Lesson 22. Upgrading a MacBook

Reference Files

MacBook Users Guide (MacBook_Late2006_UsersGuide)

Time

This lesson takes approximately 1 hour to complete.

Goals

Install memory in a MacBook

Replace a hard drive in a MacBook

The Intel-based MacBook sports many design improvements over its very distant iBook predecessor. As impressive as the MacBook is, technicians will concur that the single most impressive design improvements are in its ease of upgrading and repair.

This lesson explains how to upgrade a MacBook with additional RAM to increase overall system performance. You will also learn how to replace the hard drive.

Required Tools and Equipment

To complete this lesson, you will need the following:

• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap and mat

• Clean, soft, lint-free cloth

• Coin

• Phillips #0 screwdriver (preferably with a long handle)

• Stiff, plastic, nonmagnetic card (such as a library card)

• PC-5300 DDR2 667 MHz memory modules (installed in pairs)

Before You Do Anything

Follow the ESD Safety Guidelines and antistatic procedures discussed in Lesson 4, “Safe Working Procedures and General Maintenance.” It is imperative that you follow these guidelines and any instructions given—failure to do so could result in injury, damage the computer, or void its warranty. If you are not an AASP, review the materials for this lesson carefully, but do not perform the procedures. If you are an AASP, practice the upgrade procedures until you are confident in your skills.

Ensure that the memory module you will be installing meets the following criteria:

• 1.25 inch or smaller

• 256 MB, 512 MB, or 1 GB

• 200-pin

• PC-5300 DDR2 667 MHz type RAM

Before replacing your hard drive, you will need to back up your data. Perform any backup procedures before continuing further in this lesson.

Opening a MacBook

Regardless of the upgrade or repair to be performed, one of the first steps in upgrading a MacBook is to let the unit cool down. Cooling down the internal components properly will help to avoid damage to the unit and injury to you. We will assume you have followed ESD precautions, are wearing an ESD wrist strap, and have properly grounded yourself.

1. Place the computer on a soft clean cloth.
2. Shut down the computer and wait 30 minutes before continuing.
3. Unplug all external cables and peripherals from the computer.
4. Unplug the power cord and adapter last.

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   Note

   The power supply in your computer is a high-voltage component and should not be opened for any reason, even when the computer is off. If the power supply needs service, contact your Apple reseller or Apple Authorized Service Provider.

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5. Turn over the computer.
6. Use a coin to release the battery latch. Turn the coin a quarter turn clockwise to unlock the battery.

   

   Turn the coin clockwise.

7. Lift out the battery from the battery bay.

   Removing the battery will prevent you from turning on the computer accidentally, and it will remove power from the system.

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   Note

   Removing the battery before shutting down your computer may result in data loss.

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8. Touch a metal surface on the inside of the computer to discharge any static electricity.

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   Note

   To avoid electrostatic discharge damage, always ground yourself by touching the computer’s framework before you touch any parts or install any components inside the computer. To avoid static electricity building back up in your body, do not walk around the room until you have completed the installation and closed the computer. Don’t let others come into contact with you, since they may have built up a static charge.

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Installing RAM

MacBook comes with a minimum of 512 MB of 667 MHz double data rate 2 (DDR2) synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) installed. It has two slots that can accept SDRAM small outline dual inline memory modules (SO-DIMMs).

The slots are side-by-side on the logic board behind the RAM door. Best performance is obtained with memory installed in pairs with an equal-sized memory card in each slot. The maximum amount of memory for this computer is 2 GB, with 1 GB DIMM installed in each slot.

Removing the Installed DIMMs

As you perform this procedure, note the location of the battery and RAM door; they will need to be removed when you upgrade the hard drive.

1. Loosen—but do not try to remove—the three captive screws along the RAM door.

   

   Captive screws (circled in blue)

2. Holding the long end of the L-shaped RAM door, pivot it out from the battery bay. If necessary, use a nonmagnetic, plastic card (such as a library card) to tilt the RAM door up and out of the battery bay. Be careful not to bend the RAM door.

   Levers on the memory slots will spring out when you remove the RAM door.

   

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   Note

   Remember to replace the RAM door after you have finished working inside your computer. The computer will not function properly if the RAM door is not replaced.

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3. To eject the memory cards from the slots, move the levers all the way to the left.

   

   Move the levers in the direction of the arrows.

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   Note

   Like cables and connectors, tabs and latches are very thin and fragile. If you break a latch or tab, you may have to replace the entire part, which can be very costly.

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4. Holding the memory cards by the corners, slide them out from the battery bay without touching the gold connectors. Handle the card only by its edges.

Replacing the DIMMs

When installing memory modules into their slots, you may be required to exert some pressure on them during insertion.

1. Align the memory card so that the gold connectors face the slot and the notch is on the left. (The chip side of the board faces down.)

   

   Notch (circled in blue)

2. Use two fingers to push firmly on the edge of the memory cards.

   If there is a tight fit, installing the cards may take some force to ensure that they are fully inserted.

   When the cards are fully inserted, the edges of the cards are hidden, as shown by the recessed card on the left in the following image.

   

3. If the levers do not return to the closed position automatically, close them manually.

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   Note

   Should you wish to upgrade only the memory at this time, proceed to page 38 in the MacBook user’s guide to complete the procedure and test the memory.

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Upgrading the Hard Drive

The computer is off, and you have just completed installing RAM, so the RAM door is removed. If you’d like to upgrade the hard drive at the same time, you’re ready to begin. Be sure to practice proper ESD procedures and wear your ESD wrist strap at all times.

Removing the Hard Drive

1. Unroll the hard drive pull-tab.
2. Pull the tab straight out to slide the drive out from the recessed rubber rails in the battery bay.

   

   Pull the tab in the direction indicated.

3. Hold the drive only by the sides when removing and replacing it. Place the drive in an antistatic bag.

Replacing the Hard Drive

1. Slide in the replacement hard drive, and tuck the pull-tab underneath the drive.
2. Install the replacement RAM door by first aligning the short end at the notch near the hard drive opening.

   

   RAM door notch (circled in blue)

3. Use a plastic card, if necessary, to tuck in the EMI gaskets (which prevent electromagnetic interference) located on the RAM door so they do not protrude from the edge of the battery bay. Make sure the three screws align with the holes in the bottom case before tightening them.

Closing a MacBook

1. Replace the battery by tilting the foot end of the battery into the battery bay first. Then press and hold down the other end of the battery as you turn the coin to lock it into place.
2. Connect the power cord.

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   Warning

   Never turn on the computer unless all of its internal and external parts are in place, and the computer is closed. Operating the computer when it is open or missing parts can damage it or cause injury.

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3. Restart your computer and restore the operating system that came with your computer.
4. Restore the data from your backup to the new drive.

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   Note

   Should you wish to reinstall the software that came with your computer, proceed to the following MacBook DIY page (www.apple.com/support/macbook/diy/order.html), and locate the Hard Drive Replacement Instructions. Perform the applicable software reinstallation steps on page 7 before proceeding.

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5. Make sure your computer recognizes the new memory by opening System Profiler, clicking More Info, and clicking Memory. You may need to reset the date and time in Date & Time preferences.

Lesson Review

1. True or false: Memory from older portable computers is not compatible with your MacBook.

2. True or false: The maximum amount of memory for this computer is 2 GB per slot (4 GB total).

3. True or false: When installing memory modules into their slots, you may be required to exert some pressure on them during insertion.

4. When the cards are fully inserted, the edges of the cards are...

a. Not recessed

b. Recessed

c. Gold

5. It is important to tuck in the EMI gaskets when reinstalling the RAM door because...

a. EMI gaskets are expensive.

b. They prevent electromagnetic interference.

c. The memory will not function properly without them in place.

6. True or false: It is acceptable to turn on power to the MacBook while some of its internal and external parts are not in place.

Answer Key

1. True

2. False, the maximum amount of memory is 1 GB per slot (2 GB total)

3. True

4. b

5. b

6. False, to avoid damage and injury, all parts should be in place and access doors closed before the computer is turned on.