What to do when SMC reset doesn't work?

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What to do when SMC reset doesn't work?

I have a macbook 2009 13.3 inch model that is dead. At first it started to turn off by itself while there was sufficient battery life and sometimes while even plugged in. I would simply turn it back on again and it worked fine.

Then one night I shutdown and the next morning it would not turn back on. The charge indicator on the battery itself lights up 3 LED's so I know it has a charge.

The magsafe adapter is blinking orange and green now but it has been acting funny for a while now as far as to which color it lands and stays on. I understand I may need a new charger but since the battery currently has a charge this isn't a concern of mine this instant. It should still turn on without the magsafe plugged in.

I looked up a few articles on power resets to the SMC, the alt command option power, hold for 5 seconds thing, the remove the battery and hold such and such buttons, hold shift option p and r and etc. None of them worked, feel free to suggest another one to me, I will give it a shot but it looks like it is not working so what do I do now?

What could the problem be?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 22, 2012 12:15 PM

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Answer 1

rwsmart1

Level 1

4 points

Jun 6, 2017 7:02 PM in response to Rene2D2

This is the one for batteries that are discharged and the SMC reset just will not work. This enables the battery to get enough charge to do the reset and move on with restoring your mac. thank you R2D2!

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Answer 2

Brayday

Level 1

4 points

Nov 18, 2017 11:43 AM in response to buzzanthony

Thank you so much for this; I spent so many hours trying to figure out what was wrong with my MacBook Pro. SMC reset didn't work. Apple Support didn't give me any help. Finally I found this method which worked perfect. Thanks! 🙂

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Answer 3

Feb 22, 2012 3:01 PM in response to Rene2D2

If you have done the SMC reset correctly as described in this article and you are still having this problem, you need to get this machine to an Apple store or service provider to get them to take a look at it. They should be able to fix it up for you.

Best of luck.

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Answer 4

Rene2D2 Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 22, 2012 4:30 PM in response to laundry bleach

Yup that's the exact article I read. Thanks for citing it. Reset doesn't work so I'm guessing something got friend, luckily I was going to replace the logic board anyway due to a damaged output I just hope that whatever may be fried is on the logic board as well so that both problems can be solved at once.

I guess I can ask the techs at apple to look at it and tell me what it is and how much it costs to repair, no charges are made unless I agree to it, right? Or do they charge to take a look?

Thanks for trying,

Rene

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Answer 5

Feb 22, 2012 7:06 PM in response to Rene2D2

They'll give you an estimate without charge, generally. Make an appointment before you go to the store or you may spend a long time waiting.

You are welcome, and thanks for the courtesy of awarding the "helpful" star. It's not required but it is certainly appreciated.

Best of luck.

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Answer 6

Feb 11, 2014 7:11 PM in response to Rene2D2

Yes try the below steps and it may start to work for you, as it did for me with my MacBook Pro.

My suitation: Battery seems dead - Green light on magsafe adapter and SMC steps did not work.

You would require a another working mac for the below to work.

So Macbook Pro is still not starting up.

Again you would need a working another Macbook pro or Macbook[Just to make your magsafe adapter to start charging as normal]

1. Connect your magsafe adapter to the working Macbook pro or Macbook and let it start to charge. Once it starts to charge the light on the magsafe adapter will switch to orange(amber) colour. then proceed to next step

2. Keep Pressing the power button on your macbook pro which is not working and switch the magsafe adapter from the working Macbook pro to the your macbook pro, which is not working. Make sure not to release the power button for 2 mins atleast (so what its doing is somehow its surpassing and charging the dead battery)

3. Once 2 mins is passed , do the SMC test now by keep pressing the Power button and press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys for 10 sec then release it all buttons.

4. Press the power button , it should turn on.

5. Once your at your desktop incase you see the x mark on the battery[means faulty battery] . Then proceed to next step , otherwise all is good.

6. Shutdown the Macbook and then do the normal SMC test again.ie

Power button and press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys for 10 sec then release it all buttons.

7. Press power button and it should show percentage or charging at the desktop.

Just for my safety

Tring steps on your own risk, I am in no way responsible for any damage you may occur. 🙂

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