MBP fell on floor in backpack

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MBP fell on floor in backpack

My 2010 MBP fell on the floor inside of my backpack, inside of its protective sleeve (fell about a foot and a half). There is a dent on the front left corner. The first boot I had yielded a black screen, but the black light was working (and I could dim it/raise it). Hard drive sounds normal. I opend the unit and everything looks intact. After a few boots, the blacklight no longer turns on. Cap locks light turns on and off, battery light turns on and off, battery also charges. When closed, the standby light flashes as normal.

The unit is obivously out of warrenty, and I can't afford apple care (I also don't think it covers accidental damage such as falls anyway). I'm debating on taking this to an apple store, if the damage is too costly I'll be out of a laptop for the rest of the semester.

Any help is appriciated.

Thanks,

PSUJim.

Posted on Apr 3, 2013 2:32 PM

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Answer 1

PSUJim Author

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Apr 3, 2013 3:17 PM in response to PSUJim

I understand that one can't diognose the problem, but if I'm looking for input from those who may have experianced a matter such as this.

From my current location, I don't have the option to visit an Apple store so any forum input is greatly appriciated.

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Answer 2

Apr 3, 2013 3:37 PM in response to PSUJim

You are correct. There is nothing any of us can do to diagnose the problem. What other "input" do yoiu expect other than you have to take it to an authorized service center for evaluation?

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Answer 3

Shootist007

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Apr 3, 2013 3:47 PM in response to PSUJim

Since you dont have Applecare and you are clearly out of warranty you might be better off just selling it for parts, you might get 400-600 hundred for it, and buy a Windows PC to get you through the year.

Put it won't hurt for you to take it to an Apple store to be checked out and an estimate given on the cost of repairs.

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Answer 4

PSUJim Author

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Apr 3, 2013 4:03 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

Considering I'm a few hours from an apple store, perhaps other user's experiances might help me. Users like yourself who have been on this forum, whom would have seen threads about how much this repair could cost and what might possibly be broken (ect).

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Answer 5

Shootist007

Level 6

16,709 points

Apr 3, 2013 4:18 PM in response to PSUJim

You say the screen doesn't light up? Is that correct? If so you are looking at around 400-500 hundred dollars US. But in the end only Apple can give you an estimate. But Apple usually doesn't fix one part of a Mac computer without fixing all that they find wrong. So it is anyones guess just what the total cost will be for the repairs that may be needed.

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Answer 6

Apr 3, 2013 5:31 PM in response to PSUJim

Whatever the solution for fixing or replacing the Mac will be, one thing is most certain. It's time for a new backpack... one designed to save your system during such falls. Maybe look at Swissgear or something along those lines which have a ton of padding.

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Answer 7

CMCSK

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Apr 3, 2013 5:33 PM in response to PSUJim

Take your computer to an AASP.

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Answer 8

PSUJim Author

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Apr 3, 2013 8:34 PM in response to SwankPeRFection

Its a Dakine backpack, also had a victorinox sleave "protecting" it. Gunna find an Apple store this weekend and see what they can tell me, hopefully the fix is cheap (as in less than $300) other wise I am in trouble for finals.

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Answer 9

PSUJim Author

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Apr 3, 2013 8:36 PM in response to Shootist007

Also, the monitor wont turn on at all. Not sure if something disconnected or the fall messed up something on the board. It did show blacklight on the first boot after the fall, but after that it went away and remains black.

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Answer 10

PSUJim Author

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Apr 3, 2013 9:36 PM in response to PSUJim

Sorry for the constant posts, it wont give me permission to edit my previous ones.

Further update, I checked the connnections and fiddled with the RAM. The keyboard blacklight turns on and off, the volume turns on and off, and from what I can tell it seems to boot normally but there is no picture on the screen.

I managed to log onto my computer, it seems to have survived the fall as it boots to OSX. Plays itunes, so I assume I'm booted up and such.

I'm going to assume the harddrive is fine, but the issue now lies with the logicboard/monitor. Hopefully its a simple fix, as in a connector got knocked loose, and not the graphics chip.

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Answer 11

Apr 3, 2013 9:43 PM in response to PSUJim

If your feeling really ballsy, take the keybourd off and make sure the screen is connected to its power source and that the Data cable has a firm connection. Its a easy halfhour job, but I would say there is a 25% chance that is your problem. This video shows how to take a MacBook Pro 2010 apart. http://youtu.be/qiBxhA29eaU

P.S. Like I said... This is if your feeling REALLY ballsy and is AT YOUR OWN RISK!

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Answer 12

Apr 4, 2013 9:10 AM in response to PSUJim

If you can do all that, it's not the system board (logic board). It's most likely a dead screen or a disconnected/loose connector for the screen and backlight. If anything on the main board was damaged, you wouldn't be able to get as far as you did.

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Answer 13

Apr 4, 2013 9:12 AM in response to SwankPeRFection

SwankPeRFection wrote:

If you can do all that, it's not the system board (logic board). It's most likely a dead screen or a disconnected/loose connector for the screen and backlight. If anything on the main board was damaged, you wouldn't be able to get as far as you did.

This^. But judging from the fact the the screen is ALL black but lights up, I am inclined to think it is a loose connector!

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Answer 14

PSUJim Author

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Apr 4, 2013 12:43 PM in response to Astro_Boy13

I may or maynot do a ful disembly this weekend. If I take it to an Apple Store, I fear they will just say its a flawled board and give me the bad news.

The screen on first boot did light up, or atleast the blacklight did, but then that option went away after 2nd boot.

I'll keep updating this thread incase it helps future members.

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