MacBook Pro won't turn on, standby light solid

Question

Level 1

5 points

MacBook Pro won't turn on, standby light solid

I have a MacBook Pro 15" which I think is a 2007 model. Last night I left it on and just closed the lid to let it go to sleep, opened the lid this morning and the screen is black and the standby light is on solid, I can't get it to do anything. I even try pressing keys on the keyboard and nothing. I hold the power button to shut it down and then wait a few seconds then turn it back on, the DVD drive makes a noise like normal but thats it nothing on the screen and the standby light is solid. I put the disk that I got with the laptop in to see if I could boot from it and nothing but a stuck DVD in the drive. I tried hooking up an external that I can boot from and it does nothing also. In the past couple of weeks my screen had flashed to a grey color with only the mouse curser showing, I could move the mouse around but that was it. After a reboot both times the computer seemed fine. I'm at a lost, I hope my laptop has not bit the dust, any help would be appreciated. Thanks

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.1)

Posted on Dec 10, 2011 11:08 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Dec 10, 2011 11:14 AM in response to mrchgr

Hold the power button down until shutdown, turn the machine back on hold the option key, see if you get to the boot manager screen.

Reply

Answer 2

mrchgr Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 10, 2011 11:13 AM in response to Csound1

I have tried that and I get nothing, no screen flicker nothing.

Reply

Answer 3

Dec 10, 2011 11:13 AM in response to mrchgr

If csound's suggestion doesn't work, try an SMC reset:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Reply

Answer 4

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 10, 2011 11:30 AM in response to mrchgr

MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues

Reply

Answer 5

mrchgr Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 10, 2011 11:41 AM in response to Ralph Landry1

This did not work, just as soon as I turn on the laptop the standby light comes on and thats it.

Reply

Answer 6

mrchgr Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 10, 2011 11:43 AM in response to Linc Davis

I get not video what so ever, that I can tell the screen doesn't attempt to come on. Before this other that what I had mentioned before there were no issues with the video.

Reply

Answer 7

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Dec 10, 2011 11:59 AM in response to mrchgr

It's possible that you have the issue described in that article. Whether you do or not, you certainly have a hardware failure and you can't fix it yourself.

Reply

Answer 8

Dec 10, 2011 2:30 PM in response to mrchgr

Under the circumstances, might be best to take it to an Apple retail store genius bar and have the techs check it out and find out what has failed.

Reply

Answer 9

ChrizK

Level 1

8 points

Dec 14, 2011 9:57 AM in response to mrchgr

I have exactly the same problem with the same model, although I have had intermittent success getting it to boot. I have found that the battery does not appear to charge. Have tried SMC reset instructions for Intel based and removable battery but neither seems to have done anything ...other than currently resulting in me loosing the ability to boot once more. BTW if I press the button on the battery, I don't get any LEDs (which I assume are behind the 5 holes) to indicate battery health. Also, if I remove battery entirely and try to run off power, I still cannot boot (if the system is running normally, should I be able to boot without the battery?)

Can you update the post with anything you have found?

Reply

Answer 10

mrchgr Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 14, 2011 3:45 PM in response to ChrizK

Yeah I have tried all the stuff that people have recommended and I can't get mine to do anything. Mine does charge the battery when I plug it in. My next step is taking it to the Apple store to see if they can tell me what's wrong with it, I live like 2.5 hours from the nearest store.

Reply

Answer 11

ChrizK

Level 1

8 points

Dec 15, 2011 7:44 AM in response to mrchgr

Luckily (????) I have a store in my local town. I took it in today and they have just phoned me to say that they have confirmed the 'logic' aka system board needs replacing. Charged me £40 to give me that information as well ...and the board, another £400 ...and a new battery as well...

It looks like there are several of these on eBay with the same problem and plenty of 'chatter' on the web which tells me that there is a fault with the system. Of course, there is no telling Arrogant Apple that. It amazes me that people praise the company so much. Yea, great when they work but the company is really poor when things go wrong.

Reply

Answer 12

ChrizK

Level 1

8 points

Dec 21, 2011 2:10 AM in response to ChrizK

Update - picked up the Macbook from the store. They didn't charge me for the 'investigation' (and I mistyped, was quoted around £30), so I am a little happier.

My behaviour may be slightly different to mrchgr as it works perfectly if I get it to boot and leave the power plugged in.

I have used PCs for years and do not know too much about Macs.

My behaviour suggests a problem with power. I know the battery is dead but I believe MacBooks should be able to work without the battery, ie mains power.

Given my PC experience, this would suggest a problem with BIOS/CMOS. Do Macs have a cell battery on the system board to keep this powered?

I contacted an independent Service Engineer who said there was a 'backup' battery but did not elaborate. Could this be the problem we are all experiencing. It makes some sense that an internal battery has become inoperable on older MacBooks, ie 2007.

Does anybody know if such a battery exists and if it can be replaced? I haven't found anything on the internet related to the subject. Any advice gratefully received, as long as it is polite and practical :-)

Reply

Answer 13

mrchgr Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 21, 2011 2:23 AM in response to mrchgr

I have had my MacBook Pro apart putting in a bigger hard drive and I don't remember seeing a battery on the inside. As for my issue it has been fixed, I just need to pick it up. Their was an issue with the Nvidia graphics card on some 2007 models that Apple extended the warranty on and just by luck mine happened to be one of them, so mine got fixed for free under that warranty. Thanks for all that replied with suggestions.

Reply

Answer 14

ChrizK

Level 1

8 points

Dec 21, 2011 2:40 AM in response to mrchgr

I should have continued my internet searching ...

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Core-2-Duo-Models-A12 26-and-A1260-PRAM-Battery/671/1

I have also found a comment that states the battery is expected to last for 5 years.

Perhaps I am on to something! If so, I will really be annoyed that Apple want to charge £400 for a new board.

Reply