HT201295: Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac

Learn about Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac
Jamie M
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Late 2011 Macbook Pro refuses to boot. SMC reset doesn't work

Late 2011 Macbook Pro refuses to boot. SMC reset does nothing. Have tried bypassing SMC (nothing).

 

Magsafe light glows very very faintly (barely visible in a room with lights on).

 

Have tried reseating the battery connector. Battery indicator status button illuminates no LEDS (despite it being charged before failing).

 

The mac didn't get wet. Was using a non apple USB cable at the time to tether/charge iphone. Computer just dead after working fine.

 

Any ideas anyone. Logic board?

 

Many thanks and best wishes

Jamie

Posted on Jan 11, 2015 8:55 AM

by Jamie M,Solvedanswer
Jamie M Jamie M
Level 1 (0 points)
A:

Thanks for your help. Disconnecting the battery and leaving it disconnected for minutes rather than seconds did the trick. I was able to then reset the SMC and it's fine now. Ordered a new internal battery as the one in use is 3 years old now. Maybe that will help. Best wishes

Posted on Jan 13, 2015 3:23 AM

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Jamie M

Q: Late 2011 Macbook Pro refuses to boot. SMC reset doesn't work

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  • by Mike Sombrio,

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio Jan 11, 2015 9:22 AM in response to Jamie M
    Level 6 (17,201 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jan 11, 2015 9:22 AM in response to Jamie M

    Logic board? Probably but the only way to br dure is to take it in for service.

  • by spudnuty,Helpful

    spudnuty spudnuty Jan 11, 2015 11:22 PM in response to Jamie M
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 11, 2015 11:22 PM in response to Jamie M

    Is it a 15" or 17" MBP? There have been logic board issues with that model.

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro

    For all models.

    If it's a 13" take the bottom off and disconnect the battery:

    https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Late+2011+Battery+Repla cement/7649

    So only do this through step #3!

    Wait 10 seconds. Push the power button for 5 seconds. Wait 10 seconds. Reconnect the battery. Put the bottom back on don't screw it on just yet. Tape it temporarily in place and try to start it

    Even if it's a 15" or 17" try this anyway.  Usually when graphics on the logic board fails there will have been anomalies beforehand.

  • by Jamie M,Solvedanswer

    Jamie M Jamie M Jan 13, 2015 3:23 AM in response to spudnuty
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2015 3:23 AM in response to spudnuty

    Thanks for your help. Disconnecting the battery and leaving it disconnected for minutes rather than seconds did the trick. I was able to then reset the SMC and it's fine now. Ordered a new internal battery as the one in use is 3 years old now. Maybe that will help. Best wishes

  • by spudnuty,Helpful

    spudnuty spudnuty Jan 13, 2015 3:39 AM in response to Jamie M
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 13, 2015 3:39 AM in response to Jamie M

    So you tried that for seconds and it didn't work? But leaving it for minutes did?

    Did you push the power button with the battery disconnected? I always feel that would dump any remaining charges held in electrolytic capacitors in a matter of seconds. Just for my information.

    I do know that sometimes things will work after walking away with everything disconnected for an hour or so.

    Thanks for the check mark.

  • by Jamie M,

    Jamie M Jamie M Jan 13, 2015 7:33 AM in response to spudnuty
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2015 7:33 AM in response to spudnuty

    Yes, well I tried it a couple of times disconnecting for just a few seconds and no joy ... and so I was almost about to give up when I tried one more time and just walked off and left it ... and that seemed to work when I reconnected it. Thanks for your help and best wishes