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The March 2015 update of Apple's 13" MacBook Pro Retina Display, model A1502, features fifth-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and introduces the Force Touch trackpad.

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Display Black Screen/Boots/Guest Mode with External Display

Last weekend I spilled some water on my computer. I immediately turned it off and sat it upside down overnight. The next day it booted very slowly, but worked poorly. The computer worked for a bit and was very laggy. I reset the PRAM and SMC and it worked for about one hour before the screen started displaying lines. Now the screen is completely black. The computer will boot and work with an external display. However, my normal profile displays a crazy purple tie died looking pattern after login. The guest profile works fine with the external.

I'm overseas and don't have access to an Apple store or any tools. Will letting it sit as is for a week make the problem worse? Should I do anything in the meantime?

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Clean off any wetness you can, keep the system as cool as you can (just above freezing) so you slow the corrosion process. If you can get it open some how blot up any standing liquid. You likely got the internal display connector wet.

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Hey EdR,

Sounds like the base of the problem is waterdamage that got onto the board. Best idea is to turn off the device, open the back (just unscrew the plate) and disconnect the battery. This way no more damage will occur. (i attached an image, the batteryconnector is the "bigger/rugged" plastic piece, on the left just above the batteries)

Bring it to an Apple store if you want to pay a lot and have Apple warranty, but since the device is older then 2 years i suggest you bring it to an independent repairshop where you will pay a fraction of the cost, where they actually repair your board and not just throw in a new one.

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Kind regards,

Tom

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I got it open and cleaned the logic board with alcohol. No changes, but I haven't tried an external display yet. I was thinking going over it one more time. Are there any areas I should focus on?

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Hey EdR,

Normally you should see the corrosion with a microscope (or naked eye). But in general just cleaning off the corrosion is not going to solve the problem. The backlight voltageline is quite high in voltage so normally some parts or traces will be damaged and need actual repair. It will make it just harder to spot the defective parts and replace them :).

In general you shouldn't test the device too much since this can worsen the situation.

Best option is to bring it to an independent repairshop.

Kind regards,

Tom

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