Paul Grzelak

What an experience! Two days, more screws than I can count (including a busted spring-loaded one on the heat sink), and a easily more than a dozen super-tight wire connectors later, I finally got that CD drive out. Good thing I’m just doing this for fun and/or parts, because I’m sure I broke something somewhere along the disassembly. But at the end of the day, it’s still been a worthwhile experience, and I got to marvel at the innards of a premium machine from back in the day — this computer is such a beautiful feat of engineering! Thank you to iRobot and all who make iFixIt a platform for oddballs like I who enjoy tinkering with gadgets.

It sure could! But they do still have little red screws highlighted in the center right of the very frame of the photo. Almost can’t see them! Here’s hoping this comment indicates them more clearly.

Yes, these 7.5 mm screws are fussy indeed! The left one came off without issue, the right one spins for days in either direction yet remains tightly secured to the assembly. Not even pliers can loosen the little bugger! Glad to know at least I’m not the only one to encounter this issue.