MacBook Pro Help?

[CC_333]

Hi,

I know this isn't a PPC PowerBook, but here goes anyway...

I just got a MacBook Pro (model A1226, 2.2 GHz), and the video circuitry is acting weird.

I suspect the video chip needs a reflow, but I am ill equipped to do that myself (and I'd rather not spend $200+ for a new logic board).

So, is anybody able and/or willing to help me out? I'd really hate to waste lots of money on this thing (which is in otherwise quite good condition).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

c

 

[Byrd]

My experience repairing these MBPs (C2D with 8600GT GPU) is that you get once chance to repair the GPU, effectively, via a DIY method of heatgun + flux + level surface + a slathering of good luck, experience and timing. I repaired a 2.4Ghz model with no issues and works well, but another (the first one I repaired) I needed to go in again and again before I decided to call it a day.

Lots of local notebook shops have a BGA reball station which I'd go for over doing the DIY method. I didn't have much to lose with mine so decided to cheapen out and try repairing it myself.

JB

 

[CC_333]

Hi,

That's encouraging, although I don't want to risk doing it myself without the proper tools (a reflow station), so I would like to know if anybody on here has such a device and is willing to run my board through it.

In the meantime, I ordered a new board ($220 -- YUCK!). I can always keep the current one as a spare or for future repairs on another machine.

c

 

[mcdermd]

techknight does real reflows on an IR reflow station. His prices were inexpensive too. Drop him a line.

 

[CC_333]

I'm wondering if it actually is broken now.

I am installing Lion on it right now, and it seems to be working perfectly.

I looked up the Nvidia BGA failure, and apparently the typical MO of the failure is a black screen (and no video from the DVI port). What I got was a distorted screen with a normal cursor which seemed unaffected (which I thought was odd). I think the seller might have mentioned that the machine needed a new logic board, but he didn't know why because it apparently worked OK for him despite it.

Maybe it's a problem with the RAM/VRAM? My mid '09 Unibody MBP did something similar once, and I determined that the main RAM was partially bad. Replacing it solved the problem. Would doing the same to this MBP fix the problem?

I suppose an AHT is in order. It may not do much, but it can tell me something, I'm sure (running it three to four times is what led me to believe the RAM was going bad on the other one, because it didn't report any errors until the third pass).

c

 

[mcdermd]

There is a special test that the Apple Store Geniuses run to see if the machine qualifies for the GPU failure. Have you run it?

 

[CC_333]

No, I haven't.

Should I? It's a Mid 2007 Santa Rosa model.

Is there a way I can do the test myself, or do I have to take it to an Apple Store?

c

 

[mcdermd]

It's only available to the Geniuses.

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[TheMacGuy]

What about AASPs? They have to have the test too.

The "Geniuses" might actually do it for free. I have seen them run diagnostics for someone else at the bar and not charge them a dime. Me? If I didn't have AppleCare, I would be SOL.

 

[CC_333]

It's only available to the Geniuses.

TheMacGuy: Yes, AppleCare is very nice! My MBP's battery failed after a little over a year (at which point the standard warranty would've expired), but thanks to AppleCare, I was able to get it replaced free of charge.

I am currently running an extended test with AHT (I was fortunate enough to have the original disks included with the machine). I will inform all as to any results, but I suspect it will turn up negative.

Is it possible that nothing's wrong, and this was just a false positive?

c

 

[CC_333]

Well, I got an error!

The code is 4/SNS/1/40000000:TGOD

What does it mean?

c