Dealing with an Apple MacBook Pro crash? What to do when the most advanced Mac laptops for demanding workflows crashes; time to teardown, upgrade.

MBP Mid’18

MBP Mid’18 OEM Battery Replacement

Apple MacBook Pro Mid’18 Battery

Macbook Pro Battery Swap

Lab Work – MBP Issues

MBP Mid’18 Battery and Logic board Issues/Failure – perform a complete teardown, replacement, and reboot to fix there issues.

Background

Our primary machine is the Late MBP ’18 Battery Swap that we use to run the latest applications and code. Recently, it crashed during an upgrade for Mojave/Catalina to BigSur. This ‘upgrade’ coincided with the mid/late summer updates from WWDC. We experienced boot issues, kernel panics, and had to reinstall after reformatting form MAC Journaled to AFPS. We also had to deal with installer packages, boot scripts, and even installed Ubuntu 21, which resulted in a lack of mouse or keyboard functionality.  

Battery Repair
CleanDrive

Clean Drive

Utility Tool

Utility Tool

Reinstall System

Reinstall System

Remove/Update

Remove/Update

Load OS

Load OS

V

VBox

They say pictures are worth a thousands words or more, so let’s take a peek. Oh, and don’t forget ‘csrutil’ enable and disable for unwanted apps, native apps and clearing system integrity ‘issues’. This command only works when you run Recovery Mode, in Terminal Utility… we can just leave that there for another day. One other item to note, this is all MacOS specific. Assuming your running a MacOS alt OS on a Windows (PC), Linux, Linux Alternatives and/or VM, downloads are available and are similar when unpacking the root cause.

Repair Actions
  • Flash Old Version of MacOS and Installer Package
  • Create USB Install via Terminal
  • Etcher
  • Check OS Version (if possible) MacOs Version Compatibility
  • Reset PRAM, Run Diagnostics, Internet Recovery, Target Disk to Move existing files; all there, just make sure you know what version of MacOS. If you don’t, click the ‘Apple’ Icon at the top/left -> Select About This Mac -> Overview. This assumes you have a running version of MacOS. Or check the Apple Product# on the underside of your Macbook Pro and work forward…
  • MacOS Startup KeyBoard Combinations
  • Diagnose Error Codes -1008F, Address Overheating and Fan Control
  • Apple Support thread specific to -1008f
  • Remove Device from iCloud – Find Device, Disable AFPS Admin Security Settings
  • Backup Drive to external storage device
  • Handy Drive SanDisk Drive
  • Clean/Remove Drive, Remove AFPS Drive/Volume(s)
  • Internet Recovery High Sierra, MacOS and Installer Package (Pre El Capitan, Yosemite or Lion)
  • MacOS Mojave
  • MacOS High Sierra
  • Boot MacOS Install, Reinstall Existing Apps, Install Catalina working patches, updates
  • Install New Apps, Settings and Remove unwanted settings as it relates to latest OS
  • Maintain existing MacOS sans MacOS OS Upgrades or Forced Updates, Uncheck installation automation for all apps, requiring system to be manually updated
  • Bootcamp Install, Flash/Install WIN10, Throw-out old server (Z400)
  • Oracle Virtual Box
  • ISOs – MS – WIN10.iso, Ubuntu – Ubuntu 21.10
  • With the addition of MacOS Server
Takeaways

Key takeaways, include make/model, year, shipped quarter, chipset(s) and chip security settings. If your computer is locked, check the iCloud device status, remember install package pre/post logic board changes. We chose this route because all logic boards for this particular machine have been out of stock and remain unavailable for this model. It makes one wonder why. There is no need to replace the battery just yet, but we may have to do so on the second go-around.

When I have the opportunity, I will post a few pictures of Windows 10 running in Boot Camp, Ubuntu 21 running with keyboard and mouse support, and other images for MacOS Server, etc. As always, feel free to leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking!

Late MBP Battery Swap

Check out the Late MBP Battery Swap and Repair

MBP 15″ Swap

MBP'13

Lab Work – Late MBP Battery Swap

The teardown and do the Late MBP Battery Swap Repair

Let’s get it! Before we begin, below are photos of the repair process. We are working on a 2013 MacBook Pro “15 Retina laptop with a new battery. Please ensure that you have selected the correct replacement parts, preferably OEM battery parts.

Find The Right OEM Parts, Find Primary and Secondary Parts

First, it is recommended to use OEM Parts, and even a second-hand OEM battery may be a better choice than non-OEM part in this case. OEM parts can be purchased from various websites such as eBay, Apple Parts, Apple Self Service Website, and iFixIt. When performing the repair, it is important to be cautious and take your time. Power and grounding are crucial, so be careful not to energize parts once the case has been unscrewed and removed. Additionally, it is helpful to have a few other items on hand for the repair.

Tools and Repair Kit for the Late MBP Battery Swap

Some other tools to have around the shop might include the Jakemy screwdriver kit, which  contains Torx, hex and star bits. These are key for newer technology bolts and screws used in the assembly process or to hold hardware to the board. Additionally, it’s important to have glue tech adhesives and glue release, gloves, safety glasses, and a welding/soldering mat. These are all useful bare minimum tools to have, including glue release, a tech screwdriver set, and glue adhesive. 

MBP Swap
Late MBP Battery Swap - Macbook Pro Battery Replacement Unscrew, Pull-back battery cover, Pop-off Battery Connection

MBP Unscrew

Macbook Pro Battery Replacement - Un-glue Battery process

Battery

Late MBP Battery Swap - Macbook Pro Battery Replacement - Un-glue Battery process 2

Remove Glue

Macbook Pro Battery Replacement - Un-glue Battery process clean up

Glue Remover

Late MBP Battery Swap - Macbook Pro Battery Replacement

Remove Battery

Macbook Pro Battery Replacement

Swap, Replace Battery

Late MBP Battery Swap - Macbook Pro

Ubuntu

Apple Certification, Apple MacBook and Robot Repairs

At this point, I’ll assume you are interested in repairs and may want to learn more? Equally as important are the OEM parts as the knowledge to do the repair yourself, intelligibly. Are you searching for parts for your own device? For more detailed information on the Late MBP Battery Swap and the power on and boot process. Check out IOS certification Apple Certs. Lastly, have a look at this particular MacBook Pro “15 Retina tear-down via IFixit MacBook Pro “15 Retina Late ’13 Tear Down.

In conclusion, more tear-downs and repairs, check out the iPad Mini Fix, Roomba 900 Series Fix or some of our latest MBP Screen & Keys and MBP Touch bar fix. Enjoy! As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?