Help! Macbook won't power on... possible keyboard/cable problem

Discussion in 'MacBook' started by theLemur, Jul 6, 2009.

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  1. theLemur, Jul 6, 2009

    theLemur macrumors regular

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    Jan 6, 2008
    #1
    I was installing a new dvd player since my first one died a month out of warranty. I had the top cover/keyboard out, with the cable still connected. All of a sudden the keyboard stopped responding, and now I can't power on the laptop.

    Is it easy to damage the ribbon cable that connects the keyboard? I was somewhat rough with it, but im worried that I will order the whole assembly and it still won't work, any ideas? I cracked the cover while doing the install, so i do need one anyway.

    Is there any way to power it on without a keyboard? Are they crazy expensive at the mac store? Can they hook one up and test it or do i have to leave it there? I have too much important data to let someone have access to my hard drive.


    This is incredibly urgent since i cant get to my work data, and im self employed. I had to borrow a 10 yr old computer to get internet access :(
     
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  2. reMacs, Aug 6, 2009

    reMacs macrumors newbie

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    Aug 6, 2009
    #2
    Logic Board Issue

    Did you ever get your keyboard going? The reason I ask is because, according to iFixit' Macbook trouble shooting page, when the metal battery seal (the L-shaped thing that protects the RAM and holds in the hard disc) is missing during testing the laptop, sometimes it messes with the ability for the logic board to access the USB ports, as well as the trackpad and keyboard.

    I've got a Macbook (late 2006) that's having some issues with keyboard. It works with a USB mouse, just none of the keys work. iFixit believes that a Logic board may be in order. I was wondering if it you had to buy a keyboard, or if it was something more significant?
     
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  3. theLemur, Aug 7, 2009

    theLemur thread starter macrumors regular

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    Actually, I did get it working. It turned out to be the ribbon cable that connects the keyboard to the motherboard. I got a new one on ebay for $30 shipped. Apple wanted $200+ for parts and labor, and refused to sell me just the part.
     
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  4. rjp06uec, Mar 31, 2010

    rjp06uec macrumors newbie

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    Oct 29, 2007
    #4
    Got the same problem with MacBook Keypad

    I got the same problem with the Ribbon wire. Actually, I cleaned the Keypad very roughly and later found out that neither keypad and trackpad are working nor the POWER BUTTON. Because the warranty was over, so I decided to open it myself. Now is the interesting part. After much diagnosis, what I foundout was the defective Ribbon wire (it was really an exaustive task to find out the defective wires out of the 8 wires individually.) So, I did the soldering across the bend where the ribbon wire cables got cuts (again, It was hell of a task, I SOLDERED 16 JOINTS.) It worked for some time, but because the soldering I did might have got some errors (the soldering should have been done very precisely.) sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't(because some solderings must be getting some short circuits.) So all in all, Its a temporary fix. I am also in need of the same Ribbon wire. Please, inform me any of you about any availability of the ribbon wire. Its importamnt because the total assembly of the keypad costs very much.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    One more thing. when it comes to starting the MacBook with defective Keypad, what u can do is that use a normal conducting wire and bend the conductor in U shape. Now use this wire to try to short the two wires I have shown in the fig. Although its risky (but not that risky,) it will surely turn your Mac on. Its like shorting exactly those two pins which get short when you press Power button. Atleast it worked for me while my keypad was not working and then I could turn my Mac on. :)

    [​IMG]

    That's all... Thanks...
    Rishi
    But please do inform me about the availabilty of the ribbon wire.

     
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  5. fords4life, Jun 21, 2012

    fords4life macrumors newbie

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    #5

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  6. theLemur, Jun 22, 2012

    theLemur thread starter macrumors regular

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    #6
    I'm not familiar with those components. Your auction says its for a macbook air, I was working on a macbook, and it turned out to be a damaged keyboard to motherboard cable.
     
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