Even an easy project goes better with a little advance planning, though. Make the installation go quickly and smoothly by preparing your work area ahead of time.
One or more hard drives. The drive(s) should conform to either SATA 1, SATA 2 or SATA 3 specifications. SATA is a common type of hard drive, so it should be easy to locate and purchase one, either locally or online. A screwdriver, preferably a Phillips #1, although in a pinch, a #2 will also work. A clean work area. You will be working with a number of small screws; don’t risk losing any of them in a mishmash of clutter.
Let’s Get Started
Good lighting and comfortable access make almost any task go more smoothly. If you’re like many Mac Pro owners, your Mac Pro is probably under a desk or table. The first step is to move the Mac Pro to a clean table or desk in a well-lit area.
Discharge Static Electricity
If you have an adjustable lamp or light fixture, position it so that its light shines on the inside of the Mac Pro.
Open the Case
According to Apple, it’s safe to lay the Mac Pro on its side, so that the case’s opening is facing straight up, but we recommend leaving the Mac Pro standing upright. This orientation puts the hard drive area of the case more or less at eye level. The only disadvantage is that you’ll need to hold onto the case when you remove or insert the hard drive sleds, to ensure that the Mac Pro doesn’t fall over. Use whichever method feels most comfortable for you.
Remove the Hard Drive Sled
Attach the Hard Drive
Reinstalling the Sled
Putting the sled back where it came from is a simple process. First, as you did when you removed the sled, make sure the access latch on the back of the Mac Pro is in the up position.
Slide the Sled Home
TReconnect the power cord and all the cables you disconnected back at the beginning of this project. Once everything is connected, you can turn your Mac Pro on.
