[SOLVED] Motherboard probably fried

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Jackietools

Jackietools

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Trying to get a Macbook Pro Retina Late 2012 going after water spill for a friend. Seems to turn itself on when I plug in power cord and now it is running at full fan speed with black screen and I cannot turn it off. At one point I accessed Internet recovery but it would not accept the Wi-Fi password even though I know it is correct. I tried resetting SMC and PRAM. Power button does not seem to do anything. Holding down for an extended time will not shut the laptop.When I reset SMC I get black screen with a white circle with a line thru it. I'm pretty much ready to give up as it is probably control board and/or SSD. Any ideas on how to proceed or at least get this thing to turn off welcome. Yes I know I could just unplug and wait for battery to die but that's the easy way out. Thanks
 
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Jackietools
No good. Disconnected battery, keyboard and trackpad. Absolutely no power to laptop and no indicator light on magsafe connector. This is the first model where there are no jumper points on logic board from what I read. Once the battery is disconnected it should power on automatically with AC power. Weird thing it was powering on a day ago and keyboard seemed to be working as I was able to enter wi-fi password on internet recovery but it would not accept it. It would power on but I was getting a balck screen with a white circle with line thru it. Tried resetting PRAM and SMC to no avail. Now its totally dead. Thinking of replacing DC board next but I have a gut feeling it's the logic board.
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BadAsAl

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The power button is attached to the keyboard. There is a good chance it is only the keyboard that is damaged. If the keyboard is damaged it won't enter the keys you are pressing so you can't enter a password.

Here is what you can do to confirm if it is only the keyboard or if the logic board is also fried.

First, get a USB keyboard, any one will do it doesn't have to be Apple. Then go to ifixit.com and find a guide on replacing the keyboard on that model. Follow the guide to open the bottom of the MacBook (literally removing 8 screws). Then look at how to disconnect the battery to shut it off. Then look how to disconnect the keyboard. BE CAREFUL. You will need to disconnect the ribbon cable that attaches to the logic board. Now, put the bottom back on making sure the ribbon cable doesn't get pinched (it shouldn't but I put a little tape on it just so it doesn't snag). You can plug the battery back in too but it isn't necessary just know that it will keep you from closing the cover fully and that is okay. Now, plug in the USB keyboard and connect the AC adapter. If it doesn't power on then you need to search on Google on how to start that model without a power button (some say you can unplug the battery and when you connect the AC adapter it will power on, or you need to find the 2 solder points that you need to bridge to get it to start). Anyway, if it boots normally with the USB keyboard attached then you are golden and a new keyboard will fix you up. If not, then it can mean further damage is done and you may need to completely remove all parts and clean and dry them. I have had some success doing this and removing rust from the logic board and had a fully functional system after.


If you don't feel comfortable after looking at what it takes to replace the keyboard then you probably just want to find someone like me to pay to replace it for you.
 
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Jackietools

Jackietools

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It is entering a password, it's just not accepting it. I have replaced keyboards before on non-retina Macbooks but never on the retinas with the glued battery and riveted keyboard. If it was mine Id attempt it but its for an acquaintance who doesn't want to spend a lot on a 5 year old laptop. I don't plan to do it for free or pay for the glue removal solution or the heating pad so I told her to trash it. If for some reason she gives it to me for free or very little money i"ll attempt it. Ill check your keyboard theory and test that out. At least I can give a more definitive answer. Already had the battery disconnected but not the keyboard. I'll give it a try and let you know what I find. Thanks
 
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Jackietools

Jackietools

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Jul 26, 2009
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No good. Disconnected battery, keyboard and trackpad. Absolutely no power to laptop and no indicator light on magsafe connector. This is the first model where there are no jumper points on logic board from what I read. Once the battery is disconnected it should power on automatically with AC power. Weird thing it was powering on a day ago and keyboard seemed to be working as I was able to enter wi-fi password on internet recovery but it would not accept it. It would power on but I was getting a balck screen with a white circle with line thru it. Tried resetting PRAM and SMC to no avail. Now its totally dead. Thinking of replacing DC board next but I have a gut feeling it's the logic board.
 
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