RAM replacement issue for MacBook Pro A1502 in India

chaitanya279 wrote:

I am using MacBook Pro A1502 since 2016, now I am facing issue with this model suddenly it went off,

This can be caused by multiple things.

for which I approached Apple authorised service centre in INDIA( Vishakapatnam) on 16-jul-2024. They informed me the issue regarding RAM, has to replace the RAM: it’s 8GB RAM ,. Till date they are looking for this specific model RAM which they couldn’t find. I have searched online for this couldn’t find. If they or myself couldn’t find this RAM what are the options left for me to use my laptop again.

Then I would avoid that AASP forever since that tech has no clue what they are talking about. I would even wonder if their diagnosis is even correct. Any tech who repairs Macs would know that the RAM (aka memory) is soldered to the Logic Board on that model.

Only unauthorized repair shops may consider removing the soldered RAM & replace it, but that is not a simple process. Usually they will just utilize components from a damaged donor board since most components on an Apple Logic Board are not available anywhere else.

FYI, in the photo you attached, I do see some foreign material on the Logic Board. It appears as a long yellowish string. If it is still there, then I would remove it. See the highlight section in the edited picture:

If you can still boot your Mac, then run the third party app EtreCheck and post the complete report here so we can examine it for possible clues.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting an EtreCheck Report - Apple Community

You can also try running the Apple Diagnostics to see if any errors are listed.

You can also create & use a bootable Memtest86 USB stick to perform a more thorough memory test if the Apple Diagnostics do not report any issues.

The RAM is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be replaced without replacing the entire board. Your Mac has served you well for 9 years, it may be time for a new one.

chaitanya279 wrote:

Here in India I don’t think any one will buy dead laptop.

Even if that laptop was in working condition, it would be a ten-year-old laptop that cannot update past macOS Monterey. Monterey is not one of the "most recent three" versions of macOS that vendors like Microsoft and Adobe support, and Apple has now transitioned their entire lineup from Intel processors to Apple Silicon ones.

So realistically, if it was in working condition, how much would you get?

Enough to make it worth your while to pay for the installation of a replacement motherboard (from another 13" Early 2015 MacBook Pro)?

It may be time to cut your losses, send that MacBook Pro to be recycled, and buy a new (or at least newer) Mac.

i think I have to repair it with an UNAUTHORISED service centre.

A1502 matches 13” Retina MacBook Pro models from Late 2013, Mid 2014, and Early 2015. The RAM would have been soldered to the motherboard on all of them.

It sounds like you have the 2015 one, both because of the purchase date, and because it is the only one of the three that can run Monterey.

chaitanya279 wrote:

@HWTECH

my MacBook Pro is dead, can’t switch on, can’t boot.

i am not a technician, how can I remove the yellow string which you highlighted .?

isn’t there for any purpose .?

If it is some foreign material like a string, then you just use some compressed air to blow it off.

However, if it is a wire, then best to leave it alone in case your tech at some point soldered it there.

tech guy informed me that they cannot find new RAM for this model. He tried different places. He told me that if they find the RAM he can remove the old RAM & he can soldered the new one.

Very unusual for an AASP to do that type of repair. The only way they could find those chips is by using a donor board, but they would have no way of knowing if the donor board's RAM is any good since donor boards typically are not functional either.

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Hence, some of the following links, which are relevant to your query, may help you:

1. Hardware repairs & tickets - Apple Authorized Service Provider
2. Service grievances & questions --> Apple Repair and Repair Status Check - Official Apple Support
3. Warranty & Apple Care+ issues --> Check Your Service and Support Coverage - Apple Support
4. Suggestions and Feedback for improvements --> Apple Inc says; "We read all feedback carefully, but we are unable to respond to each submission individually."
   1. Here is how for iPhone · Country or region* Select your country or region. · Feedback Type* Select feedback type. · Comments* Enter a comment.
   2. Feedback - iPhone - Apple
5. Repair costs or product or prices of part service & replacement -
   1. iPhone Repair and Service - Apple Support (IN)
   2. iPhone Screen Repair & Replacement
   3. iPhone Battery Repair & Replacement
6. Any other issue --> Contact – Official Apple Support (IN) & Contact Apple for support and service

In the US, there are vendors and individuals who act as computer "junkyards". They buy used MacBooks with cracked displays, and MacBooks that "drank a glass of water". Then they take them apart and sell off the major parts. Some have websites. Individuals and small scale operators tend to sell their parts on US eBay.

In the US, there are also well-established legitimate aftermarket MacBook service companies that fix same-model Macs that owners want to repair. They find good used parts and swap them around to fix a specific Mac for the owner.

In general these guys are swapping major components, like mainboards and display assemblies. Very few are willing to do memory subsystem replacement on a clients computer, because there is too much risk of damage or failure.

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

Is that "long yellowish string" a re-work wire, soldered between two solder pads?

I was wondering the same thing, but it doesn't look like it although the picture is not clear enough to be certain. It doesn't really look like any solder rework can be seen at either end. A clear picture focused on that spot may be useful to confirm.

It may not make a lot of sense to risk taking a soldering iron to a WORKING computer, because you risk a mistake turning it into electronic waste.

What I advise readers who want to upgrade is:

Convert their current working Mac to Cash (by selling it) and use the cash to buy another computer that better meets their needs.

Is that "long yellowish string" a re-work wire, soldered between two solder pads?