Early 2008 MacBook for Mom

[TheMacGuy]

This was quite a steel. I traded an older Toshiba Satellite laptop from 2009 for a Early 2008 MacBook. Decent condition. Although, the battery doesn't work, some keys don't work and the power button sometimes sticks. And whoever tried to fix it was a complete idiot. 3 striped screws, 4 missing screws, and he replaced 2 of the bottom screws with hex screws, the wrong length! HDD was replaced, and not properly! HDD is missing pullout tab, and was downgraded to 80GB. Battery compartments L bracket is missing. RAM handles are sort of bent. 2 of 4 hinge screws were just rolling around the computers internals! But it still boots up into 10.6.8. Great computer. Now I just need to fix it before Christmas!

 

[Macdrone]

For postage I have the hard drive ram cover.

 

[TheMacGuy]

You happen to have the screws? I need a complete set it looks like.

 

[Macdrone]

I have some I think not all. But they are too mixed up I think. I could sift though and get what I can. I have one rubber side and a screw or two for the sled area I think also.

 

[TheMacGuy]

That would be great! I need all the external screws (inside the battery compartment, bottom of laptop, edges).

 

[fairchild]

Good luck!

 

[markyb86]

If the keys are nasty grab one of those silicone covers off of amazon for a buck. I had to get one because there was browning on mine when I got it, and I felt gross using it :O

 

[TheMacGuy]

The keys aren't nasty, just a few of them are dead.

 

[TheIanMan85]

Looks like there are some decent possible parts candidates on eBay. This one is at $68 and looks like it'd have everything except for a brand new hard drive. (This is just an example, I tried to pick one ending soon with a low current bid.

I'm sure people here probably have everything kicking around, but I know there isn't much time.

 

[olePigeon]

If you take the keys off, is there a rubber nub under it? If you press it, does anything happen?

I may have some extra keys for you.

 

[TheMacGuy]

The rubber nub is still there. I ended up taking it to a local Aple Service Provider, and they will replace the top case under that Apple Replacement Program because it ever so slightly startd to crack. The tech pointed out that the grey sticker cover were the trackpad ribbon cables connect to the top case is missing, and apparently the ribbon cable slipped out of its connector to the top case and and some the pins broke off. Amazing I was able to boot it when I got it! Sounds like they may put the screws back, but not completely sure.

 

[olePigeon]

Oh, good. I'm glad they're still doing that. I have about 30+ 2006-2008 MacBooks that need their keyboards replaced.

 

[TheMacGuy]

Better hurry. They are only doing it (from what they told me) for 5 years after the defect was found by Apple.

 

[olePigeon]

I have to wait until Christmas Vacation when the laptops aren't being used. This is cutting it close. :O

 

[CC_333]

I ended up taking it to a local Aple Service Provider, and they will replace the top case under that Apple Replacement Program because it ever so slightly startd to crack.

Does this mean that the program covers ALL A1181 MacBooks (from the very first in 2006 to the last model in 2008)?
I have a black MacBook I just got, and it needs a new top case (same deal as TheMacGuy's; broken ribbon cable connector at the trackpad, so the top case is completely dead). I wanted to go to see if I could get it replaced free, but I held back because I thought they wouldn't do it if the computer is more than five years old. If this turns out to be incorrect, and all MacBooks ever made are covered, then I think I'll go ahead and get it replaced as soon as I can!

c

 

[TheMacGuy]

CC_333:

Make sure all the screws are in and take it to either a Apple Service Provider or Apple Store and they should fix it. They replaced my brothers Core Duo 1st Gen black MacBook and they replaced it late last year. The worst they could say is no. Just make sure it is cracking, or they won't fix it.

 

[olePigeon]

Just make sure it is cracking, or they won't fix it.

That's the most important part. The warranty replacement is for the keyboards that are cracked along the very edge of the palm rest (usually on either side of the track pad.) So it's risky, but if it's already broken, go ahead and crack/break the very edges.

Like this: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2295211311_27e971609c.jpg

 

[CC_333]

TheMacGuy: It's already pretty badly cracked, so I don't think that'll be a problem.

I got it with some screws missing. I replaced them with a white model's screws, so they look slightly different, and the logic board is from the same white model, so the ports on the side are white and grey, not black like the original board. Would this cause any problems, and if so, why?

Thank you!

c

 

[mcdermd]

They told me "no" on my 2006 Core Duo MacBook.