Hard Drive Dead on late 2007 Macbook Should I replace the computer?

[mpomeran]

Hi,
My late 2007 model Mac White Notebook's hard drive suddenly died.
I took it to Tekserve here in NYC and they told me it would be 250 + tax to
replace it.

I'm wondering right now whether or not it will be worth it to spend that kind of money on a three and 1/2 year old computer? I have an academic discount on new mac laptops through my job.

I'm particularly concerned at the stability of the old computer once I put in a new hard drive. I'm going abroad for the summer to do work on my computer mainly and can't afford to have the old guy die.

Thanks for the help... Maurice

[XQYZ]

You could also just spend 50 dollars (+ a couple of bucks for a screwdriver) and replace it yourself (or get somebody to do it for you). 250 dollars is way overboard for this.

[Laco]

Originally Posted by XQYZ

You could also just spend 50 dollars (+ a couple of bucks for a screwdriver) and replace it yourself (or get somebody to do it for you). 250 dollars is way overboard for this.

I agree with this post. I have an older macbook then you and if (rather when) the hard drive dies I will replace it myself. Its relatively cheap (certainly under one hundred for a very large hard drive) and easy!

[mpomeran]

Hi,

Thanks. Yes, I thought it was too much.

More to the point, even if I (but I don't trust myself) were able to do this myself, the issue is really one of being able to rely on the computer after this.

Do I know that this is necessarily a problem with the hard drive? Or is it really as simple as you suggest?

Maurice

[azentropy]

If it is the hard drive, they are pretty easy to replace on the old models.OWC had videos online that show the process. They also sell "kits" with tools and drives if you need those. You might want to go with the kit that includes an external USB case. You can get a 250gb "kit" for $60. You can get larger kits too. Then mount the new drive in the case and see if that solves your issue. When you are sure that it has, then just install it internally.

[RolandVet]

Originally Posted by mpomeran

Hi,

Thanks. Yes, I thought it was too much.

More to the point, even if I (but I don't trust myself) were able to do this myself, the issue is really one of being able to rely on the computer after this.

Do I know that this is necessarily a problem with the hard drive? Or is it really as simple as you suggest?

Maurice

Really as simple. If something else goes wrong with your current laptop after this remember you can migrate the new bigger/faster drive to the new laptop.

Does the price perhaps include data recovery? Because that's something you can't do.

Sent from my HTC Wildfire

[Capt Underpants]

You really should replace the hard drive yourself. It is very easy to do on your model of computer. All you need is a quarter, a philips #0 screwdriver, and a Torx screwdriver (found at any hardware store).

Your machine likely has a lot of life in it. I've got a late 2007 Macbook and I plan on keeping it for at least a year and possibly 3.

[mpomeran]

Hi All,
Thank you for the good advice (and saving me the 150-200 dollars).
I bought a 500 gb seagate drive and it seemed to go in effortlessly.
I am restoring my system with time machine right now.
I hope this works!

I'll let you know if there are any other issues!

All best,
Maurice

[iThinkergoiMac]

As to your worry about the computer being reliable after this, there's nothing in the computer that made your HDD die. All HDDs will die, the question is not "if" but "when". So don't worry about your computer's reliability.

[aleXXXps]

My roommate used to buy old MacBooks off of college students that had silly issues such as broken hard drives, dead ram modules, etc. He would just change out the parts and then resell them for 4x what he bought them for. Funny because he wasn't even that tech savy, he just knew how to fix the easy problems.