How to remove your macbook harddisk and upgrade it with a higher capacity hard disk?

It has been almost a trend nowadays for macbook/macbook pro owners to upgrade their old laptop with a higher capacity hard disk, from 80gb to 320gb or 500gb. I’d know sometimes for a casual user, 40gb is probably than enough, but who’s the complain when you can have extra (MORE) space? Blame it to technological indulgence. Anyway, this guide serve to aid you on how you can remove the original hard disk that came with your macbook and replace it with your newly bought hard disk.

To start off, you’ll need few things in hand prepared so you won’t go “Ah shxx!” half way through.

• 

  A 2.5 inch notebook harddisk, ranging anywhere from 120gb to 500gb is fine, 5400rpm/7200rpm is fine either.

• 

  But it’s best if you get yourself an external notebook harddisk that is pre-packaged, so that you can use it to backup/clone your current hardisk’s content, and then rip the external hard disk off, remove the enclosure, and replace it with the new hard disk, so then your old macbook hard disk can still be used as an external one.

• 

  A set of screwdrivers  for removing screws inside the laptop.

• 

  A TORX T-6 screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the macbook hard disk, this is important and crucial since I halted halfway through the entire process because I didn’t have one. You should be able to find this at your favorite hardware shops.

This guide basically is divided to 3 parts where it consists of :

1. Plugging in the external hard disk, and make a carbon-copy of the current hard disk’s content, so nothing is lost.
2. Removing the external hard disk’s enclosure and take only the hard disk to replace the old hard disk inside your macbook.
3. Installing the hard disk inside your macbook.

Making Backup Copy from External USB hard disk

If you have no idea what to start, perhaps you can refer to How to connect a 2.5inch external harddisk to your computer/notebook?

And once you got the external hard disk connected to your macbook, download Carbon Copy Cloner. It’s a free software an extremely ridiculously easy to use!

If you have plugged in your hard disk, it should appear as an external media icon with the yellow USB logo.

Thought it might not always be this case, that some pre-packaged hard disk might have some softwares included inside, just like the image shown above. Do not fret, we’ll deal with this later.

Save the .dmg installation file on your desktop. Double click to open it.

And a window will open instructing you to copy the software to the Application folder on your mac.

Once copied, you should be able to see the new software inside your application folder, launch the software, and select Open.

Once the software is launched, you should see the window as above. There’s only 2 panel that you need to fiddle with. Select the hard disk that you would like to “Clone/Backup/Copy” on the left hand dropdown menu.

And select the hard disk that you would like the backup content to be copied to. As you can see, the external hard disk that came with the software are formatted in a partition that Mac couldn’t write files. We will fix this with few of the steps below.

Formatting the external harddisk using Disk Utility

Every mac comes with this software that lets you diagnose and partition your hard disk, namely Disk Utility

If you can see from the list on the left, you can select the external hard disk, then go to the Partition tab, and Under Volume Scheme, select on 1 Partition to repartition the disk in the correct format.

Click on the Options

And you should be prompted with a list of partition table. Select the first one on the list.

And click on Apply when everything is done. The formatting only takes about 1 minutes.

When it’s completed, you should see this message if you’re on Leopard, but on other version of the Mac OSX, there should be indication that it’s completed.

And if you notice, if you didn’t give it a name to the hard disk earlier when formatting, you can actually rename it later.

Now when you check on the content of the hard disk, there’s nothing in there because you have just reformatted it! We are now good to go and make backup.

Making carbon copy of your Mac OSX with Carbon Copy Cloner

Select the hard disk that has your current operating system on the left dropdown menu.

And select the hard disk that you want the backup to be copied to on the right dropdown menu.

When selection is done, click on Clone.

You should be prompted for an Adminstrator password to proceed, if you didn’t have one, just click on OK.

And now sit back, and relax. this whole process is really dependent on :

• The speed of your computer
• The amount of content inside your hard disk that needs to be copied

Mind took approximately around 1 and a half hour on a 80gb hard disk.

When the backup is complete, you should see a folder structure inside the external hard disk that resembles your current hard disk.

And we now ready to remove the old hard disk from the macbook. We will need to shut down the computer.

Disassembling the macbook harddisk and replace it with a newer hard disk

After shutting down your computer. Remove the external hard disk from your USB port.

Make sure that your laptop’s charger is not switched on.

And remove the laptop charger’s cable. And the steps below is actually varies to what type of external hard disk you used, and it’s even not necessary for you sometimes to go through the trouble that I did. But I’d recommend you to read what happened below.

Removing the enclosure of your external hard disk

If you bought the new Western Digital Passport Essential 320gb like me on 2009, behold, something interesting and frustating at the same time going to happen. Anyway, the steps below going to demonstrate on how you can remove the enclosure and take out the hard disk enclosed inside.

You can start doing the “peeling” motion on the side of the enclosure itself.

Move your peeling motion all around the enclosure and it would definitely feel like you are going to break the case at any time, but do not worry, it’s a pretty durable plastic.

It would be better and faster if you have several cards that you can use and slot it in between the enclosure to create an opening.

There’s actually no screws holding the enclosure together, but much more like a “snap-on” mechanism like our plastic toys.

Once it gets loosen, it’ll be pretty easy for you get it out.

The enclosure with the hard disk separated.

The blue rubbers are actually noise damper to reduce the rattling noise created by the hard disk itself.

Be sure to keep everything in place not to loose it. To my surprise, there’s actually no screws at all inside this enclosure, yet the built is pretty solid.

The moment of truth

Something that you are about to witness below are going to break your heart if you have just bought the newer batches of the Western Digital Passport that is not sealed through those old blister packaging.

As I’m very excited to remove the hard disk from the enclosure. I noticed something very weird…

THE USB PANEL IS SOLDERED/CONNECTED to the logic board of the hard disk!?!

That leaves me no choice but to get a newer hard disk…I’d guess it makes sense they eventually creates this kind of security measure since if you were to calculate that it’s much more cheaper to get this one (older batch) and take off the harddisk, and you get both hard disk and enclosure that is high in quality at a lower price than you get it separately.

Removing the hard disk from macbook

As someone said on the internet, removing the hard disk on the macbook can be easy as a 5-years old can do it! Really? Let’s see, to start off, you will need to use coin to open the back cover that holds the battery.

With the coin pressed down, turn it towards the “unlocked” icon.

The battery is now free and you can remove it from the laptop.

We will need a screwdriver for the steps below in removing the L-bracket that protects the RAMs, and harddisk in place.

There’s total of 3 screws to be loosen.

Remove the bracket.

And you should see a white paper strip that is located on the left corner.

Pull the paper out to retrieve the hard disk.

As sweet looking as it is, you can actually see it bears the Apple logo on it. There’s actually an aluminium cage that is holding this hard disk.

And if you place a close attention, normal screwsdriver wouldn’t really work in removing it, unless you want to destroy it.

You will need the unusual Torx screwdrive that is more common towards electrical components (not daily use). The one I used are the Torx T-6.

Remove the 4 screws on the side of the harddisk that holds it. 2 on both side.

This is the new hard disk. Install it with the aluminium cage.

And place everything back in place. Hoo-ray! You have successfully completed in upgrading your hard disk! Enjoy your newly overkilled disk space!

And below are some links that might be helpful, for you to check out how others are doing this instead. Most importantly, Enjoy!

• Macinstruct – how to upgrade your macbook harddisk
• Macrumours – 320gb on macbook
• Insanely mac – upgraded
• A 320-gb birthday

Filed under: Apple, Hard Disk, Hardware, Technology, Tips , 320gb hard disk, Hardware, macbook, macbook white, new wd320gb passport, Tips, tutorial, upgrade hard disk, western digital scorpio blue

How to connect a 2.5inch external harddisk to your computer/notebook

It must have been a while since I shared anything useful but here I would glad to share to you no how you can use your newly bought external hard disk drive (shown on picture) which are normally the notebook hard disk (2.5 inch) nowadays that you can find at your favorite computer stores.

As shown on the picture above, this is one example of pre-packaged and formatted hard disk that you can use take it off the box and use it directly without much fiddling on the computer settings.

It’s rather delighting to see manufacturers adopting a “non-blister packaging” method to sell their products nowadays, of course this would definitely be a big question towards the seller if the product has been used before. But opening it has never been so easy.

And carefully slide the packaging off the harddisk.

The usual package you would get from a pre-packaged external hard disk.

To start off, you will need to get the cable of the hard disk and plug it into the hard disk itself.

And make sure it’s perfectly fit in, not much force needed in this case.

While there’s not much effort in setting this up, this is how normally an external hard disk will look like when it’s ready to be used.

Next you’ll need to make sure your computer or laptop is switched on.

Find the appropriate USB port and plug the cable into it.

One it’s in, you are ready to use it! Congratulations!

Filed under: Hardware, Technology, Tips , 2.5 inch hard disk, harddisk, Hardware, notebook, Tips, tutorial, western digital hard disk

How to apply thermal paste for Pentium 4 processor?

From the questions asked frequently among the visitors, how can they clean up their processor’s thermal tape/paste before reapply a new one? How much is enough? How much is too much? I’d often got this question running up in my head until I solved it by myself and through a series of random trials and errors. Hope this will be helpful.

What do you do upon realizing a bunch of mess below the processor cooler? Release the lock and remove the processor from its seat.

You need your most trustworthy tissue paper. Trust me, it works for me all the time.

The best bet is not to hold the bottom of the pin of the processor with your hand and not to let any of the thermal paste to touch it. At this point, I only clean it with tissues and the results are normally promising. And some might suggest to use nail polishing oil to ensure there will no more old paste stucked onto the top of the processor.

Once it is clean, take a good look at it.

How to ensure that you won’t break the pin when installing the processor back onto the motherboard? Face the processor pins towards you, and note that there is 2 missing pins on one edge of the processor.

Make sure the 2 missing pins will face the top right of the processor socket when installing, and do not worry, you need not to apply any force at all, and it will only fit in at one angle.

Once it’s fitted in, lock it.

And we will prepare to smear some paste on top of it. For this guide, I’ll use my trustworthy Arctic Silver 5.

Note : Pictures below are taken from my other tutorial, which the rest of the pictures, I’ve decided not to use it, since it’s related to installing CPU fan. 

Do not  put too much force in applying the thermal paste, else you will need to clean it up again.

Put/Use only HALF of what is shown on the picture above. The picture above is an example of too much thermal paste is applied. This will cause your processor to overheat even faster. Enjoy!

Filed under: Hardware, Technology, Tips

How to open a packaged hardware?

Occasionally, we indulge ourselves with different type of new computer accessories or hardwares. But we normally find ourself in trouble trying to open up the package which is nicely enveloped in plastic. It’s often where we damage the hardware during the ‘opening’ process. Here I would like to share on how you can gently open the plastic package to avoid any damage onto the product.

For this example we’ll have this Logitech Earphone which is tightly air packed with plastic.

We’ll need a small blade/cutter for this. Be very cautious to avoid any injury onto your finger/hand. Avoid doing this with childrens around.

Start by cutting through the top of the plastic and make a hole onto it.


It’s not necessary to always create a hole in the middle to rip of the plastic case, for this instance, we’ll cut through the side of the packaging so we’ll able to remove the plastic case.

With the top and both left/right side of the plastic case is cut, it’s now easier for you to take out the product. Enjoy!

Filed under: Hardware, Misc, Tips

How to boot with different operating system on a Mac?

Whenever we install an extra operating system or known as O/S inside our Mac, on startup, we can choose on which to boot. This is crucial whenever we feel like to choose over other O/S for some emergency use.

Firstly, we will have to prepare a Mac that has more than one operating system. For this instance, Windows and Mac.

Next, hold down the Option key (alt) before pressing on the power button. Keep the Option key hold even after you release the power button.

Soon not long after that you will be prompt with a menu for you to select which operating system to boot into. Enjoy!

Filed under: Apple, Hardware, Technology, Tips

How to use mouse with wheel?

Out of so many great inventions for computers, there is one that we can never live without. Mouse. And here I would also like to share with you, in case you have a mouse with wheel, that you can click on it.

Here is a typical mouse that you can find on the market, priced around the range of RM10 to RM50.

For righthanders, this is how you normally access to the mouse.

With the second finger (cloest to thumb) resting on the left click of the mouse, the fourth finger (closest to pinky finger/where people usually wear rings, i think)  lay rest on the right click of the mouse. And for the mousewheel, you can leave the rest of the job for the middle finger.

So how do we normally use the mouse? With a limited space around a table, most of the times. We try hard to reach ‘hard to reach’ areas and stretching our arms unnecessarily.

To avoid such strains, kindly hold the mouse up from the table and then place the mouse closer to you and continue browsing. This will then ensure total enjoyment without much stress on the palm and your arm.

For the mouswheel, which are used for scrolling, you can actually use it for clicking. Which, for normal website browsing, clicking on it will bring up this unusual icon on your screen…

Which you then are able to maneuver  the website like the mighty mouse from apple, vertically  or horizontally or both at the same time. That’s about it. Enjoy!

And one worthy note on the red LED on the bottom of the ‘ballless’ mouse, it’s really harmful for the eye which it’s best to avoid your kid to look directly into it. Peace.

Filed under: Hardware, Misc, Tips

How to switch on Nintendo DS Lite?

Happy New Year and so it seems that everyone must have a piece of new gadget at hand to toy with. For the lucky ones i mean. I’m glad to have Zanoradiel to help over again on how you can operate or switch on the Nintendo DS Lite. A very slick built handheld.

First, we’ll have to prepare the DS Lite in front of us.

By gently facing the front lid onto us. As the picture instructed, gently open the lid and to ensure you damage the screen, not to open it more than 130 degrees.

The very final step we’ll have to do is to locate the power button which is located at the right end of the handheld. With a gentle push upward and then let it go, you’ll soon see the LED lit to indicate that you have switched on the DS Lite.

Tadaa~ Enjoy!

Filed under: Games, Handheld, Hardware, Technology, Tips

How to pair your Apple Remote with your iMac/Macbook/Macbook Pro?

Have you ever wondered what could you do with your Apple Remote? Which it came together with your iMac, Macbook/Macbook Pro? You can mess up people’s setup by pressing the ‘Menu’ button, in other word, you can use the same remote control to mess up with other people’s Mac. Awesome eh? But of course on the other hand you wouldn’t want that to happen to you, so thanks to Zanoradiel, he sent an article that talks on how you can make your Mac Product recognize only YOUR apple remote, which is better known as ‘pairing’.

First of all, you will need to have the Apple Remote in your hand, and the only key needed for this process are the Menu and Play/Pause key. And of course you need to switch on your computer before proceeding.

By placing your remote close enough on the Infrared Red sensor on your Imac/Macbook/Macbook Pro, hold on to Menu and Play/Pause key at the same time. Hold it on for 5 second or more.

As soon everything is in the right place, you will suprisingly see one ‘chain’ icon and the apple remote appeared in the middle of the screen indicating that only remote can control your Mac product.

Of course you would also interested to know on how to ‘unpair’ it incase you have changed the remote on a newer one. By going to Apple -> System Preferences , choose Security from the menu.

By take a quick look at it, look at the bottom and you’ll see an option to ‘unpair’ your remote. Enjoy!

Other interesting links on the Apple Remote :

• Control other application using your Apple Remote
  

Filed under: Apple, Hardware, Mac, Technology, Tips

How to use Apple 60W MagSafe power adapter for Macbook/Macbok Pro?

It must be exciting for almost everyone that owns a new macbook. But there are times when a good instruction are still not that good yet. It miraculously took me 10 minutes to figure out on how to use the power adapter. It must be my luck and I thank god I didn’t broke it the first time I use it. Through a search on the net, I still couldn’t get a clear view on how to use it. Shame on me. But here I will share with you a quick guide in setting up your magsafe power adapter for use on different wall plug on different country.

Above are the usual package that comes with your macbook, which has the extension and wall plug for different country, example which I’ll use that is compatible for Malaysia.

The first time I saw the adapter, I was clueless on how I can make use of it, because the only thing I figured out is to push the pin downward. And nothing more than that.

What suprised me even more that the pin is NOT compatible at all to use with my country’s wall socket. It’s either I have to resolve in buying a new converter…or pull that off. But don’t do that with force. Insted,

With two of hand, one holding the end of the adapter and another, with mild force, you are able to dissect the adapter from it’s body.

Next, what we’ll do is to take the extension that is compatible, notice the hold behind the socket?

What we will do is to slot the socket in and let it slide. No  massive force is needed

Gently push the socket in to let it fit properly.

In case you need a longer extension, you may even opt for the extensioncable provided.

What happens when the wire around the adapter tangles and gets too long?

We can make use of the “holder” that built in with the adapter and wrap/roll the wire around it. With that we will able to keep the wires neat.

Now with the connector. It is protected and covered with a cap to avoid any dust or debris to clog inside. Remove the cap.

And we will have to locate the hole for us to plug the connector in.

It requires almost no effort or force to plug it in. As soon we hold the connector near the hole, it will automatically ‘SNAP’ and connect the plug due to the magnet built inside. This way it will avoid any unnecessary ‘misplaced’ socket that will destroy your macbook.

Once you get everything ready and you’re up for running at optimum power. You may now able to switch on the power  for the adapter.

And if everything goes well, you will see there is one small led on top of the connector lits up. If it’s in orange colour means it’s charging, while when it turns to green that means you have fully charge your battery. Enjoy!

Filed under: Apple, Hardware, Mac, Technology, Tips

How to connect Playstation 2 to your CRT/LCD Monitor?

Like me, being living outside of my hometown, I only have a personal computer with me, and it would be an extra burden to purchase an additional television for the sake of console entertainment at house. And so i’ve decided to find an option to connect my Playstation 2 to my monitor. It’s so advance now that most of the high-end LCD monitors provides direct input into the panel without going through another additional hardware. Here will be a brief guide on how you can play your Playstation 2 Games on your CRT monitors.

Of course we will need both the console and a monitor for this to work.

And the extra ingredient would be this tool called the VGA BOX. This hardware retails around your  favourite game shops from RM140 up to RM250. The price usually varies from different brand due to features and quality. I had mine for RM140, not too shabby. I get for what i paid, wish I had a tv.

The package comes with the cable where you can retrieves output from your console and then go through the VGA box and transfers the signal to your monitor. Note there are 5 plugs into your VGA Box from the Playstation, the 3 plugs in a wire are for displays while the latter are for audio, both left and right channel.

By making sure every plugs and cable is in it’s place. And of course the  switch is turned on, you can then test  if the VGA box is working.

As you switch on your Playstation, please make sure you also switch on your monitor’s power. Locate the ‘display’ switch which is on the VGA box that you will be able to switch to different output on-the-fly, either the console or your CPU. Enjoy!

Filed under: Games, Hardware, Playstation, Technology, Tips