You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

RockyRoad Author

Level 1

114 points

New 85W Magsafe not working with 2008 C2D Macbook Pro but works with i7

I have a mid 2008 (previous style) 15" Macbook Pro that works fine with all three of my old style 85W magsafe adaptors.

My new 15" i7 Macbook Pro works with all of these old Magsafes and works fine with its new-style Magsafe that came with it.

But the older Macbook won't charge on the new style Magsafe - the light does not come on and the battery drains.

I just can't work out why this would be. Does anyone have any tips?

Macbook Pro 15" (2.4Ghz/4GB RAM), Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Jun 3, 2010 4:44 AM

44 replies

MayBeDay

Level 1

26 points

Oct 8, 2010 1:26 AM in response to santitf

I had my Logicboard replaced this summer (latest version) and it still didn't work. I even bought a new battery, after only 200 loading cycles, and again - no change.

Now Apple has released a *new Firmware-Update for SMC* v 1.4. and now *everything simply works* just fine.

Thank you apple for the awesome support!!

Check per software-update or by link http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3499.

Oct 10, 2010 8:16 AM in response to RockyRoad

Posting to register the same problem as described by others. I have a 2008 MBP (you know, the one with the flaky wireless !) for which the original PSU worked fine whatever: simply unplug, go to the office, replug and carry on charging. Old PSU kaputt on Friday, but luckily i have an Apple Store close by so panic over... or so i thought !

Thought new PSU had gone the way of the old one, but thank goodness i checked here, and found the workaround. Workaround works fine - i'm now charging - but i'm wondering what else will go wrong and what the fix for that will be... rub the cat's fur with a piece of amber and mutter the correct incantation ? With this and the wireless trouble, i'm really kinda disillusioned with Apple products, particularly as we seem to raise these issues and generally get fobbed off most of the time.

Hmm... that little Dell Netbook's starting to look more and more attractive...

Oct 11, 2010 7:11 PM in response to RockyRoad

I everyone. New update from Apple has corrected the problem other had with the new L shape Magshape adapter. I have the pre-unibody Macbook Pro and the problem affected this type of model. Update has been installed for 1 day and the new L shape Magsafe adapter work fine... at last!

Jan 6, 2011 10:24 AM in response to RockyRoad

I had the same problem with a 2008 Macbook Pro and new L-style adapter. This issue is now solved by Apple with the MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.4 that can be found at http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1311.

Feb 28, 2011 4:42 PM in response to genomescientist

I just bought a new adapter with an L-type tip, and found it didn't charge without the entire battery removal procedure.

I've tried to download and apply the update, but the installer says it doesn't need to update. Any fixes other than to pull the battery every time I re-seat the plug?

OSX 10.6.6, pre-2008 MBP

Mar 1, 2011 10:27 PM in response to JGM.requel

Same as above. New L-tip 85W Magsafe not working. SMC Firmware package tells me I don't need the update and won't proceed.

bw0001

Level 1

0 points

Mar 6, 2011 9:35 PM in response to RockyRoad

I am also still having this problem. My machine is a MacBookPro1,1 with the most current firmware, 1.2f10 (as listed on this page: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1237). I cannot run the SMC 1.4 updater, as it is not supported for my machine.

I had to purchase a new L-type adapter after my T-style adapter frayed and came apart while traveling abroad. I am still traveling right now, and though I had brought two batteries with me I cannot charge either of them. I can only run the computer with no battery inserted–an incredible pain. If I have the machine running and insert a battery, the charge immediately ceases to work.

It is also impossible for me to find a T-style adapter to purchase in this country (Vietnam). So I'm in a bind.

I am a lifelong Apple customer (since 1990, first machine was an LCI) and this is the most disappointed I have ever been with the company. This problem should be fixed immediately–it is gross oversight to obsolesce a product (T-style adapter) that works perfectly, and then release a new product (L-style adapter) that doesn't work. I'm starting to feel like a PC user here.

Apple, I'm begging you, fix this IMMEDIATELY! It seems that you have only fixed the problem for SOME MacBook Pro users, but those of us with the MacBookPro1,1 models are still tethered to the power outlet.

Mar 16, 2011 2:47 AM in response to bw0001

I have the same problem with my MacBookPro1,2 (Mid 2007).
I have the most current firmware:
Boot ROM Version: MBP12.0061.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.5f10

And I am also not able to install the SMC 1.4 updater.

I discovered that if I put my computer to sleep and then plug the charger, I can wake it up and it will still charge the battery while using the computer.
If I unplug, and then plug the L-style adapter while using my computer, it stops charging, so the led turns off. I assume is not a charger issue as I bought a new one today.

PLEASE, fix this issue!

Mar 16, 2011 9:21 AM in response to David G. U.

So without needing to remove the battery, if you put the computer to sleep, then plug in an l-type connector, it'll recognize it and begin to charge?

I'll test it at home later, but that is more reasonable (but not enough) than having to remove the battery every time.

Mar 16, 2011 11:19 AM in response to JGM.requel

Exactly.

In my case, it also works this way: to leave the charger plugged in, and just sleep the computer and wake it up right away (without disconnecting, and then connecting the L-plug again)

Apr 13, 2011 8:24 AM in response to Missychelle

I may have a simpler solution for you all.
I just got my MBP yesterday and I noticed that If I put the cord in one way (there are 2 ways), my MBP wouldn't charge, but it still acknowledged that it was plugged in and no indicator light appeared on the magsafe adapter.
This is when I plugged in the magsafe adapter so that it didn't cover up the ethernet port on my MBP.

When I plugged the magsafe adapter in such that it blocked the ethernet port, the indicator light came on and my MBP began charging. In other words it worked fine when I plugged the cord in this way.

And for what it's worth when I used my old charger from my Black Macbook, it worked 100% of the time.

May 7, 2011 8:01 PM in response to RockyRoad

i just bought a new cord for my macbook and was ****** i still cant charge my computer. well im almost positive i figured it out. if you look at your old cord where it connects together, close one eye and line up both long sides of the connector(you will be looking straight across it) you can just barely see the leads. where if you do the same with the new cord you cant see them at all...it may appear to be the same just looking at it quick but if you really look hard its probably just enough to not make a connection.

Nov 17, 2011 10:31 AM in response to rickfrommartinsburg

i got my adaptor to work... it STILL should be able to be unplugged and plugged at will, but in the meantime, if I put my laptop into sleep mpde, either by pushing the power button or closing the lid until the indicator light starts to pulse, the charger light will come on and it will start charging.... I no longer have to completely turn of my laptop.... so far so good

Feb 26, 2012 12:31 PM in response to RockyRoad

All,

I had the same problem with the 85 watt adapter with my 2008 MBP. Then I bought a new 13" MBP for my wife. The new 60 watt adapter that came with the computer works perfectly, but slower, with my 2008 MBP. It charges a little slower than the original, but perfectly fine.

For reference, I have a non-apple, 60 watt battery with which, I replaced the original battery (60 watt). My MBP is the 2.5GHz, A1260 model that was discontinued in October 2008.

Good luck.

New 85W Magsafe not working with 2008 C2D Macbook Pro but works with i7