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Have a 2008 Macbook that has begun going from the launch chime directly into sleep mode. On occasion, with a lot of trying different key combinations during start, it will launch.. Acts like it wants to get warmed up to make the connection. Can I fix it?

Have a 2008 Macbook that has begun going from the launch chime directly into sleep mode. On occasion, with a lot of trying different key combinations during start, it will launch.. Acts like it wants to get warmed up to make the connection. Can I fix it?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jun 5, 2014 3:38 PM

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Posted on Jun 5, 2014 4:38 PM

Perhaps. Try an SMC reset. It is justified for unexpected power and sleep actions, and is the first thing an Apple Store would do if you brought it to them for diagnosis.



Power or other problems related to unexpected system sleep, shutdown, lights or fans call for anSMC reset. Read all the steps.

Before Resetting the SMC


Try each of the following steps in this order before you reset the SMC. Test the issue after completing each troubleshooting step to determine if the issue still occurs.


  1. Press Command + Option + Escape to force quit any application that is not responding.
  2. Put your Mac to sleep by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Sleep. Wake the computer after it has gone to sleep.
  3. Restart your Mac by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Restart.
  4. Shut down your Mac by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Shut Down.



Resetting the SMC on Mac portables with a battery you can remove

  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Disconnect the MagSafe power adapter from the computer, if it's connected.
  3. Remove the battery (to remove the battery - click here: MacBook or MacBook Pro).
  4. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
  5. Release the power button.
  6. Reconnect the battery and MagSafe power adapter.
  7. Press the power button to turn on the computer.


Still having problems? Replace steps 6 and 7 with the following:

  1. Reconnect just the MagSafe power adapter.
  2. Press the power button to turn on the computer,
  3. Then reconnect the battery.


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


  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if it's not already connected.
  3. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time. The power adapter indicator light will cycle off / on once.
  4. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
  5. Press the power button to turn on the computer.


Resetting the SMC for Mac Pro, Intel-based iMac, Intel-based Mac mini, or Intel-based Xserve


  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
  3. Wait fifteen seconds.
  4. Attach the computer's power cord.
  5. Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.


3 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Jun 5, 2014 4:38 PM in response to Doc57

Perhaps. Try an SMC reset. It is justified for unexpected power and sleep actions, and is the first thing an Apple Store would do if you brought it to them for diagnosis.



Power or other problems related to unexpected system sleep, shutdown, lights or fans call for anSMC reset. Read all the steps.

Before Resetting the SMC


Try each of the following steps in this order before you reset the SMC. Test the issue after completing each troubleshooting step to determine if the issue still occurs.


  1. Press Command + Option + Escape to force quit any application that is not responding.
  2. Put your Mac to sleep by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Sleep. Wake the computer after it has gone to sleep.
  3. Restart your Mac by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Restart.
  4. Shut down your Mac by choosing the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar and then choosing Shut Down.



Resetting the SMC on Mac portables with a battery you can remove

  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Disconnect the MagSafe power adapter from the computer, if it's connected.
  3. Remove the battery (to remove the battery - click here: MacBook or MacBook Pro).
  4. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
  5. Release the power button.
  6. Reconnect the battery and MagSafe power adapter.
  7. Press the power button to turn on the computer.


Still having problems? Replace steps 6 and 7 with the following:

  1. Reconnect just the MagSafe power adapter.
  2. Press the power button to turn on the computer,
  3. Then reconnect the battery.


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


  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Plug in the MagSafe power adapter to a power source, connecting it to the Mac if it's not already connected.
  3. On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift-Control-Option keys and the power button at the same time. The power adapter indicator light will cycle off / on once.
  4. Release all the keys and the power button at the same time.
  5. Press the power button to turn on the computer.


Resetting the SMC for Mac Pro, Intel-based iMac, Intel-based Mac mini, or Intel-based Xserve


  1. Shut down the computer.
  2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
  3. Wait fifteen seconds.
  4. Attach the computer's power cord.
  5. Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.


Jun 6, 2014 8:16 PM in response to John Galt

Hi and thanks for your suggestion, did try to reset the SMC... several times, all the various means but none worked.. the startup chime did get louder and there was once, on the first resetting when the screen picture appeared though behind a sheer curtain for a brief period. On the startups, the chime rings, but it never gets to the Apple. Also did a PRAM reset. Any other ideas?

Jun 6, 2014 8:33 PM in response to Doc57

Can you start the Mac in Safe Mode?


  • Safe Mode or "Safe Boot" is a troubleshooting mode that bypasses all third party system extensions and loads only required system components. Read about it: Starting up in Safe Mode
  • You must disable FileVault before you can start your Mac in Safe Mode.
  • Starting your Mac in Safe Mode will take longer than usual, graphics will not render smoothly, audio is disabled on some Macs, and some programs (iTunes for example) may not work at all.
  • Merely starting your Mac in Safe Mode is not intended to resolve the problem, it's to observe its performance without certain additional components.
  • To end Safe Mode restart your Mac normally. Shutdown will take longer as well.

Have a 2008 Macbook that has begun going from the launch chime directly into sleep mode. On occasion, with a lot of trying different key combinations during start, it will launch.. Acts like it wants to get warmed up to make the connection. Can I fix it?

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