How do you repair a MacBook - IT-Tech Online

Level 1 Repair

Also known as basic repair. A MacBook consists of the following parts: a screen, a keyboard, a touch pad, a battery, a mechanical or SSD hard drive, a DVD drive, a Wifi card, a logic board, and cables connecting other parts to the logic board. The objective is to identify the faulty part(s) fast.

1. We open the bottom panel and conduct a visual inspection to determine if it is safe to power up. We never power up a liquid-damaged MacBook without proper treatment since it may result in more chips damage and make the repair work much harder.

2. Connect a special power unit with a digital display showing the electric current being drawn from the power supply to the MacBook. If an over-current is found we cut off power immediately to prevent further damage the MacBook (as this finding is highly likely logic board shorted circuit).

3. Press the power button to see if there are any changes to the current. If there is no change, we remove the keyboard cable and any other cables from the logic board and perform a “forced" power-up of the logic board. If there is still no change of current, that is evidence that the logic board is faulty and a higher level of repair work is needed.

4. If the logic board can be powered up manually, we re-connect cables one by one to determine which one is preventing the logic board from powering up and then replace the faulty part(s).

5. If the logic board can be powered up, we test all its expected functions to see if there are any remaining defects that can be found. Any malfunction will require the next level of repair.

6. This part-replacing type of repair is entirely dependent on the availability of the spare parts. If there are no spare parts then there is no fix. All spare parts can be obtained from supply sources except one: Logic board. Find out why: www.it-tech.com.au/why-apple-authorised-service-centre

7. If a faulty logic board is found in your MacBook, Apple Authorized Service Centres and 99.9% of the computer stores will tell you that your MacBook is non-repairable. Apple genius bar takes a slightly different approach. If your logic board is under warranty, it will be sent out to overseas for repair (Foxconn China, manufacturer of logic boards for MacBook, iMac, iPhone). If the board is out of warranty, you either have to buy a new Mac or end up with an “Apple Genius Bar certified dead MacBook", as there is huge profit difference between selling a new Mac and repairing a logic board.

Level 2 Repair:  Let’s make “Apple Genius Bar certified dead MacBook" back to life!

Also known as manufacturer repair. At this level, we are working on individual logic board components (or chips) such as CPUs, GPUs, ICs, transistors, resistors, and capacitors and so on. The objective is to identify the faulty chips among the many thousands on the board and then replace them without damaging the surrounding chips. We repeat this process until all faulty chips are found and replaced, and all the functionality and stability tests have been passed. In one sense, it is like a meticulous forensic investigation. In order to perform the task effectively and economically, one needs the electronic knowledge, detective reasoning skills, micro-soldering skills, experience, proper equipment and most importantly: an understanding of the “core" design of the Apple logic board. Unfortunately, there are very few companies can perform this task effectively – and even less still in Australia. We are proud to be one of them.

Instead of replacing your entire logic board, we will replace the burned or failed components on your existing logic board with new ones. Your logic board contains thousands of interconnected components. It makes no sense to throw the entire thing away because of just one faulty component!

Logic boards with a physically cracked PCB board or burn holes are not repairable due to the board 9-layer circuit design interconnecting the surface-mounted components internally. Logic boards with faulty CPUs are also considered as being not economically repairable. These fatal types of damage account for around 5% of damaged logic boards.

For more technical info, please visit our website: www.it-tech.com.au

IT-Tech Online MacBook Logic Board Repair Specialist

163A East Boundary Road Bentleigh East, Vic 3165     www.it-tech.com.au   (03) 9563 8588