Tech help on a Macbook Pro 17" Logic Board

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 13:54

On my Macbook Pro I have the dreaded Black screen, has any one tried to cook the logic board in the oven or using a heat gun on the Nvidea chip, have heard that it will get your Macbook up and running again, It's called Reflowing and Reballing, I know it's a drastic way to repair the soldered chip, but Apple want an arm and a leg for a new Logic Board quoted around $1,200 , I love my mac but I just don't want to spend another $2,500 on another Mac when the one I have is just perfect, hope someone can help with this problem. I'm going to give it a go tomorrow.







Robert

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 14:09

@ msg 1, aussiejock: Before you start experimenting with "drastic measures" (to say the least...), find more information about the black screen on a Macbook Pro here:

▶ [ https://www.google.com/search?q=black+screen+macbook&hl=en&num=10&lr=&ft=i&cr=&safe=images ].

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 15:17

DutchCrusader I know all about the black screen there is no other way to fix it, it's a Nvidia problem where the solder cracks, that's what the apple help line told me, there was a recall on this model and apple fixed the logic board for free, but my laptop has run out of the period that apple would repair those machines, so it's either send it to be fixed at the most ridiculous price, or send it off to have the laptop Reflow, but why send it to someone if I can do the job myself, I was just asking if anyone had done this and the best way to go about it, you just put the logic board into the oven at 190 deg for 7 minutes the solder becomes shiney take it out push down on the chip and leave untill it cools down, (forgot to say and pray) no it should be ok I have read a lot of good reports on this method.





Robert

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 15:44

@ msg 3, aussiejock: I've had the same (or similar) problem with two other MacBooks. It was a soldering error on the motherboard - the only country where Apple was forced by a consumer organisation to repair for free was Denmark. The work-around 'solution' came from someone in Australia: a piece of rubber on the chip so the chip was pressed against the motherboard. Maybe worth to look it up to find out on the Internet if it can help you? Good luck!

aussiejock



Joined: 06/10/2010
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 19:54

DutchCrusader well last night I cooked the Logic board in the oven for 7 minutes at 190 deg, took it out to let it cool down for a while and thought this will not work, but I'm on the macbook at the moment, when I pressed the power button the screen lit up, boy was I pleased. all up it took me one and a half hours from start to finish and no screws left over, but I must say I really had my doubts. I found this procedure on the internet and very pleased I did try it, but don't know if its a long term fix or temporary, but I have my laptop back,



Robert

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 21:10

@ msg 5, aussiejock:

kbasat



Joined: 28/07/2011
Posts: 481

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 22:31

wow! wish I was there to take a picture while you take it out of the oven.



i would say from experience that this procedure should be more permanent than temporary. However, if it ever repeats the same problem, you can always cook it again (and again...)



Job well done!



K.