After Western Digital released 500GB harddrive for notebook, I’ve been waiting for months until price is getting lower. Now I think the price is right, so it’s time for me to upgrade my Macbook Pro. Upgrading harddrive is more difficult than I though, since Apple did hide the harddrive too deep (unlike the new uni-body Macbook lines). Therefore, it requires a little surgery. However, the harder part is the software bit. Here is what I did:
- I perform the last time machine back up so I can restore everything using only time machine image.
- I did created a bootcamp image using DiskUtility so I can bringback Windows with all programs installed.
- Now it’s time to disassembling the parts.
- Remove the battery and unscrew the ram cover.
- After removed ram cover, unscrew 4 more screws
- Now we have to unscrew all 3 sides of it. (except the front)
- Now we can lift up the keyboard, but be careful because there is a ribbon attached between keyboard and logic board. We have to unhook that ribbon first.
- After we remove keyboard, the harddrive will clearly be seen.
- There is one ribbon on top of the harddrive we have to gently lift it up.
- Now we can swap the drives
- Both drives are made in Thailand (Why I have to buy it here????)
- Done, now we can put it back together by reverse all steps.
- Boot it up and insert the OSX installed Disk in.
- Restart again now hold C key so it will boot using DVD drive.
- Go to DiskUtility to format the drive first.
- And then use Time Machine to restore everything back to the state before upgrading.
- It took me 4 hours for Timemachine restoring.
- The bootcamp part is a little bit tricky.
- After OSX have been restored, I can use Bootcamp Assistant to make a partition for Windows (This time I give 50GB for Bootcamp).
- Insert Windows XP installer disc for the installation.
- Format Bootcamp into NTFS when Windows installer ask to install.
- Now when Windows finish copy all files, SHUTDOWN Windows immediately.
- Boot in OSX and use DiskUtility to restore Bootcamp image back. This will save a lot of time installing all programs for Windows again.
- Done now I’m so happy with my powerful Macbook Pro with 4GB ram and 500GB harddrive ^_^












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#2 by Mac girl on February 21st, 2009
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#3 by admin on February 23rd, 2009
Thanks, Mac Girl for your comment. I totally agree about updating my About page.
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