13" Macbook Pro Late 2011 is having a problem turning on properly.

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13" Macbook Pro Late 2011 is having a problem turning on properly.

Hello all,

I am concerned that this issue with my MBP will only get worse in time. It started yesterday and the problem continued today. When I go to power it up, it makes the chime noise, the gray screen appears with the Apple logo, and the loading circle as it always has. However, the log in screen will not appear. As the loading circle "loads" the screen will flicker in a way, nothing serious, but it's as if it's adjusting the brightness and the dimness on it's own, before it turns black. The computer will remain on, but the screen will be black. The keyboard works fine while it's like this, I can still adjust the brightness and dimness of the screen, making it entirely black/gray...the sound keys make their blip noises..I can adjust the backlight on the keyboard. It doesn't make any unusual noises at all. I will have to turn the computer off by holding down on the power button for a few seconds, and then power it back up the same way, the problem is this only works sometimes, where it will allow me to log in and use my computer. All of my software is up to date, not sure so much about firmware but don't want to mess around with something I'm unfamiliar with. I'm going crazy over this, especially because I purchased the MBP new less than a year ago (March of 2012). It is my first Apple computer as I was persuaded by many friends that they were so reliable. Any ideas on what this could be? Also, the battery is charged and doesn't have problems charging.

Thanks for any suggestions.

😟

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Dec 8, 2012 9:30 PM

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Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

141,356 points

Dec 16, 2012 5:51 PM in response to jsscakcss

Since it is less than a year old call AppleCare: 800-SOS-APPL (in the US).

Have your Mac's serial number ready: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1349

After you wait on hold for a very long time they ask you some frustratingly basic questions like is it charged and did you spill water on it etc., they will talk you through some basic troubleshooting such as an SMC reset. In the end they will offer to schedule an appointment at a Genius Bar where they will fix whatever is wrong. It won't cost you anything (unless you spilled water on it etc).

You can do all this yourself:

SMC reset:

Resetting the SMC on portables with a battery you should not remove on your own

Shut down the computer.
Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if its not already connected.
On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time.
Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
Press the power button to turn on the computer.

Genius Bar Reservations:

http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

You can test the hardware yourself also, if it reports something wrong tell them what it is.

Using Apple Hardware Test:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

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