2007 Macbook won't boot

[weekend warrior]

Personally, I am surprised my advice worked! If it fails then you know it is a keyboard issue within the top case. As Intell mentioned, a keyboard is a USB device to OS X and so you should be able to verify if it shows in System Profiler.

The combo updater didn't help.

Here's a screenshot of the profiler. The keyboard/mouse shows, anything you can see from this that would indicate why the keyboard won't work?

 

[Altemose]

Do you have a bootable CD anywhere? If so slide it in the CD drive then hold OPT at startup. Try to use the arrow keys and if it works in moving in EFI, then you have a software problem.

 

[weekend warrior]

Do you have a bootable CD anywhere? If so slide it in the CD drive then hold OPT at startup. Try to use the arrow keys and if it works in moving in EFI, then you have a software problem.

What do you mean by bootable CD? I don't have any OSX disks.

 

[Altemose]

Scratch that idea. Try holding CMD OPT P R at boot to reset the PRAM if it chimes a second time you have a software issue. I am trying to narrow down what is wrong whether software or hardware.

 

[weekend warrior]

Scratch that idea. Try holding CMD OPT P R at boot to reset the PRAM if it chimes a second time you have a software issue. I am trying to narrow down what is wrong whether software or hardware.

Should I try this with the external keyboard?

 

[Altemose]

On the internal. I am trying to decipher if the internal keyboard is dead. If it is the entire top case assembly must be replaced. If you hear the chime a second time the keyboard works and you have some whacky software problems.

 

[DeltaMac]

Unless I am totally wrong - OP says that the original top case keyboard does not work, and a junk replacement top case DOES have a working keyboard, as far as it goes….
So, top case needs to be replaced, and keyboard appears to work from an external keyboard.
You CAN test the "bad" keyboard by bringing up the keyboard viewer, from the International pref pane/Input Menu tab. Check the box next to Keyboard Viewer.
And, you'll see a flag menu appear in the top menu bar. Click that, and select the Keyboard Viewer. You'll see a keyboard appear on-screen. Press various keys on your real (internal) keyboard, and watch for any response on the on-screen version. I suspect you will see that at least a few keys do work, but maybe not. Even so, you would still need a working top case to get it to all function again.

 

[Altemose]

I have had wonky white MacBooks, and tedious troubleshooting led me to corrupted keyboard maps. That is very unlikely since the trashed top case did indeed work however. I am glad I was able to help the OP get it started and now we are trying to get the keyboard to work. I do believe that the keyboard is shot though.

 

[weekend warrior]

Unless I am totally wrong - OP says that the original top case keyboard does not work, and a junk replacement top case DOES have a working keyboard, as far as it goes….
So, top case needs to be replaced, and keyboard appears to work from an external keyboard.
You CAN test the "bad" keyboard by bringing up the keyboard viewer, from the International pref pane/Input Menu tab. Check the box next to Keyboard Viewer.
And, you'll see a flag menu appear in the top menu bar. Click that, and select the Keyboard Viewer. You'll see a keyboard appear on-screen. Press various keys on your real (internal) keyboard, and watch for any response on the on-screen version. I suspect you will see that at least a few keys do work, but maybe not. Even so, you would still need a working top case to get it to all function again.

Did this and none of the button presses showed up on the on-screen keyboard.

On the internal. I am trying to decipher if the internal keyboard is dead. If it is the entire top case assembly must be replaced. If you hear the chime a second time the keyboard works and you have some whacky software problems.

Was about to try this but it appears the power button no longer wants to start it up, so I'm going to call it a night for now.

I'm really thankful for your guy's help so far, just getting it booted up again was awesome. Now if we could just figure out if it's a hardware or software issue. Or else I might be able to Frankenstein the two half-functioning top cases into 1 fully working top case.

 

[Altemose]

I do not believe you are going to be able to frankenstein it as I believe it is one cable to the Logic Board. If these issues plague with the denial to reboot with the other top case attached then it may be the Logic Board. However if they don't, then just buy a new top case from eBay. It shouldn't be too expensive to get a nice used top case.

 

[weekend warrior]

Update:

The Franken-topcase actually worked. I separated the plastic keyboard part from the touch pad/underside of the bad top case, swapped the keyboard part with the working keyboard from the mangled top case, and now I have a owrking touchpad and keyboard.

However, the top case was clearly not meant to be separated, and in doing so I don't really have any way to fully put it back together, so looks pretty terrible and is pretty spongy.

I'm also having an issue with the fan, which is coming on full bore and I have no idea how to turn it off.

 

[Altemose]

To be honest with you, I would just break down and get a new top case assembly. It isn't going to be very expensive, and you already got a smoking deal on this MacBook. So if I got this right, you removed the keyboard from the top case with the broken trackpad. However, the machine does tend to refuse to start with that power button. Like Intell said, they are just regular switches, however they do die out after years of use which may be causing your starting issues. What complicates this further is the fan issue now. While you were in the MacBook did you see a lot of dust around the Logic Board fan? If so spray that out with some compressed air. Also try zapping the PRAM and resetting the SMC.

 

[weekend warrior]

To be honest with you, I would just break down and get a new top case assembly. It isn't going to be very expensive, and you already got a smoking deal on this MacBook. So if I got this right, you removed the keyboard from the top case with the broken trackpad. However, the machine does tend to refuse to start with that power button. Like Intell said, they are just regular switches, however they do die out after years of use which may be causing your starting issues. What complicates this further is the fan issue now. While you were in the MacBook did you see a lot of dust around the Logic Board fan? If so spray that out with some compressed air. Also try zapping the PRAM and resetting the SMC.

The fan issue seems to have resolved itself, I also remembered that I have SMC Fancontrol installed so I shouldn't have any more issues with that. When I had everything apart I did take a moment to vacuum/blow out the innards.

The starting issues were only happening with the top case with the bad keyboard, with the new Fanken-case I haven't had any issues.

You're completely right about getting a new top case, I scouted Amazon and they're only about $60, and if I had any real need for this computer I wouldn't hesitate to get. But as it is, because it's only a second computer (or third even) and because I'm shipping off to basic in a little over a month, I'm don't think I'm going to worry about it right now. For now I'm going to try gluing the two halves together, see how sturdy/clean I can get it, but if that turns out badly then a new top case will be bought.

Thanks again for your help, I wouldn't have got it working again without you.

 

[Altemose]

I am not sure what you think about eBay, but there are some top case assemblies going for $20.00 and up depending on condition. I would try disabling SMC Fan Control and letting the Mac determine. That will help diagnose if there is a problem.

 

[weekend warrior]

Final Update:

I was able to put everything back together today, and I'm quite happy with the results. I used JB Weld epoxy to glue the 2 halves together and now the top case looks good and sits flush with the rest of the Macbook frame.

First I glued the bottom section to the keyboard and let it sit over-night.

Then I glued the top section on.

Put back together now you can hardly tell I had it ripped all apart at one point.

Except I appear to have put the power button on upside down. Oh well!

 

[Altemose]

For $20.00 I would be accepting a 1/2 black 1/2 white MacBook! Fantastic deal and the DIY top case really brings it together as a symbol of a great bargain. Good luck!