Macbook Pro Freezes When Testing Memory (Internal Diag and ASD) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: Agent
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 03:26:32 pm
content: I have a Macbook Pro with BGA RAM. It fails to boot up. When I use the internal test diagnostic, the computer always freezes during memory testing. I have the EFI Apple Service Diagnostic. When I boot up ASD3S155, If I deselect the RAM tests everything passes without issue. I can not get the RAM tests to pass. Every time it gets to MP(Multiple Processor) memory test, it completely freezes up. (It doesn't get far enough to say it failed) I do not have a re-flow oven and my guess is a bad solder joint? I have considered hitting it with a heat gun, but figured I would stop by here first to see if anyone had a better idea.

author: petercut62
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 03:56:16 pm
content: Hello,Have a look to Louis Rossmann channel on YT.https://www.youtube.com/user/rossmanngroup/videosIt might be helpfullRegards

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 04:23:54 pm
content: I think it’s rather unlikely to be a failed solder joint (though it certainly is possible) — I’d suspect a dud RAM chip.Either way, depending on the age of the machine, it might be worth repairing, or it might be cheaper to buy another unit of the same model on the used market.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 04:30:39 pm
content: If that was a bad solder joint, none of those tests would pass. Considering the test it fails at, it could be bad CPU.

author: Agent
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 06:55:10 pm
content: Yea that does make sense. It would likely fail all the memory tests. I got the unit for nearly free, so I'm open to any possible repair. I don't care if I end up making it worse. It's useless in its current state.Also after talking to some people, the reasons it fails to boot may be a bad GPU.https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/They said the ASD doesn't catch everything. I have one of the models listed in the link.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 07:14:12 pm
content: what macbookpro model is it exactly ?

author: Agent
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 07:27:29 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on January 02, 2018, 07:14:12 pmRetina 15 inch Early 2013I booted into verbose mode and after about a minute, the text becomes all jumbled. Starting to look like a graphics card issue?

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 07:54:43 pm
content: yes could be those retina 15 from 2013 have a recall program for graphic issues.you should go to an apple service center, the motherboard exchange is free if the graphic card test program says it's concerned.valid to 4 years after purchase if i remember correctly.send me a PM with the serial number I can check the purchase date for you.

author: Agent
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2018, 08:38:40 pm
content: Quote from: kripton2035 on January 02, 2018, 07:54:43 pm4 years is correct. I talked to apple and my purchase date was July/02/13. Out of curiosity how do you check the purchase date? If you go to checkcoverage.apple.com it doesn't list it...

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2018, 07:34:29 am
content: there is a web site for apple certified people only where you can see the purchase date, and all the repairs that have been done on a mac.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2018, 03:19:06 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on January 03, 2018, 07:43:28 am8? 16? 32 chips?

author: Armadillo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2018, 03:50:15 pm
content: It's better to check the 1.35 volts DDR3L power supply voltage first .

author: Agent
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 03:45:34 pm
content: Quote from: Armadillo on January 03, 2018, 03:50:15 pmDo you have a pin-out or a test point? I have a scope and can check it out. If I upload a scan of the board can you point it out?Quote from: blueskull on January 03, 2018, 07:43:28 amIs there anyway to identify exactly which chip it is?

author: Armadillo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 04:48:04 pm
content: Quote from: Agent on January 04, 2018, 03:45:34 pmSee the capacitors labeling? Alot of them to smooth out the ripples.I think the problem is, not fully dead, if fully dead, easy to find, half dead is more difficult.Trace it when the mac is doing some dynamic activity, not static.Its easy to say scope it until you actually do it, it's smd.For the pros, they will put a DDR3 dummy loads onto the bank using dummy DDR3 fixtures.If it's too difficult, just look for them. cheers!