MacBook Pro Repair

[Rombot]

So, question for those of you who know your MacBook Pros well.

I'm trying to repair one that I picked up that can't seem to detect the hard drive. So obviously it won't load Mac OSX or even allow me to install it.

I opened it up and was looking into maybe replacing the ribbon connecting the HD to the Logic Board. But the part alone being $20-40, I wanna make sure it'll work. I tried switching out the HD, that didn't work though.

If it's not the ribbon, any way by looking at the logic board to see if that's the reason the HD is undetected?

[wyrmtung]

What do you get when it tries to boot? Do you get a flashing folder icon with a question mark in the middle?

Try this from http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440

Start up from a system software CD or DVD, and repair your disk using Disk Utility:
Insert the Mac OS X Install or Restore disc.
Restart the computer, then hold the C key during startup.
From the Apple menu, choose Disk Utility. Do this in the first screen of the Installer. Don't click Continue. If you click Continue in a Mac OS X Installer version earlier than 10.2, you must restart from CD again.
Click the First Aid tab.
Click Repair Disk.
After repairing the disk, try to start from the Mac OS X hard disk.

Couple notes on the above instructions:
--Hopefully the Disk Utility recognizes that you do indeed have a hard drive. You should see it listed on the left hand side of the window. If not then you have a bigger issue and these instructions will not help you.

--Instead of repairing the disk, you can also try erasing the HD using Disk Utility. Just choose the default format Mac OS Extended (Journaled). After it is erased then reboot and try installing the OS again.

[Rombot]

Yea that's the problem. It doesn't recognize the drive in the Disk Utility program. So I'm at a loss.

Any other ideas anyone?

[Rellikard]

If the new and old HDDs aren't working, comes down to a defective logicboard which is the worse case scenario or it has a bad HDD controller (HDD ribbon) so better off buying the $20-40 controller. If that fails, may not be worth fixing based on how much you'd have to spend for a new board.

[Cephius]

Most apple stores will repair any Macbook Pro for around $280 flat fee, by the way. Even if it's not under warranty. Usually cheaper than replacing the board yourself if it comes to that.

[Rombot]

Yea I tried taking the MBP into an Apple store and they quoted me a $600 repair cost.

I'm gonna get a HDD Ribbon and see what happens. If that doesn't work, guess I could craigslist the laptop as spare parts or something.

[SaviorSelf]

$600 bucks for a repair, lmfao.

Apple is a joke with their prices for shitty hardware.

[Mayareira]

$600 bucks for a repair, lmfao.

Apple is a joke with their prices for shitty hardware.

What do you know about the repair prices? That's more or less the official mobo replacement price(for laptops) you'll get from any manufacturer.

Heck, certain companies like Sony charges MUCH more than that(700+) and end up telling you to ditch the computer because it costs more than a new one. Having to deal with annoying retarded call center in India claiming that you've spilled "liquid" in it is the bonus of course. Oh and god, I won't even get into the problems my customers had with Toshiba and Dell.

That's why "do it yoursef" is getting increasingly popular. Also, authorized 3rd party services will repair(replace logic board) for cheaper, usually around 400~

[Isiolia]

What do you know about the repair prices? That's more or less the official mobo replacement price(for laptops) you'll get from any manufacturer.

Heck, certain companies like Sony charges MUCH more than that(700+) and end up telling you to ditch the computer because it costs more than a new one. Having to deal with annoying retarded call center in India claiming that you've spilled "liquid" in it is the bonus of course. Oh and god, I won't even get into the problems my customers had with Toshiba and Dell.

That's why "do it yoursef" is getting increasingly popular. Also, authorized 3rd party services will repair(replace logic board) for cheaper, usually around 400~

Yep, though paying a few hundred extra for an accidental damage plan is an option with some companies. Apple doesn't really have one (which we remind our reps of every time they visit).
Though then you get stuff like the Gateway split where Micron declared bankruptcy on the corporate/support portion of Gateway they bought, and stopped honoring warranty claims after stringing customers along for months.

[toonces]

What do you know about the repair prices? That's more or less the official mobo replacement price(for laptops) you'll get from any manufacturer.

Heck, certain companies like Sony charges MUCH more than that(700+) and end up telling you to ditch the computer because it costs more than a new one. Having to deal with annoying retarded call center in India claiming that you've spilled "liquid" in it is the bonus of course. Oh and god, I won't even get into the problems my customers had with Toshiba and Dell.

That's why "do it yoursef" is getting increasingly popular. Also, authorized 3rd party services will repair(replace logic board) for cheaper, usually around 400~

sad thing SONY is the mac of PC based laptops... If my mobo dies it cost about 300 if you buy it in the right place.. so yeah i lol at macbook users too.

[Mayareira]

sad thing SONY is the mac of PC based laptops... If my mobo dies it cost about 300 if you buy it in the right place.. so yeah i lol at macbook users too.

Sony is just an example to the higher price, no manufacturer will replace your motherboard for cheap. MBP Logic Boards can be found for 330$~. If you can DIY(there are tutorial/guides everyhwere), that's all its gonna cost. If not, an authorized dealer will do it for 400$. 400 if the logic board needs to be replaced, repairs are even cheaper than that. Same for LCD screen, apple service changes it for 600 but if you DIY, it'll cost around 350$.

This applies for almost every industry out there. Getting your GM or whatever car brakes changed in an authorized GM dealer is always more expensive than a regular brake service.

Yep, though paying a few hundred extra for an accidental damage plan is an option with some companies. Apple doesn't really have one (which we remind our reps of every time they visit).
Though then you get stuff like the Gateway split where Micron declared bankruptcy on the corporate/support portion of Gateway they bought, and stopped honoring warranty claims after stringing customers along for months.

Lack of an accidential warranty sucks but afaik, Best Buy offers a similar warranty.

[Rellikard]

Best Buy offers accidental warranties on Mac laptops.

[Isiolia]

Best Buy offers accidental warranties on Mac laptops.

Yes, but Apple doesn't... so if you're buying direct, or through corporate/education channels (as I do at work), they don't just have one to add on like Dell or whomever.

[Rombot]

OK, as I'm waiting for a new HDD ribbon to come in, any ideas as to where I can get a logic board at a decent price? (That is, if the ribbon isn't the fix). My initial online search came up with nada.

[Mayareira]

There are bunch of sellers on ebay.

[Senoska]

It just works®™

[jmc]

Best Buy offers accidental warranties on Mac laptops.

They "Offer" it.......... but look into horror stories of their black tie protection plan, and see if its worth it.


Since someone brought up sony........ just wanted to say I had to spill $350 to get my laptop repaired when a hinge broke on it. Just for the hinge, double that for something actually expensive like the mobo lol

[Isiolia]

It just works®™

Apple is actually one of the better manufacturers in terms of hardware failure.

Seriously, at least 75% of the AC adapters we get from them don't fail, which is not something I can say about HP.

[Rellikard]

They "Offer" it.......... but look into horror stories of their black tie protection plan, and see if its worth it.


Since someone brought up sony........ just wanted to say I had to spill $350 to get my laptop repaired when a hinge broke on it. Just for the hinge, double that for something actually expensive like the mobo lol

I work @ Geek Squad and I don't think most people know the benefits or even offer it properly. At my store at least. But if you know how the system works, it's not so bad. For most people though, the biggest downfall to the BTP is 95% of things we're required to send out for 2-3 weeks...

But if you have any questions regarding the plans, I can gladly explain them to you.