Macbook Pro A1226 Speakers Replacement - Mono to Stereo via panic

Mi Problema

My life became mono - the left speaker of my Macbook Pro Laptop stopped working. I'd successfully replaced the Hard Drive myself previously using ifixit instructions and thought how hard could it be?

Mi Solución

It took about an hour to take the laptop apart. My heart sank when I looked at all the pieces I'd taken out and realised I was only halfway through. I also had a mild panic - what if it doesn't work when I put it back together?

The process was very long and involved (1 step was to "remove the following 15 screws") and I accidentally broke the PRAM battery connector off the logic board - it wasn't made clear in the instructions how to lever the connections apart and it was the first one I tried. Anyhow, a bit of superglue and the connector is back on. I was very relieved when I turned it on at the end and everything worked. I'm back in stereo again.

I didn't come across the link to the Applying Thermal Paste section until I got to that step. Lucky I had my Dad's computer available to look it up, as i would have been screwed if I only had my print-out of the steps.

Mi Consejo

Be very careful when levering the connections apart.

Make sure you have some Kaplon anti-static tape as once you've detached it, it doesn't stick back down very well. I recommend this should be included in the required products - except that ifixit doesn't seem to sell it. I found it on eBay.

Make sure you read all the way through the instructions before you begin. If you're not going to have access to a computer while you're fixing it make sure there aren't links to other pages that you're going to need.