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Putting a MacBook Pro In the Oven To Fix It

Posted by Soulskill on from the tales-from-the-IT-kitchen dept.

An anonymous reader writes: A post at iFixit explains how one user with a failing MacBook Pro fixed it by baking it in the oven. The device had overheating issues for months, reaching temperatures over 100 C. When it finally died, some research suggested the extreme heat caused the logic board to flex and break the solder connections. The solution was to simply reflow the solder, but that's hard to do with a MBP. "Instead, I cracked open the back of my laptop, disconnected all eleven connectors and three heat sinks from the logic board, and turned the oven up to 340 F. I put my $900 part on a cookie sheet and baked it for seven nerve-wracking minutes. After it cooled, I reapplied thermal paste, put it all back together, and cheered when it booted. It ran great for the next eight months." The laptop failed again, and another brief vacation into the oven got it running once more.

13 of 304 comments (clear)

  1. May want a disclaimer here... by Kenja · · Score: 5, Informative

    I dont think telling people you can fix a mac book by baking it will end well. So perhaps a disclaimer saying NOT to do this would be in order?

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
    1. Re:May want a disclaimer here... by halivar · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nonsense. Think of how quickly you can get rid of excess apps and unwanted background processes: just stick it in the oven and select "CLEAN." Viola!

    2. Re:May want a disclaimer here... by Charliemopps · · Score: 5, Funny

      I dont think telling people you can fix a mac book by baking it will end well. So perhaps a disclaimer saying NOT to do this would be in order?

      It's a mac. Worst case... well there isn't one. Please put your apple products in the oven, even if they are currently working... you will be better off in the end. You should have a fire extinguisher nearby just in case Steve Jobs escapes hell via your device and attempts to exert his "Paranormal patent clause" which states specifically that ovens are not not an authorized repair tool like the "pentalobe screwdriver"

      If Jobs does escape your oven he will consume your residence and all adjacent residences with his firey wrath. Also he will park his car in the closest handicapped spot to your house for weeks on end. Woe unto thee who attempts to repair Apple products without proper authorization and/or exorcism rights.

    3. Re:May want a disclaimer here... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Group A: Followed the directions and inhaled dangerous volatile chemicals. User now has cancer.
      Group B: "Was that 340 for 7 minutes or 7 (hundred) for 340 minutes?" Fire department on scene.
      Group C: "Directions unclear; penis stuck in mac book." EMS on scene.

    4. Re:May want a disclaimer here... by Hognoxious · · Score: 5, Funny

      just stick it in the oven and select "CLEAN." Viola!

      I'd recommend a [cel]low shelf, near the bass of the oven. And don't fiddle with it till it cools down.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    5. Re:May want a disclaimer here... by grub · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This is all from memory, but as I recall, the actual problem is in the solder manufacturers are forced to use for ROHS compliance. It is less flexible than the old lead-tin solder of the olden days.

      --
      Trolling is a art,
    6. Re:May want a disclaimer here... by deniable · · Score: 5, Funny

      Violins is OK but sax is evil.

  2. In other news by CajunArson · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hipster "invents" the reflow oven and blogs about the "invention" in amazement.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R...

    --
    AntiFA: An abbreviation for Anti First Amendment.
  3. You were supposed to buy another one! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    You obviously haven't figured out how Apple works...

  4. Re:Could build in an auto-fix setting by roc97007 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...Or better yet apply enough solder correctly the first time....

    But... but... but... but... I thought Apple's build quality was the best there can be?!?!?

    The product only has to last until the next incremental improvement is available.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  5. use the microwave. by goombah99 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not only will the microwave fixe it but it will charge the battery too.

    --
    Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
  6. Re:Requires that you know what you are doing by halivar · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A heat gun also requires you to have a heat gun. An oven requires you to have a kitchen.

  7. Baked apples! by Kahlandad · · Score: 5, Funny

    Try baking him in the oven for 7 minutes at 340 F.