2007 Macbook Harddrive Upgrade

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PoLiGnAc

113 posts

Master Geek

#65103 29-Jul-2010 15:56

Hi guys, i'm thinking of upgrading my macbook hard drive. 2 options: bring to store, which will cost me $450, or do it myself. Thinking of going DIY on this one so might need your help. I've got a rough idea on the software side: backup existing data using carbon copy cloner, then go through the physical replacement.

Now to purchasing, can anyone tell me the maximum hard drive size that can be put onto this macbook? Thanks!

josephhinvest

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#358710 29-Jul-2010 19:32

Hi PoLiGnAc,

Having done literally hundreds of these :) I have some advice...

$450 is far, far too much to pay, depending on what size drive you want.
Assuming it is a white or black MacBook, (not MacBook Pro), then it's quite likely you can EASILY upgrade the hard drive yourself. Rock up to PBTech and pick up a 500 GB drive for $118.

To install the drive requires only removing the battery, then RAM shield (three captive screws).
Slide out hard drive, transfer the metal sleeve and four mounting screws, replace the hard drive.

I personally would not bother using CCC.
If you're running 10.5 or 10.6, then a full Time Machine backup will have all your home directory contents, and Applications and settings etc.
Confirm your backup is intact, install new hard drive, install Mac OS from install media, then restore your account from time machine backup.

If you don't want to tackle if yourself, a reputable Apple technician (me!) would charge 60 bucks +gst to swap the drives over, and install a fresh OS. If you wanted data transferred also this would perhaps cost some more.

Cheers,
Joseph.

<edit> Also your MacBook will support any capacity 2.5 inch SATA drive.

PoLiGnAc

113 posts

Master Geek

#358810 29-Jul-2010 20:47

Hi Joseph,

Thanks for the advice. I will need to hunt down the cd that comes with my macbook (2007). I'm thinking of CCC, then time-machine backup, then HD swap, then upgrade the system to 10.6.

Or should i upgrade it to 10.6 then restore from time-machine? Or does it not matter?

Thanks!

nzpat

167 posts

Master Geek

#358860 29-Jul-2010 21:14

I did this a little while back on my macbook, got 500gb hd for about 130 at pb tech, I used time machine on an external to copy everything over. Side note, how did you undo the little screws on the hard drive enclosure , as I couldnt get them undone and ended up putting the new hd inside my macbook without it (packed it with paper so it didn't move).

But yeah do it yourself pretty straight forward.

Or should i upgrade it to 10.6 then restore from time-machine? Or does it not matter?

Shouldnt matter, leave it at 10.5, make a time machine backup on an external, put the new drive inside your macbook, then boot of your 10.6 cd, then choose new install and import everything from the time machine backup when it gives you the option.

PoLiGnAc

113 posts

Master Geek

#358867 29-Jul-2010 21:21

Read online about the screw thing, you will need a torx 0 to open them or somthing. I'm still trying to find an article which will walk through everything. I'm pedantic about this "surgery" thing. Heh

nzpat

167 posts

Master Geek

#358873 29-Jul-2010 21:24

PoLiGnAc: Read online about the screw thing, you will need a torx 0 to open them or somthing. I'm still trying to find an article which will walk through everything. I'm pedantic about this "surgery" thing. Heh

Ahh that would make sense, seriously not even hard, your not even really opening the computer. Im pretty sure its near impossible to mess it up.

josephhinvest

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#358880 29-Jul-2010 21:27

Yah I think it is a Torx 8, these pretty common these days.
Also the hard drive is a Customer Installable Part, like the RAM, so it is designed for reasonably easy access.

PoLiGnAc

113 posts

Master Geek

#361269 1-Aug-2010 23:44

Backed up on time machine, and cloned the hard drive on 10.5.8 using CCC. Swap HD to Seagate 500gb 16mb 7200 rpm. Put in Snow Leopard install disc, connect time machine, restored new HD back to 10.5.8, and used the Snow Leopard disc to upgrade to 10.6, and did a combo update to 10.6.4.

Now the macbook runs smoothly. All the apps are compatible with the new system. :D :D :D.

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josephhinvest

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#361405 2-Aug-2010 10:36

Sweet, well done!