OT Tech Support.

[NotCranky]

We have a 2010 macbook air. It is shutdown due to RAM problems, I believe. It has onboard RAM so probably requires a new logic board. I am guessing the majority of piggs think this thing is obsolete? Not worth repairing with onboard RAM.
Are we going in the right direction to forget about it and get a new one? Any economical way to save it for the kids, or get a little more mileage out of it without spending much?

A suitable one for my wife’s not so high tech needs looks like it cost $1000. we don’t need macbook pro. or a very powerful unit.

[Coronita]

When I did something really stupid to my mac, I took it to the mac store, and to replace the motherboard it was like $200. Which isn’t that bad. It might be worth it.

[spdrun]

I just did the mainboard on a 2012 MBA for a friend. The board itself was under $200 on EBay and took about 15 minutes to replace.

I’ve never seen the innards of the 2010 version, so I cannot speak to ease of replacement, but looks like the logic boards sell for $150-200.

You can’t get a new Macbook for that price, and it’s less money in Chinese polluters’ and Apple pockets, so I’d say go for it.

The other option is to bake the logic board. That’s right. Heat an oven to 375F, remove any foam parts from the board, bake it on standoffs in a preheated baking pan for 8 minutes, then let it sit till it’s cold. This reflows the solder on the board and sometimes fixes issues.

[NotCranky]

It’s not hard to replace , videos for it on Youtube, It looks like the board I need is about 250. Possibility of misdiagnosing but slight with the beeps it is giving.
Too bad it”s integrated RAM.

So are the apple stores cheaper than Amazon for parts , or a place like Cry Wolf for diagnostics and repairs? Cry wolf is saying it probably a $600 job.

[spdrun]

Just buy the damn thing on EBay from a seller that has a DOA guarantee and good feedback. And, as I said, try baking the old board first if your wife won’t kill ya.

But speaking of Apple stores, Apple devices have been known to have “quiet recalls” out of warranty for defective logic boards, etc. Some can be honore for years.

Would not hurt to ask.

[NotCranky]

What does bake it mean?

[NotCranky]

I am a god to my wife.

[spdrun]

See my first post on this string. I mean literally baking it in an oven to reflow any cracked/cold solder joints.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-repair-the-Macbook-pro-logic-board-at-home/

[NotCranky]

Should I be able to see where any solder problem is? Why not do Micro mini work on it.

If it’s a matter of throwing it in the trash or putting the logic board in the oven, then nothing to lose.

[moneymaker]

Before baking it in the oven check for a loose ribbon cable, that’s what was wrong with my 47″ TV, simple fix.

[NotCranky]

Good tips, Maybe I have this wrong , but I can’t imagine all the RAM going bad but a break makes sense.

[NotCranky]

So, If I bake this board and it doesn’t work, does it create a possibility that getting the data out of the computer is gone? Right now I think we can still salvage data, not hat I know how to yet. We suck at data management and I won’t be a god to my wife if I ruin whatever data saving chances there are.

[spdrun]

Depending on exact model, the hard drive is either a 1.8″ spinner or an SSD. Removable either way. Do not bake the hard drive or SSD board 🙂

[Coronita]

Don’t bake it. If you don’t know what you are doing, you’re royally fkd. Just give the apple store a call. $250 was include parts and labor from what I recall for my motherboard. But it was awhile ago.

[spdrun]

Nothing to lose by trying it. You can get a working mobo for that particular Mac for under $200.

If it works, great. $250 less in Timmy Crook’s pocket.

If you fuck the old board, nothing to really lose, and no chance of data loss since the storage is not part of the mobo.

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