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Mobo Replacement 2.66ghz MBP 15"

R

Reelknead1

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 21, 2009
297
7
Just thought you guys would be interesting in seeing some picture from work today.

This macbook pro was brought in a week or so ago. Acting extremely sluggish, my first thought was bad drive. So I replaced it with the exact drive that apple uses all the way down to the same model number. That doesn't solve the issue so I send it out to apple for repair. They decide to be apple and reject it due to the hard drive not being OEM.

So I decided to just order the Mobo and put it in myself. This is the first time doing Mobo work on a 15" unibody and man is it impressive how they fit everything together. Much nicer design then the aluminum MBPs and also took about half the time as the old one.

Here are some pictures of todays work. The thing runs like a champ now. No idea what caused the failure of the board. No sensors tripped or burn marks. The important part is its back in the clients hands and back to doing what it does best, checking emails lol :rolleyes:

Battery Removed: The screw driver in the top right hand corner is $25 bucks through apple!!
IMG_0417.jpg

Mobo removed from computer
IMG_0419.jpg

Underside of the mobo with heat sink attached. Notice the size, thats college ruled by the way.
IMG_0420.jpg

Underside of the mobo with heat sink off.
IMG_0425.jpg

Heat sink, Very nice design. Much nicer the the older style MBPs
IMG_0423.jpg

O and don't worry I'm wearing a static guard wrist band the entire time.
All pictures taken with the iPhone 4.
 
The 2010 use the tri-wing screws, 2009 have a 5 star security torx. That and I have certain money that can only be spent at apple so i purchased it from them.
 
Reelknead1 said:
The 2010 use the tri-wing screws, 2009 have a 5 star security torx. That and I have certain money that can only be spent at apple so i purchased it from them.
Click to expand...

security torx is even cheaper than tri-wing. if i had "certain money that i can only spend at apple" i'd be buying real stuff.
 
When i conduct a repair on a warranty item through apple. I am paid in "Apple Money" lol. This money goes on account and can be used to purchase things through Apples GSX. I have money in that account, so I buy apple approved tools.

But yes you are correct that is a rediculous amount of money for a screw driver. My boss bought a 50 dollar foam block the other month for laptop repairs. Some places sell it for as much as 100 bucks. What a rip off.

vO0UBezV4jQj30U3WlArnza6YyWgrlCcS3eEOekfM4Bl6mmyzUfiJC-kBfaMTyGPy0OdKlxqsNMt3YAShBZtXbLafqzLc7UC0JJHgAhhdkoJEFAjnXd_6hj1E_EfoTfmyP9eILQVOQkbwJEqvKC8SNfxyx5NvoeB4kqEFYwdpUXd0edd
 
Why would you jump right to replacing a hard drive for a slow machine? If your shop doesn't have a Netboot you really need to set one up for trouble shooting. Boot the machine from it, or something else and use utilities to check components. Get SMART Utility. It's worth it. By the way, I never use the foam triangle. I send things into both depots in the US with non-Apple labeled drives all the time without issues.
 
devilstrider said:
Told you apple be tripping ove HDD and memory upgrades. Anything to screw you on your warranty.
Click to expand...

mhm, tell you one thing, and then do another, All the more reason to not get OWC RAM and sell your OEM back to them..... I kept my RAM and plan on keeping my HDD when I upgrade, just so I can return it to stock.
 
CW Jones said:
mhm, tell you one thing, and then do another, All the more reason to not get OWC RAM and sell your OEM back to them..... I kept my RAM and plan on keeping my HDD when I upgrade, just so I can return it to stock.
Click to expand...

I did the same thing.
 
bizzle said:
Why would you jump right to replacing a hard drive for a slow machine? If your shop doesn't have a Netboot you really need to set one up for trouble shooting. Boot the machine from it, or something else and use utilities to check components. Get SMART Utility. It's worth it. By the way, I never use the foam triangle. I send things into both depots in the US with non-Apple labeled drives all the time without issues.
Click to expand...

SMART is pretty useless.

How much did that mobo cost?
 
Reelknead1 said:
Just thought you guys would be interesting in seeing some picture from work today.

This macbook pro was brought in a week or so ago. Acting extremely sluggish, my first thought was bad drive. So I replaced it with the exact drive that apple uses all the way down to the same model number. That doesn't solve the issue so I send it out to apple for repair. They decide to be apple and reject it due to the hard drive not being OEM.

So I decided to just order the Mobo and put it in myself. This is the first time doing Mobo work on a 15" unibody and man is it impressive how they fit everything together. Much nicer design then the aluminum MBPs and also took about half the time as the old one.

Here are some pictures of todays work. The thing runs like a champ now. No idea what caused the failure of the board. No sensors tripped or burn marks. The important part is its back in the clients hands and back to doing what it does best, checking emails lol :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

[AppleCare does not cover] damage to the Covered Equipment caused by accident, abuse, neglect, misuse (including faulty installation, repair, or maintenance by anyone other than Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider), unauthorized modification, extreme environment (including extreme temperature or humidity), extreme physical or electrical stress or interference, fluctuation or surges of electrical power, lightning, static electricity, fire, acts of God or other external causes.
Click to expand...
I thought so


EDIT:
Replacing the Hard Disk Drive
You can upgrade the hard disk drive in your MacBook Pro. When you open the back of your MacBook Pro, the hard disk drive is located next to the built-in battery. The replacement drive must be a 2.5-inch drive with a Serial ATA (SATA) connector.
Important: Apple recommends that you back up the data on your hard disk drive before removing and replacing it. Apple is not responsible for any lost data.
To replace the hard disk drive in your MacBook Pro:
1 Shut down your MacBook Pro. Disconnect the power adapter, Ethernet cable, USB cables, security lock, and any other cables connected to the MacBook Pro to prevent damaging the computer.
Click to expand...
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/MacBook_Pro_15inch_Mid2010.pdf

if a 15" 2010
 
O and A said:
SMART is pretty useless.

How much did that mobo cost?
Click to expand...

I work at a Apple Service center and it was covered under warranty, so it didn't cost me any money. If i wanted to purchase one through Apple's GSX its around $1,000 for a 2.66 core2duo.
 
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