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Mid 2010 Model A1278 / 2.4 or 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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MacBook Pro not booting after repaste

So I recently repasted my mid-2010 Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro but now for some reason, it won’t boot. I double checked all the connectors and made sure I didn’t overdo on the paste.

Unfortunately I have nothing to go off of because the cord won’t even glow. I really don’t know what I missed and I could really use some advice. As I said, all connectors have been checked. I’ve also tried an SMC reset just to see if it’d work.

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A common issue I see is people over load the TIM, time to pop off the heat sink and fully clean the paste off as well as under the black insulator as the paste squeezes under it.

This time use less than a small peas worth of TIM

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11 Comments:

Really? That’s pretty annoying but definitely very Apple. I’ll come back when I’ve confirmed whether or not that’s worked. It’s especially annoying because I’m not used to such a thin layer of paste being applied to anything, especially old graphics cards I’ve repasted.

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@engineer_bot - The issue is getting the small SMD devices on the green carrier board covered with the TIM. Most thermal paste is non conductive, but these small components values drift from the capacitance the paste creates when covered.

Even other systems can encounter issues when overdoing the paste. More is not better! TIM is designed to effectively move the heat between two surfaces not emit it into the air and the effective distance is no more than a few millimeters! It’s designed to fill the small deviations in the chips and heat sink surfaces.

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@danj unfortunately that didn’t work. The charging cable lights up now and the battery capacity button responds but it still doesn’t boot. The charging cable is glowing green btw despite the indicator only showing 5/8 battery life lights. But as I said, it still doesn’t boot.

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@engineer_bot - Bummer😩

I think you need a second set of eyes from someone who repairs this system. Where do you live? Country and nearest major city, maybe we can aim you to someone.

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@danj I would certainly take you up on that offer if I wasn’t a 16 year old with overbearing parents.

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