Mid 2008 Macbook Pro 15" doesn't turn on

Hi everyone,
I have come to these boards pretty much out of desperation.
My MBP died on me yesterday and I'm looking for ideas on how to fix it.
I guess I'm hoping I can find a solution other than having to replace the motherboard as I'm quite fond of my lil' old MBP and would rather keep that one instead of buying a new one.
I didn't have any noticeable problems up to now. Yesterday I closed the lid to put it to sleep, as I always do because I don't power it down very often. About an hour later I came back, opened the lid and nothing happened. I'm not sure if it was still running at this point. I tried clicking the trackpad, pressing a button, nothing happened.
I tried to power it up and nothing happened. It didn't start running, I couldn't hear the fans, nothing. (At this point, the power and battery were connected)
The odd thing is, it only makes an effort to start up when I keep pressing the power button. I can hear the fans whizzing and normal startup sounds, such as the disk drive (but not the signature "boing" sound). The screen stays black though. And after 10 seconds of this, the laptop powers down anyway, wether I hold the power button or not. Moreover, when I start it up like this, and release the power button after for like 4 seconds, it stops starting up immediately and the laptop falls silent.
I tried taking out the battery and disconnecting the power cord and holding the power button for 5 seconds or more. This didn't change anything.
I also opened it up and exchanged the hard drive and changed the RAM memory. Still no difference. I tried disconnecting the hard drive + RAM + disk drive. When I try to start it up that way, the computer just keeps beeping (which makes me hopeful that the problem might not be with the motherboard anyway? It doesn't start up but does keep beeping all the time until I take out the battery and disconnect the power cord)
I might also mention that I had the graphics card problems 2 or 3 years ago, which was aknowledged by Apple at the time and they replaced my motherboard for free at that time.
Any clues what I could try? Or should I just give up and get a new one?
Thanks in advance!

Try a SMC reset:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
If no success, look at this comprehensive user tip for possible solutions:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3353
If there are no results, then spend 50 Euros or get a new Mac. I am out of ammunition.
Ciao.

Similar Messages

Macbook pro 13 doesn't turn on

I have a macbook pro 13, 2 weeks old. I was working with it while plugged in to the power cord then I turned it off and kept the battery charging. After the battery was almost fully charged I unplugged it and when I tried to turn it on I see the power light blinking but nothing comes on. Can anybody tell me what could be the problem?

Troubleshooting a MacBook, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro that won't turn on

Macbook Pro Screen doesn't turn on?

So, I have a late 2011 Macbook Pro 15". About two weeks ago, my macbook screen just stopped working. I shut it down, and since then it's been practically "dead". The display doesn't turn on, the logo on the back is off; Essentially, the whole display of the mac doesn't get powered on. However, the startup noise is still there when I turn it on. I've been using it in a monitor as of now and it works fine with the monitor. This is the thing though, the screen is perfectly fine!! About a week ago in the morning when I turned it on, the display turned on. the screen had been white, and the apple logo popped up, it looked completely fine. Sadly I had to go to school and when I came back, no matter how many times I restarted it or did anything to it, the screen would just not turn on. Yesterday, I was showing my friend and restarted it, turned it on, then nothing. Tried it again while doing random keyboard strokes and the display turns on. Excitement in my eyes, it actually restarts and for the first time in two weeks I was to see my desktop and see my mouse moving around, all the icons, everything! The display and everything on it was working perfectly normal, no noise, no distortion, no odd colour, no issues on the display at all. My friend boots it to windows and the display stops working and again since then it hasn't worked. It's alive and perfectly normal in there, but I just don't know how to give it what it needs to bring it back that way.
Does anyone know anything to help me on this? It's quite frustrating when you see it work, then shut off. I can't use it at school to do my work anymore and it's such a nuisance.

You have a hardware problem. More than likely it is the cable that goes from the logic board to the display. It sounds like an internmitent short. Works sometimes not at other times.
The only way to fix a hardware problem is to replace the faulty piece of hardware and the only people that do that is either an Apple store or an Apple authorized repair center. That is unless you can diagnose the actual failed hardware part, find one from an Aftermarket Mac parts seller and replace the part yourself.

MacBook Pro 2013 doesn't turn on fully

Hey, sorry for the quick and crappy question (I have to go for a road trip in a few hours and need my computer), but my MacBook Pro doesn't fully turn on. I have a YouTube video of what it does. It does what's in the video, turns off, and then repeats when I power it back on.
http://youtu.be/a7idERS3kHU there's the video. All and any help would be appreciated.

Hmm, that's not good. There's a post like yours where they needed to boot off a different drive and we're then able to fix it. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3487997
You can boot off another drive or mac and repair your MBP drive from there. This could be done by hooking it up to another mac in target disk mode or by creating a install USB stick.
Or if you had a backup you could erase and restore.
Or finally, if none above are possible then it might be easier to take it in to the apple store.

Macbook pro retina doesn't turn on for a day or two

Macbook Pro Retina 13-inch Late 2012
2.5GHz Intel Core i5
OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)
So this is a weird one... I recently purchased a used Macbook Pro Retina and the previous owner had upgraded the hard drive for a bigger size. My macbook worked great for a few days but then one night I closed it and the next day when I opened it, it would not turn on. I tried rebooting the battery (SHIFT+CONTROL+OPTION and POWER) then hitting power but NOTHING. At one point, I heard a clicking sound when I would leave the power button down. Then... two days later I push the power button just because and BAM! The screen comes on. (I didn't hear the start up sound, and it wasn't like it restarted.) It was as if the screen brightness was all the way down but then came back. (I kept trying to adjust that too before it turned on).
I don't understand!!! Two days later, same thing happened. Then again, it turned back on a day later.
The only thing I noticed that was weird was when I connected it to my tv with HDMI cable. The laptop screen would freeze and get distorted and I would have to force a restart (the black screen with the apple would appear and the loading bar as if I would updating the software).
I'm soooo confused and I don't want this to keep happening. I would appreciate any type of help or advice!!

Hi RACan2,
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!
I understand that your MacBook Pro has had some strange startup and power issues. In this situation, To begin troubleshooting, I would recommend reading over and working through the attached article.
If your Mac won't turn on - Apple Support
Best regards,
Joe

My MacBook Pro screen doesn't turn on when I the open lid.

So I bought my 13inch MacBook Pro Retina two weeks ago. 70% of the time when opening the lid the screen will not turn on but my keyboard backlight will. I then have to either close the lid and open again or press the power to put the system to sleep and wake again. It seems the system is working fine just not the screen.
I have tried the SMC and PRAM reset which seemed to work for half of the day, now the problem is back.
Has anybody got a solution for this or are in fact experiencing the same problem?
Thanks

You've 90 days of free phone support from date of purchase and - at least - a one year warranty on the computer (free phone support and warranty for three years if you purchased AppleCare). The behavior that you're experiencing is not normal - if I were you, I would get on the phone to Apple and have them make you a 'genius bar' appointment.
Good luck,
Clinton
MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS Mavericks 10.9.3, 16GB RAM, 960GB SSD, 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display

When I open the MacBook Pro, display doesn't turn on!

I have a new MacBook Pro. It doesn't seem to wake from sleep. Also, when it is operating, it doesn't respond when I try and put it to sleep. Lastly, sometimes when I shut the computer, I notice that it will remain very warm for a long time in my bag, even though it isn't plugged in. These all seem very related.
Any Suggestions?
Thanks!
Tim

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
I also had some sleep problems with my new (in September) MBP running 10.4.10. Mostly a tendency to freeze if the display went to sleep, which does not seem to be the same problem that yours has. When I went to Leopard, all of these problems vanished.
Is yours asleep or frozen? If the sleep light is steady instead of pulsing, it may be frozen. And it should not freeze.
I have never had a problem with the MBP getting warm in my bag, but then, I always shut it down rather than put it to sleep. But I have heard of others getting warm. The MBP uses its aluminum skin to cool itself, and that doesn't work well in a bag. So I don't think it's good to put it in a bag asleep although I am sure others will disagree with this.
Since it's new and under warranty, you can always take these issues up with Apple.
Good luck!

Macbook Pro 2009 doesn't turn on without battery

Hi. I have a mbp mid 15" mid 2009 2.66. In time the battery bacame very low like 4% health, and now is completely dead or broken. When i check the battery status leds it shows full and when I try to turn on the computer (of course with AC power) it tries to turn on for 1 sec then it dies, even with AC plug. i hear the fans trying to spin for 1 sec or less, i hear the hdd sound and i see the standby led like it is trying to power on normally but It seems like it's trying to use the battery to power on. (Even when the battery was good, it would't turn on if it was 0%.. i would have to wait 10-20min or whatever to charge it to aprox20% or whatever).
I can't buy a new battery right now so I tried to turn it on without battery (I am sure the battery is completely dead and if I put a new battery it will work for sure) but why it doesn't turn on without battery?? I don't believe it needs battery to run on AC power. It's a SMC thing. What can i do to use the SMC and run the computer wihout battery? Now I'm using it with SMC bypass (keep pushing power for 10 sec and plug the ac chord) but with SMC bybass the fans run at max speed, no keyboard backlight no sensors and all that uses smc its not working. Is it safe to use it that way? (it's not running slower, i don't have performance issues).
I tried PRAM reset SMC reset, removing battery with AC on.. nothing works. It won't turn on without battery. Only with smc bybass.
It is something i can do? or buying a new battery is the only solution?
Thanks.

You have a hardware problem. More than likely it is the cable that goes from the logic board to the display. It sounds like an internmitent short. Works sometimes not at other times.
The only way to fix a hardware problem is to replace the faulty piece of hardware and the only people that do that is either an Apple store or an Apple authorized repair center. That is unless you can diagnose the actual failed hardware part, find one from an Aftermarket Mac parts seller and replace the part yourself.

MacBook Pro suddenly doesn't turn on.

My MBP suddenly stopped working.
It was sleeping and when I decided to use it, it doesn't turn on at all.
The charger's LED indicator doesn't work either, or any of the lights in the computer.
I don't know if a SMC reset can help fix it? Help..?

gabyy1026 wrote:
I don't know if a SMC reset can help fix it? Help..?
The only way you will know if you do it! If it doesn't work, then post back.

My Macbook Pro Retina doesn't turn on but charger led works

I haven't used my mac for a month but it use to work perfectly fine. I tried to use it but it wouldn't turn on. When i plug the magsafe connecter the led goes orange. But when i press the power button it doesn't turn on. i tried smc reset using left shift, control and option (and power button) while charging and not charging but it doesn't work. Please help.

IF the battery was completely discharged, give it some time on the charger before trying to start up. The amber LED means it is charging, give it an hour or so before trying again.

Mid 2010 Macbook Pro will not stay off or asleep

Hi,
I have a mid 2010 MacBook Pro will not stay turned off when I tell it to shut down. It will shut down just fine, but a few seconds later it will boot up again. This also happens when I try to close the lid (or just put it to sleep), it will work fine, screen/Apple logo on the back will turn off and the status LED will slowly pulse. However a few seconds later, the LED stops pulsing and the Apple logo will illuminate. If I open the lid I will be greeted with the log in page with zero delay (i.e. its been displaying for a while).
This has become problematic because the computer always be running. If I put it in my laptop bag the computer will get hot as ****. The only way to get it to really turn off is to let the battery die or remove the battery. But this computer does not have the externally removable battery so that is not a trivial process.
The symptoms exist in both Mac OS (Mountain Lion and Maveriks) and Windows 8/8.1. This makes me believe its something in the hardware (or at least a setting in the hardware), not software (I know Apple doesn't care what Windows does, but it is exibiting identical behavior).
I have reset the NVRAM and the SMC with no luck. When I reset the SMC I didn't get a good indication that anything happened though, and was wondering if that is normal. Resetting the NVRAM results in another restart, while its hard to tell if you actually reset the SMC. I reset the SMC by turning the computer off, then holding the power button when it tries to restart (this usually gives me a few minutes where the computer will actually stay off), then pressing shift, control, option and power at the same time and releasing them at the same time. This is how the Apple documentation said to do it. They did not mention how long the must be held though so I presume that doesn't matter.
Anyone experience this/have any ideas?
Thanks,
Jim

Btmm error "can not coonnect to cloud server" Facetime and IMessage " Could not sign in, check your network connection and try again". Which I have again and again...

How to get paired Auvio wireless speakers to connect and play on 2008 Macbook Pro

How do I get wireless speakers to play after successfully paired in system preferences of 2008 macbook pro? When both turned on they will not connect.

You don't. The HDMI socket on your MacBook Pro is an output, not an input.
What content source are you wanting to view? Your MacBook Pro may be able to view it directly.

How to reset my mid 2008 macbook (not pro)

i have just upgraded to a macbook pro and have already migrated all my data and settings from my old macbook. i want to reset the macbook mid 2008 (not pro) to factory settings so i can give it to my son. i do not have any installation discs as each time i upgraded i did so via download.

The Aluminum Unibody is a Late 2008 not a Mid 2008. the Mid 2008s were the white or black plastic MacBooks.
You don’t want to update to the newest OS if you are going to give your MacBook. 10.6 Snow Leopard was the last OS to come on a DVD so it could be installed on any Mac. 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion and 10.9 Mavericks are only available as downloads. So if your son wants to reinstall 10.7 or 10.8 they need your Apple ID and password. It’s better to install 10.6 and let them update to the latest OS using their own Apple ID. Be sure to include the 10.6 disk when you give it to him.
The 10.6 Snow Leopard DVD is in the Apple online store. You can get it for $19.99. After you’ve installed that then use the 10.6.8 combo updater to finish it off. http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399 You will need to be running 10.6.8 to access the App Store to order Lion. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
System Requirements for 10.6:
Mac computer with an Intel processor
1GB of memory
5GB of available disk space
DVD drive for installation
Some features require a compatible internet service provider: fees may apply.
For 10.7 Lion you can get a redemption code to use in the App Store here. You can get it for $19.99. http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion
For 10.8 Mountain Lion you can get a redemption code to use in the App Store here. You can get it for $19.99.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6377Z/A/os-x-mountain-lio
10.9 Mavericks is available in the App Store for free.
You can upgrade direct from 10.6.8 to 10.8 Mountain Lion or 10.9 Mavericks without going through 10.7 Lion or10.8 Mountain Lion as long as you have the Late 2008 model 5,1 Aluminum Unibody through the Mid 2010 White Unibody model 7,1.

Screen blinking when turning on my Mid 2011 MacBook Pro after recent update.

Just did the recent software update and my Mid 2011 MacBook Pro 13" when turning on the screen blinks until the computer is rebooted/restarted. Have never had a problem before. Of course, my Apple Care just expired the end of June 2014. Is anyone else having a problem?

When you have the problem, note the exact time: hour, minute, second.
These instructions must be carried out as an administrator. If you have only one user account, you are the administrator.
Launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the icon grid.
The title of the Console window should be All Messages. If it isn't, select
          SYSTEM LOG QUERIES ▹ All Messages
from the log list on the left. If you don't see that list, select
          View ▹ Show Log List
from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Each message in the log begins with the date and time when it was entered. Scroll back to the time you noted above.
Select the messages entered from then until the end of the episode, or until they start to repeat, whichever comes first.
Copy the messages to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. Paste into a reply to this message by pressing command-V.
The log contains a vast amount of information, almost all of it useless for solving any particular problem. When posting a log extract, be selective. A few dozen lines are almost always more than enough.
Please don't indiscriminately dump thousands of lines from the log into this discussion.
Please don't post screenshots of log messages—post the text.
Some private information, such as your name, may appear in the log. Anonymize before posting.

HT1661 My mid-2009 MacBook Pro has just died via a painful (for me) hard drive failure. I backed up a good percentage of files recently but not enough to keep me happy. I need to access the dead drive on the MBP via a 2008 iMac. Best options?

My mid-2009 MacBook Pro has just died via a painful (for me) hard drive failure. I backed up a good percentage of files recently but not enough to keep me happy. I need to access the dead drive on the MBP via a 2008 iMac. Best options?
I have ordered a 800 firewire to 800 firewire cable and am hoping to use the target mode option to copy files from the MBP.
Is this possible?
Hope so!
Any advice and or help would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Neil

Thanks Ogelthorpe.
Just bought an enclosure to try that also.
Hoping the MBP isn't really dead but just feigning death
Fingers crossed.

Mid 2008 Macbook Pro 15" doesn't turn on

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for