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Daveecee · May 29, 2008, 04:31 PM

Hi, I'm going to start out by saying I know that this probably belongs in the Mac Modification forum; however, it seems pretty dead and I'd really like a response, so I'm posting here.

I have a 2006 Intel iMac under Applecare warranty, and the hard drive's been acting up a bit. Not enough to have the apple store replace it, however, apparently. I have a 3.5" Seagate internal drive that I'd like to install in it. However, will this void my warranty if I put a 3rd party hard drive into my computer? I know putting in RAM by yourself doesn't, but does this not apply to hard drives?

If it DOESN'T void my warranty, does anybody know of a guide to do this? All I've seen are disassemblies that frighten me a bit

ghporter · May 29, 2008, 05:08 PM

Technically yes. Unless it's done by a qualified technician in an authorized facility, opening up your iMac will void the warranty. In theory, if you are good enough at it that you don't leave any traces that you did the work, this won't be an issue. If you decide to go this way, use Google—there are LOTS of "how to" guides for changing out Mac parts.

However, an Authorized Service Provider will usually change out a hard drive on a Mac for something like $50. That's the way I would go. I should point out that I have over a quarter century of electronics technical experience (I can solder better than you or anyone else you care to name...) and I have a BS in computer science. I'd still have someone with the specific training and tools do it for me.

Daveecee · May 29, 2008, 05:22 PM

My local Apple Store pointed me to an authorized technician (since the Mac Geniuses won't install third party stuff); he charges $85. That worth it, or a bit too high?

ghporter · May 29, 2008, 09:16 PM

Check your phone book for other authorized centers and ask them for their prices. Shopping can't hurt at all. It may be that the $50 I quoted was a local "going rate."

IceEnclosure · May 31, 2008, 04:04 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

Technically yes. Unless it's done by a qualified technician in an authorized facility, opening up your iMac will void the warranty.

When I wanted to upgrade my hard drive in my iMac in went to Apple Support site and there was a pdf with images showing how to replace the internal hard drive. This was on a G5 iMac from 2005.

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/...17_DIY_EDU.pdf

This support document is meant for customers, so I'm not sure if it would void your warranty. Also, it was easy as pie.

On the other hand, (just now) I did not find a similar pdf for the Intel iMac.

ghporter · May 31, 2008, 08:34 AM

Apple defines various parts of various machines as "user replaceable" (or similar wording) while the rest of the parts are not. If a non-authorized technician replaces a non-user replaceable part, that technically voids the warranty. On some machines, the hard drives are user replaceable (the MacBook for instance), while in others, they're not (the MBP and iMac). Unfortunately, a lot of people want to upgrade drives in those machines and that is where we have issues.

To get at the drive in an iMac, one has to remove the glass front panel, which is done with a fancy set of suction cups and a lot of patience. I wouldn't try it myself because of that—way too many ways for me to goof up.

IceEnclosure · Jun 2, 2008, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

To get at the drive in an iMac, one has to remove the glass front panel, which is done with a fancy set of suction cups and ....

o_O

holy crackers.

Luca Rescigno · Jun 2, 2008, 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by IceEnclosure

When I wanted to upgrade my hard drive in my iMac in went to Apple Support site and there was a pdf with images showing how to replace the internal hard drive. This was on a G5 iMac from 2005.

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/...17_DIY_EDU.pdf

This support document is meant for customers, so I'm not sure if it would void your warranty. Also, it was easy as pie.

On the other hand, (just now) I did not find a similar pdf for the Intel iMac.

The old G5 iMacs were easy to upgrade. The design changed when they added the iSight - they got slimmer, but they also removed all upgrade options other than RAM.

ajprice · Jun 2, 2008, 03:54 AM

Yep, the original G5 iMacs were an easy upgrade, take the back off and everything was there for you. The iSight iMacs are very different inside, you have to take the front panel off to get inside, then take out the screen, and then everything is a lot messier inside when you've got that far. With the glass and aluminium Intel iMacs, like ghporter said, you need suction cups to take the glass out (its held in by magnets), and the aluminium case is one piece, there's no back or front panel to take off other than the glass.