Problem replacing Macbook Hard Drive

Rollo Tamasi

Hi guys,
I'm trying to replace my macbook's hard drive but I am having a problem getting the 'cradle' back into the slot. I pulled it out without much of a problem but when I attempt to put it back in, it won't slot in properly.

The first two images show how I have placed the hard drive within the cradle. As far as I can tell this is correct:
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9738/view1ok0.jpg
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8642/viiew2xd0.jpg

The final image displays how far in I can get the hard drive. I have put a good bit of pressure behind putting the this guy into the slot but he just won't go in.
I don't want to force it too much in fear of breaking the macbook.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/5599/view3qy9.jpg

Does anyone have any experience of replacing MB hard drives? Am I putting this guy in the correct way?

(apologies about the size of the images)

ZENER

Those images aren't great but the drive looks ok from what I can make out. Here is a link to Apples own guide for replacing the drive with clear images of what everything looks like. Hopefully it might help. It's a .pdf by the way.

From what I've read and heard it's a fairly easy job to do. Be thankful it's not a MacBook Pro . . . now there's a bic8&£ !!

ZEN

Chardee MacDennis

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook-Core-Duo/Hard-Drive-Replacement/86/5/

try this, although maybe a screw rolled into the slot and is blocking it.

Rollo Tamasi

thanks guys, I have checked those links. Still having problems though. Are there any mac tech support places in Dublin which could take a look at my problem? I scared that I'll bugger up my MacBook

dmohalloran

I have always found mactivate to be great for anything i needed fixed.
they are in Blanchardstown and their website is www.mactivate.ie

Chardee MacDennis

Rollo Tamasi wrote: »

thanks guys, I have checked those links. Still having problems though. Are there any mac tech support places in Dublin which could take a look at my problem? I scared that I'll bugger up my MacBook

can you get your old hard drive back in?

Rollo Tamasi

nope. I can't get either in.
mactivate are a bit too far out of town for me. Are there any alternatives in the city?

heggie

there is typetec in ballymount

Chardee MacDennis

Rollo Tamasi wrote: »

nope. I can't get either in.
mactivate are a bit too far out of town for me. Are there any alternatives in the city?

if you're in the city centre i could take a look at it for you as i have changed my hard drive about 10 times! it could be something fairly simple but then again i may not figure it out!

otherwise there is a repair place in the city centre i'll see if i can get their name, for some reason i think it is around the camden street area...

Chardee MacDennis

have a read here:

http://www.clubmac.ie/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=14652#Post14652

Creamy Goodness

may sound stupid but make sure that the torx screws on the hard drive metal casing are fully in, as if not they can get stuck whilst trying to slide the drive back in.

Rollo Tamasi

Cremo wrote: »

may sound stupid but make sure that the torx screws on the hard drive metal casing are fully in, as if not they can get stuck whilst trying to slide the drive back in.

the four screws are secured in their place
I better not have fubbered up any of the internal ports

ZENER

There is a small amount of effort required to engage the connectors, how much have you applied? Do the connectors on both drives look identical ? Shine a torch into the cavity for the drive - does anything look out of place or damaged ?

I'm in Swords if that helps. I could meet you to check it.

ZEN

Rollo Tamasi

I don't have a torch handy but from what I can see, everything looks in place. The connecters look fine to me too.

I'm in Swords if that helps. I could meet you to check it.

Thanks for the offer, Al offered to pop over tomorrow evening to take a look at it too and I took him up on his offer.

dmohalloran

Someone above mentioned this, but have you made sure the HD is SATA. As this is the only type of drive connection that will work with macbooks.
A simple search of the HD model number should tell you.

Rollo Tamasi

Got this sorted in the end thanks to Call_me_al. Thanks Ross.

Turns out that the rubber cushion which rests on the interior of the drive bay peeled off and got stuck in the bay. We had to remove the outer casing to remove the rubber.