Can you use a MacBook Pro without the keyboard attached?

[tray]

Hi,

I plan to upgrade the hard drive in my MacBook Pro (MBP) to a solid state drive (SSD). I also plan to remove the SuperDrive in the optical bay.

I have to install a new firmware on the SSD. Installing the firmware requires the SuperDrive.

I intend to remove the SuperDrive after installing the firmware. I'm using a Early 2008 MBP (Pre-Unibody). This MBP is a difficult to dismantle and assemble.

Can I run the MBP (to install the firmware in FreeDOS) without reattaching the top panel (which houses the keyboard). Or can I just lay the top panel on the MBP without screwing it down. Will either of these actions damage my MBP? Once I've installed the firmware on the MBP, I'll reattach the keyboard.

I don't want to dismantle the MBP (to insert the SSD), assemble the MBP (to install the firmware with the CD in the SuperDrive) then disassemble the MBP again (to remove the SuperDrive).

I'd rather dismantle and assemble the MBP once.

Lifting the top panel (which houses the keyboard)

Please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[gan6660]

What are you going to put in place of the super drive?

 

[maxb]

Yes you can, I did something similar when I had my Classic MBP

 

[morepower7]

nice pics

 

[Bearxor]

Yeah, no biggie, did it all the time troubleshooting my machine.

What are you putting in place of the superdrive though?