![macbook pro 2011 used optical drive macbook pro 2011 used optical drive](http://regmedia.co.uk/2012/10/23/macbook_ports.jpg)
The machine is already out of warrantee, so you won't need to worry about voiding it, and according to the iFixit for what I believe is your machine, the repair doesn't look too terrible. I use my old HD for storage of Movies, etc. The old HD, I would reformat it so it is not bootable. The Optical bay has a speed of 3 Gigabit. MacBook Pro MC700LL/A Specs Optical Drive: 8x DL SuperDrive AirPort: 802.11a/b/g Bluetooth: 2.1+EDR Power Brick: 60w MagSafe 1 Dimensions: 0.95 x 12.78 x. Your only option may be disconnecting the drive. I have installed a 500 GB Samsung 850 EVO in place of the HD. Perhaps the drive thinks there's a disk present, in which case blowing out the slot with compressed air might be of help. It shouldn't be spinning unless you have a disk in there. I have a similar MacBook, and the only time I ever hear the optical drive do anything outside of when I'm trying to use it is at boot, or when bringing the machine out of sleep. SATA interface, Slot-in loading, 9.5mm in height. kext might be your answer, but I wouldn't put money on it-someone else will need to enlighten us about that. Just plug it into the optical bay or replace the old drive, and the DVD drive will be detected.
![macbook pro 2011 used optical drive macbook pro 2011 used optical drive](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/332765168001-0-1/s-l1000.jpg)
If it happens randomly only once the machine is up and running, then removing a. kexts have been loaded at that point in the boot cycle, so if this is the case, removing any kernel extension won't have any effect.
![macbook pro 2011 used optical drive macbook pro 2011 used optical drive](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0mMAAOSw-uda0mcp/s-l400.jpg)
Does the noise occur immediately after you turn your computer on? If so, the only way to disable it will be to remove power from the drive by detaching it from the logic board.