I noticed that every time I boot up now the lock icon shows up on the screen.

I did some research and found out it is a EFI / Firmware locked. I’m not sure exactly which one is the proper term or if both mean the same thing. Anyways, I have a spare MacBook Pro, same year, same kind of model and was wondering if i could just pull out the logic board from my spare system and put it into the system which is locked?

Would this eliminate my problem and have the ability to use my device? I really hope I can get an actual answer and not some sad person telling me its stolen and to give it back.

Thats not the purpose of this site now is it?

⟐ Answer accepted May 14, 2026 at 0:38 MST

I tried resetting PRAM and the SMC, no dice.

⟐ Commented October 17, 2025 at 6:15 MST

⟐ Commented October 06, 2025 at 6:45 MST

A few weeks ago, I decided to replace my macbook’s battery - after 5ish years, the only thing about this laptop (the best laptop ever made) was the battery life drained quickly. I ordered a battery + kit from iFixit, and replaced the battery. I conditioned the battery, but every time it discharged it would jump from above 50% battery to 7% battery, then die shortly after (i.e. a very discontinuous discharge). I received a replacement battery for the replace from iFixit, and replaced again. However, I’m still having the same problem with the battery jumps . I figure it’s unlikely to be the battery, but am unsure what else could could be causing the issue. I’ve reset PRAM and SMC.

⟐ Commented July 18, 2025 at 12:42 MST

can I change/upgrade the RAM in my MBPr13"?

Up to now I have 8GB and if it is possible, I like to upgrade to 16GB.

Thx

⟐ Commented January 21, 2025 at 20:09 MST

⟐ Commented October 10, 2024 at 6:22 MST

⟐ Answered October 09, 2024 at 6:57 MST

⟐ Commented June 13, 2024 at 15:40 MST

My computer has had trouble charging. I replaced the charger (onE of the pins was stuck) but the problem has persisted. I noticed some burn marks on my charge port and and looking to replace it. Which charge port is the correct one? and which repair guide?

my macbook is a A1278 model, serial number is: C1MMHY1KDTY3

⟐ Commented May 04, 2024 at 0:16 MST

⟐ Answered February 23, 2024 at 23:18 MST

⟐ Commented December 05, 2023 at 10:47 MST

As long as I've been using Macs, though, I've NEVER known them to shut down due to thermal issues. In my experience they usually throttle themselves so that the temperatures go down, which suggests maybe there's an issue with the memory or similar, but I'm unable to run the Apple Diagnostics tools (holding 'D' on boot) because I guess the previous owner replaced the HDD and now it's missing the 'TestSupport.efi' that I guess is the diagnostics EFI partition or similar. I can't even load it via internet diagnostics, it just gives me the same error.

I figure I either need to rebuild the TestSupport.efi partition or download some other version of Apple's diagnostics tool or Appl Hardware Test tool myself, but I know Apple doesn't make that stuff publically available. I've managed to find some online repositories of their test tools that people have uploaded, but not the ones required for my specific hardware (A1425).

Does anyone know where to find (legally or otherwise) these tools or could point me in the right direction for restoring my previous TestSupport.efi?

⟐ Answer edited November 08, 2023 at 16:24 MST

⟐ Commented November 07, 2023 at 17:24 MST

If I run Macs Fan Control I can turn on the fans manually and the system cools down and runs no problem, but I need to wipe the system and reinstall MacOS so I need to figure out how to get the fans working as ‘system controlled’. I stupidly started the system restore process before fixing this so now I’m stuck without a bootable OS because every time the system starts to reinstall MacOS it overheats and shuts down 🤦🏻‍♂️

Here’s what TG Pro shows when idling:

So far I’ve tried:

• Resetting SMC
• Resetting PRAM
• Starting in diagnostics mode (won’t start - gives me a command line error ‘Cannot Load "EFI/Drivers/TestSupport.eft*’ - I think Apple broke it for Catalina

All the internal temp sensors seem to register correctly so I don’t know why the fans aren’t spinning of their own accord. Maybe there’s something in settings I can reset or edit whilst in safe mode to get the fans working properly again??

People asked for a photo of the inside. I can’t see anything visually wrong with a cursory glance; haven’t removed the heat sink yet as to my mind if the sensors are reporting temps correctly and the fans are both spinning when I manually set them then the problem doesn’t lie in the heat sink/paste, though I could always replace the latter anyway…

⟐ Commented October 16, 2023 at 4:13 MST

I live in Australia so I cannot purchase the iFixit adhesive remover :-(

Anyone got any tips for making battery removal on the retina MacBooks pros easier?

Any alternatives to the iFixit adhesive remover that are available in Australia?

Thanks in advance!

⟐ Commented August 11, 2023 at 20:56 MST

⟐ Answered May 15, 2023 at 16:46 MST

If you put a charged battery in, everything is great until you run out of power.

I originally thought it was the MagSafe board or battery but have swapped both with identical results.

So I ordered, received and installed a replacement logic board from IFIXIT. When I plug it into power, after going green then amber on the charge cable, it plays the reboot tone (which is weird, why does it jump right to life without input?) It searches for the hard drive for about a minute and then gives the flashing folder with question mark / no hard drive found. Tried SMC and PRAM resets, reseating hard drive connector and still no go.

I called and informed iFixIt who promptly sent a 2nd replacement. In the meantime, I put my logic board back in and confirmed that everything still booted up as normal.

Received the replacement today, installed, and the same %#*@ thing!

Am I missing something? Are the hard drive connectors a common point of failure and iFixIt just isn’t catching it in their testing before sending out refurbs?

Is it just that I got 2 bad boards and I need to try a 3rd?

Getting tired of pulling this thing apart so many times. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

are these what you wanted to see?

⟐ Commented March 30, 2023 at 19:54 MST

Unsure if my wording is wrong but the SSD i have is from a MacBook Pro 2012 retina. I’m trying to get the data off of it And Im wondering if this enclosure will help me do that once i plug into a new MacBook.

⟐ Edited by author February 07, 2023 at 20:41 MST

I purchased a Samsung ssd 870 evo hard drive, and I am trying to install this. But the connection is not the same as the old hard drive. How can I get this installed? Is there a new cable that I can buy or some other trick?

Glad if you could help me

Eric

⟐ Commented January 18, 2023 at 5:05 MST

Thank you for any answers in advance have a great night/day!

Update 12/07/2022 9:24PM: @danj but this smd cap looks washed out compared to the others? And there is many like this.

This place close to the right fan looks like it have flux stain? For sure its nothing sweet like coffee stain or coke cuz its not sticky.

And last here are the photos of lvds cabel and port on the display

Without flash (might be due to poor light in my room) looks like the pins are slightly dark?

Update 13/07/2022 8:57AM: @danj

found even one more missing

U3401 was clearly removed

EDIT:

The fault was display by it self just died as i got hands on second the same macbook its screen works with my mobo but their mobo aint working with my display and vice versa. That was wild ride as in the process i burned one component on hdmi board that i had to find and replace. But atleast I learn many new things thank you aswell for mentioning louis rossman as his vid helped me alot. Prob not worth fix so yea sad

⟐ Edited by author September 27, 2022 at 9:03 MST