Hard drive replacement with broken superdrive

[reauxjeaux]

I have a 2006 Intel 13" Macbook and my hard drive just failed (I think). I have the folder-with-exclamation-mark screen going on and a little clicking noise inside the computer. The Apple support guy said it was probably my hard drive. So, I am very limited in funds and was hoping I could replace the hard drive myself. I have replaced its battery and upgraded the RAM... However, I don't have the OS X disc and even if I did, my superdrive has been broken for a long time and I don't have the money for that either... I have access to another Macbook of the same year and I have a USB external hard drive.
SO my questions are:
Is it possible for me to do this myself? If so how? Or is that a terrible idea? Thank you very much to anybody who can take the time to give me some advice.

 

[NewMacbookPlz]

If I were you, I'd spend $29 on Snow Leopard and then take the Superdrive from the other computer and put it in yours for the time being, just to install the OS fresh on the new HD.

 

[reauxjeaux]

If I were you, I'd spend $29 on Snow Leopard and then take the Superdrive from the other computer and put it in yours for the time being, just to install the OS fresh on the new HD.

I totally would but that would mean taking apart my boyfriend's mom's macbook... which she's definitely not gonna be down for. What about if I had a firewire cable? Can I connect mine to her macbook and install the OS from hers?

 

[NewMacbookPlz]

I totally would but that would mean taking apart my boyfriend's mom's macbook... which she's definitely not gonna be down for. What about if I had a firewire cable? Can I connect mine to her macbook and install the OS from hers?

Yup, you can install OS X via target disk mode (firewire connection between the computers)...

Here's a guide from 2007 for Leopard: http://macamour.com/blog/2007/11/07/installing-os-x-via-the-target-disk-mode/ and another guide for Tiger: http://lowendmac.com/misc/06/0914.html

I imagine it should be similar if not the same for whatever version you're running.

 

[reauxjeaux]

Thanks dudes!

Thanks to you who helped me! I got a new hard drive and snow leopard and a firewire cable all for about 140 bucks, and now my computer is back together and up and running better than ever! Despite the salesman at Mac Authority (where I bought snow leopard) who tried so hard to upsell me the ilife pack with this whole "well the one you're buying won't work" pitch...

 

[fluffyx]

Call 800-APL-CARE.

Apple has since announced a Repair Extension Program for all 2006 MacBooks.

They'll replace your failed hard drive, and perhaps you could return the new drive you purchased. Hope this helps you save some $.