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The March 2015 update of Apple's 13" MacBook Air features fifth generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, resulting in slightly increased performance and battery life.

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How to check whether it's damaged motherboard or I/O board

Hello,

recently my Macbook Air stopped working. I worked on it as usual when it unexpectedly shut down and I was unable to power it on again. It didn’t react to power button and LED indicator on power adapter didn’t turned on (I even tried another power adapter as I have second Macbook at home).

I brought the laptop to Apple Premium Service Provider and after 2 days they returned it saying that Apple Service Toolkit didn’t show any errors and after it somehow turned on they did only reset SMC.

Everything was fine for about 2 weeks and then it once again shut down. I went to ASP once again and they say that since they can’t diagnose my problem, the only solution they see is to replace whole motherboard (which of course cost more than the laptop is worth now).

Is it really problem with whole motherboard? Maybe it’s only the problem with I/O board? Is there a way I can check what is really damaged?

I have tools and have replaced battery once on different Macbook so I should be able to check some simple stuff on the inside.

Thanks in adavance!

Adam

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The only clue I see here is the MagSafe chargers LED was not lit “LED indicator on power adapter didn’t turned on (I even tried another power adapter as I have second Macbook at home).”

That would imply either the charger or the MagSafe interface has a problem. Review this Apple T/N Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters. Make sure the cable and the connector are in good shape if not replace the adapter.

Now the bad news on the MagSafe chargers you might have! There are a lot of fake chargers out there. Make sure you have a real one! OEM MagSafe Chargers vs Cheap Imposters: Teardown for Truth and here you can see Real vs Fake Magsafe 2 Charger Macbook Pro

OK, Lets say we know the charger is good and the outlet we are using is good then we need to focus on the MagSafe connector on the MacBook Air it might be bad. This is where the I/O board may need replacing MacBook Air 13" (Mid 2013-2017) I/O Board and here’s the guide to put it in MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 I/O Board Replacement

Given the systems age your battery may need replacing soon. To check that you’ll want to run this gem of an app CoconutBattery. Take a snapshot of the main window and pos it here for us to see Adding images to an existing question

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MacBook Air 13" (Mid 2013-2017) I/O Board

$79.99

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Adding images to an existing question

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MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 I/O Board Replacement

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35 minutes

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I’m sure that my power adapter is good since I tried two different ones (both are original Apple power adapters) and both are working when plugged in to different Macbook.

Your advice is unhelpful since my laptop does not turn on and as far as I know that is not caused by battery (even though of course it’s not new and has only around 60% original capacity).

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Go back and re-read what I stated! There is an order of actions here A then B then C.

As I can't see your chargers or test them I have to assume the worse and give you the guidance to prove to your self the chargers are good and not damaged.

Then you need to isolate out what the next part is in the pathway. Thats the I/O board.

If you don't get the MagSafe LED to show that's the action list. It needs to be either Amber or Green, not off!

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Yes, sure, you can test your board and find out what is wrong. Google for your board that is probably an 820-00165, download a boardview software like Openboardview, schematics and relevant board view file. Then test all power lines at page 62 and when you find the one the doesn’t match specs you’re done.

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@arbaman - Your expecting the person knows how to read a schematic and board views. So what do they do when they don't find a power line that doesn't match Without understanding the logic it would be a pointless exercise.

Focus on the basics.

If you are pointing someone to a schematic, having them trace the electrical pathway from the MagSafe to the logic board from a continuity standpoint would be the best most people can do without a full understanding.

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Well @danj , that was a joking answer but maybe it wasn't evident as I expected ;) Every now and then people come on the forum expecting one does troubleshooting at distance since they "have the tools". I have hammer and chisel, I have paintings and color spray cans, but the distance between me and the chance to emulate Michelangelo, Picasso or Keith Herring is sideral, at best. I'm just puzzled sometimes :)

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OK your forgiven ;-}

You should use an emoji so people don't misinterpret your humor.

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@danj Will do :))

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