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WD 320GB 7200rpm self installation

B

brandonzar

macrumors regular
Original poster
I just saw that WD released the 320GB 7200rpm hard drive and I am drooling because my 120GB 5400rpm drive that came with my mbp is so full I had to delete my windows partition (I only miss it for Call of Duty 4). The Apple Store nearest me won't do the upgrade without sending it out for awhile and they said I could have a service tech. at Simply Mac do it without voiding my Apple Care warranty but Simply Mac wants $60 to do it. I know I can do it myself but I'm worried that I will void my Apple Care, is there some way that Apple tracks service done to a mbp to make sure it is done by someone in the industry? 😕
 
brandonzar said:
I just saw that WD released the 320GB 7200rpm hard drive and I am drooling because my 120GB 5400rpm drive that came with my mbp is so full I had to delete my windows partition (I only miss it for Call of Duty 4). The Apple Store nearest me won't do the upgrade without sending it out for awhile and they said I could have a service tech. at Simply Mac do it without voiding my Apple Care warranty but Simply Mac wants $60 to do it. I know I can do it myself but I'm worried that I will void my Apple Care, is there some way that Apple tracks service done to a mbp to make sure it is done by someone in the industry? 😕
Click to expand...

Please use the "Search" tool and search for "warranty". There are dozens of threads on this matter.
 
I used to tell people it would void the warranty; recently I called Apple Support and spoke with a supervisor who told me upgrading the internal hard drive does not void the warranty.
 
alphaod said:
I used to tell people it would void the warranty; recently I called Apple Support and spoke with a supervisor who told me upgrading the internal hard drive does not void the warranty.
Click to expand...

That will be the case if you don't break anything

It would void the warranty if you break something.
 
I've done the internal drive upgrade twice on my MBP (160/5400 => 200/7200 => 320/5400). It's easy. I may even do it again with the Hitachi 7K320.

However, I have kept my original drive with a clean install of the OS, no personal data, and a user login for use by Apple. If I ever have to take my MBP in for warranty work where it might have to be sent back, etc. I will reinstall that original drive first.
 
Do it Yourself

Replacing the HHD in your MacBook Pro is a very straight forward endeavor.
Make sure you have the proper tools (T6 Torx, #00 Philips and a Spunger).
I have replaced the HHD in my PowerBook, in in a few iBooks and MacBook Pros. Take your time and you will be fine.

I use the instructions posted on iFixit.com, they are very easy to follow and provide detailed photos of the process. Check them out Here

Spend 5 bucks on the tools you will need and leave the 55 you will save in your pocket. 😉
 
Kirbdog said:
Replacing the HHD in your MacBook Pro is a very straight forward endeavor.
Make sure you have the proper tools (T6 Torx, #00 Philips and a Spunger).
I have replaced the HHD in my PowerBook, in in a few iBooks and MacBook Pros. Take your time and you will be fine.

I use the instructions posted on iFixit.com, they are very easy to follow and provide detailed photos of the process. Check them out Here

Spend 5 bucks on the tools you will need and leave the 55 you will save in your pocket. 😉
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone for the advice and instructions, I think I'll go ahead and do it myself.
 
brandonzar said:
Thanks everyone for the advice and instructions, I think I'll go ahead and do it myself.
Click to expand...
Make sure you have a clear and clean place to work, one where you can keep track easily of the tiny screws. If you lose one, you can only replace the entire set for about $50+. Get the right screwdrivers from iFixit. (Phillips #00 and Torx #6).
 
Just to add what others have been saying,just use a ice cube tray to keep track of those screws
 
As mentioned already, use the proper tools and keep your screws organized. Also, the toughest part of the job will be removing the top case from the bottom case around the area of the optical drive. Good luck to you.
 
Thanks again for the advice, I already have all the proper tools, this isn't my first time tearing into an electronic device. Thats a good idea with the icecube tray, I usually end up either losing a screw or having an extra. 😕 Now I just need to find a place to buy the drive. 😀
 
brandonzar said:
Thanks again for the advice, I already have all the proper tools, this isn't my first time tearing into an electronic device. Thats a good idea with the icecube tray, I usually end up either losing a screw or having an extra. 😕 Now I just need to find a place to buy the drive. 😀
Click to expand...
I use ZipZoomFly or Newegg for best prices.
 
TiPB

So I replaced... and then what?

I can't seem to load an OS on it. I was using someone's powerbook install CD, as my old powerbook CDs are a few states away in storage. I don't know if it was because of the install CD, but I couldn't get anywhere past the grey screen when installing.

Turning it on in target mode works, only when hooked to my iMac. So right now I have a external-hard-drive-powerbook. It's kind of tickling me right now, in not a nice way
 
RaceTripper said:
That's the 250 GB. There's a 320 GB, which the OP asked about. WD has also just announced the Scorpio Black, the same series of 2.5" laptop drives, but operating at 7200RPM.
Click to expand...

The "Scorpio Black" also has an optional feature called "free-fall sensor", which sound a hell like the motion sensors in MacBooks...

So I am wondering, are they really the same thing? How is the MacBook (Pro)'s motion sensors implemented, on the logic board or the hard disk?
 
JMax1 said:
So I replaced... and then what?

I can't seem to load an OS on it. I was using someone's powerbook install CD, as my old powerbook CDs are a few states away in storage. I don't know if it was because of the install CD, but I couldn't get anywhere past the grey screen when installing.

Turning it on in target mode works, only when hooked to my iMac. So right now I have a external-hard-drive-powerbook. It's kind of tickling me right now, in not a nice way
Click to expand...


I don't have any experience with powerbooks as never owned one,but it could be that the disks are machine specific,are they the same?
 
JMax1 said:
I don't know, that's what I was wondering too.
Click to expand...

I bet that,that's the problem,yours is a whatever ghz and his/hers is something different,but like i said I'm not 100% certain as i've never owned one,cant you get someone to mail the disks or something?

Oh and forgot to ask did you try formatting it first ( the hard drive that is )
 
Sunnzy said:
The "Scorpio Black" also has an optional feature called "free-fall sensor", which sound a hell like the motion sensors in MacBooks...

So I am wondering, are they really the same thing? How is the MacBook (Pro)'s motion sensors implemented, on the logic board or the hard disk?
Click to expand...

I was wondering about this too, only I don't think it is an optional feature it looks like it is standard. I don't really think the 7200rpm is that great of an advantage over the 5400rpm drive (I could be wrong) but the free fall sensor would be nice. If the mbp's free fall sensor would still protect the 5400rpm drive I would just get that one and save $150.

I couldn't find the scorpio black line available for purchase anywhere though so I guess I have a bit of time to decide.
 
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