Chosen Solution
Hi, I dropped my MBP on the floor and the screen is very dim, almost black (no backlight). And although by shining a torch on it, I can see it’s booting, it’s also booting strangely (into weird screens), and sometimes shutting itself off apropos nothing. I’ve dismantled it and tried reattaching cables (including display) and PRAM reset and everything, but it’s still bad news. So I’m going to put in a new logic board as – by the way it’s acting, and also the sound it’s making – I suspect the problem is too intense to fix. My question is: Can I just switch in another logic board (same model of MBP, same serial number) and keep the old hard drive and just turn the laptop on and, hey presto, I have “the same” computer back? How does it work? Will I need to reformat the HD? Will it be able to locate it? I ask because 6 months ago I tried to switch in a different SSD (from another MBP with the same OS) and my laptop did not like that at all. Although I’m ok on the computer engineering, I really don’t understand the OS stuff. Basically: I just want to know when I should do when the new logic board arrives.
Adding video of new problem in response to questions below:
Update (11/02/2019) In response to Dan’s request above, image captures of battery information: BATTERY “A”: The battery that was inside the laptop when I dropped the laptop The laptop & backlight do now work with this battery in (for some reason). But — it makes a strange sound (long, slow whirring) when you switch on the laptop — once it’s booted and you use the laptop, the fans are running very loud. — The Magsafe is amber — but I think it always has been like that?? (Because it’s a non-OEM battery?)
BATTERY “B”: The battery from my spare A1278 MBP. I believe this is an Apple OEM battery. — Laptop works fine with this battery in. — Magsafe is green.
BATTERY “C”: A brand new Runpower battery I purchased last week: Laptop initially would not recognise this battery when I first purchased it – it wouldn’t boot up. Now, suddenly, it works. But: — the fans are running very loud — the Magsafe is orange
Update (10/28/2019) @danj — Thanks for all your input Dan, you’re absolutely tireless! The problem is … It’s now starting going haywire again. Same as originally – no backlight, incredibly touch sensitive (if I so much as brush the lower-left of the keyboard, the display comes on and goes off). Fans going crazy. I CAN now get it to extend to an external monitor, but it freezes constantly, and if I touch the lower-left of the keyboard, the display flicks off (until I stop pressing on that part of the top case, when it instantly comes back). Interestingly, when pressing the LEFT freezes it, pressing the RIGHT hand side of the top case often brings it back. The fans are going crazy. It also keeps putting itself into sleep mode. That part of the top case (the LEFT side, by A, S, Z and X) is right above the battery connector. I’ve run the laptop with the bottom case off and note that (wearing rubber gloves), if I touch the battery connector from below, the same issue occurs – display on and off, and/or the sleep light dims and re-lights. Given that it’s so touch-sensitive, I think it’s either (a) something physical (e.g., a loose wire or cross-connection or something loose inside) or (b) something in that quadrant of the logic board has blown (and pressing the top case reconnects it/disconnects it). And given that the issues seem related to display/sleep, it could be either of those cables, or connectors, or both. Before doing as you suggest above, I’m going to strip it down and reassemble it tonight. I could also try out a new logic board to see if that makes the problems go away. Otherwise, I think I’m just going to have to retire the machine and buy a new one. Thank you again for everything
First I’d check to see if the problem is the logic board or if it’s the display. Connect an external display does it show a clean image? As to swapping the logic board… You are limited to what this series had: MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Early 2011-Late 2011) 2.4 GHz Logic BoardMacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Early 2011-Late 2011) 2.8 GHz Logic Board And these from the 2012 model: MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) 2.5 GHz Logic BoardMacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) 2.9 GHz Logic Board And here’s the guide: MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 Logic Board Replacement In any case it will have a different S/N number as you can’t alter it. Update: 10/31/19 @kieronshaw - Well your vid is showing a few new things here the black plastic clutch cover is damaged so I’m assuming the drop is when this broke. So that covers over the LVDS cables connection at the LCD. It’s possible you damaged the cable which is why your screen is winking on and off as it is. This is clearly not a battery issue. As you are color blind that does make looking at the MagSafe LED a bit harder. For now you’ll need to let the new battery fully charge a good 12 hrs. In any case you really need to use CoconutBattery to monitor your battery. Forget the menu bar as thats not going to tell you enough. Please post the snapshot of main window of CoconutBattery I had asked for so I can see what is going on. As you have a few batteries mark them A, B & C and do each one so we can see what is a good battery and what is not.
