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MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement

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  1. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement, Access Door: passo 1, immagine 1 di 1
    • With the case closed, place the Unibody top-side down on a flat surface.

    • Depress the grooved side of the access door release latch enough to grab the free end. Lift the release latch until it is vertical.

    This is not a a1278 unibody MacBook Pro. A1278 MacBooks backs are one solid metal piece not two separate pieces. This guide is for a different MacBook Pro.

    Brad Burgeson - Replica

    This guide isn’t for a pro; it’s a MacBook unibody.

    Nicholas -

    So, it turns out that Apple used the model code A1278 for quite a few different Mac models, including both Pro and non-Pro versions! This guide is for the non-Pro Macbooks. There’s also one for the Pro models with the same A1278 identifier.

    tempelmann - Replica

  2. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 2, immagine 1 di 1
    • The access door should now be raised enough to lift it up and out of the Unibody.

  3. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement, Battery: passo 3, immagine 1 di 1
    • Be sure the access door release latch is vertical before proceeding.

    • Grab the white plastic tab and pull the battery up and out of the Unibody.

    Great tutorial ! great step !

    Leo Etcheverry - Replica

    Even though it’s specifically stated, you have to make sure the access door latch is vertical or the battery won’t be removable.

    Henry Kim - Replica

  4. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement, Lower Case: passo 4, immagine 1 di 1
    • Remove the following eight screws securing the lower case to the chassis:

    • One 3 mm Phillips screw.

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

    • Four 3.5 mm Phillips screws.

    On my model, it seemed the top-left was 3.5mm and the bottom 4 were 3 mm.

    Jim - Replica

    Make sure you have a good quality Phillips screwdriver. Mine had removable tips and had a small play at the connection. As a result I didn't have a good feel and damaged my screws (those securing the fan and the top left in step 23). Game over for me installing new thermal paste...

    Be very carefull with your screws! Especially those on the inside.

    Nickolas Michelinakis - Replica

    You can get away with a Phillips #00 for many of the screws involved but the 4 at the bottom case split are likely to strip if you don’t use a JIS #00 or, in a pinch, a Phillips #000.

    Bill Cole - Replica

    I used the Phillips #00 tip from my Pro Tech Toolkit, and it worked well enough. But yes, maybe #000 might have been better on the lower row of screws. Note to myself: Always read the comments first.

    Les Kitchen -

    When replacing these screws, the order to replace them in is as follows:

    1, Top left

    2. Top right

    3. Top center-left

    4. Top center-right

    5. Bottom center-right

    6. Bottom center-left

    7. Bottom right

    8. Bottom left

    I hope this information is helpful.

    facebook - Replica

    I followed my usual process of putting in all the screws loosely, then tightening them gradually in distributed pattern, to help ensure that the panel settles in place evenly. But maybe some orders are better.

    Les Kitchen -

  5. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 5, immagine 1 di 1
    • Using both hands, lift and remove the lower case off the upper case.

    Thanks for the guide!

    It's implicit in the two photos, but worth mentioning because it blocked my progress in this step for a bit: You have to put the release latch back into its horizontal, closed position before you can lift off the lower-case panel.

    Les Kitchen - Replica

  6. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement, Display Assembly: passo 6, immagine 1 di 1
    • Disconnect the camera cable by pulling the male end straight away from its socket.

    • Be careful not to pull up on the cable as you remove it from the socket.

    Be EXTREMELY careful when removing and re-inserting the 'camera' cable. The contacts can be easily bent beyond repair if you try to force it back in. Damaging this cable at this connection or near the display may disable your ability to use your iSight camera, AND both your Bluetooth and WiFi. I had to pay apple $300 to replace the entire display assembly because one prong was faulty, causing my WiFi card to not be recognized.

    seanheff17 - Replica

  7. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 7, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 7, immagine 2 di 2
    • De-route the camera data cable from the channel in the optical drive.

    Although I ordered the screen for an A1278 MacBook Unibody Aluminum, the screen glass was marked as a MacBook Pro. The iSight/WiFi /BT cable was about an inch longer than the Macbook one and took a bit of creative re-routing, but everything works fine.

    tjod - Replica

    has it got the airport and bluetooth modules built in separately in the display assembly as in the macbook late 2008 and mbp mid 2009?

    fericcio -

  8. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 8, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 8, immagine 2 di 2
    • Remove the following screws securing the camera data cable and right speaker to the upper case:

    • One 9.9 mm partially threaded Phillips screw

    • One 9.6 mm threaded Phillips screw

    • One 4 mm Phillips screw

    • Slide the camera cable bracket out from under the subwoofer and remove it from the computer.

    • The iSight cable has an eyelet through which passes the left-most screw in these pictures.

    "orange" is the short one, that goes in the middle ;)

    Riesling - Replica

    My model has different bracket, you need to remove the subwoofer first

    Andrea Ghensi - Replica

    1. With my Laptop, the left screw was partially threaded, not the right one. 2. Before removing the camera cable bracket, I needed to unscrew the subwoofer.

    Edgar Fuß - Replica

  9. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 9, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 9, immagine 2 di 2
    • Grab the plastic pull tab secured to the display data cable lock and rotate it toward the DC-in side of the computer.

    • Pull the display data cable connector straight away from its socket.

    • Make sure to pull the connector straight away and not straight up from its socket.

    i can't understand what I need to do in this step, I'm afraid with this step, i think i can "hurt" my mac and i don't want to do that, anyone knows what i need to do?

    Thanks

    Lucas Borges - Replica

    There is a steel 'latch' that flips over from the left side of the connector, to the right side. After you flip this latch over, the cable will easily slide out.

    madmaxmedia - Replica

    as I pulled the monitor cable out of the bracket after flipping the lock over one side of the bracket broke loose. Now the monitor will not turn on. Can anyone help?

    boldtu - Replica

  10. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 10, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 10, immagine 2 di 2
    • Remove the following two screws from the display data cable bracket:

    • One 7 mm Phillips screw.

    • One 5 mm Phillips screw.

    • Lift the display data cable bracket out of the upper case.

    Note for Step 10 during reassembly: Be careful when replacing the screw for the display cable bracket closest to the magnetic power cord receptacle. The interior magnet might attract the screw causing the screw to get pulled under the DC power circuit board which might then require that you disassemble things again to retrieve the screw.

    wintermute - Replica

  11. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 11, immagine 1 di 1
    • Remove the two outer 6 mm Torx screws securing each side of the display to the upper case (4 screws total).

    Hey guys, with these older models Do Not interchange different colored LVDS cables. Note the connector here is gold, do not use a silver connector on a gold one or vice versa. I fried a logic board this way on an A1278. Note that the core i7 lvds connector is different than the core i5.

    rjpoirier_nb - Replica

    I never thought that I’d be required to use PB Blaster to remove computer screws. Had to use two tiny drops for each screw, letting it soak in for 20 minutes or so. The display screws, coated with blue thread lock, did not want to budge. I was so fearful that I would strip them using a T-6 driver. Ended up using a 1/4” drive ratchet with a T-6 bit, pressing down firmly and blocking the MacBook from turning with my elbows. I’ve had a lot of experience doing this kind of work, but wow!

    randy3833 - Replica

  12. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 12, immagine 1 di 1
    • Open your MacBook so the display is perpendicular to the upper case.

    • Place your opened MacBook on a table as pictured.

    • While holding the display and upper case together with your left hand, remove the 6 mm Torx screw from the lower display bracket.

  13. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 13, immagine 1 di 1
    • Be sure to hold the display and upper case together with your left hand. Failure to do so may cause the freed display/upper case to fall, potentially damaging each component.

    • Remove the last remaining 6 mm Torx screw securing the display to the upper case.

  14. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 14, immagine 1 di 3 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 14, immagine 2 di 3 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 14, immagine 3 di 3
    • Grab the upper case with your right hand and rotate it slightly toward the top of the display so the upper display bracket clears the edge of the upper case.

    • Rotate the display slightly away from the upper case.

    • Lift the display away from the upper case, minding any brackets or cables that may get caught.

  15. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement, Clutch Cover: passo 15, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement, Clutch Cover: passo 15, immagine 2 di 2
    • Grab the clutch cover as shown and slide it toward the right side of the display.

    • It should move about 1/4" and stop. Don't force it beyond this point.

    i've found this impossible to get back on correctly.

    i cant get the plastic to slide back that 1/4" it needs to fit properly

    Does anyone know any tricks? :(

    Ashley Berthon - Replica

    imagine the monitor upside down and the screen facing away from you. You have to put the cover over to the right of where it goes about an inch or 2 and it will go in, then, slide it left to lock it into place

    stdonato - Replica

    I was replacing a clutch cover that had cracked into a few pieces. I found the replacement didn’t slide to the left on installation. On further investigation I found the tabs from the old one were broken off inside where the cover slides. Once they were removed the install wen much better.

    I found my replacement cover on Amazon.ca in case someone needs a Canadian source.

    Dean Landry - Replica

  16. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 16, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 16, immagine 2 di 2
    • Gently rock the clutch cover back and forth on its long axis while pulling it away from the display.

    • Do this action along the length of the clutch cover until you can lift it off the framework attaching it to the display.

  17. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 17, immagine 1 di 1
    • Remove the clutch cover from the display.

    The flat face goes on the bottom edge of the display. The display and wifi cables must be routed below the hinges in the display, that is, closer to the bottom edge of the display.

    Robert Rossi - Replica

  18. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement, AirPort Connectors: passo 18, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement, AirPort Connectors: passo 18, immagine 2 di 2
    • Use the tip of a spudger to pry both AirPort antenna connectors out of their sockets on the AirPort board.

    • Be careful not to break the sockets off the AirPort board.

  19. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement, AirPort Card: passo 19, immagine 1 di 1
    • Remove the single 3 mm Phillips screw securing the AirPort card to the display nearest the AirPort antenna.

  20. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 20, immagine 1 di 1
    • Remove the single 3.3 mm Phillips screw securing the camera cable retainer to the display.

    this is on the other side, watch the glass of the display below

    Carl Gennheimer - Replica

    Thank you! I thought the photo was looking at the left hand side.

    Andrew Wainwright - Replica

  21. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 21, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 21, immagine 2 di 2
    • Orient your display as shown and pull the black plastic camera cable retainer toward the right side of the display.

    • Remove the camera cable retainer.

    In the second picture for this step the U notches on the wifi connector are facing out when in the socket, and this is quite misleading. Putting them in like this will not work and could potentially cause some serious damage to wifi card or motherboard. Be wary of this guide, and make sure you take pictures of how things are before you touch them.

    acurns1 - Replica

    How do I find out the specifications for the Airport Card? There is none here…

    How do I know if the problem is on the card or the cable?

    Marco - Replica

    Sorprende como reparar mac fácil y rápido

    PC Macintosh - Replica

  22. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 22, immagine 1 di 1
    • Carefully pull the camera cable connector toward the right side of the display and out of its socket on the AirPort card.

    • When reattaching the AirPort Cable, make sure that the U-shaped notches on one side of the cable end are not visible (facing the card). If the cable is installed incorrectly, it will cause logic board damage.

    I fried both of my Airport cards, couldn't figure out why, and came back here and read about these little U-shaped notches. I had to bring the computer into my office to compare both sides of this cable. I would be nice to make sure that this tid bit of information is very noticeable for those who are following along.

    wcking - Replica

    Yea, I fried two motherboards before I came back here and re-read that the U notches must face the airport card.

    wcking -

    A super closeup photo of these notches would very helpful.

    Peter Mayo - Replica

    If the note in this step can be updated to more accurately describe why the notches must be visible, that would be most helpful.

    Perhaps written as per “The camera cable (ie the AirPort cable) whilst it can fit in both ways, you WILL cause damage to either the card, the motherboard or both if the orientation is not correct.

    The cable MUST be installed so that the notches on one side of the cable are not visible”

    Charlie Nancarrow - Replica

    Er, how sure is everyone about the directionality here? In the various images in this tutorial the connector appears with the U notches both facing and away. Perhaps the images reflect the learning process, but maybe the dot on the cable is key? One thing I can confirm is that it does matter - the cable connectivity is not symmetric.

    Robert Rossi - Replica

    Well, I don't yet know what damage I did to my logic board, but the instructions here are correct, at least for the system I am working with: if installed the other way around (with the U notches facing away from the connector), the system will turn on but when you try to shut it off (power button, shutdown option in OS) it will immediately turn back on. Only a long-press on the power button will shut the system down such that it stays off.

    Robert Rossi - Replica

  23. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 23, immagine 1 di 1
    • Remove the remaining 3 mm Phillips screw securing the side of the AirPort card closest to the right clutch hinge.

    This photo can be slightly misleading if you're not careful. It appears that unlike my cable, the pictured cable has the gray dot on both sides. In this photo you can see the 2 little sideways U notches that should be on the OTHER side. In photo 22 you can see that there are NO such notches as he is sliding the cable out of the connector.

    My gray dot is only on the underside (not visible when the cable is plugged in correctly. When I first took the cable out to replace my Airport board, I thought maybe it had been inserted the wrong way which will damage the motherboard. So the gray dots are not a good indicator, just look for the sideways U notches as indicated in the iFixit directions.

    madmaxmedia - Replica

  24. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 24, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 AirPort Card Replacement: passo 24, immagine 2 di 2
    • Pull the AirPort card away from its heat sink and remove it from the display.

    • Before installing a new AirPort card, be sure the thermal material on its surface is intact and aligned with the small heat sink on the display frame.

Conclusione

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Altre 51 persone hanno completato questa guida.

12 Commenti

I went through this because after replacing the top case, upon restart the Airport card was not recognized. I was hoping the cable had come loose, as resetting PRAM and SMC didn't fix the issue (and searching the web, a LOT of people have this issue, most without having touched the internals of their Mac). That was not the case, everything appeared correct. So I got a USB wireless dongle and called it good.

maccentric - Replica

I did it! \o/

The guide was really helpful. Be careful with all the delicate connections and DO NOT attempt to use not guide-specified tools. Yeah... You heard me, buy a decent Torx tool. :)

Gabriel Mattos - Replica

Muchas gracias por el trabajo de la guía, sin ella no habría podido reparar mi ordenador

justo - Replica

Very accurate guide. Much appreciated.

morjo21 - Replica

Thank you very much for this guide. No real problem with the good tools! After restart, the wifi comes back! Yes!!! But just a little problem … the white becomes suddenly blue and impossible to change that. I open a second time to disconnect and connect the LCD wire. It seems to be ok but after mounting the screws, my blue problem comes back! Do somebody have an idea?

Duthion - Replica

What is the form factor or bus of the card? Is it pci-e? Any idea?

Dietmar Heiser - Replica

Took less than 2 hours total. Excellent tutorial. The antenna clip is easily removed without damaging it, no need to buy one of those.

italianracer - Replica

Thanks for the guide. got the air port card replaced in about an hour. was much faster and easier then expected. Now my wireless network isworking again. thanks so much!

Sebastian Oye - Replica

Thanks for this very precise guide ! Even if my bluetooth was still working fine, my wifi stopped seing any network, and afterwarming a bit more, just activating the wifi crashed the MacBook (Mojave).Afet, it even failed booting 50% of the time (no startup shame). BootCamp failed seing any wifi too (Win 10). So I ordered a used replacement card on aliexpress for 15$. It was worth it!

My old original Airport card was an CE European model 607-4145-A, and the replacement one is a 607-4144-A. I guess the new card is a world model since there is no CE marking on it and because I saw more chanel on first check under System repport/WiFi before activating airport - now it dropped to the same amount of channels, I guess after localizing my Mac. The new card is much faster than the old card too, my 5Ghz wifi is now connected around 230Mbits (speed test at 200Mbits) and the old card before dying was only working at 150Mbits (speed test at 120Mbits) - maybe it was already damaged since a while.

TheRV - Replica

hola, gracias por tu tutorial, a ver si me puedes ayudar, tengo un macbook modelo A 1278, después que un técnico lo reviso quedo la pantalla con nubes blancas cerca de la base y se calienta mucho esa zona de la pantalla, que puedo hacer?

vecampos - Replica

Managed to do this on a matter of 30 minutes. Good guide, very thorough, and got my WiFi working again on my Late 2008 Unibody MacBook. Kit I used was the IFixit essential electronics toolkit

avery shaposka - Replica

Thank you very much for the guide, it is the best, it explains very well, I was able to replace the part without any inconvenience

hectormr - Replica

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