Apple macbook pro 17 inch late 2008 User Manual

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Take Apart — Top Case 31
Check that the perimeter screw tabs and ribs are not bent.
5. 
Note: The metal can quickly fatigue and break off. Be extremely careful to gently straighten 
tabs, if needed.
 
Verify that the screw tabs in back are straight and guide them inside the bottom case. Work 
6.  
your way around guiding the screw tabs into the bottom case along both sides. 

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Take Apart — Top Case 32
If the back screw tabs are bent out, straighten by pressing the edge of the case on a hard flat 
7.  
surface and rolling to vertical.
 
Any screw tabs that are not straight will not fit or accept screws correctly.
8.   

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Take Apart — Top Case 33
Use your finger and a black stick to carefully straighten bent screw tabs.
9. 
Connect the flex cable from the top case to the logic board.
10.  
Lift the top case off the bottom case slightly and rotate it down (verify that the keyboard 
11 .  
cable stays connected and is folding properly) and align the corners.
Carefully pull or push tabs slightly, if needed. 
12.   Note: Guarded, controlled pushing with your 
thumb...

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Take Apart — Top Case 34
Install the bottom screws. 
16.  
Install the two screws along the back
17.   .
.
Install the memory door and replace the battery. 
18.  
Testing the computer should include:
19 .  
Powering on, checking the keyboard and trackpad function. 
• 
Operate the computer in a darkened room to check for keyboard backlight function.
•  

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Take Apart — Keyboard 35
Keyboard
Tools
This procedure requires the following tools: #0 Phillips screwdriver (magnetized)
• 
Razor knife
• 
Needlenose pliers
• 
Black stick (nylon probe 922-5065) or other non-conductive nylon or plastic flat-blade tool
• 
Kapton tape (922-1731) (0.5-inch x 12-yard roll)
• 
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, remove the following:
Batter
•  y
Top Cas
•  e
Part Location 

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Take Apart — Keyboard 36
Procedure
Important Notes: All 17-inch MacBook Pro keyboards are not interchangeable with previous PowerBook 
• 
models nor any 15-inch MacBook Pros. Verify that the correct replacement keyboard is 
ordered, and/or top case if replacing.
In addition, keyboards for all models of the 17-inch MacBook Pro are not interchangeable, ie, 
• 
side tabs were removed on the MacBook Pro 17-inch (2.4GHz & Early 2008), the Caps Lock...

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Take Apart — Keyboard 37
Peel off any tape to gain access to the connector.
 
3. 
Locate the protective cover over flex cable connectors. This will not be removed, but released 
4.  
only half way around to access the large flex cable connector.   

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Take Apart — Keyboard 38
Use a razor knife to carefully lift up at the edge just enough to slide in the flat side of a black 
5. 
stick.
To release the adhesive, slide the black stick around the front half perimeter only, as shown.
6.  
When disconnecting or installing the large flex cable, carefully lift the front of the cover. 
7.  
Important: Keep the cover and its adhesive clean.   

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Take Apart — Keyboard 39
Carefully disconnect the two connectors, shown below, and slide out their flex cables. The 
8.  
direction that the connector lock bars release is shown in the illustration below. Important: 
The connectors are delicate. If damaged, the top case must be replaced. Note: The clear 
cover is shown removed here, for clarity only.  
Release the adhesive under the large flex cable.  
9.  

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Take Apart — Keyboard 40
Locate the insulator film covering the back of the keyboard well. The film will NOT be 
10.  
removed, but will be peeled back to first access four bend-tabs in the MacBook Pro (17-inch 
and 17-inch Core 2 Duo) and six bend-tabs in the MacBook Pro (17-inch 2.4GHz and Early 
2008) along the bottom edge, and then to access some keyboard screws.  
Use a razor knife to carefully lift up at the edge just enough to slide in a...