tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76667498607471633842024-02-20T10:14:04.903-08:00LOGIC BOARD WOES - MACBOOKIf you have a MacBook, there's a possibility of logic and graphic board failures. This blog shows how to avoid them.Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14576131798326509740noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7666749860747163384.post-55326081917591152402012-12-18T11:20:00.002-08:002015-04-20T12:06:58.949-07:00<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>INTRODUCTION</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">For some computer users, a logic or graphics board failure is something like a terminal disease. It comes out of the blue. Nobody seems to know why it happens. Everything’s fine for years and then, suddenly, your world is turned upside down. (Thankfully, it's also relatively uncommon.)</span><br />
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You may have come across posts like this:<br />
<a href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/08/12/apple-ignores-calls-to-fix-2011-macbook-pro-failures-as-problem-grows" target="_blank">Apple Insider: Apple ignores logic board problems</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cultofmac.com/262861/early-2011-macbook-pros-dropping-like-flies-heat-issues-blame/" target="_blank">Cult of Mac: Heat problems with MacBook Pros</a><br />
<a href="http://breakfree.cc/" target="_blank">2011 MacBook Pro graphics board problem</a></div>
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<a href="https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2675881?start=0&tstart=0" target="_blank">Apple Logic Board Discussions</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">LEARNING ABOUT LOGIC BOARD PROBLEMS</span></b></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>What is a logic board?</b></span><br />
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The Mac's logic board is analogous to a PC's "motherboard" -<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"> a computer's main circuit board. It contains the central processing unit, main system memory, and circuitry that controls the disk drive, keyboard, monitor, and peripherals.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>What causes logic board failure?</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Whether you have a Mac or PC laptop, three causes lead the list: heat, solder, and static. Some failures result from faults in manufacturing, as with some gently-used units that fail only weeks after purchase. (This doesn't happen often, but it definitely happens.)</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Specific generations of MacBooks (like the MacBook Pro 15", early Spring 2011) are associated with serious graphics board problems. Replacement of the board doesn't guarantee that the problem won't recur.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Extreme heat can cause solder on the logic </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">board to soften over time, causing problematic electrical connections. Lead-free solder (which is used on the MacBook) is notably weaker than lead solder.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">One explanation notes that the MacBook Pro uses lead-free solder with tin. This increases the chance of developing "tin whiskers." These short tendrils can eventually cause unintended electrical connections - especially if a lot of heat is involved.</span></li>
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A few users prefer a simpler explanation: logic board problems just happen.</div>
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Apple offers no explanation for why logic board problems occur.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Why a MacBook Pro?</b></span></div>
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You might ask: why does the MacBook Pro have a disproportionate amount of logic/graphics board problems? The jury is still out on that one, but it pays to ask a few hard questions:</div>
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Why do logic/graphics board problems occur so infrequently with an iMac?</div>
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Why don't they happen with iPods, iPads, or iPhones?</div>
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Well, iPods, iPhones, iPads, and iMacs are fully ventilated. Heat builds, but quickly dissipates.</div>
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Higher-end MacBooks have more graphics power, generate more heat in a constricted area,...and are more prone to logic/graphics board issues.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>RECOGNIZING LOGIC BOARD PROBLEMS</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Commercially available programs cannot diagnose the problem with any accuracy. The symptoms can vary, but you may see vertical or horizontal stripes, a white or gray screen, and even no display at all. <i>Several of these “symptoms” are common to a wide array of software or hardware problems, so thoroughly research the issue before drawing premature conclusions.</i></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In some cases, resetting the <b><a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US" target="_blank">SMC</a> </b>can fix overheating issues. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">eHow offers a selection of clearly-written articles on diagnosing a bad logic board:</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.ehow.com/list_6020606_mac_-signs-bad-logic-board.html" target="_blank"><b>Signs of a Bad Logic Board</b></a></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_5154084_test-logic-board.html" target="_blank"><b>Testing a Logic Board</b></a></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_8504032_diagnose-logic-board-issues-macbook.html" target="_blank"><b>Diagnosing a Logic Board</b></a></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Houston Chronicle also has a detailed, informative<b> <a href="http://smallbusiness.chron.com/diagnose-logic-board-issues-macbook-45917.html" target="_blank">article</a></b> on diagnosing logic board problems.</span><br />
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<b>However, certain batches of MacBooks seem to have higher incidences of logic/graphic board problems:</b><br />
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<li><b><b style="background-color: white;">MacBook Pro 2007-8: A portion of these machines had a problem the NVIDIA chip. An Apple Extended Warranty Program fixed many units, though the program has ended.</b></b></li>
<li><b><b style="background-color: white;">MacBook Pro 2010, 15": The mid-year batch exhibited a higher incidence of logic board problems.</b></b></li>
<li><b><b style="background-color: white;">MacBook Pro 2011, 15": The early batch of machines had a high incidence of logic board issues with the Radeon 6450M and 6490M graphics chips.</b></b></li>
<li><b><b style="background-color: white;">MacBook Pro 2012 15": The early batch of these machines is showing the same problem.</b></b></li>
<li><b><b style="background-color: white;">MacBook Pro 17": This model exhibited higher levels of logic board problems, though I don't have any figures relating to year of manufacture.</b></b></li>
<li><b><b style="background-color: white;">MacBook Pro Retina 2013, 15": A spike in heat and logic board issues.</b></b></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE APPLE REPAIR PROGRAM</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Recently, Apple announced a repair program to fix many affected MacBooks. If you still have your machine, find out if it qualifies for a free repair. The details are outlined on this MacWorld article:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/mac/widespread-2011-macbook-pro-failures-petition-lawsuit-repair-programme-3497935/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Apple Repair Program</b></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>The Apple Repair and Replacement Program</b></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>DIAGNOSING AND FIXING A LOGIC BOARD PROBLEM </b></span></div>
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After research, many users decide to repair their MacBook. If you're going through the Apple Store, that means removing your old logic board/graphics chip, and reinstalling a new one.<br />
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This may not be the best or most long-lasting solution (which would be BGA reballing, discussed below). But the <i>typical</i> procedure might include the following:</div>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><i>Your unit is under fourteen days old. </i><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; line-height: 16px;">A customer has fourteen days to return a MacBook Pro, for whatever reason, so long as you purchased it from an Apple retail store. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; line-height: 16px;">A customer has fourteen days to return a MacBook Pro, for whatever reason, so long as you purchased it from an Apple retail stor</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">A customer has fourteen days to return a MacBook Pro, for whatever reason, so long as you purchased it from an Apple retail store. Terms from other retailers may vary. This is the best option if you notice problems early on.</li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Your unit is still under warranty.</i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> If you purchased your computer from Apple, your unit has a full year warranty. If you suspect logic board problems, the Apple Store/Genius Bar is the first place you should visit. They'll inform you what the problem is, if it needs to be repaired, and how much - if anything - it's going to cost. (In the first year of ownership, you can purchase an extended warranty of three years, for an additional $249.00.)</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Your unit is not under warranty.</i> If you have a logic board problem and aren't covered by the warranty anymore - you’ll likely have to pay for the repair. The price for repair and replacement of the parts will probably be between $200 and $600. The repair is warranted for ninety days, and is only valid for problems resulting from the repair. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>If your unit is not under warranty, but are covered by legal judgement.</i> In certain cases, if you purchased the computer, say, in the UK or Australia, your logic/graphics board problem may be covered in case of a failure. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Alternative-repair options</i>. Some intrepid Mac users have attempted different repair strategies, outlined below under "Different ways of Fixing Logic Board Problems."</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Extended warranty.</i> Certain MacBook Pros from 2007 and 2008 were eligible for extended warranty thanks to a legal judgment. However, the extended warranty period has expired. You'll have to investigate other options.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><i style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Third-Party repair</i><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">. Several companies offer low-cost repair of the Mac logic board, often for less than what Apple charges. Not all units can be repaired, however, and sometimes the job will require </span>additional</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> work. Several reputable vendors have demonstrated success and dependability; <a checked_link="http://www.powerbookmedic.com/xcart1/pages.php?pageid=67" href="http://www.powerbookmedic.com/xcart1/pages.php?pageid=67" in_tag="ol" kaspersky_status="pending" target="_blank"><b>Powerbook Medic</b></a></span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> leads the list nationally, though you shouldn't ignore local vendors.</span></span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><i>Get a new unit (or a different computer).</i> If you're fed up with repair bills, purchasing a new machine is a conservative but reliable choice. You can list your non-working or disabled MacBook on <a checked_link="http://www.ebay.com/sch/Apple-Laptops-/111422/i.html?LH_ItemCondition=7000&_dmpt=Apple_Laptops&Product%2520Family=MacBook%2520Pro" href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/Apple-Laptops-/111422/i.html?LH_ItemCondition=7000&_dmpt=Apple_Laptops&Product%2520Family=MacBook%2520Pro" in_tag="ol" kaspersky_status="skipped" target="_blank"><b>eBay</b></a> to recoup some of your investment. If you choose to do this, it's important to be as detailed and honest in your description as possible.</span></li>
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If you have a MacBook with a removable HD, and need a logic board repair, make sure the original HD is installed. If a third party HD, SSD or hybrid in installed, Apple will tack $950 to the bill; if you don't have the original drive anymore, Apple won't repair your laptop. (It's okay if you've upgraded your RAM.)</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>DIFFERENT WAYS OF FIXING LOGIC BOARD PROBLEMS</b></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 16px;"><i> 1. "COOKING THE BOOKS"</i></b></div>
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One DIY fix involves heating up the logic board, which causes the solder to soften. Fixes like "solder reflow" may succeed in the short term, but usually end up lasting around four months.</div>
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Several users have posted similar reflow fixes:<br />
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<a href="http://russell.heistuman.com/2010/04/27/cooking-the-books-or-baking-my-macbook-pro-logic-board/" style="color: #7d181e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Baking My MacBook</b></a></div>
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<a href="http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1057293" style="color: #7d181e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Heat Gun</b></a></div>
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<a href="http://phaq.phunsites.net/2011/03/08/baking-recipe-to-fix-broken-macbook-logicboard/" style="color: #7d181e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>Baking Recipe</b></a></div>
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<b><i> 2. CLEANING A LOGIC BOARD</i></b></div>
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A few have had success cleaning the logic/graphics boards of the affected machine. The results may last longer than "solder reflow" methods, albeit with major risks.</div>
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<a href="http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/114530/Cleaning+MBP+logic+board%3A+possible+pitfalls" target="_blank"><b>Pitfalls Cleaning a Logic Board</b></a></div>
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One promising option for cleaning a failing or failed logic board is to use ultrasonic cleaning methods. This is a new and largely unvalidated solution, but it's potentially promising.</div>
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<a href="http://www.iultrasonic.com/apple-circuit-board-ultrasonic-cleaning/reinstate-macbook-pro-logic-boards-using-ultrasonic-cleaners.html" target="_blank"><b>Ultrasonic Cleaners</b></a></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.iultrasonic.com/apple-circuit-board-ultrasonic-cleaning/reinstate-macbook-pro-logic-boards-using-ultrasonic-cleaners.html" target="_blank">Ultrasonic.com</a></b><br />
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<b><br /><i> 3. BGA REBALLING A MACBOOK PRO</i></b></div>
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"Cooking the books" (or solder reflow) may solve your computer woes over the short term, but the problem will probably recur. Cleaning the logic board is promising, but you still have to disassemble the logic board, and results are uncertain at this point.<br />
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<b>By far, the most reliable, long-lasting solution I've found is to "BGA reball" a computer</b>. ("BGA" means "ball grid array - a widely used method to surface mount computer components). BGA reballing involves completely removing the graphics chip, cleaning off the old solder, and reapplying new solder. This takes considerable expertise and access to sophisticated gear. It's important to do your homework to find a top-notch reballing vendor.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>Although you can buy a kit to reball, this repair typically requires expertise and access to specialized equipment.</b></span></span></div>
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Reball information:<br />
<a href="http://www.us-tech.com/RelId/856201/pagenum/2/ISvars/default/A_User's_Guide_to_BGA_Reballing.htm" target="_blank"><b>User's Guide to BGA Reballing</b></a><br />
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A few reball vendors:<br />
<a href="http://www.tfixrepairs.com/services/hardware/bga-reballing/" target="_blank"><b>TFix Reballing</b></a><br />
<a href="http://itcomputerservice.net/reball-repair.html" target="_blank"><b>IT Computer Service</b></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.macguys.co.uk/graphic-problems" target="_blank"><b>Macguys</b></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b><a href="http://www.ps3specialist.com/macbook-pro-gpu-reballing-repair-service/" target="_blank">PS3 Specialist</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>LEGAL MEASURES</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When it comes to subjects like liability, it’s rarely just “black and white.” Apple's internal decisions and legal policies may change, and it's good to be aware of your rights. This </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">useful </span><a href="http://www.cultofmac.com/17788/know-your-rights-what-to-do-if-your-apple-turns-out-to-be-a-lemon/" style="letter-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">link</a><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> from Cult of Mac addresses problems with defective Apple products.</span><br />
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When a hardware flaw, as with a logic/video board, occurs frequently, legal action is a real possibility. Visit a lawyer, and retain Apple Support discussions and error logs. It may seem counterintuitive, but making this kind of fault public can make Apple products better over time. </div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If you’re frustrated with Apple’s treatment of the logic board issue, you can initiate or join a suit - individual or class action. There’s no guarantee that that law will rule in your favor. But Apple has lost this type of action before; several State and Federal suits are currently being investigated or litigated. A few deal with the logic board issue. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2014/05/a-class-action-lawsuit-is-launched-against-apple-over-faulty-macbook-logic-boards.html" target="_blank"><b>Patently Apple - MacBook Pro</b></a></div>
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<a href="http://consumeradvocatelegalupdate.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/macbook-defects-lead-to-class-action/" target="_blank"><b>Consumer Advocate</b></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.seegerweiss.com/law-practices/class-actions/Product-Liability-Actions/imac-g5-logic-board-failures/" target="_blank"><b>Seeger Weiss</b></a><br />
<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-02/apple-sued-over-alleged-defects-in-macbook-motherboards.html" target="_blank"><b>Apple Sued</b></a><br />
<a href="http://www.howtoarena.com/a-guy-sued-apple-for-not-replacing-his-macbooks-logic-board-and-won/" target="_blank"><b>Seattle Rex v Apple</b></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>AVOIDING LOGIC BOARD PROBLEMS</b></span></div>
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If you're reading this article, there's a fair chance you've experienced a logic board problem. But preventative action can markedly reduce your chance of the issue - even if you have a "nemesis" logic/graphics board.</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Heat</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">While word processing and email place few demands on a MacBook Pro. However, extreme heat can, over time, soften your MB's solder, leading to potential problems</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 0px;">. Realize that...</span></span></div>
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<li>Reliance on Thunderbolt technology increases the amount of heat.</li>
<li>CPU-intensive activities like 3D gaming for extended periods of time are potentially risky.</li>
<li><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Dust or dirt can choke the fans, increasing temperatures and even the risk of fire.</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>Make sure your MBP's internal temperature is consistently below 160</b></span></span></span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">º</b><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">F</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> If the temperature exceeds 210ºF, an eventual failure is almost guaranteed. </b><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">That doesn’t mean that you should avoid intensive computing; however, a portable isn’t a desktop compute<i>r</i>. It’s a good idea to reduce your operating temperature for <i>any</i> laptop.</span></div>
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<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Download free software to cool down your system.<b> </b><a checked_link="http://www.lobotomo.com/products/FanControl/" href="http://www.lobotomo.com/products/FanControl/" in_tag="ul" kaspersky_status="skipped" target="_blank"><b>Fan Contro</b>l</a> allows you to increase the fan if your computing becomes more demanding. <a checked_link="https://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/status/istatpro.html" href="https://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/status/istatpro.html" in_tag="ul" kaspersky_status="pending" target="_blank">i<b>Stat Pro</b></a> and <a checked_link="http://bjango.com/mac/istatmenus/" href="http://bjango.com/mac/istatmenus/" in_tag="ul" kaspersky_status="skipped" target="_blank"><b>iStat Menus</b></a> allow you to keep track of your temperatures, so you can spot potential risks. <a checked_link="http://gfx.io/" href="http://gfx.io/" in_tag="ul" kaspersky_status="skipped" target="_blank">g<b>fxCardStatus</b></a> may help some newer Macs manage graphic loads. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">A cooling pad offers a minimal reduction in temperature. Don't expect an improvement of more than 5 degrees F.</li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">Following these steps will, for many users, markedly reduce the chance of a logic board failure. It won't <i>eliminate</i> them, but most will find a sizable reduction of this pricey problem.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></li>
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<span style="background-color: white;">It's impossible to eliminate all logic board problems...but you can substantially reduce the risk.</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks to those who have contributed their expertise in making this blog more accurate and interesting. </div>Stevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14576131798326509740noreply@blogger.com