How to Change Laptop CD-ROM Drives in an iBook
Apple introduced the iBook laptop in 1999 and offered it through 2005 as an affordable, stylish, compact notebook computer. If the CD drive on your iBook ever malfunctions or is damaged, you may consider buying a new laptop since the technologies in most iBooks are largely outdated. However, if you decide to replace the CD drive instead of the whole system with a new one, you must almost completely disassemble the iBook to do the job.
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Things You'll Need
- Replacement CD drive
- Flathead screwdriver or coin
- Small Phillips screwdriver
- Small plastic wedge (spudger)
- T8 Torx screwdriver
- Soft, clean cloth
Instructions
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1
Back up the computer. There is a high risk the computer could be compromised during this procedure because you must expose all the internal components of the iBook.
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2
Turn off the iBook and then disconnect any cables attached to it.
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3
Turn the iBook upside down, twist the battery-retaining screw to unlock the battery, and then remove the battery.
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4
Turn the computer back over and then open the lid.
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5
Lift the two keyboard retaining tabs, located at the top corners of the keyboard, and then flip the keyboard down over the palm rest. Now that the internal components are visible, touch an unpainted metal surface before continuing so you don't introduce static into the system.
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6
Remove the four screws that secure the memory cover, and then remove the cover.
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7
Disconnect the keyboard cable from the memory compartment, and then set the keyboard aside.
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8
Close the lid and then turn the computer upside down.
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9
Use the plastic wedge to remove the rubber feet from the bottom case to expose the screws and rubber buffers underneath. Now that they're exposed, remove the screws and the rubber buffers.
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10
Remove the three screws in the bottom of the iBook and the two screws in the battery compartment. These screws help secure the bottom case.
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11
Push the lower case release button, and then pry the bottom case up on all sides with the plastic wedge to unlock it from the tabs securing it. Remove the bottom case and set it aside.
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12
Remove the springs from the battery compartment.
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13
Remove the four screws that secure the lower metal shield, and then carefully pull it off.
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14
Remove the tape from the small, green electronics board, and then remove the two screws. Trace the cable attached to the small electronics board to the connector on the large electonics board, and then disconnect it. Remove the small electronics board from its compartment.
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15
Remove the screws on the battery compartment frame.
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16
Place a soft, clean cloth on your work surface, and then place the computer, upright, on it. Open the iBook lid.
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17
Remove the magnet near the hinge of the screen, and then extract the screw.
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18
Remove the seven screws from the keyboard compartment.
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19
Disconnect the trackpad cable, located in the memory module compartment. Next, disconnect the speaker cable, located on the edge of the computer, and then disconnect the power cable, located near the screen hinge. Be careful not to pull too hard on these cables because they're easily damaged. For best results, pry the connectors up with the plastic wedge.
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20
Remove the 15 screws securing the top metal shield, and remove the shield.
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21
Remove the four screws on the edges of the CD drive. Remove the tape and use the plastic wedge to gently pry up the small green electronics board attached to the CD drive.
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22
Disconnect the cable that connects the CD drive to the port in the memory module compartment, and then remove the CD drive from the computer.
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23
Position the replacement CD drive in place in the computer, and then follow these instructions in reverse order to reassemble the iBook.
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24
Start the computer and ensure it boots correctly. Once booted, insert a CD into the CD drive to make sure it works.
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Tips & Warnings
The various iBook models sold while it was available have some design differences, but the overall construction of the internal components is similar across them all. If you encounter slight differences in, for example, the position of screws, just tweak these instructions to fit your needs. That will allow you to replace the CD-ROM drive without damaging the iBook.
Put every piece you take off the laptop in a place where you won't lose it. You may also find labeling the pieces as you remove them to help you remember where everything goes when it's time to reassemble the computer.
