Apple MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) - Manual (Page 46)

46 Chapter 3 Boost Your MacBook Pro
2 Push the levers on the sides of the memory module in an outward direction to release
the module from the memory card slot.
The memory pops up at an angle. Before removing it, make sure you see the half-circle
notches. If you don’t, try pressing the levers outward again.
3 Hold the memory module by its notches and remove it from the slot.
4 Remove the other memory module.
Important: Hold the memory modules by their edges, and do not touch the gold
connectors.