solon_kitten | RIP Mid-2009 MacBook Pro

So... Yesterday, I got the new topcase for my MacBook Pro in the mail. I also had a hinge cover to replace the one that was falling apart, and decided to take care of that since i'd have it apart anyway.

See, when I got the machine, it had been through a major impact during shipping, right were the MagSafe port was. There was very clear damage along that side, an internal screw post had been bent outward near the USB ports, the hinge cover was cracked from both heat and impact, and there was a roughly 0.5 mm inward curve on the outside of the display. It's like the poor thing got chucked against a wall or something. I bought parts to upgrade and repair it over time, but not the screen. Not yet, since it was difficult to find replacements that weren't more expensive than a brand new MPB from that era anyway. ($180 USD plus shipping for one in acceptable shape, compared to...you'll see.)

When I went to pull the hinge cover off, it was extremely difficult when it really shouldn't have been, since you just need to slide it a bit to the right to unhook it from some teeth clips that it slots into. Turned out that the cover had melted, which was why it was so difficult to move. And that wasn't all, since moving the cover also revealed damage to both display cables, and a smaller cable having snapped off after melting to part of the hinge cover.

So right now, I've writing this on my 2009 iMac, running the same main SSD as my MacBook (because you can do that with Macs of the time). I've got another machine on its way ($60 USD shipped), and I'll be throwing both SSDs into the new machine once it comes in, along with the upgraded memory and fresh battery (the one I ordered didn't come with one) from my old machine. I won't replace the top cover yet, as this one shouldn't need it...hopefully. If it does, I'll do so. I'll have the parts for it. I'll also keep all the old parts in case I need to make other repairs later.

Figures that the day before my new laptop stand comes in, this happens. At least I can just keep working on the iMac. I've been on a bit of a roll with a story idea. Come to think of it, I'd just ordered a new adapter to use my second monitor with the thing, too.

Oh well. Such is life.