Did my logic board actually get replaced?

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Level 1

12 points

Did my logic board actually get replaced?

Hi. I own an early 2011 15" Macbook Pro that was affected by the video issues recall. I took it to an Apple dealer (last December) and they told me they replaced the logic board, P/N: SVC,PCBA,MLB,2.0GHZ under a recall service.

However, the computer's serial number presented by the OS is the same as that stamped on the bottom cover. I was told that a replacement logic board would have a different serial number, and that the Apple dealer just resoldered my old logic board. The computer is no longer covered by the recall, and is again beginning to show signs of hardware failure. I know the computer is old, but a new board should have made it like new again (as everything is soldered there). Can I complain to the Apple dealer, or do they have a way of actually changing the serial on new motherboards so that is matches the one on the chassis? Can I go back to them and ask for a new mainboard?

Thanks;

Juan Castro

MacBook Pro, iOS 11

Posted on Nov 18, 2017 4:41 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

tjk

Level 9

51,192 points

Nov 18, 2017 6:29 PM in response to Mr.Wizzard

Hi,

Yes, they can flash the ROM on the logic board to change the serial number. They can also use a used/refurbished/repaired logic board. They can also repair the original logic board. The bottom line is that they can basically do whatever they want to repair the Mac. Just to note, there have been many posts here and on many other sites stating that a Mac which had the GPU issue repaired had the same issue again, and some again after that. Unfortunately, unless you live in an area with different laws, Apple's repair program has ended and there's nothing to be done.

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Answer 2

Nov 18, 2017 7:14 PM in response to Mr.Wizzard

Spare parts are in stock with the serial number Zeroed out. If the logic board is replaced, the technician is supposed to put in a valid serial number. Whether that is the old number or a different one, we do not know for certain.

But we do know that if the technician forgets to put in a valid serial number, you cannot download you old software again. We know that because users have reported they have a zero serial number after a recent repair, and the Mac App Store no longer wants to download anything to them.

There are some work-arounds of varying complexity to shut off the discrete GPU and just use the Integrated GPA. this can make it so that your MacBook works again, but without quite as much graphics power. For all but Video editing, you may not notice.

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