ominostanco

Q: Macbook late 2008 - Keyboard replacement

Dear Apple Support,

I prowdly own a Macbook Late 2008 13'.

Unfortunately about 2 weeks ago the keyboard started to type incomprehensible characters (I am sure the problem is only the hardware) so I want to replace it.

I took the Mac to an official customer care support but after 10 days they phoned me: the laptop is too "vintage" to get repaired.

Is it right? Are there any other ways to get my keyboard fixed?

I hope someone can give me any tip.

Thank you from now on!

Luigi

MacBook, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Sep 25, 2014 12:52 AM

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Q: Macbook late 2008 - Keyboard replacement

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  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Sep 25, 2014 1:32 AM in response to ominostanco
    Level 6 (14,399 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 25, 2014 1:32 AM in response to ominostanco

    Depending on location, region, and/or country, your options may vary.

     

    •Apple - Find Locations - country selector: Sales, service, training,

    certification, & consulting. + Note service provider locator link below.

    https://locate.apple.com/country

     

    There are authorized Apple service providers who are independent

    shops that could repair older models and look around for parts if the

    computer is not a current model series. Happens a lot, since the new

    ones have recent inventory; and older ones need repairs & parts.

     

     

    You could look up your model identifier series portable computer in

    a database such as Apple Support to be sure the exact build, then

    use that info to look into repair guides and replacement part specs.

     

    {If the model is the Aluminum 13-inch MacBook, Late 2008, that has

    different parts and procedures to repair & replace them, than the

    Late 2008 White polycarbonate 13-inch MacBook. There was only

    one aluminum MacBook in the series, between 2006 & 2010.}

     

    •How to identify MacBook models

    How to identify MacBook Pro models

     

    See iFixit.com Apple portable guides for repair info & any reference

    number for keyboard. Some of these require extensive take-apart

    and perhaps the part can be costly if it is a unibody model with the

    keyboard or touchpad fixed to the computer's body.

     

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Laptop

     

    Everymac.com has details about build models across the brand.

     

    http://www.everymac.com/

     

    You may be able to decide if your DIY skills, and researched part

    availability, could be suited to a self-repair attempt; however as

    difficult as these can be, an authorized Apple trained technician

    or an Apple Specialist, who has experience in these models, is a

    better match to see about the repair task.

     

    So depending on where you are located, the options vary. In some

    places, there aren't many. Where are you?

     

    In any event... hopefully you can get the correct service + parts.

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by ominostanco,

    ominostanco ominostanco Sep 26, 2014 10:09 AM in response to ominostanco
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 26, 2014 10:09 AM in response to ominostanco

    Thank you for your kind support!

    I live in Italy and I own an

    Apple MacBook "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 13" (Unibody)

    Identifiers: Late 2008 Aluminum - MB466LL/A

    Now, the problem is challenging: in fact my keyboard is not properly broken, but when I type any character I see an incomprehensible one. Even my virtual keyboard (software, not hardware) reacts in the same way!

    Could you please explain me why?

    Thank you!

    Luigi

    foto 2.jpg

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Sep 26, 2014 1:52 PM in response to ominostanco
    Level 6 (14,399 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 26, 2014 1:52 PM in response to ominostanco

    Given the fact you likely have a combination hardware and software issue,

    that should be properly diagnosed by an Apple trained Specialist who knows

    the hardware and the methods of testing it thoroughly.

     

    You should see which Specialist or other Apple Authorized Service Provider

    nearest your location in Italy, can be of help. You may have to look around

    as not all are created equal. A diagnostic test for both hardware & software

    failures should be revealing; but I cannot tell you the cause of any issue.

     

    Could be a logic board or other malady affecting the computer; diagnostic required.

     

    Italia  - Apple - Trova una sede

    Sales, Service, Training, Consulting, etc.

    (click Flag icon) - same as this -

    https://locate.apple.com/it/it/

     

    Italy
    800915904

    http://www.apple.com/it/support/

     

    The linked page should show a map depending on your regional surrounds

    and point out a few likely candidates for service, support, and options.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by applewpg,

    applewpg applewpg Oct 1, 2014 7:39 PM in response to ominostanco
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Oct 1, 2014 7:39 PM in response to ominostanco

    Plug in a USB keyboard. Is the problem still there? If so it's software.

     

    let me know and we can go from there.

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Oct 1, 2014 11:15 PM in response to ominostanco
    Level 6 (14,399 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 1, 2014 11:15 PM in response to ominostanco

    Well, if you have access to a USB keyboard, hopefully an Apple one but any could be

    used to test the computer; through certain keys won't be correctly marked if Windows...

     

    If you only have access to a Windows system keyboard, two Support articles such as

    these can help determine which keys are different between OS X & Windows function:

    Boot Camp: About keyboards and key assignment for Microsoft Windows - apple support

    •Keyboard mappings using a PC keyboard on a Macintosh

    http://support2.microsoft.com/kb/970299 - microsoft support

     

    ...Then, you can attempt a reset of the System Management Controller & hope for the best.

    Look through the items listed prior to details in this page, before performing their Reset:

     

    •Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

     

    {Note the difference in portables with and without a removable battery

    ...in the instructions to reset the SMC in the above page instructions.}

     

    A few other items may be affected by a reset of PRAM (NVRAM), by another method:

    •OS X Mavericks: Reset your computer’s PRAM - this reset is similar across most OS X

     

    Since I have portable Apple computers, and also have spare keyboards for both these

    and a few desktop models on hand, they've proven to be helpful to resolve many issues.

     

    If nothing else, to troubleshoot an issue to determine a cause or course of action, helps.

    After reading through some possible issues and answers, I chose to post bits of what

    was listed in Support in my earlier reply; an older Mac could use an expert -- if it's tired.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!