Keith Walsh

Q: MacBook Pro Logic Board Failure

I was using my computer just fine (2007 MBP core 2 duo) all day. Put it to sleep came back after 30 minutes and tried to wake it and it's dead. I held down the power key to shut it down then tried to restart no luck. No start up chime, no screen, keyboard seems dead as well (caps lock light does not light up), HD does not start up. The only signs of life are the white light on the screen latch that is now on, the fans are spinning and the DVD drive seems to work.

Reset the power management module and zapped the PRAM, no luck.

MBP 2007 Core 2 duo 2.2, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Dec 7, 2010 7:47 AM

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Q: MacBook Pro Logic Board Failure

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  • by rachael85,

    rachael85 rachael85 Jun 16, 2011 3:54 AM in response to Keith Walsh
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 16, 2011 3:54 AM in response to Keith Walsh

    ok so my MBP (bought oct 2007) died on the weekend. i took it into my local apple store tonight and the "genius" told my my logic board had died. my symptoms arent exactly the same as the nvidia because mine is just completely dead (the light blinks once and thats it, no sound, no fan, no power, nothing). he told me it would cost $2154.90 to fix it!!! i am going to go back in and tell him that i know there is a known problem with my mbp model and this just isnt good enough. i didn't pay $3000 for a laptop for it to die in 3.5yrs....

  • by rachael85,

    rachael85 rachael85 Jun 16, 2011 4:04 AM in response to marysplacestudio
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 16, 2011 4:04 AM in response to marysplacestudio

    what happened with yours marysplacestudio? i have the same symptoms at the moment. completely dead, no start up, no lights (1 light flash then nothing), no fans, no nothing! would like to know the outcome of yours? did you have it fixed for free?

  • by John P.,

    John P. John P. Jun 16, 2011 9:14 AM in response to rachael85
    Level 4 (1,157 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 16, 2011 9:14 AM in response to rachael85

    rachael85 wrote:

     

    ok so my MBP (bought oct 2007) died on the weekend. i took it into my local apple store tonight and the "genius" told my my logic board had died. my symptoms arent exactly the same as the nvidia because mine is just completely dead (the light blinks once and thats it, no sound, no fan, no power, nothing). he told me it would cost $2154.90 to fix it!!! i am going to go back in and tell him that i know there is a known problem with my mbp model and this just isnt good enough. i didn't pay $3000 for a laptop for it to die in 3.5yrs....

     

    Assuming your machine falls completely within the guidelines of the Nvidia program, I cannot thing of a reason why the genius would deny you repair under the repair extension unless they're either uninformed of it, or want to make you buy a computer. I would print a copy of the web page and take it with you, along with your original sales receipt (if you still have it) and speak to a manager.

     

    "If the NVIDIA graphics processor in your MacBook Pro has failed, or fails within four years of the original date of purchase, a repair will be done free of charge, even if your MacBook Pro is out of warranty."

     

    -- Source: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

     

    As an anecdote, I had a similar problem with the genius bar and my wife's white Macbook (2007) with cracking plastics. We were denied repair through the genius bar twice at the same store who had done the original plastics repair for cracking. The 2nd time we took it in for this, the "genius" had the audacity to accuse my wife (in front of me) of putting it in a book bag and throwing it around. She's a college mathematics professor, it goes in her laptop bag, she knows how to take care of it--he apparently got into some sort of trouble because when we left, he came out to apologize for his behavior.

     

    Finally we contacted Apple directly, they took care of everything, and reported what happened at the genius bar. After the third time it was sent in for cracking, Apple went ahead and replaced the Macbook for us with a new unibody model--it's been a little over a year now and no issues with the machine (knock on wood), cracking or otherwise. It's been a real trooper. Apple customer service and their escalations people specifically told us in plain english that unless it was damage "we" caused to the machine, it was covered under our warranty....period.  Unfortunately, retail is retail and I'm guessing the genius bars are going to be better depending on the size of store, economics of the area, etc. However, I've consistently and without fail have had better service from their genius bar whenever I've had to deal with a female genius versus a male one. Therefore, my guess is that on top of lack of information or naivete, [adolescent male] laziness also plays a part too.

     

    Good luck!

  • by rachael85,

    rachael85 rachael85 Jun 17, 2011 2:05 AM in response to John P.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 17, 2011 2:05 AM in response to John P.

    Oh sorry John, I didn't explain myself properly. I took it into apple last night before i did any of my own research. The genius took one look at it and told me it was the logic board and it would cost $2200 to fix it or $2099 for a new one. That was it. Then I went home and did my own research and found pages and pages and pages about 2007/2008 MBP's. I am going back into apple on sunday to tell them i know that there is a known issue with my model and i want them to fix it. He probably didn't mention it because they a) want me to buy a new one and b) it doesn't fit exactly into the symptoms as it isnt powering up. but having said that it was having the screen symptons before it died which i didnt really go into with him because i didnt know what it meant at the time. thanks for the luck, im going to need it on sunday!

  • by John P.,

    John P. John P. Jun 17, 2011 8:31 AM in response to rachael85
    Level 4 (1,157 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 17, 2011 8:31 AM in response to rachael85

    Hi Rachel,

     

    Ah, ok. Makes sense now. I admit I would have been shocked by that price tag as well. Parts only seem to go up in price when computers reach a certain age (especially batteries).

     

    If the Mac is 100% dead as a doornail--no hard drive or anything turning on--then I can see how they would have trouble fitting it under the repair extension program. My 'guess' is the symptoms have to match on paper what the machine is doing when they send it to their depot.

     

    One example I remember well is the iBook G3 repair extension. The symptoms had to match the program otherwise no dice. On the other hand, a friend of ours had one of the iBook G3s that had to go in repeatedly for logic board failures under that program. I think after the 3rd or 4th time, Apple opted to replace it for him with a G4 model which he had for years without a problem. Apple's repair extensions are a fussy thing--they can be incredibly generous (in this case, 4 years!) yet be highly specific (no video, only).

     

    In the meantime and if you haven't already done so, try to reset the PMU (Power Management Unit) and see if there is any change in the symptoms or behavior: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

     

    Best of luck, be sure to post back with your results.

  • by rachael85,

    rachael85 rachael85 Jun 23, 2011 8:19 PM in response to John P.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 23, 2011 8:19 PM in response to John P.

    UPDATE:

     

    So I look my MBP into Apple on Sunday. I explained that I had been in on Thursday and the guy had told me I needed a new logic board, so I did my own research and found the graphics card issue. I explained that I was having the screen issues/symptoms before it completely shut down and wouldn't turn on. I guy a spoke to on Sunday was so good, he's like yep no worries I'll put it through under the graphics card issue and see what we can do.

     

    Got a call on Wednesday night from the technician that had been working on it all day. He said he thinks all it was was RAM creep (?), but he had never seen it this bad. He explained what RAM creep is and I said oh well that was me, Apple tells you to take the RAM out and put it back in trying different combinations, so I musnt have put the RAM sticks back in properly. He said as soon as he put the RAM back in properly it started up fine!!! (opps!) Anyway, he ran a number of tests, including the NVIDIA test but there is nothing wrong with it.... Good news, but don't I feel a bit silly!!! I need to learn how to put my RAM back in properly in case it ever happens again!

     

    The tech recons my MBP will only last another 6 months to a year before I have to buy a new one. I hope not, I love my MBP! And other than this last issue, I have never had a problem with it in 4 years.

     

    I've bought a shinny new 1TB external hard drive today and I'm going home to back up all my data (especially my photos which is what I've been worried about loosing!!)

     

    Thanks for all your help guys, a good outcome

     

    Ps. Can anyone explain in simple terms how RAM creep occurs and how/if it can be avoided? All he said was over time the RAM works its way out of its socket. My MBP gets REALLY hot, so hot I can't have it sitting on my legs. Is there a way to cool it down? Does the RAM creep have to do with it getting hot? Thanks

  • by John P.,

    John P. John P. Jun 24, 2011 9:23 PM in response to rachael85
    Level 4 (1,157 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 24, 2011 9:23 PM in response to rachael85

    Hi Rachel,

     

    I'm glad to hear that your issue is resolved.

     

    "RAM creep" is not an industry-side term that I am aware of but from your description I gather what they are referring to. The RAM in your computer is part of a small wafer of silicon that slids into a small slot. If you open your computer, you'll see two of these wafers with chips all over them. The "creep" that I theorize they are talking about is the small gold "leads" get shifted from the heat fluctuations within the computer over a long period of time. By taking the RAM out and putting it back in simply re-aligns the leads on the RAM wafers with the socket on the logic board.

     

    I've never had an issue with it or heard of anyone having this issue but the theory is sound so I wouldn't worry.  However, had the RAM chip not made contact with the leads would only disallow it from being recognized or the machine from booting, wouldn't necessarily affect video performance.

     

    You might want to try running the Apple Hardware Test (AHT) disc that came with your computer as an extended test, and turn on looping.

     

    Here's a link that explains how to use AHT.  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

     

    The AHT will run an electrical test on the RAM and components of the Mac, and will poll an error message if a problem is found. I'd guess they ran this test or Apple Service Diagnostic (ASD) after re-assembling the Mac.  You may want to run AHT on extended test several times to let the Mac heat up and see if it does replicate the issue you were having before you sent it in.

     

    I'm glad to hear they took good care of you, post back if you have any questions.

     

    John

  • by dineshnan,

    dineshnan dineshnan Jul 30, 2011 10:23 PM in response to Keith Walsh
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 30, 2011 10:23 PM in response to Keith Walsh

    My early 2008 MBP (2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo, A1260) died last week. Refused to wake up from sleep. A week earlier I had this issue of display going dim all of a sudden and pink horizontal lines across the display. It used to come back up in a minute or two. Then one day only black screen. MBP not booting up. AASP asked to pay 800$ (33000/- IRS) for logic board replacement!!! I spoke to Apple care guy who said if Service provider gives them a report saying its a nvidia issue they will replace it for free. But service provider says MBP is not booting at all and they can not confirm nvidia issue. I am sure its the nvidia chip which is causing MBP to not start up but Apple care won't accept it!!!!!!!!! 1500 £ (UK Pounds) machine won't even run for 3 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     

    Shame!!

  • by harisfromathens,

    harisfromathens harisfromathens Aug 30, 2011 1:19 PM in response to Keith Walsh
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 30, 2011 1:19 PM in response to Keith Walsh

    Hi there

    My macbook pro 15" (summer 2008) died last week. Refused to wake up from sleep.  AASP asked to pay 700€  for logic board replacement!!! I spoke to Apple care guy who said if Service provider gives them a report saying its a nvidia issue they could discuss it!!!!

     

    How the service can recognize that it's motherboard failure and not nvidia failure????.????.???.

     

     

     

     

    Shame!!  We spent more that 2400€ for an apple product (plus for iPhone, iPad, macmini) and this was died for known to apple reason

  • by KellyRS,

    KellyRS KellyRS Sep 4, 2011 6:33 AM in response to Keith Walsh
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 4, 2011 6:33 AM in response to Keith Walsh

    I have had exactly the same issue with my 2008 MBP this week - one morning it just wouldn't wake from sleep, fan on, drives spinning, latch light on, but nothing. Had it with me at work and a colleague managed to get it to come on by removing the battery for 10 sec and then resetting p-ram - went back to sleep, woke up again fine that evening, but since Thursday morning, same problem, and nothing will get it to boot up.

     

    Took it to an apple store yesterday - he said 'this sounds familiar' and tried running the nvidia test, but of course the machine wouldn't boot up enough to be able to run it. He came to the conclusion that it was logic board failure, and quoted me over £400 to fix it. Basically told him that there's no way I can afford that at the moment, extremely frustrating as only a couple of months out of apple care.

     

    Came home, googled MBP logic board and of course all of this about nvidia and multiple MBPs from that period with logic board failures came up. Called apple and spent about an hour on the phone to two different people who told me they'd had no reports of logic board failures and that there was absolutely no way that the nvidia issue could cause logic board failure. Going to send them an email now, also try calling customer relations this week, and then maybe just start calling them repeatedly until they agree to do something.

     

    Anyone got any advice on how to go about getting them to agree that the two issues might *possibly* be related and fixing it? Any tips would be much appreciated!

     

    I also find it somewhat ironic that if I wasn't such a fan of apple and also have an iPad, I'd now have no way of doing this research/sending them an email...

  • by MacinNW_Brent,

    MacinNW_Brent MacinNW_Brent Sep 4, 2011 2:32 PM in response to Keith Walsh
    Level 1 (90 points)
    Sep 4, 2011 2:32 PM in response to Keith Walsh

    Keith,

     

    My early 2008 MacBook Pro, died the same way. I tried all the start up resets you mentioned and you described the condition I found it, "The only signs of life are the white light on the screen latch that is now on, the fans are spinning and the DVD drive seems to work."

     

    The solid sleep indicator, as opposed to blinking, is the give away. The MLB, mother logic board, is dead.

     

    The route I took was to call AppleCare, run through the resets again with the rep, who then set an appointment for me at the nearby Apple Store. The Genius tried resetting the NVRAM and observed the solid sleep indicator. He declared the MLB dead within minutes of us starting. I was also having problems with the "stage light effect" in the display, so he is also having the display replaced, even though he could not observe it.

     

    I don't think I was with the Genius for 10 minutes. I should have it back in 5-7 days even with a long weekend. Thankfully, I had another 62 days on the AppleCare.

     

    I'm sorry to hear of the troubles you went through trying to get your's fixed, but you may have blazed the trail for me.

  • by sharon239,

    sharon239 sharon239 Sep 19, 2011 8:27 PM in response to Keith Walsh
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 19, 2011 8:27 PM in response to Keith Walsh

    I have a mid-2010 macbook pro. Had the blue screen several times. It would freeze and hang-up. Started to run hot. Brought it to Apple one month out of warranty and they changed my main logic board and thermal assembly FoC...thank you Apple! Question is, what the heck is really going on with these high-end machines and catastrophic failures? It sounds as if this repair will not be the end of my macbook worries.

  • by mikifo,

    mikifo mikifo Sep 20, 2011 3:35 PM in response to Keith Walsh
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 20, 2011 3:35 PM in response to Keith Walsh

    Wow.  I can't believe how widespread this issue is.  My early 2008MBP died on Sunday with all of the same issues as op.  My computer wasalso extremely hot when I picked it up on Sunday morning (it had beenrunning pretty hot for some time actually but usually when I pick it upfrom sleep it's cool).  I took it into Apple yesterday and after theyperformed all of the tests that I had already performed (removing thebattery, resetting CMS) they decided to look at it overnight.  I got acall this morning and they quoted me about $310 as a flat-rate for thelabor and any parts they might need during the repair. Includingparts!?  Compared to other people's stories it seems like I might belooking to pay a lot more once I hear back from them (or did I just geta "great deal"?). 

     

    That's an interesting thing about the isight.  Mycomputer's isight hasn't worked since about three months after I boughtit and it's been fixed twice.  I've also had a few blips on my screenand it appears that there is some kind of fading in some parts of theLCD screen for the last few months. I am also disappointed with this. I'm not in a situation where I can just buy a new computer and I paid aton of money at the time thinking that my machine would be prettyrobust. Three years is not much time for a computer to go from a fullyworking top of the line machine to a lifeless hunk of metal...

  • by KellyRS,

    KellyRS KellyRS Sep 24, 2011 2:12 AM in response to KellyRS
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2011 2:12 AM in response to KellyRS

    As an update to my original post:

     

    After being told in apple store it would be £400 for logic board replacement, and on the phone that there was no way the logic hoard failure was a result of the NVIDIA issue, decided to take it back into the store for a second opinion. Only one apple store in the are, so had to go back to the same one, but this time went in armed with a dossier of info on the topic and basically said 'it's a 2008 MBP from the batch with NVIDIA issues, the logic board has failed which, from what I can ascertain, is a fairly common issue, a couple of days before it failed I had issues with scrambled video (hadn't occurred to me to mention that the first time I went in as didn't know about NVIDIA)', he had a quick look at it, confirmed what I'd said and said that the repair would be covered by the quality program.

     

    Amazing. Very happy with that, although somewhat livid with the fact that they originally tried to charge me £400, and a lot of people would have just agreed, and the fact that they were so unhelpful on the phone.

     

    Don't know whether it was just because I saw a different person, or because I went in knowing all about the issue, but either way, second opinion is definitely the way to go.

     

    Just had a call saying it's ready to pick up, and also that their diagnostic tests show my hard drive is failing - not overly happy with that not lasting more than 3 years, but much cheaper to fix compared to LB!

     

    Hope some of you can manage a successful outcome as well...

  • by kixvix,

    kixvix kixvix Sep 28, 2011 3:08 AM in response to Keith Walsh
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 28, 2011 3:08 AM in response to Keith Walsh

    Same problem with everyone too. Mine is an early 2008 MBP. Black screen but the white light in the power button is lit (but not blinking). The AASC told me the problem is with the logic board and I can choose whether I can get it exchanged for $700 or get a new one for $1400. I asked if they checked if it's under the NVIDIA issue and they said they can't test it for that because there's no chime when they turn it on. I asked them WHAT IF the NVIDIA problem is what caused the logic board to fail and they said they'll check again.

     

    Hope I can get the same results with the others who have their units exchanged or fixed successfully. A new logic board is just way too expensive and seeing how this is a very common probem, I'm a bit hesitant to buy a new Mac.

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