Salta al contenuto principale

MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement

Cosa ti serve

  1. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board 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 Logic Board 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 Logic Board 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 Logic Board 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 Logic Board 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 Logic Board Replacement, Mid Wall: passo 6, immagine 1 di 1
    • Remove the four 10.3 mm Phillips screws securing the mid wall to the upper case.

  7. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 7, immagine 1 di 1
    • Lift the mid wall out of the upper case.

  8. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement, Fan: passo 8, immagine 1 di 3 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement, Fan: passo 8, immagine 2 di 3 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement, Fan: passo 8, immagine 3 di 3
    • Use a spudger to pry the fan connector straight up off the logic board.

    • It is useful to twist the spudger axially from beneath the fan cable wires to release the connector.

    • The fan socket and the fan connector can be seen in the second and third pictures. Be careful not to break the plastic fan socket off the logic board as you use your spudger to lift the fan connector straight up and out of its socket. The layout of the logic board shown in the second picture may look slightly different than your machine but the fan socket is the same.

    Is there anyway to solder the fan socket back on to the mother board? It broke off :(

    Emily - Replica

    Solder back to the mother board!

    Clodoaldo Castro -

    Me too!!! WHAT NOW?

    christopher butera - Replica

    solder back to the mother board

    Clodoaldo Castro -

    It helped me a lot to look at the closeup pictures of the fan connector socket on the motherboard and the fan connector itself. Then I could figure out where to apply the axial rotating pressure with the plastic "spudger" (a trimmed old credit card). Needed more force to remove the 7-year old connection than I felt comfortable with. The pic's helped with the leverage point to use - just past and under the fan wires BUT not on the board itself.

    Excellent guide! Moved fan from MB to MBP and installed new fan in old MB.

    Nusayr Azam - Replica

  9. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 9, immagine 1 di 1
    • Remove the following three screws securing the fan to the upper case:

    • Two 5 mm Phillips screws.

    • One 7 mm Phillips screw.

    • The longer of the three screws belongs in the upper left corner of the fan.

    Screws were locktited and I have stripped head of right one while trying to remove it…

    Oleg Krotov - Replica

    same issue as Oleg. have tried multiple screwdrivers and they won’t budge.

    Ujjawal Manocha - Replica

    Does someone have a solution? Can't remove one screw.

    Jan - Replica

  10. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 10, immagine 1 di 1
    • Lift the fan out of the upper case.

    One of the screw was messed up. How can I remove it ?

    sebmeunier - Replica

    I ended up removing the three screws holding down the black gasket that the fan is attached to on the left hand side in the photo. Remove the two screws holding the speaker assembly. then you can remove the 3 screws running vertically down. One is on top of the dvd drive holding it down to the black chassis. dvd drive comes out as well, i followed the specific guide to get that out. Doing this let me flip the mobo out along with the fan, luckily the heatfin is separate from the fan.

    Ujjawal Manocha -

    Two of my screws did not want to come out when I used Philips #00 and it damaged the screw so now I don't know if I will manage to get it out. What can I do?

    emilyjeanette89 - Replica

    Don't know about ruined screw head removal, but for future reference: Place the tool lightly on screw head & rotate axially 'til the tool drops into the screw head for a comfortable, firm fit, before applying pressure & torque for screw removal. If the tool does not drop in the screw head for the comfortable, snug fit, you may have the wrong tool or the wrong size. Try a different size 'til U get the right fit before applying pressure & torque to remove the screw. It can save you grief from a ruined screw head.

    Loy Lum - Replica

  11. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement, Logic Board: passo 11, immagine 1 di 1
    • In the next few steps, you will disconnect the highlighted cables which connect the logic board to the upper case.

    • Each connector is different, so the following steps will show you how disconnect each in detail.

  12. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 12, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 12, immagine 2 di 2
    • Remove the single Phillips screw securing the battery cable cover to the upper case.

    • Remove the battery cable cover from the upper case.

  13. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 13, immagine 1 di 1
    • Use a spudger to pry the battery level indicator cable connector straight up off the logic board.

  14. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 14, immagine 1 di 1
    • Disconnect the battery cable connector by pulling it straight away from the logic board.

    • If you cannot grasp the cable with your fingers, a spudger and tweezers may be helpful for removal.

    had to lever the plug out horizontally one edge at a time to disconnect it. The connector is what connects the battery to the mother board

    justbecos - Replica

  15. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 15, immagine 1 di 3 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 15, immagine 2 di 3 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 15, immagine 3 di 3
    • Using the tip of a spudger, flip up the keyboard ribbon cable retaining flap.

    • Pull the keyboard ribbon cable straight out of its socket.

    • If the smaller connector at the right side of the keyboard ribbon cable is populated by another small black ribbon cable, remove it in a similar way to the above.

    Which of the keyboard connection pins do i have to circuit to power on the macbook?

    madfur - Replica

    When replacing the keyboard ribbon, place a rubber band between the ribbon and your spudger to get the traction for a good connection.

    bkbkbk - Replica

    Trying to get this back in can be really difficult. But it works, just try and try again very patiently. After putting down the retaining flap again, pull a little bit to make sure the ribbon cable is all the way in and fixed.

    Udo Schmitz - Replica

    to remove and put back the ribbon cable in its slot I use a piece of scotch tape. Easier to remove or insert the cable in the slot.

    lemerise - Replica

    Awesome - thanx!!!

    19quiz76 -

    Genious :-)!

    Igor -

    My late 2008 Macbook 5,1 2.4GHz also had the tiny ribbon plug besides the keyboard ribbon plug polpulated as well (keyboard backlight?) - I missed it blindly following the guide but it made its presence clear when I lifted up the PCB - lucky I was not moving hastily severing the tiny ribbon!

    So I added a comment at step 15 as in the guide this tiny plug is clearly not populated in contrast to my Macbook.

    Kudos to the author - this guide clearly helped me a lot saving me a lot of time and head scratching.

    By the way, minimal thermal paste was found on both CPU and GPU (the original reason I dissasembled my old Macbook) and after I put enough of this thermal transfering stuff on them the Macbook started working much-much cooler after years of hot operation that I thought were due to heavier OSX versions - should have done it 4-5 years ago!

    MiKa - Replica

    What temp was your Macbook's CPU running at? I have cleaned out exhaust radiator thing, would it be worth redoing my thermal paste as well?

    Jake -

    @beefmangta With a machine of that age assuming the thermal paste has never been replaced, it is absolutely worth replacing. Certain aftermarket pastes such as Arctic MX-4 (which is available on Amazon) also tend to perform better than stock pastes in many cases.

    Bagel - Replica

    I accidently cut the tiny cable labeled 21 on the right hand side of the cable highlighted in the photo. It’s for the keyboard backlight. It’s gone obviously but the comp still works without it connected

    Ujjawal Manocha - Replica

  16. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 16, immagine 1 di 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the trackpad connector straight up off the logic board.

  17. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 17, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 17, immagine 2 di 2
    • Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the locking lever to release the IR sensor ribbon cable from its socket.

    • Use the tip of a spudger to pull the IR sensor ribbon cable straight away from the logic board.

  18. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 18, immagine 1 di 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive cable connector straight up off the logic board.

  19. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 19, immagine 1 di 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the optical drive cable connector straight up off the logic board.

  20. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 20, immagine 1 di 1
    • Disconnect the display data cable by pulling the male end straight away from its socket.

  21. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 21, immagine 1 di 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the subwoofer cable connector straight up off the logic board.

    This will easily break, resulting in snapped pins. Will cause right speaker to not function if you don't solder them back on. I don't know how to prevent this from happening, I did just as described in step #21. I even went in from the side as shown in the photo, but probably should have gone in from opposite (RH side in photo) as that's where the pins are.

    19quiz76 - Replica

    Broke mine too. With the black foam pad cover and the photo it was impossible to see how this lifted up without ripping out the socket.

    Nikolaos Giannopoulos - Replica

    My advice for this step is to remove the black foam pad covering the connector so you can see it better (put the pad back on the connector later). The way I removed the connector was by lifting upwards with the wires.

    Bagel - Replica

  22. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 22, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 22, 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.

  23. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 23, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 23, immagine 2 di 2
    • Remove the following two screws securing the display data cable bracket to the upper case:

    • One 7mm Phillips screw.

    • One 5mm Phillips screw.

    • Remove the two 7 mm Phillips screws from the DC-in board.

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

    This step appears to be redundant, but is actually necessary to enable removal of the microphone (later, in step 26).

    This step should be clarified, because it otherwise seems un-necessary. Moving step 26 to be after this step would fix the continuity problem.

    Russell Newman - Replica

  24. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 24, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 24, immagine 2 di 2
    • If present, remove the two 4mm Phillips screws securing the bottom case clip to the upper case.

    • Lift the bottom case clip out of the upper case.

    I don't have this piece on my MacBook built in early 2009.

    apa - Replica

  25. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 25, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 25, immagine 2 di 2
    • Remove the two 5mm Phillips screws securing the keyboard flex bracket to the upper case.

    • Lift the keyboard flex bracket out of the upper case.

    When re-assembling everything, it is much easier to perform steps 15 & 16 before performing step 25!

    Neil 9797 - Replica

    Definitly!! Step 15 is basicially impossible with Step 25 and Step 7 (if you have to reseat the keyboard ribbon cable like I did [Step 15]) in place. Mine presented as dead, thankfully the battery indicator and magsafe worked. But when I reseated the keyboard cable (Step 15) I wasn't convinced so when the power butten did nothing I took a deep breath and went back in. And success was had on the second attempt (psew!).

    Nick Campbell - Replica

  26. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 26, immagine 1 di 1
    • Use the tip of a spudger to release the microphone from the upper case.

  27. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 27, immagine 1 di 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 27, immagine 2 di 2
    • Remove the following five screws securing the logic board to the upper case:

    • Four 3mm Phillips screws.

    • One 3.5mm Phillips screw.

    • Lift the logic board from its left edge and pull it out of the upper case.

    On my MacBook, the screw nearest the optical drive is 5mm long.

    When replacing the logic board, route the DC-In cable around the front side of the aluminum post.

    David Kilbridge - Replica

    When re-assembling everything, before performing step 27, it is very useful to perform part of step 23 *first*. Specifically:

    - carefully replace the small DC-in boardand secure with the two 7 mm Phillips screws (step 23 yellow)

    The small DC-in board is *much* easier to set in place and screw in if you do it before screwing the logic board back in place.

    Neil 9797 - Replica

    Thanks for the headups! Binya Binya Pollywog! BaBahLouuu BabaLou!!

    14vs35 -

    Correction about length of screws. The picture implies that the 3.5mm screw (orange) is the one on the right, nearest the USB ports etc. In fact it is the one on the left, nearest the fan.

    Neil 9797 - Replica

    Can anyone help me on this step, I damaged the head of the screw it is the screw near to the fan and the screw near to memory the rest of the screw I managed to get it off I'm so screwed :( any help is much appreciated. Thanks

    John - Replica

    Pay particular attention to the routing of the wires from the DC input board to the logic board relative to the wiring for the microphone and the post that supports the right-hand side of the display data cable bracket; route them improperly and you won't be able to get the data cable bracket back into place. Unfortunately the photos don't capture this detail. I also found it easier to position the microphone before fully inserting the logic board, otherwise the leads wanted to torque it about 80 degrees to the plane of the case and no amount of prodding with a spudger could coax it into position.

    chris - Replica

  28. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement, Heat Sink: passo 28, immagine 1 di 1
    • Remove the four 8.5 mm Phillips screws securing the heat sink to the logic board.

    • A spring is held under each of these screws.

  29. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 29, immagine 1 di 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the thermal sensor connector up off the logic board.

    Hello!

    Like to know what is the use of the second small connection, as the one your deconnecting in this picture, near the heat sink also.

    Sorry for my english, I’m french :)

    Thank you!

    Guylaine Lanthier - Replica

    Instead of the connector coming out, both of the wires pulled themselves out of the connector, breaking it. I will just put them back in and hope it works out. Be careful!

    Foster Savitsky - Replica

  30. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 30, immagine 1 di 1
    • Gently lift the heat sink off the logic board.

    • If you need to mount the heat sink back into the laptop, we have a thermal paste guide that makes replacing the thermal compound easy.

  31. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement, Logic Board: passo 31, immagine 1 di 1
    • Disconnect the DC-In Board from the logic board by pulling its connector straight away from the socket on the logic board.

  32. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 32, immagine 1 di 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the left speaker connector up off the logic board.

    For steps 32 and 33, mine were located under a piece of black tape.

    Patrick - Replica

  33. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 33, immagine 1 di 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the microphone connector up off the logic board.

  34. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 34, immagine 1 di 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to separate the adhesive securing the left speaker assembly to the logic board.

  35. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 35, immagine 1 di 1
    • Release the tabs on each side of the RAM chip by simultaneously pushing each tab away from the chip.

    • These tabs lock the chip in place and releasing them will cause the chip to "pop" up.

  36. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Logic Board Replacement: passo 36, immagine 1 di 1
    • After the RAM chip has popped up, pull it straight out of its socket.

    • Repeat this process if a second RAM chip is installed.

    • When reinstalling your logic board, don't forget to apply a new layer of thermal paste.

Conclusione

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

Altre 76 persone hanno completato questa guida.

11 Commenti

alright. I'm that guy that broke the fan socket off the logic board... gulp... help??

David - Replica

I have a A128 late 2008 13" MacBook with 2ghz processor. Can I upgrade the logic board to a 2.4ghz logic board that I buy I eBay for the same model I have a1278? Can I simply swap it out? The options for my model were 2ghz or 2.4ghz so I would like to extend the life of my Macbook by adding the 2.4ghz. So is it a simple swap out if I can get my hands on a 2.4ghz logic board from a A1278? THANKS!

14vs35 - Replica

I would love to have the answer too, please help us.

Leo Etcheverry -

Just to reiterate with some more info: I have a late 2008 Macbook 13" A1278 MB466LL/A that is 2Ghz. If I bought a 2.4ghz logic board would I be able to simply swap out my current 2ghz board and replace it with this 2.4ghz board? Would it be an exact fit with no issues at all and would I just be able to boot it right back up with no software or operating system issues (ie. booting up with a completely different logic board, of course same model but just the 2.4ghz version)?? I really apprciate any advice for comfort before I invest money into my older Macbook.

Best Regards,

-Ruperto XIII Jr. M.S. M.H B.A. C.P. & M.B.A

14vs35 - Replica

Did anyone ever get an answer to this question?

Tony Bergen -

Yeah I just did it. You can swap between same year model A1278 boards. I just upgraded an i5 to an i7.

Gary Roosa -

i would love to kno also im in the same situation also

thruluv - Replica

step 20: Is that webcam+wifi or display data?

lakshay0behl - Replica

display data cable

the bongo guy -

Hi, I have an old MacBook Pro A1278. It won’t start and It requires Logic board replacement. But I don’t know which year it is. Please advise.

Exanima A - Replica

You would need to check the serial number or if you were logged into iCloud, go to apple check coverage. (https://checkcoverage.apple.com)

Madison's Choice - Replica

Aggiungi Commento

Visualizza Statistiche:

Ultime 24 Ore: 2

Ultimi 7 Giorni: 28

Ultimi 30 Giorni: 140

Tutti i Tempi: 147,113