PLEASE HELP macbook pro motherboard corrosion

[annie90]

ok so im based in ireland and have been having problem with my macbook pro for a few week there would be a loud beeping noise - 3 beeps and then a break and the 3 beeps would repeat. The spinning beach ball appears regularly and last for extended periods of time. could be up to 2 minutes tat times. apple care mentioned this could be an indicator of a possible RAM problem and told be to bring it into one of their certified repair centres so i brought in into Mactivate in dublin. they did testing and couldnt find the problem so decided that they one replace one piece of RAM and give it back to me and if this didnt help they would replace the other.

When they opened up the back they say they found corosion of the motherboard and are saying it is the result of liquid damage. however no liquid has ever been split on or even near the machine. i got the laptop last july and have pretty guarded it with my life since i got it. no1 has ever used it other than me. they said that from what they could see liquid got it from the back where a fan is but like i said nothing has ever been split on or even near it. i rarely even drink near it.
so how is it possible that they say there has been liquid damage when there has never been anything split on it?
Id appreciate any advice on the matter. Thanks

 

[shootist]

It clearly shows that some liquid of some type has entered the ports at the screen hinge area. Could be moisture from using it in a very humid and cold area then bringing it into a warm space where the humidity condensed.
There could be a number of reasons. Have you ever transported it in a backpack in the rain?

Apple does not care how are where that happened. Sorry to say but your warranty is now void.

Your only option is to claim the lose on your home owners policy, if you have one that covers such things.

 

[annie90]

It clearly shows that some liquid of some type has entered the ports at the screen hinge area. Could be moisture from using it in a very humid and cold area then bringing it into a warm space where the humidity condensed.
There could be a number of reasons. Have you ever transported it in a backpack in the rain?

Apple does not care how are where that happened. Sorry to say but your warranty is now void.

Your only option is to claim the lose on your home owners policy, if you have one that covers such things.

the only place the laptop has ever been were my house in my bed room or living room or when ive had in at college. its never been in the bathroom listening to music while having a shower or even used in the kitchen listening to music while cooking. if ive had it outdoors in the rain it been is a case inside my backback and it would have only been outside for a minute or two running between the car and the door of my college/house. i live in ireland so its not like it's very humid here so i dont think that would have been a problem.

 

[thebritishguy]

the only place the laptop has ever been were my house in my bed room or living room or when ive had in at college. its never been in the bathroom listening to music while having a shower or even used in the kitchen listening to music while cooking. if ive had it outdoors in the rain it been is a case inside my backback and it would have only been outside for a minute or two running between the car and the door of my college/house. i live in ireland so its not like it's very humid here so i dont think that would have been a problem.

do you live alone....?

If not, and you are sure it wasn't you....then I would suspect it was accidentally done by another member of your household who didn't notice or didn't tell you.... It clearly show water ingress

 

[Dangerous Theory]

Theres no doubt it's had liquid inside it, but I think it's worse than water. I'd hazard a guess that it's some form of fizzy drink.

 

[annie90]

do you live alone....?

If not, and you are sure it wasn't you....then I would suspect it was accidentally done by another member of your household who didn't notice or didn't tell you.... It clearly show water ingress

i live with my family when not at college and when at college i live with house mates. at college when im not in the house i have the laptop locked in my bedroom and at home for the weekends im either using it or i have it away in my bedroom so i cant see how anyone else could have gotten near it. . i have it as a specified item on the household contents insurance. is claiming on that my only option at getting it sorted and if so would i have to buy a new apple care plan or could i transfer my old one?

 

[annie90]

Theres no doubt it's had liquid inside it, but I think it's worse than water. I'd hazard a guess that it's some form of fizzy drink.

don't see how it could possibly be fizzy drink as i do not even drink fizzy drinks and like i said its never been out of my precession. surely if liquid was split on it problems would occur immediately and not out of the blue? when i first started having trouble with was about a month ago, i was in bed with no drinks near me watching a film and then suddenly the screen started to break up into multi coloured squares and the loud noise started. this happened about 4 or 5 times over the course of a weekend and then i didn't have any more trouble until last weekend when it happened again

 

[BasilFawlty]

Theres no doubt it's had liquid inside it, but I think it's worse than water. I'd hazard a guess that it's some form of fizzy drink.

I feel his pain - had the same thing happen to my standard MacBook 13" when I spilled a glass of water on the table it was sitting on. I honestly didn't think any liquid got into it, but it did - somehow!

I'm wondering if just being in a very humid climate could cause this proble?

 

[yusukeaoki]

Problem doesnt come soon as the liquid gets poured.
Sometimes hours, days, even couple min.
But this does seem like something with sugar or oil has been poured in.

Take it to Apple and see what they say. Im pretty sure their liquid stickers color have changed

 

[annie90]

Problem doesnt come soon as the liquid gets poured.
Sometimes hours, days, even couple min.
But this does seem like something with sugar or oil has been poured in.

Take it to Apple and see what they say. Im pretty sure their liquid stickers color have changed

there is no apple store in ireland and they don't offer a courier to come a pick up products. which is why i got sent to mactivate. i could understand liquid damage if i had split a drink on and id admit that but i haven't . i really don't know what to do. i have it as a specified item on the household contents insurance. is claiming on that my only option and if so would i have to buy a new apple care plan or could i transfer my old one?
What could are the liquid indicator stickers and what colour do they change to then there has been liquid present?

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

Liquid damage, near the hinges? How do you clean your screen? Perhaps it's from spraying cleaner on it - and it seeps through @ the hinges?

Do you take your laptop between environments (say outdoors then inside) with it running? (especially in the summer / winter - when moisture will condense due to the temperature differential)

FYI, an improperly cleaned board (from the manufacturer) can corrode - say they didn't remove solder flux - over time, even mild flux can chew away at exposed conductors.

If warranty is gone - and you're sure it's the corrosion causing this - use distilled or deionized water, no battery, no power (at all), and wipe down that area, the distilled or DI water will grab electrolyte / ions on the surface. Then use rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) to remove the water. Let it dry, and that may help things. Note, if you have a warranty, forget you read this.

Edit - looked at the pictures (didn't see them first round), that's electrolysis - so a conductive liquid - was in there, while power was on - and that corrosion is the result. Water, coffee, soda, vomit, tea, cat urine, of no matter, same net effect. That DI water trick has a slim chance in hell, but those caps on your board are mighty green - so they could be hosed. That said, I figure some chance in hell, is better than none.

About that warranty?

 

[annie90]

Liquid damage, near the hinges? How do you clean your screen? Perhaps it's from spraying cleaner on it - and it seeps through @ the hinges?

Do you take your laptop between environments (say outdoors then inside) with it running? (especially in the summer / winter - when moisture will condense due to the temperature differential)

FYI, an improperly cleaned board (from the manufacturer) can corrode - say they didn't remove solder flux - over time, even mild flux can chew away at exposed conductors.

If warranty is gone - and you're sure it's the corrosion causing this - use distilled or deionized water, no battery, no power (at all), and wipe down that area, the distilled or DI water will grab electrolyte / ions on the surface. Then use rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) to remove the water. Let it dry, and that may help things. Note, if you have a warranty, forget you read this.

Edit - looked at the pictures (didn't see them first round), that's electrolysis - so a conductive liquid - was in there, while power was on - and that corrosion is the result. Water, coffee, soda, vomit, tea, cat urine, of no matter, same net effect. That DI water trick has a slim chance in hell, but those caps on your board are mighty green - so they could be hosed. That said, I figure some chance in hell, is better than none.

About that warranty?

i dont drink tea, coffee, or soda, never been sick near it so its not any of them. id drink a lot of water but make a point of not drinking near it with the exception of when using it in the college library and when i do drink near it i use a drink bottle, once ive taken a drink the bottle is then placed back it to my backpack away from the machine. i do clean the screen a bit but i wud spray the cleaning liquid onto the cloth instead of spraying it directly onto the screen

laptop was only purchased in july of last year and i have an apple care plan for it

 

[yusukeaoki]

there is no apple store in ireland and they don't offer a courier to come a pick up products. which is why i got sent to mactivate. i could understand liquid damage if i had split a drink on and id admit that but i haven't . i really don't know what to do. i have it as a specified item on the household contents insurance. is claiming on that my only option and if so would i have to buy a new apple care plan or could i transfer my old one?
What could are the liquid indicator stickers and what colour do they change to then there has been liquid present?

Liquid indicator or LSI (Liquid Submersion Indicator) is to show the technicians that whether your machine has been in contact with any liquid substances or not.

The standard color of the indicators are red. (usually turns to yellow-ish color)
If its any other color, the liquid has been in contact with the machine.
IF there was any liquid contact with you MBP, all your warranties are voided.
All you can do it pay the price Apple gives you to fix it or fix it on your own.

At this point, your 1 year warranty has been voided, your 3 year Applecare has been voided and cannot be repurchased.

If you do know the problem you can visit ifixit.com and get your MBP parts.
But in this case, we dont know the problem.
The best I can advise you to do is bring it to an Apple technician or Apple Store.


To me, it seems like your college mates have accidentally or purposely poured some kind of liquid.
This can be the reason why you dont remember it.

 

[annie90]

Liquid indicator or LSI (Liquid Submersion Indicator) is to show the technicians that whether your machine has been in contact with any liquid substances or not.

The standard color of the indicators are red. (usually turns to yellow-ish color)
If its any other color, the liquid has been in contact with the machine.
IF there was any liquid contact with you MBP, all your warranties are voided.
All you can do it pay the price Apple gives you to fix it or fix it on your own.

At this point, your 1 year warranty has been voided, your 3 year Applecare has been voided and cannot be repurchased.

If you do know the problem you can visit ifixit.com and get your MBP parts.
But in this case, we dont know the problem.
The best I can advise you to do is bring it to an Apple technician or Apple Store.


To me, it seems like your college mates have accidentally or purposely poured some kind of liquid.
This can be the reason why you dont remember it.

if when i see the laptop and look at the indicators and the have not changed colour but the tech says the corrosion is liquid damage where would i stand then?
the tech made no mention of the indicators when he phoned me.

my college mates have not been near it. i havnt left it unattended and ive never had any problem with the keyboard sticking or notice any kind of liquid residue

 

[yusukeaoki]

if when i see the laptop and look at the indicators and the have not changed colour but the tech says the corrosion is liquid damage where would i stand then?
the tech made no mention of the indicators when he phoned me.

my college mates have not been near it. i havnt left it unattended and ive never had any problem with the keyboard sticking or notice any kind of liquid residue

The tech didn't mention it because they dont want you to know about it.
Many people tries to replace the indicators and lie about their damage.

There cannot be a water damage without the indicators color changing.

Do you have any pets btw?

 

[annie90]

The tech didn't mention it because they dont want you to know about it.
Many people tries to replace the indicators and lie about their damage.

There cannot be a water damage without the indicators color changing.

Do you have any pets btw?

yes i have a dog but i can say for defo he wasnt near it around the time i first started having trouble as i was away at college when it started so i wasnt even in the same house as him and i hadnt been in the same house for at least 3 weeks pervious to that, when i am in the same house its always kept off they ground and away from him

 

[yusukeaoki]

yes i have a dog but i can say for defo he wasnt near it around the time i first started having trouble as i was away at college when it started so i wasnt even in the same house as him and i hadnt been in the same house for at least 3 weeks pervious to that, when i am in the same house its always kept off they ground and away from him

I see.
So there is no Apple store near by?
If not do you have any trust worthy computer store or Mac related stores in Ireland?

 

[balamw]

More on the LSIs

http://www.myservice.com/blog/2009/07/liquid-submersion-indicators/

As some of the others have said this looks to me like liquid that came in by the hinge. If it was limited to the PCB, it might have been poor cleaning during manufacturing, but that would not be visible on the fan and ODD.

Could you have placed your Mac on a wet table or countertop?

Good Luck, but I am afraid your warranty is gone.

BTW. Who took these pictures? The remote techs?

B

 

[annie90]

More on the LSIs

http://www.myservice.com/blog/2009/07/liquid-submersion-indicators/

As some of the others have said this looks to me like liquid that came in by the hinge. If it was limited to the PCB, it might have been poor cleaning during manufacturing, but that would not be visible on the fan and ODD.

Could you have placed your Mac on a wet table or countertop?

Good Luck, but I am afraid your warranty is gone.

BTW. Who took these pictures? The remote techs?

B

nope cant say it was ever placed on a wet countertop never even had it in the kitchen and havnt used it on a table other than a desk in the library or the desk in my room

yeah the tech took the pictures on an iphone and sent them to me

 

[yusukeaoki]

nope cant say it was ever placed on a wet countertop never even had it in the kitchen and havnt used it on a table other than a desk in the library or the desk in my room

yeah the tech took the pictures on an iphone and sent them to me

Cant that tech help you with your MBP?

 

[annie90]

Cant that tech help you with your MBP?

they want €75 to clean the motherboard and even then i don't know if this will help solve the issue. do u know that if i go this route will my apple care still be valid as the original parts are still intact or can i cancel my apple care and get a refund?

 

[yusukeaoki]

they want €75 to clean the motherboard and even then i don't know if this will help solve the issue. do u know that if i go this route will my apple care still be valid as the original parts are still intact or can i cancel my apple care and get a refund?

Unfortunately no. As I said, if any kind of liquid comes in contact with your machine, your warranty is voided.

Even though you clean your machine, it doesnt mean the LSI would change their colors back. Its a 1 time use sticker that changes color once.

And I am sure the cleaning wont work.
If your computer is already giving you with 3 beep, cleaning wont do any good.
Im guessing your logic board is fried and need to get that replaced.

I dont know what model and year your MBP is but even with the 13in 2.3GHz logic board costs over 700USD.
With Apple, probably around 900USD

 

[iMacC2D]

Removed.

 

[yusukeaoki]

I'm not sure if it's solder flux, but I have seen this once with a week-old MacBook Air. The logic board had corroded around an IC that would normally be well covered by a layer of black plastic below the keyboard. Apple automatically denies any evidence of liquid damage, but considering the circumstances and diagnosis the machine was repaired.

Not suggesting this is the scenario here, just a general observation.



It is possible for the liquid to enter and damage components without making contact with the liquid indicators depending on the entry point into the machine and the path the liquid follows. They're strategically placed to catch typical scenarios, but can be easily missed.



The standard colour of the indicators are white. They turn red when the indicator comes in contact with liquid.

I've serviced well into the hundreds of Apple Macs of all types, years, shapes, specs and sizes and haven't seen any variation in the colouring scheme from that standard "White to Red".

With his logic board probably being dead, it will pretty much show the evidence.
If the LSI hasnt changed colors, he has some awesome luck.

I apologize about the LSI colors. Got it off top of my head.
All I remembered was "red" as being one of them

 

[Dangerous Theory]

The first picture, top left corner of the motherboard, what is that white dot in the brown square? To me it looks like an LCI, which would mean it hasn't been affected by the liquid. Probably wrong though, I don't know the locations of the LCIs