Early 2008 MacBook Pro - no chime, no video, sleep light solid

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Level 1

8 points

Early 2008 MacBook Pro - no chime, no video, sleep light solid

Have here an Early 2008 MacBook Pro, 15", 2.5GHz. It's in good physical shape... shows no signs of spillage, being dropped or mishandled, etc. I know virtually nothing of its history.

The machine will charge the battery. When I attempt to turn it on, I hear the fans and drives do their thing - but I get no video (internal or external, not even the backlight) and no chimes or tones. The sleep indicator light turns on and stays on, solid white.

Tried the SMC reset proceedure outlined here (remove battery, hold power key 5secs, reinstall battery and try again) - no effect.

My gut reaction is bad logic board, but wanted to check here before giving up on it. Anything I might be missing?

Posted on Jan 31, 2013 3:22 PM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Jan 31, 2013 3:33 PM in response to kthelen

Go to an Apple store genius bar and have the technicians test the machine. The diagnosis will be free. Any repairs will not. At least you will be in a position to make an informed decision as to what to do.

Ciao.

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Answer 2

kthelen Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 31, 2013 3:38 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I might have to do that - but it won't be anytime soon, as there's no Apple Store in my area. Hoping to find other things I can check before then.

Forgot to mention above that I've already tested the RAM and found it to be fine.

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Jan 31, 2013 3:41 PM in response to kthelen

You might try running the Apple Hardware test:

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

You may have to start it with ALT - D.

Ciao.

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Answer 4

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Jan 31, 2013 3:46 PM in response to kthelen

It is this problem.

MacBook Pro: NVidia Failure

And has caused the Logic board to fail.

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Answer 5

kthelen Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 31, 2013 3:52 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I've worked extensively with the older PPC (and, dare I go back so far, 68K) machines, just not up on all the common issues and techniques for the Intel-based Macs. This seems hardware-y to me, just want to make sure I'm not missing something relatively simple.

Pressing D (or any other key/s) doesn't have any effect, as the machine isn't making it that far into the boot process.

EDIT: the message above was posted as I was typing.

I was afraid it could be that... heard it to be a common thing, but never seen one do it in person. Too bad the warranty extension just ended a month ago, else I would have had more motivation to make the trek to the Genius Bar.

My strong suspicion that it's a logic board issue, and that I've got myself a fancy aluminum paperweight, is getting stronger.

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