By far the best instructional video I have seen for disconnecting the iMac and setting it up. Thorough explanation with most logical sequences and very good camera angles which makes it really easy to understand and see what's really going on. Most other videos glean over alot of details that they assume everyone knows how they got to the next step. Thank you for your expertly produced videos.

Totally amazing instructions!!! Nobody will beat this video instructions. Thanks a million Jorge

Thank you so much, followed the tutorial from ifixit and this video to help while I installed a new SSHD in place!

The surgery was SUCCESSFUL thanks to this WONDERFUL VIDEO!!!! THANK YOU guys! I have an old Mid 2007 imac that the Apple store WOULD NOT WORK ON! So instead of having to buy a new machine, mine is now WORKING LIKE NEW for only $230.00 instead of $2300.00!!! I just can't thank you guys enough! Now I am off to see what my NEW Mac will do.

Excellent instructions! Job completed in 45 minutes, big speed increase going to an SSD!

Excellent tutorial, thanks! This was all I needed to replace my failing HDD with a shiny new SSHD. Two points: first, I didn't need to detach the inverter cable (on a 24" early 2008 model). I just lifted the LCD back until the drive was accessible - the LCD balances quite well. Second, after eight years nearly full-time use, the residual adhesive on the temperature sensor clip (and foam) was completely non-existent. I had to fashion some quick replacements from tape. Thanks again - this was really helpful.

Thanks for this video. The tutorial worked great! A few comments... For those without suction cups, strong packing tape or even a lint roller can work in a pinch. Also, be careful with the screw on the memory access door, it strips easily. And finally, the metal pieces on the back of the screen cover you remove with the suction cups can fall off easily, so be gentle with them. Thanks again, this video save me a lot of $$$!

This is THE BEST video for this procedure. Other ones out there skip over the tiny, but very important parts, of what to do. This is very detailed. Thank you!

Great tutorial, it help me so much!!! Keep doing this kind of tutorials please...

Thanks for such a helpful video. I was able to replace the drive with no problems.

Great video. Well done in all regards.

Well DONE! This enabled me to install a crucial 512 SSD in my early 2008 24" iMac. I consider myself amateur at best. This was a breeze! Of note: use diskutility to format the SSD before you try the time machine, or it will not recognize it. And I just tucked the 2.5 SSD in behind some wires as it does not need to be bolted in.

Sir this was a very informative video, well made and explained properly. Thank you for taking the time to make it.. I believe is the best on this apple hard drive replacement..

Thank you for making the video! I did it and it worked. I used an old drive from a dead NAS and will use CCC to make a bootable spare. I have a few screws left though!

"That was easy." Thanks to the excellent video tutorial. Thanks!

Great walk-thru video(!!) I used this to replace the original spin drive in my early 2009 24" iMac with a speedy SSD drive. It all went like clockwork - thank you!

Great video. Can i install the new SSHD drives? Thanks

VERY NICE TUTORIAL!!! Thank you very much!

Many thanks to the uploader. Perfect instructions for disassembly, enabling the cleaning of a dusty/filthy iMac. Hopefully there's some life left in it yet...

Excellent video. I think this must be the best tutorial video for this generation iMac on the internet. The ifitix guide had some rather unnecessarily complicated steps in it, including disconnecting the LCD cable from the logic board which is notoriously hard to reconnect so I've read, and also did certain steps in a strange order IMO. The description is also slightly lacking in places. This video seems more logical and is much clearer, and more accurate regarding the screw locations and types. The only points of note I'd make on this video are as follows. Removing the glass/perspex panel with the suction cups at the top works okish but one of the pins got stuck at the bottom, so pulling it off completely straight (horizontally?) would have worked better - seeing as you are going to lie the thing flat anyway. The display temperature sensor connector was pretty hard to remove, had to use a tool and even then it wasn't easy, simply yanking on the wires like in the video could result in damage. The inverter connector @3:50 was virtually impossible to disconnect even with tools - and persisting would have resulted in damage - so I elected to leave the cable connected and propped the LCD up in the vertical position immediately alongside the horizontal iMac on the workbench. This works fine if your desk is next to a wall or if someone is holding it for you, but otherwise I think it's worth doing this on the floor and propping the LCD up against the wall that way. I used a vacuum cleaner to hoover up some of the dust but one has to be careful not to damage the aluminium foil backing. There is no mention of the foam square on the underside of the hard drive being removed, maybe the HDD coming out here isn't the original one, but that's an extra thing to remove from the original HDD and put onto the back of the new HDD or SSD. Maybe it's not essential but gives some pressure underneath and helps to absorb vibrations. The plastic/rubber grommets holding the mounting pins in place (on the computer) should remain in situ. They were holding the HDD in pretty well at the mounting pins and I thought it would be best to prize these rubber grommets off - no! Bad idea. They are near impossible to put back on once prized off so leave them there and simply pull hard on the HDD once you have released the top and pull it out (careful then not to yank on the SATA cable once released). When refitting the LCD and bezel, I noticed that the screw holes were not well aligned from the manufacturing process so getting the elements straight and getting the screws in straight is a bit of a PITA...probably the most strenuous part of the job (excluding trying to get the inverter connector off). I would also emphasize using an earthing wristband or similar and also being more thorough wiping the front of the LCD and back of the perspex/glass.

Thanks for this video. Made swapping a breeze. Now what had turned into a useless boat anchor is running like a champ again!

Worked great! Thanks✌🏿️

Superb tutorial, thanks a million.

Thanks very much for this tutorial :)

Just upgraded to a SSHD, thanks so much!

Great video! Thank you so much

Great video!

very well done tutorial for upgrading the imac 2007

Excellent tutorial on how to replace your old iMac hard drive. There were a few differences between my 2007 iMac and the 2009 iMac system shown especially relating to the connections from the Motherboard to the LCD, but the video was easy to follow and very thorough. I highly recommend buying the OWC toolkit referenced in the video. It made the entire process straightforward and quick. I particularly like the references in the top left corner of the video on the exact tool you should use for the specific step. Nicely done. I had my iMac upgraded with a new SSD drive in 45 minutes. If you are replacing your standard iMac hard drive with an SSD drive like I did, make sure you also order the OWC AdaptaDrive frame. It allows you to easily install your new 2.5" SDD into the iMac 3.5" hard drive bay.

Awesome great video thanks so much!!

Thank you for the help!

Really great video, one of the best tutorials I've seen, only spoiled by irritating music, weirdo 70's voice-over and lack of follow though in replying to your potential customers asking questions in comments.

worked like a dream, thank you

hi thanks for the link can you advise me could i put and SSD in at all instead of a Normal Harddrive

Excellent, thanks

what are those red things that pulled the glass off

You helped me! It workded!!

Excellent tutorial. I did my swap in well under an hour while running this video on a tablet, pausing and following step by step. The only problem I encountered was getting the drive out--the clip was very snug. I also varied the glass removal slightly. I was able to get it off safely and securely with a single larger (about 6 inch diameter) Bondo brand suction cup designed for dent removal in cars, centrally placed. Very secure grip, and the panel came off effortlessly. Only seven bucks or less at auto supply places, and so cheaper than two of the smaller suction cups recommended.

Well done!

doing this in 2018 on a 2007... still runs el capitan pretty well with only 2gb, . I can't imagine running a modern OS on a PC from 2007 w/ only 2gb :)

pls tell me how to install mac os after doing it...?

Replacing the Hard Drive, DVD Super Drive, will this extend the life to another 8 years or so?

So after that just turn it on and it's good too go?

Thanks OWC for such a great How To ....!!! I replaced my HDD with a new hybrid SSD/HDD and used Carbon Copy Cloner to transfer the data!! my 2008 24" iMAC is smoking fast now!

Hi OWC do you think or know if i change from hitachi to seagate will cause any trouble?

Thank you!!

hello My Mac "Core 2 Duo" 3.06 24-Inch (Early 2009) (MB420LL/A), i want install Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD, what you think about? this mac support sata III ?

Superb video; worked like a charm when I did mine. Comparative costs between a Mac shop replacement and myself (2014): $640 by a shop; $288 myself (purchase price). My only quibble is with the background 'music'. Why do North American posters find it necessary to include? It may be just me, but especially for electronically-sensitive equipment I don't want ANY distractions while watching and trying to learn a new skill. One 'minor' slip of the Torx and I'm in big trouble.

the 5 green lights inside my imac turn off when i reconnected my hard drive but when i disconnect it the computer turns on. im trying to do data recovery with the hard drive. how do i know if i fried the hard drive?

Thank you so much

Bloddy amazing

Does anyone know where I can buy a hard drive mounting kit, or if I really need one? @4:30?

Thank You

great. thanks

Thanks. Very helpful video!!!

Outstanding video! I looked at perhaps half a dozen videos before viewing yours, which was head and shoulders above all the others, and gave me the confidence to tackle the job myself instead of paying the local Mac shop $200 to install the drive. One question: before I installed the drive, the fans hadn't worked at all for two years. After the installation, they run at top speed and continuously. Might I have improperly reconnected the LCD temperature sensor?

Awesome video! This would be same for 21 inch early 2009 iMac too yes?

My screen will not turn on whatsoever and I also don’t hear a startup sound. I made sure BOTH wires are connected and it’s still not working????

I didn't have a T6, so I left the screen connected at the front, and replaced the HD while holding the screen out of the way. Only needed a T8 and a suction cup (from a kids toy).

Hi I just bought a 2007 iMac from a thrift store for $60.00, the only problem is that has is it needs previous owner password to operate. Now this was donated to the shop for tax purposes for the previous owner. My question is if I put a new hard drive in will it erase the password screen and can I start from scratch?

Which OWC do it your self kit and drive would you recommend? which drive is this one here? i need to replace the HD and would like to do it my self following these instructions like so many have. This is the mac i have I also have an early imac 2009 24 inch. Thank you.

this video is great if you don't fall asleep during assembly.

Doing this in 2016 on a 2008 I found the following issues: 1. The inverter connection was very difficult to remove. Eventually I had to grab it with needle nose pliers at each end and work it out slowly. 2. During the reassembly the mylar tape had no stickky left. 3. The heat sensor insulating pad on the hard disk started to separate leaving the sticky layer behind. I need a razor blade to pry up the edge of the tape. On re-assemby it had no sticky left. I applied a strip of packing tape to hold it in place. 4. The plastic hold down for the heat sensor had not sticky left. More packing tape. 5. At least one brand of eyeglasses cleaner has a waxy agent in it that makes getting the screen and protector worse to clean. 99% rubbing alcohol and a paper towel worked.

ok, your awesome video makes me take the adventure and replace the hard drive myself. since it's making a clicking noise from the back and apple told me it's the hard drive that is failing. I'll let you know the result. thanks

We did it, it worked! Connectors all came apart and put together without a problem. Pulled glass off horizontally like people suggested, and used ice cube tray to hold screws. We saved $500 and I now have 2T storage! I'm wondering if this if possible to do on the newer computers? I know Apple doesn't like regular humans altering their devices.

Hi, Regarding compatible HD's. I see the link in the description however I was lead to believe only 2.5" fitted? I dont know much so it would be easy for me to be wrong, I just want to make sure 110% before I go and buy a HD. Maybe you can give me a direct link for a 1TB HD please :) Excellent video, you have given me the courage to attempt this myself :) OH, and would there be any other components I need to buy? like a temp sensor or fan? And can I put 8gb ram? Maybe if you supply these items please give direct link :) Thanks again :)

Excellent tutorial! I only have one question: I see that you replaced the disk with another WD. Do you think that replacing for example with a Seagate 2TB SSDHD I could get some problems with the temperature sensor? Thanks in advance.

Perfect tutorial only I would not recommend using the screwdriver for aligning the FaceTime camera. I probably damaged the circuit board of mine because it isn't working anymore. The green light comes on but I have only a black image.

Is it necessary to remove the memory access door? I'm using the small Philips screw driver, the screw is moving but it's not coming out.

Is changing the drive cable more involved? I bought a used one thinking I could save my computer after someone told me that the cable is known to go bad in these.

Any videos/instructions on replacing old hard drive with SSD on early 2009 24" iMac? RAM is already maxed out at 8GB. Thanks in advance

If I use a SSHD, Can I still use the temperature gauge on the SSHD???

Can the GPU also be replaced?

Is it possible to swap the C2D in the 2009 24-inch iMac with a C2Q?

I installed a new hard drive my friend gave me, then turned it on the Mac I got a Startup Repair screen. I clicked Restore. the computer ran attempting repair......for an hour now...I just realized this video only teach to install the hard drive. How can I use my Mac again?

I thing music is useless... boring, in clear. On the other side, quite useful is your demo. Thanks for that :)

For myself, I could do without that irritating music. It is very distracting. I also wish you could leave those notes before the video on the screen long enough to read them, or include those instructions in the show notes. Well done, otherwise. Thank you.

Tip: use a pencil and mark the holes with which size screw.

really having a VERY difficult time disconnecting the bottom of the frame near the RAM slots from the rest ... i've been pretty aggressive and PRETTY certain i'm damaging something - it doesn't just 'wiggle off' like in the video - not at ALL. be warned. ALSO - i broke off 3-4 of the pins at the top since the outer glass cover wouldnt' just 'lift off' either - took QUITE a lot of force and i thought i might break it so i used my two suction cups (much stronger than those shown in the video) from ONE SIDE ONLY ... dont' do this

IMPOSSIBLE to lift the display up from below - WTF?? - after getting all screws out and disconnecting the LVD socket etc ... something is stuck under the left corner ... what GIVES? Sorry but I think this instructional video is misleading at best

bro - this aint user friendly at all - lol - this needs a technician... f that lol