Fixing Broken Macbook, Mobo + SSD swap

My sister bequeathed me her macbook pro (2009-2010).

She took it to the Geek squad, they said she had spilled fluids on it (true) so the mobo doesn't work. When I turn it on it's just the white loading screen.

I figure I could replace the mobo myself since warranty is already void. Was looking on a site the mobos were going for around $550. Is that the normal price range?

I would hate to shell out $500 for nothing, anybody know how good the geek squad is at diagnosing? Surely they would have told her if anything else was broken.

I was thinking that I might as well put an OCZ ssd in it too meanwhile I'm at it. Is that possible? I've heard mac notebooks only work with apple approved hardware? Can I install any ssd of my choice?

I've also got a linux live cd stuck in the cd drive when I was trying to boot it, but it won't eject.

Other than that it's in great shape!

bishop101 said:

My sister bequeathed me her macbook pro (2009-2010).

I figure I could replace the mobo myself since warranty is already void. Was looking on a site the mobos were going for around $550. Is that the normal price range?

Click to expand...

Yes…that price is not unusual. But before spending that sort of cash…you might want to verify the value of this computer. You may find that $550 (or a bit more)…may be very close to it's 100% working value.

So it may not make sense to spend $550 on a water damaged MBP…that may have MORE than a damaged motherboard.

- Nick

bishop101 said:

My sister bequeathed me her macbook pro (2009-2010).

Click to expand...

Lucky!
Only if you get the MBP up and running correctly I would then add an OCZ Vertex 4 SSD which would be perfect for your MBP.
I've got a Vertex 4 in my older '07 MBP and it is way faster than before.