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Replacing the MacBook RAM, Hard Drive (Video) and Benchmarks

EAH22 said:
Can anyone confirm exactly what tools are needed to replace your ram and hard drive? I have heard its a #00 Phillips for the 3 screws and a Torx number 8 for the hard drive casing. Is that correct? Oh, I am speaking specifically about the macbook.
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EAH22 said:
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I don't have a list but you can download a video clip to watch the procedure for replacing the hard drive and RAM here:

http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm?page=Video/directory.html

I just replaced the hard drive in my macbook pro by watching the video from the link above. It would have been nice though to have a list of needed tools because I got my MacBook Pro all the way torn apart and then needed a Torx 6 screwdriver. I had a T5 but it wouldn't get the screws out of the hard drive so I had to run to Radio Shack and I picked up the Kronos 20-piece bit driver set for $15:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...cp=&origkw=torx+6&kw=torx+6&parentPage=search

So to replace the hard drive in the MacBook Pro you need:
P0 Phillips (I think a P00 would also work) - For most of the screws totalling about 21 to replace the HDD
Torx T6 - For 2 screws under battery and 4 screws on HDD
 
Switching Hard Drive back and forth6

Hi all,

I've just bought me a white MacBook 2.0ghz. Since I've been reading quite a lot on the subject before the purchase, I've also bought outside AppleStore 2 gb Ram and a New Seagate 7200 SATA 100gb HD. My question now is, with the original Mac 60gb HD, is it a good idea if a make it specically for WinXP while using the bigger one for OSX?

Since we cannot install BootCamp and furthermore WinXp on an External Drive (I have an USB2 drive enclosure with 100gb that woulda been great for that), the new HD would serve the purpose of operating OSX while not being overrun in Data usage by an WinXp counterpart. Even tough I think bootCamp will also be (a small part) on that HD.

Does switching regularly internal HD is a stupid idea? Will the internal HD slot suffer a lot from that crazy idea?

Can we install WinXp apps on an external drive, cutting the disk usage of WinXP to the smallest part possible?

I guess I'm just trying to figure out what to do with 2 internal SATA HD!

Confusely yours,
 
So I'm trying to replace the RAM on my new macbook, and get down there and the middle screw is too tight, and it won't come out. The two outside screws came out with a little bit of work, but the middle just stayed there. I quit messing with it b/c I sure as heck didn't wan to strip it and screw myself forever.

Anyone have this problem so far? If so, what was your solution?
 
ShadowStar said:
My Hitachi 5K160 arrived yesterday. Unfortunately, I missed the step about using a size 8 Torx screwdriver to remove the old drive from the bracket. I was still able to get the drive in the MacBook without the bracket, but I need to get the bracket off so I can put it in the 2.5" SATA enclosure that will be arriving today.

The drive seems to run fast...it was copying about 16MB/sec using SuperDuper! I selected 31 GB for my Windows partition with Boot Camp Assistant which made the partition 31.7 GB...just under the FAT32 limit. I don't know if I'll keep the partition as FAT32, but at least I have the option to and shouldn't need more than 32 GB for Windows.

Once I get everything up and running again, I'll be a very happy camper :D
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Anyone have any luck trying to remove the hard drive from the Macbook without its bracket/pull-tab? I made the same mistake and I actually have to remove it now and don't know what to try. Popsicle sticks? Really narrow pliers?
 
I could not find this anywhere but replacing the hd in a MBP would that cause the sensor, or what ever it is called, when you drop your computer to mess up?
 
bloodycape said:
I could not find this anywhere but replacing the hd in a MBP would that cause the sensor, or what ever it is called, when you drop your computer to mess up?
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No...the sensor is separate from the hard drive.
 
Moloko3000 said:
Hi all,

I've just bought me a white MacBook 2.0ghz. Since I've been reading quite a lot on the subject before the purchase, I've also bought outside AppleStore 2 gb Ram and a New Seagate 7200 SATA 100gb HD. My question now is, with the original Mac 60gb HD, is it a good idea if a make it specically for WinXP while using the bigger one for OSX?

Since we cannot install BootCamp and furthermore WinXp on an External Drive (I have an USB2 drive enclosure with 100gb that woulda been great for that), the new HD would serve the purpose of operating OSX while not being overrun in Data usage by an WinXp counterpart. Even tough I think bootCamp will also be (a small part) on that HD.

Does switching regularly internal HD is a stupid idea? Will the internal HD slot suffer a lot from that crazy idea?

Can we install WinXp apps on an external drive, cutting the disk usage of WinXP to the smallest part possible?

I guess I'm just trying to figure out what to do with 2 internal SATA HD!

Confusely yours,
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Why don't you buy an enclosure for one of them and use it as an external drive? I would not recommend regularly swapping internal drives: the contacts are bound to get worn.
 
First post here, long time lurker.

background:
My 3 year old Toshiba laptop died last week and it's now or never time for a Mac.

So, I'm going to go for a MacBook and I'm looking around at the hard dive options. I see that newegg, who I really like, has the Hitachi 5k160 for 194$ now, and I'm wondering if this is a good option over the Seagate counterpart. Any opinions out there on the brands, I'm not opposed to paying a premium if the product has a lot more user support around here.

Secondly, I'm not too woried about replacing the hard drive physically. However, I'm wonding how I would go about getting OSX back onto the new dive in OEM spec, as in the spec that will come on the standard drive.

Thanks for any help.

Edit:
One last question, I went to crucial.com and see that they have the 2GB Ram (2x 1GB) for 347$. A quick newegg search turned up this, Corsair 2GB, just wondering if anyone has any experience with this, or another good site for Ram.
 
Aviator said:
First post here, long time lurker.
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Yo. Welcome. :)

Secondly, I'm not too woried about replacing the hard drive physically. However, I'm wonding how I would go about getting OSX back onto the new dive in OEM spec, as in the spec that will come on the standard drive.
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1 Change the drive over.
2 Reinstall the OS using the included DVDs.
 
Aviator said:
So, I'm going to go for a MacBook and I'm looking around at the hard dive options. I see that newegg, who I really like, has the Hitachi 5k160 for 194$ now, and I'm wondering if this is a good option over the Seagate counterpart. Any opinions out there on the brands, I'm not opposed to paying a premium if the product has a lot more user support around here.
Click to expand...

I can't remember details, but I do remember hearing mixed reviews of the 5K160. I've always trusted Seagate for my hard drives, but that is quite the price premium for it.

Aviator said:
One last question, I went to crucial.com and see that they have the 2GB Ram (2x 1GB) for 347$. A quick newegg search turned up this, Corsair 2GB, just wondering if anyone has any experience with this, or another good site for Ram.
Click to expand...

Avoid Crucial like the plague...they're overpriced and the have shady online pricing schemes. The PPC Macs were often picky about RAM, and thus people tended to shy away from cheap RAM. But the Intel Macs seem to be more accepting of bargain RAM, so people are getting away with it now. That said, I still recommend a middle ground of OWC or DMS for RAM...both are terrific companies.
 
Well folks, I just pulled the trigger:

Macbook 2.0 (I don't care if they update this tomorrow. I'm pumped for my first mac and love the speed it offers me versus my three year old Toshiba 17")

2GB Ram, via OWC. Looked around and they have a great rep, good customer service and the right price.

160GB Seagate Momentus 2.5" SATA drive.

Oh yeah, I'm ready. Thanks for all the advice around here, I recieved lots of great advice and tons of excellent info. I'll see you all in the Macbook forum.:cool:
 
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