MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 Logic Board Replacement

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This guide will walk you through how to replace a faulty logic board. This motherboard includes all the ports on the right side of the MacBook Pro.

Sections
Tools
Relevant parts
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Battery  ¶ 

  • Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery, and lift the battery out of the computer.

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Add Note Edit Step 2 — RAM Shield  ¶ 

  • Remove the three identical 2mm Phillips screws from the memory door.

  • Lift the memory door up enough to grip it and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

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Add Note Edit Step 3 — Upper Case  ¶ 

  • Remove the two 2.8 mm Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Remove the following 6 screws:

    • Two 10 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.

    • Four 14.5 mm Phillips screws along the hinge.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable.

  • Lift up at the rear of the case and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case.

  • There are four plastic clips above the DVD slot, and another above and to the left of the IR sensor. These clips can be very difficult to disengage without prying. They can also be difficult to re-engage during reassembly.

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Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary.

  • Note: It is possible to replace the hard drive without disconnecting the keyboard from the chassis, but it will need to be held upright to keep it out of the way, while still allowing you both hands to work on the drive removal. Be careful when removing the keyboard-trackpad ribbon cable to ensure that the rear of the upper case is disengaged from the area near the hinge. It is easy to accidentally bend the screw receivers on either side of the keyboard.

    • Remove the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 10 — Optical Drive  ¶ 

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the orange SuperDrive ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary.

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Add Note Edit Step 11  ¶ 

  • Remove the following 4 screws:

    • Two 3.3 mm silver Phillips screws on either side of the SuperDrive.

    • One 4.7 mm silver T6 Torx screw from the top left corner of the drive.

    • One 6.2 mm black Phillips screw at the top right corner of the drive.

  • Lift the optical drive up and out of the computer.

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Add Note Edit Step 12 — Logic Board  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the hard drive and ExpressCard connectors from the left side of the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 13  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the iSight and display data cables from the logic board by sliding the cables out of their connectors, removing tape as necessary.

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Add Note Edit Step 14  ¶ 

  • Disconnect the eight indicated connectors by placing a spudger beneath each one and lifting up.

  • Use care when disconnecting some of the smaller connectors. A forceful prod with the spudger may accidentally break them off the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 15  ¶ 

  • Remove the foam bumper from the top of the right hinge of the display.

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Add Note Edit Step 16  ¶ 

  • Remove the silver 9.5 mm T6 Torx screw securing the ground loop in the display data cable to the casing.

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Add Note Edit Step 17  ¶ 

  • Remove the single black 6 mm T6 Torx screw securing the upper portion of the logic board to the upper case.

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Add Note Edit Step 18  ¶ 

  • Peel up the orange Kapton tape securing the right thermal sensor cable to the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 19  ¶ 

  • Remove the following 15 screws:

    • One 4.4 mm black Phillips screw to the right of the ram slot.

    • Eight 4.7 mm silver T6 Torx screws securing the logic board to the lower case.

    • One 6.2 mm black T6 Torx screw on the right side of the left fan.

    • Five 9.4 mm silver T6 Torx screws securing the left and right fans.

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Add Note Edit Step 20  ¶ 

  • Hold the logic board down with one hand and use your other hand to lift the left fan up from its housing. There is a piece of black tape securing the left fan to the heat sink. Carefully peel this tape up from the heat sink as you lift the left fan up.

  • Place the left fan above the Airport card. It is not necessary to remove the fan from the computer entirely.

  • Lift the right fan up and carefully peel up the tape securing the fan to the heat sink as you go.

  • Remove the right fan from the computer.

  • If you leave the orange screws on, the heatsink/pipes come out effortlessly, still mounted onto the main board. That way the thermal connections are retained.

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Add Note Edit Step 21  ¶ 

  • Lift up the left side of the logic board and disconnect the gray and black power cable from the bottom of the board.

    • Pull the power cable connector parallel to the face of the logic board.

  • Grasp the logic board at the left side and at the thin section, and rotate the logic board out of the lower case.

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Add Note Edit Step 22 — Logic Board Replacement  ¶ 

  • Release the tabs on each side of the RAM chip at the same time. These tabs lock the chip in place and releasing them will cause the chip to "pop" up.

  • Pull the chip directly out from its connector.

  • If there are two RAM chips installed, repeat the above procedure for the second chip.

  • When reinstalling the logic board, be sure to install a new layer of thermal paste on the three processors. We have a guide that makes it easy.

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

For more information, check out the MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 and A1260 device page.

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