Macbook serial unavailable - new logic board

[hosolof]

Hi all
I inadvertently bought a bogus Macbook Pro, it's had a 3rd party logic board installed and some other crud modifications done.
Problem is in OSX it says that the Serial Number is unavailable and I can't even use apps like facetime and messages.
I've tried running Blank Board Serializer but I think it's not compatible with the 2015 models.
Is there any way I can force the serial number into the software somehow?
I have a genuine number, it just isn't coming up.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Eason85]

Where did you buy it from? The OEM is the only one who can whitelist your embedded serial/give you a new one.

 

[tryrtryrtryrt]

Hi all
I inadvertently bought a bogus Macbook Pro, it's had a 3rd party logic board installed and some other crud modifications done.
Problem is in OSX it says that the Serial Number is unavailable and I can't even use apps like facetime and messages.
I've tried running Blank Board Serializer but I think it's not compatible with the 2015 models.
Is there any way I can force the serial number into the software somehow?
I have a genuine number, it just isn't coming up.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

As per your explanation, it looks like you've bought a Hackintosh (PC laptop made to be similar to Mac laptop and macOS installed on it with certain hacks) and not a Mac. I very much doubt anyone can produce a working replacement logic board for MacBook other than Apple itself.

Could you give more details?

 

[Eason85]

As per your explanation, it looks like you've bought a Hackintosh (PC laptop made to be similar to Mac laptop and macOS installed on it with certain hacks) and not a Mac. I very much doubt anyone can produce a working replacement logic board for MacBook other than Apple itself.

Could you give more details?

He could go to a repair shop and shell out for a legit board

 

[tryrtryrtryrt]

He could go to a repair shop and shell out for a legit board

If it's a Hackintosh, all the components will require replacement.

 

[Eason85]

How does one accidentally buy a hackintosh? Confusing.

 

[chrfr]

Hi all
I inadvertently bought a bogus Macbook Pro, it's had a 3rd party logic board installed and some other crud modifications done.
Problem is in OSX it says that the Serial Number is unavailable and I can't even use apps like facetime and messages.

When logic boards are replaced, the service provider is supposed to run a utility to set the serial number in the new board. (It's basically a new version of the Blank Board Serializer.) You don't have a hackintosh or 3rd party board. I'd suggest contacting an Apple authorized repair provider to see if they will set the serial for you.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

it's had a 3rd party logic board installed

There's practically no chance such a thing even exist.

 

[hosolof]

Hi all
No it's definitely a MacBook, I bought it online trusting the guy who sold it me (big mistake).
I've taken it to Apple, they said it was liquid damaged and someone has replaced the logic board, I/O board (or something like that) with third party parts.
They said they scanned the logic board and it is definitely from a third party, they do not recognise the code.
I think I might be screwed...
So no one knows of a way to force a Mac serial number onto a third party board?

 

[Eason85]

Your best bet is an unauthorized apple repair shop. They will have the parts.

Btw, did you pay with paypal? Because then you can easily get your money back.

 

[hosolof]

Your best bet is an unauthorized apple repair shop. They will have the parts.

Btw, did you pay with paypal? Because then you can easily get your money back.

OK thanks man, anyone know of a good place in East Melbourne?
Paid with cash, like an idiot...
I think there's a lesson to be learned here somewhere

 

[Eason85]

OK thanks man, anyone know of a good place in East Melbourne?
Paid with cash, like an idiot...
I think there's a lesson to be learned here somewhere

ugh, don't dog the boys. he definitely dogged the boys. I have no idea about specific places mate, but you could probably google "apple repair shops" and call the non-apple authorized ones. The reason you shouldn't bother with "apple authorized repair" is that they do **** all. They just take your laptop and send it to apple (who won't repair it). You need a proper shop who has parts and is capable of soldering them.

 

[hosolof]

ugh, don't dog the boys. he definitely dogged the boys. I have no idea about specific places mate, but you could probably google "apple repair shops" and call the non-apple authorized ones. The reason you shouldn't bother with "apple authorized repair" is that they do **** all. They just take your laptop and send it to apple (who won't repair it). You need a proper shop who has parts and is capable of soldering them.

Gotcha, I'll look into it. Not sure what you mean by dog the boys tho

 

[chrfr]

So no one knows of a way to force a Mac serial number onto a third party board?

There is no third party logic board for a MacBook Pro. The repair was likely done by a third party, one which was probably not an authorized service provider. Often, authorized repair centers will be more flexible about resolving problems like the serial number than Apple itself will be, but unauthorized shops aren't likely to have the software tool to set the serial number. This is why I recommend talking to an authorized service provider.
Most authorized Apple service providers will fix the computer in-house, rather than ship it to Apple.

 

[hosolof]

There is no third party logic board for a MacBook Pro. The repair was likely done by a third party, one which was probably not an authorized service provider. Often, authorized repair centers will be more flexible about resolving problems like the serial number than Apple itself will be, but unauthorized shops aren't likely to have the software tool to set the serial number.

Alright so I must have misunderstood, all logic boards are from Apple in one way or another?
So my machine could be repaired, and the serial set correctly on the software?
Could anyone recommend a good repair centre in Melbourne (authorised or not), to which I could take it for diagnoses?
Thanks for your help guys, I'm fairly new to macs so I have a lot to learn.

 

[chrfr]

Alright so I must have misunderstood, all logic boards are from Apple in one way or another?
So my machine could be repaired, and the serial set correctly on the software?
Could anyone recommend a good repair centre in Melbourne (authorised or not), to which I could take it for diagnoses?
Thanks for your help guys, I'm fairly new to macs so I have a lot to learn.

The engineering involved in making a board for a portable computer is extremely complex, so there's no possibility the board was made by someone other than Apple. Your computer probably doesn't need any actual repair. Services like the App Store and Facetime rely on having the computer's serial number to work.

 

[Fishrrman]

You -might- be able to get the logic board repaired by a 3rd-party provider, but I'm going to -guess- that that is unlikely.

That may leave you with two choices:
1. Get a replacement motherboard -- probably not worth the cost.
2. Get a different MacBook -- and realize that you made "a bad purchase" right from the start...

 

[hosolof]

You -might- be able to get the logic board repaired by a 3rd-party provider, but I'm going to -guess- that that is unlikely.

That may leave you with two choices:
1. Get a replacement motherboard -- probably not worth the cost.
2. Get a different MacBook -- and realize that you made "a bad purchase" right from the start...

Can I ask why it is unlikely?
Will it be a very difficult task?
[doublepost=1493121961][/doublepost]

The engineering involved in making a board for a portable computer is extremely complex, so there's no possibility the board was made by someone other than Apple. Your computer probably doesn't need any actual repair. Services like the App Store and Facetime rely on having the computer's serial number to work.

Interesting, so where would the logic board that's in my computer come from?
Do people have second hand boards that they put back into different computers?
Or could it be a stolen one?

 

[chrfr]

Interesting, so where would the logic board that's in my computer come from?
Do people have second hand boards that they put back into different computers?
Or could it be a stolen one?

There are places that sell Apple parts to others. It's not possible to remove the serial number from a board that's already coded with a serial, so the likelihood that it's anything other than a new board is very slim. It's also totally possible that some authorized repair center replaced the board and then forgot to code it with the serial number. It happens.

 

[tubeexperience]

Hi all
No it's definitely a MacBook, I bought it online trusting the guy who sold it me (big mistake).
I've taken it to Apple, they said it was liquid damaged and someone has replaced the logic board, I/O board (or something like that) with third party parts.
They said they scanned the logic board and it is definitely from a third party, they do not recognise the code.
I think I might be screwed...
So no one knows of a way to force a Mac serial number onto a third party board?

This is bull****!

Apple cannot possibly know if the laptop has ever had liquid damage or not because it would have to look that up from the serial number on the logic board (or unless the liquid damage is clearly visible).

Basically, the whole thing is made up by Apple because it doesn't want to help you.

All used logic boards have serial numbers unless they are from Apple because no one else have the means to wipe the serial numbers.

 

[hosolof]

This is bull****!

Apple cannot possibly know if the laptop has ever had liquid damage or not because it would have to look that up from the serial number on the logic board (or unless the liquid damage is clearly visible).

Basically, the whole thing is made up by Apple because it doesn't want to help you.

All used logic boards have serial numbers unless they are from Apple because no one else have the means to wipe the serial numbers.

It was registered as having liquid damage from the serial number on the case, back in October someone brought it in, not that they bothered to tell me that on the phone when I rang them and asked about the machine before I bought it...
Also the tech said there is still some substance on the fan left over from the spill.
So they wouldn't tell me the number of the new board because they don't want to repair it?
Can I find that out at a different repair centre?

 

[Eason85]

It was registered as having liquid damage from the serial number on the case, back in October someone brought it in, not that they bothered to tell me that on the phone when I rang them and asked about the machine before I bought it...
Also the tech said there is still some substance on the fan left over from the spill.
So they wouldn't tell me the number of the new board because they don't want to repair it?
Can I find that out at a different repair centre?

Like I said, any decent (unauthorized) Mac repair center can fix it for you.

 

[tubeexperience]

It was registered as having liquid damage from the serial number on the case, back in October someone brought it in, not that they bothered to tell me that on the phone when I rang them and asked about the machine before I bought it...
Also the tech said there is still some substance on the fan left over from the spill.

Well then, buy a replacement bottom case (for your model) from eBay.

So they wouldn't tell me the number of the new board because they don't want to repair it?
Can I find that out at a different repair centre?

The logic board doesn't have a serial number because it hasn't been imprinted.

Suppose an Apple "Genius" needs to repair a MBP which needs a "new" logic board.

He would place an order for a "new" logic board which won't have a serial number.

After putting the new logic board into the laptop and making sure it works correctly, he would then imprint the serial number into the logic board.

In this case, he didn't do it.

There is nothing wrong with that logic board. In fact, it is a genuine logic board and came straight from Apple.

 

[hosolof]

Well then, buy a replacement bottom case (for your model) from eBay.


The logic board doesn't have a serial number because it hasn't been imprinted.

Suppose an Apple "Genius" needs to repair a MBP which needs a "new" logic board.

He would place an order for a "new" logic board which won't have a serial number.

After putting the new logic board into the laptop and making sure it works correctly, he would then imprint the serial number into the logic board.

In this case, he didn't do it.

There is nothing wrong with that logic board. In fact, it is a genuine logic board and came straight from Apple.

OK, so I'm gonna take this thing into a store and see what the deal is, I hope they can just print the number onto the board for me.
I'll just ask again, can anyone recommend a store in Melbourne they've dealt with, there seems to be hundreds but they all have mixed reviews.
Thanks