How do you find out if your motherboard is bad

GrammaK wrote:

This computer is a 2011-12.

I had someone with good reviews look at this one. He put in a new hard drive, downloaded a later OS, and replaced a. memory card. It worked for 3 days, then again would only boot halfway ... now there were additional things.

The original repairman told me he had not replaced the battery after I noticed it doesn't depress in the upper portion of the trackpad ... I spent another $100 for another repair shop who stated he doubted guy #1 had done a complete diagnostic.

Guy #2 said he did the diagnosis and it's the motherboard and the video.

Would he have taken parts out of the computer for the diagnostic or just have done what I did?? Thank you guys so much for all your help.

...Guy #2 also kept a couple of the original screws. Since I have it working (sometimes), I want them back. He also put in (one) some sort of rivet that's about 1/16" long and is not a phillips head. I'm afraid if I bump my computer those missing screws may be a problem.

I have a 2010 MacBook Air and a 2013 MacBook Air, both still running well; I have replaced battery and SSD on the 2013 one, the 2010 one is still all original parts. so am a bit familiar with what you are going through. I agree with Bob, however -- all these Macs are long past end of life and not worth further investment.

From what you describe, I would surmise that the motherboard is indeed failing. Which means you are at the end of the line for that Mac.

Not a judgement on you, but neither of your repair people sound very competent. The one who probably lost some of your screws and used ones that don't fit is especially egregious. I only utilize Apple Authorized Service Providers, they can be found listed on Apple's web site. AASPs are not the Apple Store (in fact the Apple Store will not work on a computer as old as yours), they are independent shops but they are certified by Apple and have access to specialized Apple diagnostic tools and methods. They may cost more but in the end, I think one gets what one pays for. The one I used to replace the SSD and battery in my 2013 MacBook Air returned it in pristine and like new working condition. Mac laptops and iMacs are built with very tight physical space and tight tolerances, and you should only trust your computer with someone qualified and trained to work on them. The fact that your laptop was returned to you with screws missing(and wrongly sized screws) is unconscionable, in my view.

GrammaK wrote:

I knew Apple doesn't work on old computers. I couldn't even get a new battery - after I got a pop-up message telling me I was going to need one!! I tried a 3rd party one which swelled and rendered my trackpad worthless!! Fortunately, Interstate Batteries hadn't yet disposed of the original.

OWC Macsales sells high quality batteries for MacBook Pros as far back as 2009. That is where I got the new battery for my MacBook Air 2013. Been using it for a few years now, just as good as new, and it has twice the capacity of the original battery.

Can you tell me why guy #1 didn't find the motherboard "bad" before he added. memory? I think this computer would still be in excellent condition except for the fact that I took it to someone who worked on computers and he decided I really didn't need that one.

Lesson learned here is to VERY CAREFULLY choose who works on your computers. #1 does not sound like a high quality technician. #1 did not do a thorough or careful job of diagnosis, I don't know why.

I spilled an ounce of coffee near it. I could see the coffee mostly landed in the chair in front of the desk, but I needed to be sure before I turned it on again.

So this liquid spill is new information and could explain all kinds of anomalies with the laptop. This type of damage is not easy to mitigate. You may always have lingering chronic issues due to liquid spill damage.

I told them 3 times that was all I needed because I don't have the screwdriver that fits!! They kept it for 2 1/2 days. I made the mistake of telling them why I said do not replace anything, do not repair anything because "I have a new one but prefer this one for my project". But then, I've said, for years, if there's a crook to be found, I'll find 'em! Thanks for the suggestion that I blow even more money on a used computer. I think if I buy a photos app for the other computer, I'll get used to it.

I did not suggest that you spend even more money on a used computer, that was someone else's suggestion. Personally, I would never buy a used computer myself .... but if I did, it would be from OWC or from Apple as they provide warranties and stand behind their products. By the way, you can buy online the right screwdrivers (and screws) that will fit your laptop.

Your new MacBook Pro comes with a photo app preinstalled (it is called Photos). You can also install third party photo apps such as Adobe Lightroom, etc. The new Mac will be 20x faster than your old one, and more reliable and also more secure (with its newer operating system).

You have had enough problems with this old "2011-2012" MBP that it really doesn't matter any more what's bad or not. The machine is dead or at least dying. If you like it that much, you can always buy a refurbished/good condition used replacement at places like UsedMac.com, MacOfAllTrades, DVWarehouse, OWC. Even eBay if you are careful about the seller & returns.

ps. Neither of the "Guys" you mentioned did you any good; they were either incompetent and/or your MBP was already past the point of recovery. I wouldn't trust either of them with any future work.

FWIW, I would not spend any money on an obsolete/vintage 2011/12 computer. It does not matter if the parts were taken out or not.

GrammaK wrote:

Knowing I had spent over $2000 (I think it was nearer 2500), I must have really felt the old was superior to the new or I wouldn't have spent money attempting to salvage it. Your reply didn't meet my expectations nor answer my question.

Your question was "Would he have taken parts out of the computer for the diagnostic or just have done what I did?? " My response was that it does not matter. What more do you want in a response to that question? If the answer matters to you, ask the tech what he did.

GrammaK wrote:

I assumed (stupid me) anyone who knew about diagnostic tests would be able to answer that question easily. Guy #2 also kept a couple of the original screws. Since I have it working (sometimes), I want them back. He also put in (one) some sort of rivet that's about 1/16" long and is not a phillips head. I'm afraid if I bump my computer those missing screws may be a problem.

Ask the "Guy" to return the screws to you if you feel you need them.