MacBook Pro WON'T TURN ON - please help!

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MacBook Pro WON'T TURN ON - please help!

Hi all,

My 15" MacBook Pro has decided it doesn't feel like going to work this week. The battery is brand new (about 2 months old, so I know that isn't an issue), and regardless, I have the laptop plugged in to a power source. What happens is the computer makes the boot-up sound, the white-ish/gray boot screen with the apple icon and circular gray progress ticker appears, and then NADA. The computer stays frozen at this stage for DAYS with the progress wheel spinning and spinning. The computer was working just fine and then this happened.

Tried:
- force power off via battery removal
- start up plugged in to wall outlet vs. not
- reset the pRAM

About to try: throwing out window into snow.

Please advise! I physically cannot get to an Apple store because of weather conditions and need to be working pronto.

Many thanks.

15" MacBook Pro, circa 2007, upgraded OSX

Posted on Jan 12, 2011 5:09 PM

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Answer 1

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

Jan 12, 2011 6:47 PM in response to JTubridy

Welcome to the Apple discussions.

First, reset the SMC: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 . If that doesn't fix it, continue ...

Find your original OS X disks that shipped with the system, insert the first one, and reboot holding the C key down. That tells the system to boot from the DVD. On the menu bar, choose utilities and Disk Utility, and use Disk Utility to repair your internal hard drive. Does that give you any messages like 'failure on exit' or does it fix some things (or not) and exit normally? If it says it fixed some things and exits normally, take out the DVD and reboot normally.

If that doesn't work, can you do a safe boot? Reboot holding the shift key down. If that works, reboot again normally. A safe boot does some disk repair when it comes up, so it might fix something.

If it's still no go, insert the first OS X disk again, and reboot holding the alt/option key down, and choose the Apple hardware test. When prompted, choose the extended test. Does that point out any hardware issues?

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Answer 2

JTubridy Author

Level 1

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Jan 13, 2011 6:31 AM in response to BGreg

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, resetting the SMC didn't accomplish anything.

I cannot reboot the system with the original OS X Disk because there is actually a DVD in my drive right now that will not eject because the computer does not turn on enough (for the sake of argument) to eject the disk. I can't actually get the computer to turn on at all other than freezing on the gray start-up screen.

Do you have any suggestions on how to force eject a disk if the computer won't turn on?

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Answer 3

eww

Level 9

53,028 points

Jan 13, 2011 1:11 PM in response to JTubridy

Turn the computer on while pressing the trackpad button. Hold the trackpad button down until the drive ejects the disc. This should work even if the computer fails to start up afterward.

If that doesn't do the trick, try this:

Turn on the computer. Immediately after the startup sound, press and hold Command Option+OF. Release the four keys when you see a white screen that says "Welcome to Open Firmware." At the prompt, type *eject cd* and press Return. The drive should eject your disc, and "ok" will appear when the action is complete.
Type mac-boot and press Return to restart the computer normally.

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Answer 4

Hogpoor

Level 1

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Jan 13, 2011 5:23 PM in response to eww

My wife is having the same problem. The other night she was working on a project, saved it went to bed woke up the next morning went to turn on her MacBook Pro and no deal. We've tried everything you mentioned above and have had no luck. To my knowledge there is no where I can take this in Alaska. Any suggestions?

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Answer 5

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

Jan 13, 2011 5:57 PM in response to Hogpoor

Hogpoor,

There are Apple repair centers in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Use this link to find something closest to you: http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/

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Answer 6

Jan 13, 2011 6:55 PM in response to JTubridy

Mine is doing the same or not doing anything it's dead. I took it to the mac store and found that the power supply in side the computer is dead. no problem with the cords or battery. It just stopped charging and now it's dead. UGH!!

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Answer 7

Hogpoor

Level 1

0 points

Jan 13, 2011 8:43 PM in response to BGreg

Okay we got it to turn on in safe mode and now the little rainbow wheel just spins. It will let me select programs but not internet to check updates and I can't get to the apple int the upper left corner.

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Answer 8

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

Jan 14, 2011 4:32 AM in response to Hogpoor

Hogpoor,

You should start your own thread on your problem, so people can focus on your solution. It can get confusing when trying to help multiple people with multiple problems in the same thread.

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Answer 9

JTubridy Author

Level 1

0 points

Jan 15, 2011 9:27 AM in response to eww

Ok, Problem is still the same. Now I have tried the following to get the computer to turn on:

- Reset the P Ram
- Reset the SMC
- Tried to force eject the disk that is in the disk drive by the suggested option of holding down the trackpad button while booting the computer
- Tried to get the firmware to open by booting holding Cmd Opt+OF --> nothing

So, computer still will not turn on. It is frozen still on the boot screen that is gray with the apple in the middle and the spinning progress wheel. I cannot eject the disk that is trapped in the hard drive in order to try and boot from the original OS X disk.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? The computer will turn off completely, it just wont turn on past the gray screen.

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Answer 10

BGreg

Level 6

17,552 points

Jan 15, 2011 10:02 AM in response to JTubridy

Have you tried the safe start (holding the shift key down when rebooting)?

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Answer 11

AjieGFX

Level 1

0 points

Jun 15, 2011 8:18 PM in response to JTubridy

reinstalling the OS should work.

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Answer 12

Zxen

Level 1

8 points

Sep 18, 2011 6:27 AM in response to JTubridy

I just logged in and the software did not return me to this page. How Primitive. It's Sunday for me, the launch day for my new international business. My Skype meeting was to be held on my Macbook Pro. The Apple staff have all decided that this day isn't very important for them, so they're at the beach. My Macbook did not turn on all day, even with the SXX reset or whatever you call it. Ctrl Alt Shift Power. I heard a little click each time I did this, to no avail. In desperation, I turned the 'laptop' (that's what the REAL world calls them) over and saw weird screws for a rare type of screwdriver. I pressed down slightly on the metal casing and heard a few of the clicks like with the SMC reset. I wondered if that would make a difference.

I turned my computer over, opened it up, pressed the power button and it worked immediately. THE INTERIOR OF THE 2011 MACBOOK PRO MAY BE SHODDILY ASSEMBLED. My battery life is 4.5 hrs max at 50% brightness in safe mode with no 'programs' (not f***ing 'Apps') running. When I browse the internet at 50% brightness in normal mode, the battery lasts 90 mins, although I have never pressed the metal casing on the back of this laptop gently to reassemble the inner workings of this machine before, so it could last for 100 hours. Nope, I'm down to 87% after ten minutes. It's back to normal.

Summary: To fix your Mac, hit it with a hammer. Hopefully it'll break so you can go back to Windows and actually see how many Firefox windows you have open and right click on things to bring up the menu instead of aiming your mouse for every tiny thing onto pinheads like a frekkin surgeon.

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