Chosen Solution
I replaced the LCD screen in my MacBook Pro after I dropped it. The computer worked for about 3 weeks and then it completely died. Someone said it was a bad logic board. Now I cannot return the screen (it’s been over a month), but I was wondering if I can get the hard drive out and use it as an external hard drive with a different computer. Would it work even if the logic board doesn’t? I’ve taken my mac to 3 different places, and tried to fix it myself. Nothing has worked… I have a brand new LCD and a broken computer. Spent a lot of time and money trying to fix it and it still doesn’t work. I’m depressed. Any advice?
I so seldom see bad logic boards, it’s usually something else. “Bad Logic Board” seems to be a catch all for poor diagnostics. I’d at least try throwing it up in the Answers section. Give the EXACT model and all the symptoms and history you can. There’s a lot of very fine techs that contribute over there and the price is right.
Your machine has the famous nVidia 8600M GT graphics card. The majority of these failed because of that graphics card. The problem with fixing them is the GPU in question is no longer produced, Apple no longer services this machine and the recall is over and has been for many years already. These days, these machines can’t be fixed without sketchy reliability and has not been worth it for years. The best thing you can do is get a 2010 Unibody to replace it, if you want to keep the upgradeabiliy and repairability of the machines. If you don’t exactly care, get a Retina MacBook Pro. The 2008 non Unibody still fails, but at a much lower rate. The Unibody 2008 doesn’t, but the machine is a bit long in the tooth these days with a Core 2 Duo.
Before giving up on that machine i’d disassemble it completely, reseat all connectors, of course and if theres any dust or grime on the LB clean it off with 99.9% alcohol. Mayer is right - far too many machines are put to rest with the “bad logicboard” excuse. We salvaged a lot of machines with these straightforeward measures.
