AGMacBook

Original problem

Our friend AG has a MacBook, ~2007, that didn't turn on. Battery didn't charge. Screen was black.

Stage 2 symptoms

After I removed the memory.

• Screen only flashes for a millisecond at power on, then stays black.
• Caps lock, num lock keys don't light.
• No power to ethernet port.
• Nothing on external video port.
• Not responding to lid closing. Sleep indicator not coming on, HD still spinning.
• Will force-shutdown, but turns on again immediately. Can force-shutdown by holding power key.

Stage 3 symptoms

• Automatically turns back on on shutdown. This is only recurring symptom after jamming in the RAM.

Current status

After I replaced the extra memory, noticing how hard it was to jam them in all the way. Maybe the memory wasn't seated well before?

• Startup chime.
• Goes to login panel.
• Caps key works.
• A bit slow while Finder and Safari (automatically) launch.
• 'C' during startup starts from DVD.
• Disk utility reports file system has no problems.
• Powers on and off properly.

Steps to recovery

Read Apple article on no-power-on macs

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1365

Reset PRAM

not helping, since power button doesn't work.

Attach external keyboard, press power

Not working.

Resetting SMC by detaching battery, detaching power, pressing power button for 5 s

Nothing.

Removing extra memory

Yay! Well, something, since now the power button is responsive, but not the rest of the keyboard. Caps lock isn't working, FireWire Target Mode isn't. PRAM reset is now working, but not helping.

Starting with Leopard install DVD

Disk taken in, spun, but not much action. At least none on the screen

Attach an external monitor

No response.

Try caps lock key

No light on key.

Attach external keyboard again, see if key combos like PRAM zap or Target Disk Mode work.

Put memory back in

This fixed most everything, except if you read on you'll see the power management is still iffy.

Change power settings

To fix the automatic turn-back-on, I told the SMC, using the System Preferences Energy Saver pane, to turn on automatically on Wednesday at 7AM, then shut down at 7:15AM. This put things straight, it seems, because now it shuts down and stays down until I ask it to turn on. Of course I went back and turned off the Wednesday cycle; and it still is working properly. Case of bad PRAM state, apparently. Whoops, spoke too soon, turning back on automatically. More resetting due?

Resetting SMC by detaching battery, detaching power, pressing power button for 5 s

Not helping. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Resetting PRAM again

I know it works because the startup chime goes full blast again now. Shut down...OK, it's been off for a minute, but who knows when it'll feel like getting up, going to the kitchen, and getting a snack? 3:42 AM?

Next steps

Apple Hardware Test

Computer reports last test on April 6, 2008, passed. We need the install disks for this particular model. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2644

Jiggle cords

Requires going further into innards.

Replace PRAM battery

This is a toughie, it's under everything: http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-MacBook-Core-Duo-PRAM-Battery/297/1