Macbook won’t start, black screen, startup sound comes on but the power/sleep light goes off

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Level 1

15 points

Macbook won’t start, black screen, startup sound comes on but the power/sleep light goes off

I was starting my MacBook and the screen stays black and I could hear the start up sound but the indicator/sleep light goes off as soon as the start up sound comes on. It was working fine a few hours before that happened. When I close the screen lid down the power/sleep light comes on and stays solid. I tried to reset SMC and PRAM but it didn’t help. I also force power off by pressing the power button but still the same thing. Power light and sound comes on when turned on then off with in a second but I could hear the computer fan going both with the lid open or closed. Please hint me if you have any idea what it could be. Thank you

The laptop is mid 2012 non-ritena MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 27, 2017 1:54 PM

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Answer 1

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thoushaltnat Author

Level 1

15 points

Jan 11, 2018 4:13 PM in response to gerardoacm09

I took mine to an Apple shop and had it looked at. The Genius did a few tests then took it to the back of the store to test with an external monitor to check if it maybe a screen problem, came back to tell me nothing came on the screen so it could either be logic board or screen. To be certain which one, I had to book it in for repair .. (which I thought maybe cheaper to get a used one given the age of the laptop.) When I returned home I remembered I had a Wacom touch tablet I rarely use so I connected that to the computer to check screen again and ... it worked on the tablet with the laptop lead closed! (I have no idea why they said nothing came on when they checked in the Apple shop) .. It let me log in on my user name and worked as it did when the laptop was working so Im assuming it's either the screen to the display cable. I suggest you try yours with an external monitor as well if you have one available.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 27, 2017 2:48 PM in response to thoushaltnat

If you cannot power up using AC or battery then you have a hardware problem. It's nearly impossible to know what it is without running special diagnostics. Only Apple repairers have that. You can sometimes get a free diagnosis of your problem so you can decide whether to DIY. A 2012 MBP is not yet on the obsolete list so parts may be very hard to get.

If you turn any electrical machine on and it shuts right down that usually means a short circuit or component failure. It's not good news.

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Answer 3

Jan 10, 2018 6:22 PM in response to thoushaltnat

I'm currently fighting with the same issue, I called apple support and told me to restart holding command and the letter R (don't know if you already tried), this will bring the recovery mode. at this point you can perform a first aid on the hard drive and that may fix the issue ( suggested by apple).

at this screen also you can use a the time machine to start from an earlier version (which I didn't have), and also have the option to start from another disk, which is at the point that I am.

I'm trying to get the IOS into a removable drive and see if I can start the computer that way. Just trying to save the files before I can erase the PC completely.

Good luck and let me know if you find the solution before me.

Thank you

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Answer 4

thoushaltnat Author

Level 1

15 points

Feb 6, 2018 8:41 AM in response to gerardoacm09

Hi, there's a twist to my story. I left the laptop aside until I finally decided to sell it for a 'spare/repair' on eBay, but as i was charging it up, it turned on and the screen came on. The only thing was the cursor was stuck in the corner, and the touchpad wasn't responding. I remembered I had the keyboard changed not long ago and had also changed the battery myself as it was on 'replace soon' for very long and was starting to die and turn off all sudden. My assumption there was something not connection back properly was still there so I opened the laptop again to double check and found the tracepad connection under the battery wasn't done properly (the lock for the ribbon wasn't done either) from when the keyboard was changed and I think movement had slid it out more which is probably when the screen stopped working as for the laptop to work everything needs to be connected properly. Once I connected that back everything worked as normal! So I say if you had your laptop opened for an upgrade or any replacement, check all the connections are all back in properly or no ribbons are cut, as it may be a simple fix as that!

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Answer 5

thoushaltnat Author

Level 1

15 points

Dec 27, 2017 2:35 PM in response to Kappy

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately I’m not under warranty anymore and I won’t be able to afford to pay for repair. I was wondering if anyone has come across this similar problem and was able to fix somehow so I could try the same

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Answer 6

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Dec 27, 2017 2:01 PM in response to thoushaltnat

Make an appointment at the Apple Genius Bar for service. If you need to find an Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple.

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Answer 7

Feb 6, 2018 4:20 AM in response to thoushaltnat

Thank you and sorry to answer this late, I have a friend that have a Mac and he is working on getting me a new version of the IOS on an external memory, to try to start the computer using this disk.

I will purchase a monitor adapter to try your suggestion.

At the same time, every time that I try to restart with the command R and using the hard drive, the disk will unmount itself, then when you try to mount it, it will start the process, but then it will just stop and wont do anything.

Anyway just wanted to thank you.

DId you were able to fix yours after you found the issue?

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Answer 8

Feb 5, 2018 1:34 PM in response to thoushaltnat

Coincidentall, just was required to install new ios...naturally

command r doesn't do anything. I'm using my iPad for this

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