I want to replace the hard drive on my A1181 Macbook

My hard drive is acting funny at times, I haven't lost anything yet, but the boot time is taking longer, as well as loading regular programs.   I know it is an older model, but I think between the hard drive being replaced to a solid state drive, and the ram being upgraded to the max that it can take(I think 8GB total), it should do better.  Any ideas on doing this myself?  I used to work on desktops and replace the internal workings on those, but this little laptop is different.  I need to replace the outer shell too, but i think it only comes in the white unibody style for this model. 

If you have reasonable skills working inside a computer and are comfortable doing that (as it sounds like you are) this should not be a hard task for you.  One of the best sources for parts is OWC, http://www.macsales.com they are Mac specialists and test/guarantee everything they sell.  Have super support and service, and on-line videos that show you how to do each installation.  See what they have for you in the way of SSD and memory.

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  • 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.

  • MacBook pro boots to prohibited sign and apple has replaced the Hard drive and it's still didnt fix. They want to replace the hard drive AGAIN?!

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    David

    Wholly Crap, No Joke, the lady from the apple store called me up at like 5pm and said "You know what?" and my reply was....... "what" and she goes, "You've been very patient and we understand you've been in and out in the last 3 weeks so we've decided to just give you a brand new computer" She gave me a brand new MBP! SO FREAKIN STOKED, my 2008 macbook pro for a new 2011 2.2ghz with 4 gigs of memory (Upgradeable to 8!!) The only downside is that since I use this for recording audio with Pro Tools well as recording audio with Pro Tools I needed the 7200rpm drive like my last one, and with her eyes i felt the "Beggars Cant be choosy" look flow upon me. But I shrugged it off and She actually told me to take this one, use it for the next week while the one she is ordering for me comes in!! So Bottom line IMHO (first time i've ever used that acronym in a forum) Apple Definitely has some awesome customer service!!
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  • I want to replace the hard drive with a larger drive

    can I back up my hard drive onto Time Machine then replace with a larger drive then just use time machine to restore without reinstalling all the software??  I currently have a 5400RPM 320 GB hard drive and I want to replace with a 750 GB 7200RPM drive.

    Yes you can, but I'd advise you use cloning software and another powered external drive instead, leave the TM drive as extra backup.
    What you do is this. Get another external drive equal or larger than the 750GB drive.
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    (well I guess you could place the old drive back in, then switch it out again, but it's risky working inside a machine, you could lose screws or static charge something or accidentially pull a cable, so the less inside time the better, plus you'll need the larger drive anyway to TM too.)
    So you get a lot more protection that you can get online and working in a few seconds with a clone.
    TimeMachine drives are not bootable, I wish they were but they aren't.
    So it's best to have both methods at the ready in case one fails.
    (disclaimer: I haven't used TimeMachine myself my needs are more specialized, I'm quoting second hand information and may contain inaccuracies as I'm not a TM expert)
    For further information I point you to Pondini's excellent guide of the capabilities of each here.
    http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Clones.html

  • I want to replace the hard drive on my IMac but want to know how to transfer from the time machine external hard drive to the replacement drive?

    I have reached capacity on my IMac hard drive.   It is a 250 GB drive.   I have an external drive backing up using the time machine utility.  My question is once I replace the HD on the IMac, how do I load the new drive with the back up from the external drive?

    So many possibilities.
    I am not an expert, but I have learned this much is doable:
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    Buy a new external drive at least as large as as your intended new internal drive.  Make it self-powered.
    Download CarbonCopyClone (free download, relatively small).
    Make a CCC clone of the original disk on the new external disk
    Install the original disk in the external enclosure.
    Install the new disk in the main system.
    Boot from that new external drive that has the carbon copy clone.  CCC will be installed on it and it will be bootable.
    Use CCC on the external to directly clone back to new drive you install in the main system (the "bootable" flag will copy).
    NOTE THAT AT NO TIME IS YOUR ORIGINAL DISK BEING OVERWRITTEN IN THIS PROCESS.  YOU CAN ALWAYS GO BACK AND REINSTALL IT.
    Step 1 makes your old disk resuable as a spare copy for "anything".
    Step 2 gives you something to use as CCC for after the recovery process.
    Step 3 gets the software needed for cloning
    Step 4 makes a bootable saved copy of your current system
    Step 5 shifts your old disk to a usable place
    Step 6 positions your new disk
    Step 7 boots your existing install of OSX (just from a different drive)
    Step 8 puts your original install on your new disk.
    Now you have a bootable larger hard drive, and a bootable copy on a drive large enough to save all you can store on your new internal drive.  And you have your old disk to use for "anything".
    Now you have TM backup in one place, and CCC backup in another.
    Two backups is better than one, and one of your backups is bootable in case of system failure.

  • I want to replace the hard drive on my 15inch mid2012 macbook pro with a SSD but I just cannot clone the HD or reimage the SSD and I've tried everything. Please help...

    What can i do to format, image and use the SSD as the primary drive on my macbook pro?

    Install the SSD in an enclosure and connect it to the MBP via USB.
    Open Disk Utility>Erase and format the drive to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
    Then select Disk Utility>Restore.
    Drag the internal HDD to the Source field.  Drag the SSD to the Destination field.  Click on the Restore button.
    This may take a few hours depending upon how much data has to be transferred.
    When complete, Boot the MBP with the OPTION key. 
    Select the SSD and if it boots the MBP, swap the two drives.
    Ciao.

  • I want to replace the hard drive in one of my PC's . I would like to save my book marks and import them on the new drive when i re install my os ( win / xp ).

    I am asking how can I save bookmarks to a disk and add them to the new a new drive ?

    Your above posted system details show outdated plugin(s) with known security and stability risks.
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  • 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.
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  • Replacing The Hard Drive, How To Install The OS Again?

    Hi all again! Sorry for posting so many questions.
    I have a macbook pro late 2011 model. I want to replace the hard drive with an SSD drive but I am not too familiar with Mac products. My question is... do I just take out the old hard drive and put the new one in? Is there a CD with the Max OS on it that I could then use to install the OS onto the new drive?
    Thanks!

    There are a large number of DIY's, HowTo's and the like on the subject, may want to search a bit.
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    Get an external enclosure for the new drive.
    Connect/power up, then use Disk Utility to prep the drive for Mac use: GUID partition scheme & Apple Extended (Journaled).
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    Test to ensure all is well.
    Swap drives when ok.

  • How to sync an iPod Touch after replacing the hard drive

    Hello,
    The hard drive on my second MacBook Pro failed, so we had a new one fitted.
    I recovered most of the data using Data Rescue, so I can grab the music files, photos, Pages files, etc.
    However I can't get the User data from the damaged drive, nor any of the software programs and serial numbers so I'm effectively starting again with just the software that comes with a 'new' Mac.
    The Apple ID on the iPod Touch is very similar to [email protected]
    When I launched iTunes for the first time on the MacBook Pro I entered that email address, but it seemed like a new account was started (?).
    I connected the iPod Touch to the MacBook Pro.
    The message I got was...
    "The iPod "Toby's iPod Touch" is synced with another itUnes library. Do you want to erase this iPod and sync with this iTunes library?"
    I clicked Cancel.
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    I have a funny feeling that we are logged in as [email protected] in iTunes, but this isn't the same account as the Apple ID of [email protected] on the iPod Touch. Or have I misunderstood something?
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    ""The iPod "Toby's iPod Touch" is synced with another itUnes library. Do you want to erase this iPod and sync with this iTunes library?""
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  • What type of hard drive replacement should i use to replace the hard drive in my first generation mac min 2005 model a 1103?

    what type of hard drive replacement should I use to replace the hard drive on my first generation mac mini model a 1103?   G4 1.25 mhz 40 gb hd 1 gb. mem.

    You'll need a 2.5" parallel ATA interface hard drive. Most are 5400RPM, forget 7200RPM drives and slower 4200rpm drives.  You don't want a serial ATA (SATA) drive, as that has a different connector and won't work.
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  • Want to replace my hard drive from 160g to 500g what do i need to know

    want to replace my hard drive on a compaq presario sr055cl. it has a 160 g hard drive how big can i go 
    This question was solved.
    View Solution.

    Here is the Service Manual showing how to replace a hard drive:
    Manual
    It does have 2 SATA connectors. Here is a picture of the motherboard. 
    http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00069442&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en...
    This is primitive SATA. It is a SATA connection to an IDE bus. However, the fact that you have a 160 gig drive already installed tells me the motherboard will accept Large Block Addressing 48 bit (LBA48) which means you are not really constrained by size. I am sure a 500 gig drive will work and will bet a 1 TB would also work. I will also bet you would have problems with a high density drive of 2 TB or higher. The existing drive is a IDE, which means it is connected to the motherboard with a flat ribbon cable. You will have a hard time finding an IDE drive on the market these days. It will have to be SATA. Just attach a SATA data cable between the hard drive and the motherboard. You will likely need to get a molex (white 4-pin) to SATA power adapter, too, but those often come with the hard drive or are available for a couple bucks at the store where hard drives are sold. 
    You should be able to clone the old drive to the new using cloning software. I like and recommend Acronis True Image Home. If I were doing this I would connect the new SATA drive to the motherboard port with the side cover off and also bring power to the SATA drive. I would leave the original drive in and boot from the cloning software disk doing a proportional resize so all partitions are expanded the same percentage. After the clone is complete remove the original drive and bolt the SATA drive in its place. I would just tell you to add a second hard drive but the computer only has space for one unless you want to remove the card reader.
    You may need to enable the SATA ports in the BIOS if they are not currently in use. The motherboard picture page linked above tells how to enter the BIOS. Post back if you need more help.
    If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

  • HT1366 how to replace the hard drive?

    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

    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.

  • 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.

  • I want to replace the optical drive in my iBook with a SATA-SSD.

    I want to replace the optical drive in my iBook with a SATA-SSD (using a HDD-caddy PATA to SATA) and use that as my OS disk. Is there a speed difference between the ATA connections of the optical drive and the hard drive? Mactracker tells me that the Hard Drive Bus is Ultra ATA/100 (ATA-6), but there is no information to the Bus of the optical drive. Is it the same?

    There may be a kit from OWC to replace the optical drive in the old iBook G4 with an SSD. They have similar items for other portable Macs of the era where optical drives still were inside.
    They do have what they call a 'legacy' ATA/IDE SSD series of portable computer drive for use in older type architecture, but I don't see the kit to replace the optical drive with an SSD on the same page... They do offer a live chat on the page, though. So it is possible to ask questions and hope you get matching results...
    •OWC Mercury Legacy Pro:
    For all laptops that use a 2.5" IDE/ATA Drive
    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Mercury_Legacy_Pro
    I'd considered upgrading my iBook G4 (mid-2005) 12" 1.33GHz computer with an SSD because the original 38GB HDD is rather tight with Leopard OS X 10.5.8 installed and some applications. And it has the max RAM at 1.5GB. Plus it would need a new battery since both batteries from Apple failed early on with low use cycles. I do like the idea of wear-leveling technologies in their Mercury Legacy drives. And some of the external enclosures look durable enough.
    Hopefully they can answer some questions.
    Good luck & happy computing!

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