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Old 01-09-2009, 10:05 PM
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Apple Experts - Need Help

So let me preface this by saying i've been an engineer for over 10 yrs, replacing server hardware and desktops and i've used a mac before. I've also replaced alot of things on my G4 desktop. Also, i know there are some mac ppl here, but please recommend a good Mac forum (hopefully comparable to the experts of X5s on this forum).

So I recently got a macbook pro from my cousin. It came with a 120gb drive, but of course that wasn't good enough for me. I quickly had 50gb free after a few weeks so i panicked and bought a 320gb (plus went from 5400 rpm to 7200rpm).

After days of trying to find the right T6 screwdriver, i finally went to my trusted computer store and got a kit that had the T6. Tonight, I opened up the macbook pro using this article http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...2119528,00.asp

I got it opened and managed to replace the HD. Put it back together and i'm off. But pressing the power button, nothing. No lights no chime nothing. Even plugging in the power adapter - no light on macbook adapter connection. I tried the reset of the System management controller (SMC) - but that didn't work.

Please provide suggestions.. and i am probably out of warranty now so i'm sure someone will say go to the genius bar, but i'll probably pay an arm and a leg. Please help. Please dont tell me i blew my motherboard. Cuz that's going to be $$$$ at apple.
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  #2  
Old 01-09-2009, 10:50 PM
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My son is an Apple-addict (and I work for IBM!), and he advises that it sounds like someone spilled some liquid in or around the keyboard. Now the Apple stores can tell because they use a special ink which reacts IMMEDIATELY with any kind of liquid even if you blow dryer it dry. He says that since the motherboard on the apple is an all or nothing invention, you are probably right in assuming its the motherboard. We know this from personal experience when I spent $1700 on a new Mac Book only to have his friend spill some (and I mean a LITTLE) diet sprite on it..and even though we were able to get it up and running from time to time, it was undependable at best. So.. my advise is to get an authorized Apple dealer (not the Apple store) to look at it (ie Geek Squad) since they are cheaper. For about $50 they'll either tell you you need a new motherboard or something else..but (and I am sorry to tell you this) dont hold out a lot of hope for something less.

Instead, go with plan B. IF you are lucky enough to own your own home, you are likely covered via your homeownders insureance by simply telling your insurance agent that a pipe broke under the sink and water got on the Mac.
You'll have to pay a homeowners deductible, but you'll get a NEW machine for a WHOLE lot cheaper than a new machine, plus you get to keep the old one and tinker with it..you can buy used motherboards (or some offer repair services), so now you have TWO, and you can sell the repaired one to recover your expenses. If your a renter with renters insurance it should work the same way.

Again, I am only passing along the wisdom of a 17 year old who can make his Mac Book sing and dance the bassa nova ! I hope this helps and wish you the best .. If you want to talk to him send me a pm, and I'll give you his number..

Regards
Ed in Metuchen, NJ
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Old 01-09-2009, 10:59 PM
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thans for the quick reply Ed. I definitely have never spilled anything on it. I think something worse - opening the macbook pro. I think i will have to bring it to apple. a friend tells me it was $875 to replace his MB under warranty. So assuming they realize and say i'm out of warranty - i'll easily have to pay more.

Also I own - but i'm a first time owner and my deductible is pretty high. More than it's worth to go that route to replace the laptop. If your son has any more thoughts or knows how the macs work internally - let me know!! Lol. I'd love for mine to start singing and dancing again.
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Old 01-09-2009, 11:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rastaFarai
thans for the quick reply Ed. I definitely have never spilled anything on it. I think something worse - opening the macbook pro. I think i will have to bring it to apple. a friend tells me it was $875 to replace his MB under warranty. So assuming they realize and say i'm out of warranty - i'll easily have to pay more.

Also I own - but i'm a first time owner and my deductible is pretty high. More than it's worth to go that route to replace the laptop. If your son has any more thoughts or knows how the macs work internally - let me know!! Lol. I'd love for mine to start singing and dancing again.
I honestly doubt $875 for a macbook pro MB replacement.. It was $1200 for his MacBook MB and its not a pro. But I leave it to your decision. I was assuming your homeowners deductible would be about $500, which is mine. No matter which way you go, unfortunately it's gonna cost. Sorry, I misunderstood. I read your OP wrong. I thought you got it non-working from your cousin...hence the spill theory. You COULD always go to the genius bar at an Apple store..Tell them exactly what happened and ask for advice. If they try to take it in for service, you can decline and go home. OR let them look at it for their 1 hr fee (which is higher than BB). No harm in bringing it to them for a peek. Go online and try to schedule an appointment (Saturdays are tough..but tomorrows weather may slow down the action). Good Luck Ed
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Old 01-09-2009, 11:41 PM
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Maybe try Notebook review forum? I have included a link to the Apple page.

Good luck!
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Old 01-09-2009, 11:50 PM
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Hopefully you didn't damage those fragile ribbon cables... or perhaps you missed something when you re-assembled it? I'd take it apart again and check. You could try putting the original hard drive back also.

Last edited by zerochief; 01-10-2009 at 04:09 AM.
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Old 01-10-2009, 12:17 AM
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I realized there's a short attachment that attaches the periphs above hd to the mb. It is right below the hd ribbon below the mb. When I checked it wasn't snapped in.

Tried with old hd and started to boot. Put in new and it worked.

Zerohief long time!! While you were typing that i was probably just finishing up doing exactly that. Great minds think alike! As evidence by our X5s lol.

I still have to open my headlights and fix one of my AEs on driver side. The ring got messed up.. long story but basically radiator went boom, heat, wires melted etc etc.

Abster thanks for the forum.. looking for a good mac forum in general too. You have a mac - use them for advice etc?
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Old 01-10-2009, 12:22 AM
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Great rastaFarai! Glad you got it up and runnin'
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Old 01-10-2009, 01:50 AM
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nice work!
another good mac forum is forums.macrumors.com
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Old 01-10-2009, 02:32 AM
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Hey rastaFarai.

I have an anemic macbook pro as well. Full of ram but
a little short on drive space. I haven't looked into
it but i guess installing another drive may void the
warranty. Having said that my question is how's the
7200 RPM drive compared to the other one?

Aside from the increased space, have you seen
any increase in drive performance?
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