Virtualsetworks

Q: Won't power on with battery attached

My Macbook Air has worked fine for a few months. I took it on a trip with me and when I returned home it sat in it's bag for 2 weeks before I went to power it up.

When I went to power it up nothing happened.

Attached power cable and it shows a blinking green light.

When I hit power button the blinking green light turns off until I release the power button.

After trying a few sites for things to do when your Macbook Air won't turn on I disconnected the battery, held down the power button, reattached battery, reconnected power supply. Same problem.

Finally I disconnected the battery.

The system comes up, but, it is very very slow.

Nothing I've tried has rectified the slowness (I can actually live without a battery, I use this mainly for development).

Nothing I've tried can get the system to come up with the battery attached.

Nothing has changed in the system since it's last known use that would account for this (that I know of).

Any tips would be great.

Thanks,

Eric

MacBook Air

Posted on Oct 2, 2015 11:05 AM

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Q: Won't power on with battery attached

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  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Oct 2, 2015 11:07 AM in response to Virtualsetworks
    Level 9 (55,990 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2015 11:07 AM in response to Virtualsetworks

    Get it serviced.

  • by Pmintz25,

    Pmintz25 Pmintz25 Oct 2, 2015 11:17 AM in response to Virtualsetworks
    Level 4 (1,693 points)
    Oct 2, 2015 11:17 AM in response to Virtualsetworks

    Are you saying you have taken the battery out of the back of the computer? Because that is probably not the best thing to do. That being said, the computer will always run slow without the battery because it shuts off everything that isn't essential to the computer so it doesn't die while plugged in. Try running your car without a battery by plugging it into the wall.

     

    Check out this site first:

    Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters - Apple Support

     

    Then try an SMC reset with the battery in the computer, and the power adapter connected:

    Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

     

    Try another power adapter if you have one, or know someone who has one. I think a trip to the Apple Store is the best resolution for this. They have everything they need to test your computer and the adapter. If you have AppleCare or are within the 1 year warranty, they will fix it for free. Could be the battery is not charging but it sounds like the adapter is damaged. Could be strain relief from yanking the cable out of the wall, or it could just be old. An Apple Store trip is going to be the best way to solve this concern IMO

  • by Virtualsetworks,

    Virtualsetworks Virtualsetworks Oct 2, 2015 11:25 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 2, 2015 11:25 AM in response to KiltedTim

    That's not really me. I'm more of a fix things myself kind of person.

    I left the battery in place, I just unplugged it.

    My other laptops run fine when plugged in to wall power, even without a battery. Why would the MBA throttle speed if it has full power?

    I've been through the Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters, I didn't see anything in there about diagnosing what the blinking green light means.

    I've done the SMC reset with no change.

    I don't have another power adapter, I don't have AppleCare, it's not within the 1 year timeframe, I don't have an Apple Store within a hundred miles of me.

    I'm not seeing any good explanation on the blinking green charger light, or it going out when I turn on the power.

    I would think that would be indicative of something.

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Oct 2, 2015 11:19 AM in response to Virtualsetworks
    Level 9 (55,990 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2015 11:19 AM in response to Virtualsetworks

    Then maybe you should look at http://ifixit.com

  • by Pmintz25,

    Pmintz25 Pmintz25 Oct 2, 2015 11:23 AM in response to Virtualsetworks
    Level 4 (1,693 points)
    Oct 2, 2015 11:23 AM in response to Virtualsetworks

    That's fine but if your adapter is broken there is no way you are going to be able to fix it. Also, there are known issues from time to time that Apple is aware of. If this is a known issue, there is a chance they will repair it for free regardless of your warranty eligibility. If all you need to do is get a new adapter, it will save a lot of time and headache that can come from unnecessarily disassembling your computer. Just a thought.

     

    Walk through this support article, that's what they're there for:

     

    Apple Portables: Troubleshooting MagSafe adapters - Apple Support

  • by Virtualsetworks,

    Virtualsetworks Virtualsetworks Oct 2, 2015 11:30 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 2, 2015 11:30 AM in response to KiltedTim

    I'm not sure what the problem is.

    If it was the battery it should run fine with it not attached.

    Could be the power adapter but would the unit run at all if it was broken?

    I'm trying to fine down the problem using some deduction so I can apply a solution.

    Feedback from people regarding the problem I'm experiencing is what I'm looking for.

  • by Pmintz25,

    Pmintz25 Pmintz25 Oct 2, 2015 11:39 AM in response to Virtualsetworks
    Level 4 (1,693 points)
    Oct 2, 2015 11:39 AM in response to Virtualsetworks

    Well if your battery is completely dead, it won't run without the adapter. And since it works when plugged in, the adapter is giving some power to the computer. As I mentioned earlier, it's normal for it to run slow with no battery, especially if the adapter isn't completely working.

     

    My thought is while the adapter is giving power to the computer, it is not charging your battery. It is not that far fetched to say the adapter may be partially working. If you know anyone else with a power adapter, try their adapter and see if it charges the battery.