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2.2, 2.4, 2.5, or 2.6 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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GPU reflow succeeded, still black screen.

Hi everyone,

I have a Macbook Pro 15" A1226 which at first didn't display an image (black screen). I hooked it up to an external display and also got no image. I reflowed the GPU and now when it boots I can hear the chime and get the grey screen with the apple logo, but then the screen turns black. If I then hook up the external display, the image is being displayed. The weird thing is that the LED screen worked perfectly before the GPU broke down. Does anybody have a clue what the problem might be?

Thanks,

naf

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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I would take it to an Apple Store, and they will most likely replace the board for free. They have probably replaced about a dozen 15" Pro video issue machines for me, and I've never had them reject one.

Like I said in another post, reflowing a GPU with a heatgun is about as precise as driving in a thumbtack with a sledge hammer, unless you have a high-end rework machine that allows you to correctly remove the chip and re-apply it. Therefore, doing a reflow, if it even works at all, is likely to have side- effects, and cause other problems, because the heat you've applied to the board has more likely done as much or more damage as good.

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A microsolder tech just recommended that rather than reflowing the GPU, I put the whole logic board in the oven for 5min at 450 degrees. Sounds risky to me, but would that be better than reflowing with a heat gun?

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Apple’s policy for replacing the logic board for free has stopped. It lasted four years, as you can see here. At the Apple Store they told me they wouldn’t be replacing it for free. That’s why I tried to reflow the GPU myself. It’s just weird that I get an image on my external display, but nothing on the Macbook itself.

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That is absolutely not true -- if you had one of the very early machines the 4 years might be up, but there are still many machines, mostly 2.4 - 2.6GHZ, that are well within the 4-year window. I had a 2.4GHZ replaced just last month. If your machine is within the repair window, you should site the link that you referred to, and talk to another "genius" if necessary. I always print out a copy of it and take it with me so I can show it to them.

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The Macbook Pro was bought in June 2007. 4 years have already passed since then.

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Yes, but they weren't all bought in June 2007. This policy applies to a wide range of machines sold over a year or two, many of which are still eligible. To state "the policy has stopped" is bad information and will give people with eligible machines the wrong impression, and cause them to throw away a $600 laptop.

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My late 2007 MBP is also showing a black screen and an image on the external display. Just started about a month ago. I suspect that when it is very hot, the LCD starts working again.

Do you think a reflow might fix it ?

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naf will be eternally grateful.
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