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Killed my Air whilst replacing cable

M

myuserid08

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 15, 2008
358
9
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I was replacing the audio cable in my Air when I dropped a screw on the board which controls the front pulsing light.
My Air no longer turns on, the only part that shows any life is the charger.

I cannot believe the screw has shorted the logic board ?

It's a 2009 1.86ghz, 128gb MacBook air.

Any suggestions ?

PS. Trying to upload photo, it's difficult when using an iPhone!!
 
If you have apple care, i suggest you to just go to the apple store and play dumb. it's really hard to fix a shortened logic board.
 
Nobita said:
If you have apple care, i suggest you to just go to the apple store and play dumb. it's really hard to fix a shortened logic board.
Click to expand...

And by "playing dumb", you mean lie...:rolleyes:

It is possible that you killed it. Might be time to purchase a new computer.
 
Nobita said:
If you have apple care, i suggest you to just go to the apple store and play dumb. it's really hard to fix a shortened logic board.
Click to expand...

No, don't have AppleCare - even when it was in warranty I replaced various parts including the fan/wifi card - it's often quicker and cheaper to do it yourself once you take travel into account.
 
Since you're out of warranty and your board seems to be fried, try reflowing it. You have nothing to lose anyways :)
 
OP: Did you not have the battery (and AC) disconnected when you were replacing the audio cable?

I am asking because it would be very difficult to short out the logic board with no power running through it and I believe you have to remove the battery to get to the cable you were replacing.
 
phantax said:
OP: Did you not have the battery (and AC) disconnected when you were replacing the audio cable?

I am asking because it would be very difficult to short out the logic board with no power running through it and I believe you have to remove the battery to get to the cable you were replacing.
Click to expand...

Yes battery was disconnected - this is what I don't understand, how can it be a short when there was no power (caps maybe?).

I've taken the air completely to bits and rebuilt, still doesn't want to fire up.
 
myuserid08 said:
Yes battery was disconnected - this is what I don't understand, how can it be a short when there was no power (caps maybe?).

I've taken the air completely to bits and rebuilt, still doesn't want to fire up.
Click to expand...

You are supposed to not touch it for several hours while the caps dissipate.
 
Where you using anti static straps? You could have killed it with static electricity as well.
 
Apple would want $755 to replace the logic board. Unfortunately, it may be time to get a new one, particularly since for $445 more than a repair you can get a new 11" with the Core i5, 4GB, and 128GB SSD.
 
Put it back together and take it to Apple let them look at and see what they say. They will give you a quote before they do any repair work.

At least if you know the cost of the repair you can make a decision.
 
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