Macbook Pro (early-2008) won't turn on...

My early-2008 Macbook Pro won't turn on - when the power button is depressed the white front led goes on briefly and the discs sound like they're about to spin up, then the machine goes dead (within about half a second).

Has anyone else here experienced similar issues? If so, what was the diagnoses?

Am not sure if its related, but have been having a few problems with the machine the last 12+ months - sometimes when in OS X the machine would "lock-up" and not respond to mouse of keyboard input - would have to hold power button down to restart, which would usually resolve the problem - this problem has been occurring more frequently recently. Also sometimes the keyboard would appear to get stuck (not physically i.e. no stuck key) and the machine would repeatedly repeat the last entered keystrokes or else it would "miss" key strokes. I did have these issues investigated last year by an authorised Apple service centre whilst the machine was still covered by extended Apple Care (which it isn't anymore...), but no fault was found with the keyboard.

Also - 3 days ago I upgraded the machines RAM, but respected ESD guidelines (grounded wrist strap etc.), and this did seem to be working fine and OS X was reporting and using the added memory correctly. Also, I've tried swapping back in the old memory, but the computer still won't turn on.

BTW I have tried resetting SMC and PRAM following
Apple's instructions:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.7/en/mh26871.html

This has made no difference, though.

When I discussed the fault with one of the IT guys at work he thought it may possibly related to the known NVIDIA graphics chip issue with this model of Macbook Pro:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

In which case may be covered out of warranty by Apple (NB: machine is less than 4 years old, was bought in April 2008). If the logic boards needs replacing and its not covered by this, though, I suspect would cost more to repair than to buy a new machine :-(

BTW my MBP has also been saying "Service Battery" recently, though it seemed to have been holding a charge well enough (and still indicates that its "full" when you press the button on it), so I don't think the not turning on thing is likely to be anything to do with that, but though it might be worth mentioning.

AnonMac50 said:

The only thing I can think of is the nVidia problem. Try this thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/515067/

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. Also, thinking about it, the last few weeks I have been playing a 3D game (Dragon Age Origins), which has probably put the GPU under more stress than usual (though nothing it shouldn't be able to handle, if not faulty), so it's possible this may have accelerated the GPU failure.

Okay, have just had the test report back from a qualified Apple Service Engineer, it doesn't look good:

"I have investigated your machine and found that the problem lies within
the main system logic board and in particular the memory slots. When the
ram modules are removed the machine stays powered on and emits the usual
beeps.

I have tried known good memory but this gives the same shutting off
scenario.

The cost of a replacement system board will be uneconomical but I can
get you a price if you like?"

Click to expand...

I guess if I could get a logic board I *could* try repairing it myself, though that doesn't look easy and the part alone is likely to be quite expensive.

oxfordguy said:

Okay, have just had the test report back from a qualified Apple Service Engineer, it doesn't look good:

I guess if I could get a logic board I *could* try repairing it myself, though that doesn't look easy and the part alone is likely to be quite expensive.

Click to expand...

UPDATE: I've been quoted just under £500 (about $790) to repair this - would include a new or Apple-refurbished logic board and labour charges for fitting (and VAT i.e. UK sales tax). This is actually quite reasonable compared to some other quotes I've seen. Am not sure whether to go ahead with the repair or not - see this thread.

666sheep said:

I second this.

OP, with all due respect to your trusted Apple Tech, I think that logic board failure is related to 8600, not the RAM slots.

Click to expand...

But in that case, why does the machine exhibit "the normal beeps" on start-up when no RAM is installed, but refuses to turn on when known working RAM is installed?

666sheep said:

Cheapest way to fix 8600 failure will be graphics chip reballing. See if any of non-authorized laptop services in you area is offering such thing. Cost should be much lower than £500.

Click to expand...

What does "reballing" mean - is the graphics chip replaceable?

oxfordguy said:

But in that case, why does the machine exhibit "the normal beeps" on start-up when no RAM is installed, but refuses to turn on when known working RAM is installed?

What does "reballing" mean - is the graphics chip replaceable?

Click to expand...

Okay, I think I've found out what "reballing" is and how this can fix graphics chip problems (I watched some Youtube videos about this), sounds great if that *is* the problem (but if it *is* the Nvidia GPU failing then Apple ought to be repairing this for free themselves anyway if the machine is less than 4 years old, which it is, see: )

I'm still not convinced the Nvidia chip is the problem, though - I wasn't experiencing any problems with my display prior to the machine not being able to turn on, but most people with Nvidia problems seem to experience this.

Still, it could be worth getting a second opinion and having someone else look at it...

----------

Apparently typical NVIDIA problems would be indicated by:

• No display
• 3 Beeps - 1 long and 2 short, screen remains black
• Vertical and horizontal stripes appear on the screen
• Screen is divided into multiple parts
• White/Grey screen, sometimes with lines & Overheating

I wasn't getting any of these symptons, the laptop simply doesn't turn on with RAM installed:

As I said, when the power button is depressed the white front led goes on briefly and the discs sound like they're about to spin up, then the machine goes dead (within about half a second).

If the memory modules are removed, the machine starts up, but (perhaps unsurprisingly) makes three long beeps - i.e. "no good RAM banks", has a black screen and gets no further.

666sheep said:

From what you said above, I think that POST (Power On Self Test) is failing after RAM check. RAM is checked just after CPU check. If it would be fried slots, you should get beeps with RAM installed as well.

In those MBs sometimes northbridge is failing too. Symptoms are similar too yours. Here in Poland fixing it is equivalent of about £150.

Apple Service Providers has testing procedure to check if computer is covered by exchange program. To pass it, laptop must start, but no video. If it doesn't start - they often refuse to exchange logic board for free (at least here in Poland).

I can't tell 100% sure is it GPU and northbridge or only northbridge (or only GPU) but I'm 99,9% sure it's not the RAM/slots issue.

You can try to contact those guys: http://www.e14tech.com/services.html It looks that they have needed equipment and knowledge to diagnose and fix such problems.
...or try what this MR member has suggested

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info., may try these guys, though may try to visit an Apple "Genuis Bar" in an Apple Store first - the nearest Apple Store to me is Reading (I'm in Oxford, UK), though will have to get a train or bus to get their, as don't own a car.

What is interesting is that no one on these forums (not just this thread) seems to think the problem with my Macbook Pro is the one the certified Apple Engineer diagnosed! I just hope I can get it fixed for less than the £500 quoted...

666sheep said:

From what you said above, I think that POST (Power On Self Test) is failing after RAM check. RAM is checked just after CPU check. If it would be fried slots, you should get beeps with RAM installed as well.

In those MBs sometimes northbridge is failing too. Symptoms are similar too yours. Here in Poland fixing it is equivalent of about £150.

Apple Service Providers has testing procedure to check if computer is covered by exchange program. To pass it, laptop must start, but no video. If it doesn't start - they often refuse to exchange logic board for free (at least here in Poland).

I can't tell 100% sure is it GPU and northbridge or only northbridge (or only GPU) but I'm 99,9% sure it's not the RAM/slots issue.

You can try to contact those guys: http://www.e14tech.com/services.html It looks that they have needed equipment and knowledge to diagnose and fix such problems.
...or try what this MR member has suggested

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info., may try these guys, though may try to visit an Apple "Genuis Bar" in an Apple Store first - the nearest Apple Store to me is Reading (I'm in Oxford, UK), though will have to get a train or bus to get their, as don't own a car.

What is interesting is that no one on these forums (not just this thread) seems to think the problem with my Macbook Pro is the one the certified Apple Engineer diagnosed! I just hope I can get it fixed for less than the £500 quoted...

neenja said:

any updates op?

Click to expand...

Am booked in for an Apple Store Genius Bar appointment in London this Sunday. If they won't sort it out will investigate reballing the GPU and maybe the Nortbridge chip.

If that don't work, hello speed-bumped 2011 MBP (and empty wallet...)

Oxonian3 said:

Yeh had this same problem.Got home tried to boot it and it won't turn on.Thought it was RAM but it's more serious.The logic board,which these models are notoriously known for,failed.Had to get a new laptop as you see in my signature.

Click to expand...

But you still have your 2008 MBP as well? Are you going to try to get it fixed?

Go Apple!

Took my dead MBP to the Genius Bar at the Apple Store in Covent Garden (London) today, explained and demonstrated the problem. They said they can't tell if it's the NVIDIA issue or not if it doesn't turn on, but it might be, so they said they will replace the logic board free of charge! I didn't have to push them to do this, very impressed by the customer service!

neenja said:

any update? when are you expecting to get it back?

Click to expand...

Its still with the Apple Store, when I took it in on sunday they said the repair would take between 3-5 days and they would call me when it was ready. Hope its ready to collect by Saturday morning, as that's the only time I'll be able to collect it this weekend.