How to Replace a Hard Drive in an IBook G4
As you install new programs and create new files on your iBook G4 laptop you may find that you are running out of room and need additional space for new data. As with any other type of laptop you can remove the current hard drive and replace it with a new one that has a larger storage capacity. Unfortunately the process for replacing the hard drive on an iBook G4 is much more complicated than with other laptops as you must take apart nearly every other component before reaching the hard drive itself.
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Instructions
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Power off your iBook G4 laptop entirely. Turn the iBook over so that you can see the bottom side of the plastic casing. Locate the battery locking screw at the bottom of the case and twist it clockwise with a standard screwdriver. Grab the battery at the lower-left side of the case and remove it from the computer. Set the battery aside.
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Flip the iBook back over and open up the LCD screen so that the keyboard is visible. Find the two plastic locking pieces at the top-left and top-right ends of the keyboard. Pull both of them up towards you to unlock the keyboard from the case. Remove the keyboard and set it aside.
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Locate the AirPort card at the top end of the case. Push the metal cover piece out of the way and then lift the card off of the iBook. Disconnect the cable running from the card to the logic board. Set the card aside. Remove the screws holding the metal piece in pace directly underneath where the card was located. Pull the metal piece off and then pull out the RAM modules underneath. Set them aside.
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Close the LCD screen again and flip the iBook back over so you can see the bottom side. Pull out the three rubber stoppers located at the corners of the case and then remove the screws hidden underneath them. Use a Torx screwdriver to remove the Torx sized screws at the top and bottom of the case. Lift the entire bottom half of the plastic casing off of the iBook and set it aside.
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Use the Phillips screwdriver to remove all of the screws on the metal shield beneath where the plastic casing was located. Lift the metal shield off the iBook and set it aside. Find the small green DC board at the lower-right end of the iBook. Disconnect the cable running from it to the logic board. Remove the DC board and set it aside.
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Turn the iBook over again and re-open the screen, but be careful not to damage the exposed logic board on the bottom side. Remove the remaining screws underneath the area where the keyboard was located. Lift the entire metal shield out of the iBook and set it aside to finally reveal the hard drive at the lower-left corner. Remove the two screws holding the hard drive to the laptop.
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Pull the hard drive out of its port and disconnect the cable running to the logic board. Set the replacement hard drive in its place and reconnect the cable. Set the metal shield back into place and reconnect the cables. Flip the unit back over and reconnect the DC board. Reassemble the remaining parts of the iBook and then power the iBook on to make sure the hard drive was installed correctly.
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Tips & Warnings
You may want to set a soft towel underneath the iBook to prevent the exposed logic board from being scratched or damaged when you turn the laptop back over to access the hard drive. Make sure to backup all of your old data to an external source so that you can then transfer it over to the new hard drive.
The release of static electricity from your body can damage your iBook's logic board or hard drive. Make sure to touch a metal object grounded firmly to the floor before opening up the iBook to release any built-up static electricity.
References
- Photo Credit Apple
