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Level 1

4 points

Macbook Pro Will Not Turn On Following Self-Repairs!

Hi Everyone.

I have a Mid-2009 Macbook Pro 13" and a few of my keys stopped working (took it to Apple and was told I needed to replace the entire Top Case (about $200)). I also have a problematic trackpad (doesn't click) and need a new battery. Being a desperately broke student, I can't really afford to make major repairs through Apple and can't buy a new laptop. Anyways, I met a girl at the Apple store who told me her laptop crashed (also a Mid-2009 model) but the battery, trackpad and keyboard were functioning perfectly. So, I ended up buying the entire laptop off her for $50 (but she took the hard-drive).

These are the steps I took:
1) I put my hard-drive into the newly purchased Macbook Pro, it turned on but did not boot (went through many steps and arrived at the conclusion based on others with similar problems that it was a logic board problem).

2) I removed the logic board from the new Macbook Pro and replaced it with the logic board from my macbook pro. I followed every instruction carefully according to iFixIt self-repair guide...

3) I try turning on the new Macbook Pro but the power button simply does not respond when I try to turn it on....

Any ideas????

Posted on Mar 3, 2015 2:56 PM

19 replies

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Mar 5, 2015 11:35 AM in response to sohaibm.99

"Logic Board from Original MBP in New MBP does not boot up, only a white screen is showing."

Here's a standard SOP that an Apple Tech would do. Disconnect everything from the logic board that would be non essential, optical, speakers etc.

Leave only the power, battery, display connector and keyboard.

Same symptom?

Disconnect the keyboard and use the power pad to start up.

Startup normal? Bad keyboard.

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,660 points

Mar 5, 2015 11:45 AM in response to sohaibm.99

I also have to ask what OS's & disks you are trying?

You may need to rule out the possibility that the HD is the issue too. I know it did boot in your MBP, but since then it has been used in the other Mac & failed to boot - forced shutdowns can occasionally cause disk corruption etc.

I'd make a USB bootable installer as a test system. There are links to help that I posted earlier. If possible setup a clean install on another disk or partition. Make a disk image so you can restore to a known working system quickly & easily.

sohaibm.99 Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 5, 2015 11:54 AM in response to sohaibm.99

Thank you SO MUCH everyone for your help. I solved the issue thanks to your advice

I took out the hard-drive and plugged in a USB and turned on the MBP and found a Flashing Question Mark. I did a google search and found that it may be the actual hard drive connector that may be damaged. After switching connectors between the laptops, the new MBP started up beautifully. I am sooo happy to say that everything is working!!!

AND It's my Birthday today! Feels great to not have to spend money gifting myself a new laptop hahah !!

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Mar 5, 2015 1:34 PM in response to sohaibm.99

So these SATA connectors seem to be a failure point and something that you'd always look at when something like this happens.

Also I've found that the keyboards in these machines are also prone to failure. I swapped a used top case into my machine here (Early 2011 13" MBP) in December 2014 and it failed in the beginning of Feb 2015. So I installed a brand new keyboard in it. That was a pain, over 80 tiny screws hold it in place but it's working fine and I have since done 2 others.

Oh and Happy Birthday 😎 . A great present to have a working MBP!

Macbook Pro Will Not Turn On Following Self-Repairs!