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Made a huge Mistake, Can anyone help?
- Thread starter C.Young
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I think you are making the repair out to be virtually impossible. I don't agree.
Traces can be repaired--they sell products for just that purpose.
Michael
Because repairing it himself worked so well the first time he tried it.
It could happen to anybody, the screwdriver slipped. Obviously he needs to be more careful doing it a second time. Following ifixit's guide makes doing these replacements easy. And yes, Apple is still a ripoff when it comes to parts. I'd risk another $300-400 and repair it myself before taking it to Apple and getting charged $800+ for a new logic board. Better yet, buy it and take it to a computer repair shop that is insured and does repairs like these....Happy now!!
All sorts of things are possible. However, possible doesn't always mean cost effective.
Versus buying a new or used motherboard? I would say more cost effective.
Michael
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And there you have it!
Mike
dear C Young-
they are rude here because you are dealing with spoiled school children on summer break.
If you want real advice go here https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro
I suggest you bookmark it since this place tends to be a waste of time.
I've done it many times. Doesn't change the fact that very few places will take on this kind of repair, and generally the ones that do are people who "think they know what they are doing. ". Save money in the long haul and just replace the board. That's why there aren't places that run a business doing it, it doesn't make money because a board replacement is cheaper and more reliable (and repaired at a higher success rate).
The board traces can be repaired, the real problem is finding someone with the skill, I would look at specialist electronics repair in your area; phones, audio, etc possibly local hobbyist groups as anyone building boards from scratch will have the skill to cut and reroute traces.
Vast majority of compute repair shops will be of little use as their people are only trained to a modular level, i.e. swapping out modules, boards.
Vast majority of compute repair shops will be of little use as their people are only trained to a modular level, i.e. swapping out modules, boards.
Like I said, use that eBay link i posted earlier. I checked out the guy's rating and he does logic/motherboard repairs for numerous laptops. The guy definitely knows what he is doing and from people's feedback he seems to be doing his job well. You buy the service for $254, mail it in and he sends it back. If they can't fix it, you either can request a refund or pay the difference to have them replace the logic board.
Look on Craigs list in the San Francisco bay area, East Bay. We have a guy who fixes macs as a hobby
Before ordering a replacement board from eBay, please try to repair the traces (advises from the 2nd page).
If you are going to trash this logic board anyway, why not to try? Maybe it will work.
Never hurts to try when all seems lost.
Its takes a lot of force to poke that hole and scratch the motherboard. Whats odd....you turned it on after there is clear damage. Who knows what additional damage you did.
Why dont you unplug the trackpad ribbon first and see if it boots.
I unplugged the ribbon before booting, I thought I had just punctured the ribbon, I didnt know i scratched the board as well. Until I started looking for further damage.
Are you not reading this thread? There has already been listed at least one place that can, based on the other work they describe as doing, very easily handle this kind of repair.
Michael
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He already got plenty of "real" advice, of which your post was devoid.
Michael
Update.. Went to my local Apple Store yesterday to have them look at it, Flat rate for the logic board was $850 Now obviously Im not going to spend that for a 3 year old computer. But the guy that helped me said "If I was looking at this off the clock, I would recommend you take it someone and have the traces repaired." he said the damage is not that bad and could be repaired by anyone who has knowledge of circuitry. So Im either going to wait until I find one cheap on craigslist with a busted screen or take it to a shop I talked to yesterday they said they have a 95% success rate with repairing any damage to logic boards. They will look at it for free and if they cant fix it, it will be no charge. But its upwards of 300 dollars, And I feel that is still to much money to put into this computer. Any opinions?
That's crazy. The most expensive logic board there is is about $500, and trackpads are $30.
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This isn't true. fluffyx on this very forum runs a very successful business doing just this kind of work. We do too. It's not a way to get rich quick. I'd honestly have much fewer headaches with a "regular" IT job, not get home at 2 AM every night, and have a much higher salary. However, I do enjoy helping people no one else will help. It's a good feeling. There are several REAL licensed businesses in the U.S. that feel the same way. Please, do some research before issuing these blanket statements!
I see the places on youtube taking blowtorches to GPUs and putting solder blobs where fuses used to be, calling themselves component technicians. I understand your sentiment. I've had machines literally blow up in front of me because of solder blobs over critical fuses. That doesn't mean there are NO places with people who do this with pride in their work because they actually enjoy the craftsmanship aspect of the working, properly refurbished, finished product. fluffyx on this forum, L2 Computer, Brickfence, Assetgenie, and more are specialized in performing this kind of work on a regular basis. They are real businesses with real staffs. Give them a shot.
The way I see it ~ it was pretty much a gamble to purchase a three year old machine in the first place, if only because Applecare would be expiring/near expiring and its age.
Consider the gamble lost. Either sell your broken Pro for scraps to someone else, and purchase a new machine that is under warranty and has more...modern hardware - or consider a completely different solution all together (a Windows-based laptop). Finding someone to fix it, or fixing it yourself, is an incredibly poor use of more money. As you are aware, a new MacBook Pro 13" can be had for as low as 1000. Even if your model was the 'ultimate' version in 2009, the 2012 base is still a very significant upgrade.
In the end, if you fix it, you are still gambling in the state of the laptop with the assumption that the repair did not damage anything else ~ or that other internal components are not about to flake out like the trackpad.
Consider the gamble lost. Either sell your broken Pro for scraps to someone else, and purchase a new machine that is under warranty and has more...modern hardware - or consider a completely different solution all together (a Windows-based laptop). Finding someone to fix it, or fixing it yourself, is an incredibly poor use of more money. As you are aware, a new MacBook Pro 13" can be had for as low as 1000. Even if your model was the 'ultimate' version in 2009, the 2012 base is still a very significant upgrade.
In the end, if you fix it, you are still gambling in the state of the laptop with the assumption that the repair did not damage anything else ~ or that other internal components are not about to flake out like the trackpad.
Some people have nothing better to do with their time then to try and critique people in every shape and form. Michael is quite offended by your photography apparently. Definitely a visual learner.
Hope you can find a shop that can do it at a reasonable price!
It seems like the $300 quote locally is a pretty good deal considering its ~260 on ebay plus shipping. You have to think that it's a highly specialized service so they need to charge the right price to keep themselves in business. It's like that for all niche businesses. Good luck either way!
If you do not want to spend the 300$ then sell it for parts and just buy another pro. You can always look in the apple refurbished store or on craigslist if you do not want to pay the full amount.
just be glad you weren't this guy who had his screwdriver slip and died 9 days later.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Slotin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Slotin