Controlling the MacBook heat in LA
May 23, 2012 12:03 PM Subscribe
MacBook heatsink repair tech needed in Los Angeles - Recommendations?
I have a good friend in Los Angeles who has a 17" 2006 MacBook Pro. He needs the heat sink re-seated with new thermal paste.
He just had a hard drive replacement and his processor is now running at 94-100c, everything else is in the 48c-60c range. SMC Fan Control has helped everything but the main processor.
I want to send him to a good Apple certified tech that could do the job quickly (within a couple hours) and reliably. I'd rather not go to the Apple store, as he needs his laptop for work, and the turnaround time is too long, not to mention the costly 'just swap the logic board' attitude of most Apple store repairs.
Any suggestions?
I have a good friend in Los Angeles who has a 17" 2006 MacBook Pro. He needs the heat sink re-seated with new thermal paste.
He just had a hard drive replacement and his processor is now running at 94-100c, everything else is in the 48c-60c range. SMC Fan Control has helped everything but the main processor.
I want to send him to a good Apple certified tech that could do the job quickly (within a couple hours) and reliably. I'd rather not go to the Apple store, as he needs his laptop for work, and the turnaround time is too long, not to mention the costly 'just swap the logic board' attitude of most Apple store repairs.
Any suggestions?
Response by poster: Its been running like a champ for 6 years without an issue, and I believe we checked the serials and it is not in the batch of problematic boards a few years back. The gpu is running at about 67c, IIRC. The CPU temp varies, sometimes it's 70-75c for a few minutes, but will soon peak back up to 100c. Applying pressure to the keyboard and rear panel can drop it as much as 10c if you hold it for a couple minutes. Everything seems to point to inconsistent contact between the heat sink and processor.
posted by chambers at 12:28 PM on May 23, 2012
posted by chambers at 12:28 PM on May 23, 2012
My suggestion: DIY. Use the guides at iFixit. If you follow them step by step, it's nearly impossible to screw up unless you're intentionally being careless. The most difficult part of the process for that generation of MacBooks is keeping the screws straight. I usually just sort them into an ice cube tray with little slips of paper to remind me which size is which.
The only tools you need are a Philips #00 screwdriver, and a Torx T6 screwdriver. A spludger (prying tool) is helpful, but not actually necessary. If you don't have either of these latter two tools, they are dirt cheap.
posted by BrandonW at 5:36 PM on May 23, 2012
The only tools you need are a Philips #00 screwdriver, and a Torx T6 screwdriver. A spludger (prying tool) is helpful, but not actually necessary. If you don't have either of these latter two tools, they are dirt cheap.
posted by BrandonW at 5:36 PM on May 23, 2012
Best answer: Dino's Computer Repair in Pasadena by PCC was great when I used them. Just took a couple of days. You can call them and see what their turnaround time would be for that. And they have free candy!
posted by Vaike at 8:29 PM on May 23, 2012
posted by Vaike at 8:29 PM on May 23, 2012
When I had a difficult repair and went to the Apple store, they forwarded me to a local certified repair shop that did a great job. I'd suggest calling your local Apple store and asking them for a recommendation for a certified repair shop.
I'd recommend my local shop but it's not anywhere near LA.
posted by chairface at 7:31 PM on May 25, 2012
I'd recommend my local shop but it's not anywhere near LA.
posted by chairface at 7:31 PM on May 25, 2012
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posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:17 PM on May 23, 2012