Macbook pro will not boot from internal drive?

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Level 1

23 points

Macbook pro will not boot from internal drive?

I recently took my mid 2009 macbook pro apart to clean some coffee spillage. The computer worked fine even days after the incident, but the keys were beggining to get sticky, so I decided to clean it. After re-assembling the computer, I discovered it would not boot from the internal drive, but it would boot from the same drive connected externally (via usb).

However I can get it to boot using the internal drive, after removing most of the screws attaching the bottom lid to the unibody. Once tightened back up it will not boot from the internal. I have already tried multiple bootable drives, with the same conclusion.

I'm guessing the screws are sorting the drive out. Has anyone else had this problem.

Thanks

MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2009), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Mar 24, 2013 8:42 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 24, 2013 8:45 PM in response to dmak170

You don't have it correctly reassembled.

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Answer 2

dmak170 Author

Level 1

23 points

Mar 24, 2013 8:55 PM in response to Kappy

Then why would it boot from the internal with the screws to the bottom lid removed?

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 24, 2013 9:00 PM in response to dmak170

Because the bottom is putting pressure on something that is causing it to malfunction. The more significant question is why did it work before you took it apart while now it doesn't. You spilled coffee on it. Perhaps something has failed or been damaged. I don't have an answer, but I've asked the right question.

Having spilled coffee in the machine is a possible death warrant if it has gotten onto the motherboard or in other parts of the computer. Especially since you took so long before deciding to clean it. You should have rushed it to your local Apple shop immediately after the spill.

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Answer 4

dmak170 Author

Level 1

23 points

Mar 24, 2013 9:17 PM in response to Kappy

I realize I should have cleaned it right away, but I didn't. As for my "local" apple store, probably 8 hours away.

I wanted to find out if anyone else had a similar problem, as you say the bottom lid is probably putting pressure on a component causing it to fail. I know it could be anything, but I was only curious if someone possibly knew of something to look for or to change.

Thanks for your help.

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Answer 5

esben72

Level 1

35 points

Mar 24, 2013 9:24 PM in response to Kappy

coffee would not HAVE to do anything except mechanically. It would not have any effect now since it has dried out, well short of corroding some components.

Check the points where the HDD casing "meets" the Macbook casing. How much pressure is there?

What about the pressure pins "pogo pins" are they all functioning?

What about pressure on the cables?

Please describe how it wont boot? What exactly does it do / happens

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Answer 6

dmak170 Author

Level 1

23 points

Mar 24, 2013 10:14 PM in response to esben72

I will check the areas you described.

As for booting, I get the apple logo and chime, then the apple disapears being replaced by a spinning loading circle, (not the rainbow wheel) Sometimes it freezes, other times it spins endlessly no matter how much time has passed.

Thanks for your help.

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Answer 7

esben72

Level 1

35 points

Mar 24, 2013 11:51 PM in response to dmak170

Try booting lid on, in Verbose mode. Hold down CMD V

Then watch as it lists on the s Rene what is happening. Then take note (I take pictures) of what is the last thing it does, where it crashes or stops.

Could it be coffee in the SATA cable, that is sort of on one side of the connector so that when lid is on that side is the only one pressing and making copper contact. Looooong shot this one

Check the ifixit.com repair manual to see all the wires and where they are located so you know where to look inside for pressure points

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