Some advice on repairing a Macbook please

alpina

alpina

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Andy
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The hard drive on my white Macbook has died and I have read up on how to replace it myself. However the cd hasnt worked for ages and I cant think of a way to reinstall the software when I replace the drive.

Any ideas?
 
The Grey discs that come with your Macbook are machine specific. I'm not sure if a friends disc would work, although if you know someone with the exact same model it's worth a try.

You will have to buy new retail discs - these are black - from Apple or a different supplier. You can take it into an Apple shop and ask if they will replace the discs for free if the macbook isn't too old, they are sometimes nice and will replace things for free.

The discs aren't too expensive, Snow Leopard is only £22 on Amazon.
 
Ahh sorry guys I wasnt too clear. Its the actual cd drive that doesnt work.
I have the disks
 
How old is the Macbook?

If you can't get it repaired/replaced, you would probably have to use an external CD Drive to install from.
 
You can (with the newer models) boot from usb, you can legally transfer the data to usb, I once used an ipod to rebuild mine
 
I would just google it, I would have thought you would be fine, and its a damn shame to scrap it, would do iy for you but im in lancs,dont know where you are
 
How long ago did you buy it? I don't know when that model was discontinued, but if it's still within a reasonable amount of time you might be able to get them to fix the drive for free.
 
I bought it second hand a few years back now. I have read detailed instuctions on how to change the cd drive and its beyond me
 
If you have access to another Mac, you can use DVD or CD sharing [in System prefs/sharing]. I think this was first introduced in 10.5 Leopard, I'm running snow leopard so can't be 100%. Basically means you can install software onto your Macbook over wifi or ethernet network using another Mac's DVD drive.
Or get a firewire/usb DVD drive - I have a Lacie portable which is ok. On replacing the DVD drive have you looked at http://www.ifixit.com/
 
philshep said:
If you have access to another Mac, you can use DVD or CD sharing [in System prefs/sharing]. I think this was first introduced in 10.5 Leopard, I'm running snow leopard so can't be 100%. Basically means you can install software onto your Macbook over wifi or ethernet network using another Mac's DVD drive.
Or get a firewire/usb DVD drive - I have a Lacie portable which is ok. On replacing the DVD drive have you looked at http://www.ifixit.com/
Click to expand...

yeah, thats correct but he needs to get the os on there first
 
dazzalam said:
yeah, thats correct but he needs to get the os on there first
Click to expand...

Doesn't make it clear if need a previous OS on there or 10.6 to start with mind...
 
If you can get hold of another Mac with Firewire you can put your disk in the drive on the other Mac, then shut it down, connect to your Mac via Firewire and press the "T" key while it is booting up.

I have used this to install OS X off a retail DVD onto my old iBook which only had a CD drive.
 
Just hold the 'Option' key down whilst you turn it on. You will then be presented with a list of attached discs that you can boot from. Just select the external DVD. I've done it loads of times.

If you think about a Macbook Air, they don't have a DVD drive, if you wish to reload one of those you need an external usb drive.
 
Ploddles said:
Just hold the 'Option' key down whilst you turn it on. You will then be presented with a list of attached discs that you can boot from. Just select the external DVD. I've done it loads of times.

If you think about a Macbook Air, they don't have a DVD drive, if you wish to reload one of those you need an external usb drive.
Click to expand...
I should have added that at the bottom of my post!
 
Thanks so much for all the replies and kind offers to help

Sorted now.
 
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