Common Apple device problems: doesn't charge, no image
Common malfunctions or problems are those which happen more often than you would like. Throughout years of experience repairing Apple devices a list of malfunctions and errors was made.
Most common problems come from video chips and chipsets. They just fail. Video chip called BGA works as a GPU or so-called discrete video card. It's the same as in your PC the video card is soldered straight to the MacBook's motherboard.
Discrete video cards that's what Apple puts in their high-performance Macs. Including Prof 15" and 17", I-Mac, popular mini Macs and Mac Pro.
Chipset is a multifunctional BGA microchip. As a rule, it has three functions: "south bridge" (ports, peripherals, power supply), "north bridge" (memory and processor) and video. Video embedded in a chip this way is called integrated video.
The new Intel chipsets contain only part of the video performance the other part (graphics engine) is in the processor. Integrated video has poor performance compared to discrete.
Apple puts Integrated video into its portable MacBook's. These include MacBook 13", MacBook Pro 13" and MacBook Air 11" and 13" and as an addition to the video system in MacBook Pro 15" and 17".
Apple in their devices uses GPUs and chipsets produced by: NVIDIA, ATI and Intel. Therefore, when chip fails blame the above mentioned manufacturers. The main reasons are: low quality and overheating. Therefore, we recommend periodically (at least once a year), to conduct preventive maintenance of the cooling system. You should also remember that Macs are not fond of Windows, and if you play a heavy game in Windows, it increases risk of damaging GPU.
In case GPU or chipset on your Mac breaks, you will need to repair a component on the motherboard - solder in replacement chip. To repair you will need: professional equipment (infrared soldering station), parts and materials (rosin perhaps), the component (new chip), and a qualified person.
In addition to GPU and chipset failure, there are other malfunctions of various types for different models. Below is given a list of the most common problems. All these problems are well known, and can be restored.
| MacBook 13.3", A1342 2009 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of chipset GeForce 9400M (MCP79MXT-B3) |
| Symptoms | Doesn't turn on, doesn't start, beeps memory error, operation system doesn't boot, during work freezes, image distortions, Wi-Fi device won't work |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard, soldering service to replace the chip. |
| MacBook 13.3", A1342 2010 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of chipset GeForce 320M (MCP89MZ-A3) |
| Symptoms | Doesn't turn on, doesn't start, beeps memory error, operation system doesn't boot, during work freezes, image distortions, Wi-Fi device won't work |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard, soldering service to replace the chip. |
| MacBook Unibody 13.3", A1278 2008 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Data path gap in the multi-controller block, faulty 1 - wire protection circuit. |
| Symptoms | MacBook stops working from the power supply. LED on the connector doesn't light up, the battery is not charging. |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard, soldering service to replace the chip. |
| MacBook Pro 15.4" and 17.3", A1226, A1260, A1229, A1261 2007-2008 (years) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of the video card NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT (G84-602-A2) |
| Symptoms | No image, image distortions, operating system doesn't boot, the device turns on and then immediately turns off. |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard, soldering service to replace the chip or complete replacement of the graphics card |
| MacBook Pro Unibody 15.4", A1286 2011 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of the video card ATI Radeon HD6750 (216-0810005) |
| Symptoms | No image, image distortions, operating system doesn't boot, the device turns on and then immediately turns off. |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard, soldering service to replace the chip or complete replacement of the graphics card |
| MacBook Pro Unibody 13.3", A1278 2010 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of the chipset GeForce 320M (MCP89MZ-A3) |
| Symptoms | Doesn't turn on, doesn't start, beeps memory error, operating system doesn't boot, during work freezes, image distortions, Wi-Fi device won't work |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard, soldering service to replace the chip. |
| MacBook Pro Unibody 13.3", A1278 2009 (year), MacBook Pro 15.4", A1286, Late 2008 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of the chipset GeForce 9400M (MCP79MXT-B3) |
| Symptoms | Doesn't turn on, doesn't start, beeps memory error, operating system doesn't boot, during work freezes, image distortions, Wi-Fi device won't work |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard or chipset replacement. |
| MacBook Air 13.3", A1304 2008-2009 (years) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of the chipset GeForce 9400M (MCP79U-B2) |
| Symptoms | Doesn't turn on, doesn't start, beeps memory error, operating system doesn't boot, during work freezes, image distortions, Wi-Fi device won't work |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard, soldering service to replace the chip. |
| MacBook Air 13.3", A1369 2011 (year), MacBook Air 11.6", A1370 2011 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of the chipset Intel HD 3000 (Intel BD82QS67) |
| Symptoms | Doesn't turn on, instead white screen, chip overheats, freezes during work |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard, soldering service to replace the chip. |
| MacBook Air 13.3", A1369 2010 (year), MacBook Air 11.6", A1370 2010 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of firmware EFI |
| Symptoms | The device turns on, but doesn't boot. The screen is pitch black. |
| Repair solution | Soldering, changing firmware using chip re-programming tool EEPROM |
| MacBook Air 13.3", A1237 2008 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Things that breakdown: hinges, audio cable, top case connector, hard drive, power supply circuit |
| Symptoms | |
| Repair solution | Replace parts or repair the motherboard. |
| iMac 24" 2008 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of the graphics chip GeForce 8800GS (G92-700-A2) |
| Symptoms | No image, image distortions, operating system doesn't boot, the device turns on and then immediately turns off. |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard, soldering service to replace the chip or complete replacement of the graphics card |
| iMac 27" 2011 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of the chip ATI Radeon HD 6970M (216-0811000) |
| Symptoms | No image, image distortions, operating system doesn't boot, the device turns on and then immediately turns off. |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard, soldering service to replace the chip or complete replacement of the graphics card |
| Mac mini 2011 (year) |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of the chip Radeon HD6750 (216-0810005) |
| Symptoms | No image, image distortions, operating system doesn't boot, the device turns on and then immediately turns off. |
| Repair solution | Repair component of the motherboard, soldering service to replace the chip or complete replacement of the graphics card |
| iPad 2 3G |
|
|---|---|
| Type of malfunction | Failure of the loop connecting the motherboard and radio module |
| Symptoms | "No SIM-card" message, problems with 3G |
| Repair solution | The connecting loop cannot be repaired or replaced, because it's glued to the board with a conductive adhesive. The only solution is to manually solder 40 wires. To fit the requirements only wires with the smallest width can do, for example strands from headphones. |
