Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

headbirth · Dec 30, 2005, 02:37 PM

Hi,

I'm trying to install a new HD in my PB G4 and am having trouble getting the case off. Apparently there's one clasp just above the optical drive that's a really B@@ch to get off.

I'm wondering if any of you guys have an tips, special tool suggestions for doing this.

Thanks!

benwhanlee · Dec 30, 2005, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by headbirth

Hi,

I'm trying to install a new HD in my PB G4 and am having trouble getting the case off. Apparently there's one clasp just above the optical drive that's a really B@@ch to get off.

I'm wondering if any of you guys have an tips, special tool suggestions for doing this.

Thanks!

I'd check pbfixit.com. There should be detailed instructions for what you're trying to do.

headbirth · Dec 30, 2005, 08:33 PM

yep ... already did that Ben. They suggest using a hooked dental tool or a push pin. I couldn't seem to get the push pin to work.

Was hoping someone had done this before and could give me some insight about this one last clasp that holds the case on. I can't really get a bead on it ...

Thanks for the reply though.

rocky2 · Dec 30, 2005, 10:55 PM

Im have done this three times and yes, getting these catches released without breaking them can cause cold sweats.
The tool I like best is not the Apple spudger but is an old spring steel dessert knife about 50 years old with a very thin and rounded tip and very flexible blade. The thinness and flexibility are key. I just gently insert at the location of each clip and slide down until the clip releases.

The knife blade is about 1 cm wide and rounded not pointed at the tip so there is no damage to the case or clasp.

headbirth · Dec 30, 2005, 11:26 PM

The guide i'm using says that the last clip over the optical drive needs to be hooked and pulled toward me to release it ... is that true?

Sounds like your inserting your blade downward.

PeterKG · Dec 30, 2005, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by headbirth

The guide i'm using says that the last clip over the optical drive needs to be hooked and pulled toward me to release it ... is that true?

Sounds like your inserting your blade downward.

Somewhere in these threads people are successful in going through the optical drive slot to unlck the clasp, thus not damaging the case. Do a search to find out what they said. I destroyed my case on a previous PB trying to unlock the clasp the way PBFixit said to do it. They are wrong and need to update the instructions they give.

rocky2 · Dec 31, 2005, 02:44 AM

This is on a 12" G4 Al PB. I carefully insert the thin round tip of the knife blade just under the gray plastic edge beading and slide it downwards at the location of the clip and it simply pushes the clip back and releases it so that the top half of the case lifts up. I use the same technique working around the entire edge of the PB releasing each clip one at a time.
This has worked easily on the 12" PB BUT I have not tried it on a 15" or 17".

headbirth · Jan 4, 2006, 10:06 AM

Thanks for the help guys ... I ended up taking it to CompUSA and had them install just the drive for $30. I was to afraid of damaging the book and having to find a temporary replacement.