MacBook Unibody (A1278) MagSafe DC-In Board

Meu Problema

My MacBook was actually having trouble to charge the battery and the LED on the plug of the MagSafe was switching on/off without any good reason. I made a "cross test" : I pluged my MagSafe Power Adaptor to another laptop and the LED was staying on. So the Adaptor was not the one to blame :).

Then I pluged a recent Power Adaptor to my MacBook and the LED problem appeared again.

So I decided to change the plug of the computer which is attached to the DC-In Board card.

Minha Solução

The repair was quite difficult : all the screws in the MacBook are tightened with some "threadlock" which makes them hard to remove. I was unable to remove them using the screwdriver that I bought from the iFixit website. I instead had to use a high-quality (Facom) screwdriver.

The guide was easy to follow, but the first time I didn't put back the keyboard ribbon cable correctly and the computer didn't start :(. In fact, the power button is connected to the keyboard, so you really need to make this one fit correctly in its place.

Meu Conselho

- Buy a top-quality screwdriver, otherwise you may have trouble trying to remove the MacBook screws.

- Don't forget to fully push the keyboard ribbon cable (step 15 in the guide) back into its place after changing the part, otherwise the computer will not start ;)

Meu Problema

Due to the overheating issue, I cannot watch streaming because computer decrease performance when there is too much heat

Minha Solução

Thanks to the tutorial, the replacement of the board was very easy.

Unfortunately the repair did not fix my issue - I think that the power supply is faulty.

Meu Conselho

Try with new power supply first :)

Meu Problema

The Macbook of my Wife suddenly switches off, with green light of Macsafe connector.

Also when charging, only short time charges, then switches to green.

When i took out Battery, Macbook won't start.

Minha Solução

1st replaced Battery by a new one. - but same thing.

Then i thought it might be the main board, till i read

some Articles here on iFixit about charging and mac-safe.

Ordered the DC-Inboard and voila.

All working now perfect.

Meu Conselho

Never thought when Macsafe Connector is green,

and Macbook has no Battery in it, it won't boot with this faulty unit.

Meu Problema

DC-In board had been slowly but surely failing over the course of two years. Finally got to the point where I'd spend 15 minutes fiddling with the MagSafe to get my MacBook to charge. Most of the times I'd just give up in frustration, curse, and storm off outside to the wallow in the overly fresh Canadian winter air... oh how very disgusting haha.

Minha Solução

Repair went great. Squared a piece of paper with 28 numbered sections so I could easily keep track of all the screws. The hardest part was definitely getting the keyboard connector back in. Read the comments and follow their advice completing steps 15 before reattaching the whole logic board. I can't imagine how frustrating it would have been otherwise, and it was already mighty frustrating. Other than that, super easy repair. Got to do a good condensed air clean up of the fan and board while I was in there. MacBook now runs consistently 20 degrees C cooler so that was an added bonus. All in all great parts, great step-by-step, and great advice in the comments. My 5 year old MacBook now charges like a champ. That fixed, an OWC SSD and 8Gbs of RAM have now extended the life of this old girl hopefully another good long while.

Meu Conselho

Check the comments sections and follow their advice. Everything they say down there, from doing the steps in a different order, to the rubber band trick to get the keyboard connected back in, all will save you time and frustration.

Meu Problema

Reason for fix - I believed that this part was defective in my MB. As I purchased used from a less than shimmering source, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was having significant battery drain when completely powered off (not in sleep mode) overnight. System also reported that power was connected, even when it wasn't.

Minha Solução

Repair went alright. I took me three attempts to properly reseat the keyboard ribbon cable. The quickest indication is when the system won't start after reassembly - the power button is patched through the keyboard ribbon. I eventually used a spudger to wedge the extra bit of ribbon close to the board and used tweezers to guide the ribbon in gently.

Meu Conselho

Given the number of varying size screws, I spaced out the parts and components for the job based on the step number in the process. You really don't want to lose one of those tiny screws, or put the wrong one in the wrong place.

Meu Problema

I am currently deployed to Afghanistan, I have a 2008 late model Macbook that was not charging or having difficulty charging. I had to fiddle with the DC-In connection and get it at the precise angle to get it to charge. I bought a new MagSafe Power supply from the PX and it didn't seem to help. I got online and found iFixit had the part and the instructions to repair my MacBook.

Minha Solução

The repair was simple and took about 20 minutes total. I did not remove anything but the back plate, Battery, and HDD. I was able to separate the Motherboard from the body just enough to remove the DC-In Board by removing the motherboard, and fan screws. I just plucked the old board out and with a small screwdriver installed the connector and the new DC Board.

Meu Conselho

Buy your parts from iFixit. It only took 6 days from time of order to complete repair of my Macbook in Afghanistan 7,000 miles away.

Meu Problema

My laptop didn't just suddenly stop charging. No, it would charge if I had the cable in JUST the right way... you know how it goes. After I bought a new cable and found the same problem, I knew it had to be the port. Angst and despair set in.

Minha Solução

It was a long and scary process. I've replaced the logic board on an iBook before, but it required less work. I found and cleaned out about three cats' worth of fur inside while I was at it, and thought for sure I was going to destroy the microphone detaching it.

Meu Conselho

Screw down the Magsafe port slightly before putting the motherboard back in. It popped up above the logic board and I had to unscrew the logic board in order to wiggle it back down into place. Get about a dozen little yogurt cups, Tupperwares, or other small containers and keep each step's screws separate.