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Hi,

I have a similar problem to most of the people on this forum.

My MacBook Air is old. Really old. Late 2010 model bought in early 2011 (6 years).
When I tried to turn it on yesterday... nothing. No chime, no fan, no sound whatsoever. It looks dead.
I had a similar problem 5-or-so months ago. Brought my computer to Apple Store. They fixed it within 30 minutes.
Now that problem is back. I know my battery is dead basically (less than 2 hours autonomy). I have to buy a new computer.
However, there are a few (important) documents I hadn't backed up before it died. Is there any way I can revive my computer just for half an hour to retrieve my files without going to the Apple Store (getting an appointment where I live is close to mission impossible).

Thanks all!
 
Hi,

I have a similar problem to most of the people on this forum.

My MacBook Air is old. Really old. Late 2010 model bought in early 2011 (6 years).
When I tried to turn it on yesterday... nothing. No chime, no fan, no sound whatsoever. It looks dead.
I had a similar problem 5-or-so months ago. Brought my computer to Apple Store. They fixed it within 30 minutes.
Now that problem is back. I know my battery is dead basically (less than 2 hours autonomy). I have to buy a new computer.
However, there are a few (important) documents I hadn't backed up before it died. Is there any way I can revive my computer just for half an hour to retrieve my files without going to the Apple Store (getting an appointment where I live is close to mission impossible).

Thanks all!

Even with a dead battery, a Mac can usually run using the charger. Hope is not lost yet.

Start by leaving it connected to charger in a known-good outlet (be sure you see a LED lit when connected). Let it charge for at least several hours. Reset the SMC https://support.apple.com/HT201295 If that doesn't work, bring it for service. Chances are it can be started up and you'll have a chance to get your info off the HDD. Whether you keep using it after that is up to you.
 
Even with a dead battery, a Mac can usually run using the charger. Hope is not lost yet.

Start by leaving it connected to charger in a known-good outlet (be sure you see a LED lit when connected). Let it charge for at least several hours. Reset the SMC https://support.apple.com/HT201295 If that doesn't work, bring it for service. Chances are it can be started up and you'll have a chance to get your info off the HDD. Whether you keep using it after that is up to you.
Going to try the SMC reset. Hope it works. Thank you!
 
So I bit the bullet and bought and installed a brand new logic board. Guess what... exactly as I feared, nothing changed. EXACT same symptoms. I'm ready to trash this thing....
 
So I bit the bullet and bought and installed a brand new logic board. Guess what... exactly as I feared, nothing changed. EXACT same symptoms. I'm ready to trash this thing....

Errrr...have you tried a different charger at any point in the process? Maybe that's what was different at the Apple Store?

Per your experience at the store...as a 6-year former Genius, you got a crappy one. The SMC is indeed on the MLB. Also why didn't he quote you a depot repair fix? It would be 3-400 bucks flat rate to rebuild the computer basically.

You might actually have some sort of grounding/shorting issue with the top case, I have seen that before. Potentially a MagSafe board issue, but that is a simple part and if it lights up, it's usually fine.
 
I don't think it's the charger, as it does the same thing when running on battery power. I've tried switching out the MagSafe (I/O board), and same problems are present. Also same thing with the battery disconnected and running on the charger. Are there temperature sensors on it which might cause something like this? The fun is going crazy after it being running for about 5-10 seconds, and as I was describing before, if I press the power button it shuts off instanty. If I do it before the fan spools up, I get the restart window when I press it....
 
Just for anybody who may be experiencing the same issue, I got it resolved. I had buddy who's MBA was having keyboard/trackpad issues, and seeing as mine was already partially apart, we took the trackpad out of mine to determine if it was the keyboard or trackpad (it was the trackpad). I put my trackpad back into my own laptop, and wouldn't you know it, everything back to normal. I have no explanation as to why this would affect it, and whenever I try and ask others for their opinion I just get referred to the Apple store. But anyway, if anybody out there is having the same problem, it's worth a try. Thanks.
 
Sorry I should have posted this earlier. I got it resolved. I had buddy who's MBA was having keyboard/trackpad issues, and seeing as mine was already partially apart, we took the trackpad out of mine to determine if it was the keyboard or trackpad (it was the trackpad). I put my trackpad back into my own laptop, and wouldn't you know it, everything back to normal. I have no explanation as to why this would affect it, and whenever I try and ask others for their opinion I just get referred to the Apple store. But anyway, if anybody out there is having the same problem, it's worth a try. Thanks.
 
My girlfriends air just did the same thing! I have an appointment on monday but was curious if there has been any update to your situation?
I have a 2012 MacBook Air. 2 days ago the whole thing shut down. It said to service battery for a while so I actually put in a new battery and it still didn't start up. I looked at the SSD, took it out then put it back in but still nothing... would like to know if you have been successful.
 
iMacC2D that is an incredibly knowledgeable and relevant answer, and basically addresses and explains every issue I faced throughout this ordeal. It's a shame that I couldn't get an answer like that at the beginning rather than just being referred to the Genius Bar over and over again. And you're right, the folks at the Apple store don't really seem to understand how the devices actually work, which is disappointing. Thank you for the reply!
 
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