Before the start of this year, I had a perfectly functional 2007 MacBook Pro. Even with Lion installed, the machine was fairly stable, and it could even provide a semi-usable experience in performance-hungry applications like Aperture.
Earlier this year, however, I started getting occasional kernel panics. They gradually increased in frequency and I also began to encounter difficulties with startup. Apple Hardware Test and Disk Utility did not identify any issues. I usually was able to finally get booted after several attempts, and sometimes after trying to boot to the installation disk.
Then, the computer would not start at all. Even with all the tricks--PRAM, SMC, Safe Boot, nothing would boot. I couldn't even boot to an installation disc or a Lion USB.
At the Genius Bar, they seemed to think it might be something to do with my Windows partition. They wiped my harddrive but still couldn't boot to an installation. They tested the memory and everything else and concluded that the issue was the logic board, kind of "by default" from what I understood. They estimated a $500 cost for them to do the repair, which I was not prepared to stomach.
After brining it home, I've tried booting to installations of Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Lion to no avail. I receive a Kernel Panic in all. When running in verbose mode, the install stops after printing the Airport ethernet address. I've attached a snapshot of the output during the install load, if there is anything anyone on this board can glean form it.
Here are my questions:
1) How likely is it that this is a logic board issue (I'm still worried that it was identified as the issue "by default")? Is it safe to bet that if I repair this logic board or install a new logic board that my issue will go away? Again, the log from the install is attached if that provides any additional insight.
2) If a machine has a logic board failure is it more likely to have a subsequent failure? Do I need to make sure the cooling system or other components of my computer are functional to ensure a new logic board would have longevity?
3) Any experience with logic board repair (~$199) vs. replacement (~$299)? I'm planning on doing the swap myself. I've replaced a hard drive and lubricated a fan and feel pretty comfortable with the internals of the computer. The iFixIt guide shows the logic board replacement requiring a few more screws, and the application of some thermal paste. I guess I could either send in my current board for repair or swap it for a used one off eBay. The Genius Bar supposedly confirmed that my board was not one with one of the nVidia issues. If I get a used one from somewhere else am I taking a big chance? If I get my current one repaired how likely is that it'll last?
4) Should I just sell the machine for parts? Looks like my machine "for parts" goes for $150-$200 on eBay. A working machine goes for $500-$600. That price differential is about the cost of the logic board.
Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated! It pains me to think of selling what was such a great machine for parts, but that might be the best choice. I originally wanted to invest in a new high performance iMac to help with photo and video editing, but now I might need to invest in a new laptop first. I love my iPad, but I'm not prepared for life without a working laptop (different discussion, though).
Here is the log file during install (sorry that it isn't rotated correctly...couldn't find an obvious way to make it upright!):
![photo.JPG]( "photo.JPG")
Earlier this year, however, I started getting occasional kernel panics. They gradually increased in frequency and I also began to encounter difficulties with startup. Apple Hardware Test and Disk Utility did not identify any issues. I usually was able to finally get booted after several attempts, and sometimes after trying to boot to the installation disk.
Then, the computer would not start at all. Even with all the tricks--PRAM, SMC, Safe Boot, nothing would boot. I couldn't even boot to an installation disc or a Lion USB.
At the Genius Bar, they seemed to think it might be something to do with my Windows partition. They wiped my harddrive but still couldn't boot to an installation. They tested the memory and everything else and concluded that the issue was the logic board, kind of "by default" from what I understood. They estimated a $500 cost for them to do the repair, which I was not prepared to stomach.
After brining it home, I've tried booting to installations of Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Lion to no avail. I receive a Kernel Panic in all. When running in verbose mode, the install stops after printing the Airport ethernet address. I've attached a snapshot of the output during the install load, if there is anything anyone on this board can glean form it.
Here are my questions:
1) How likely is it that this is a logic board issue (I'm still worried that it was identified as the issue "by default")? Is it safe to bet that if I repair this logic board or install a new logic board that my issue will go away? Again, the log from the install is attached if that provides any additional insight.
2) If a machine has a logic board failure is it more likely to have a subsequent failure? Do I need to make sure the cooling system or other components of my computer are functional to ensure a new logic board would have longevity?
3) Any experience with logic board repair (~$199) vs. replacement (~$299)? I'm planning on doing the swap myself. I've replaced a hard drive and lubricated a fan and feel pretty comfortable with the internals of the computer. The iFixIt guide shows the logic board replacement requiring a few more screws, and the application of some thermal paste. I guess I could either send in my current board for repair or swap it for a used one off eBay. The Genius Bar supposedly confirmed that my board was not one with one of the nVidia issues. If I get a used one from somewhere else am I taking a big chance? If I get my current one repaired how likely is that it'll last?
4) Should I just sell the machine for parts? Looks like my machine "for parts" goes for $150-$200 on eBay. A working machine goes for $500-$600. That price differential is about the cost of the logic board.
Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated! It pains me to think of selling what was such a great machine for parts, but that might be the best choice. I originally wanted to invest in a new high performance iMac to help with photo and video editing, but now I might need to invest in a new laptop first. I love my iPad, but I'm not prepared for life without a working laptop (different discussion, though).
Here is the log file during install (sorry that it isn't rotated correctly...couldn't find an obvious way to make it upright!):
