms. They typically include the repair of the host machine should the drive somehow damages it.
    I've done it myself on a MacBook. This is something that most people proficient with a screwdriver can do.

  • How to replace hard drive

    HP Pavilion Media Center m8277c PC
    I need to reploace the hard drive but cannot figure how to get at it as it is under the Personal Media Drive Bay.
    The cage that all the drives are in is HP 5002-9896 REV B and I do not see a way to get it out.
    Thanks for any help.

    Here are the factory specs for your HP Pavilion Media Center m8277c Desktop Computer. While the support page for your m8277c wouldn't display a link to the HP "Adding or Replacing a Hard Drive" document, I was able to get the link from another computer model. Please see this HP document entitled "Adding or Replacing a Hard Drive" for a model m8047c, which appears to use the same case design as yours.
    Frank
    {------------ Please click the "White Kudos" Thumbs Up to say THANKS for helping.
    Please click the "Accept As Solution" on my post, if my assistance has solved your issue. ------------V
    This is a user supported forum. I am a volunteer and I don't work for HP.
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