MacBook Pro won't switch on after SMC reset

[tejaykay]

All

I have a beloved late 2008 15" MacBook Pro - the first unibody Mac. It is gorgeous.

It has been a very reliable computer for me, and I have only upgraded the HDD to a Hybrid Momentus XT a few years back for some extra oomph. However, over Christmas last year the machine no longer booted up. I found the trick was to constantly reset the SMC until I finally got the start up chime - it took about 3 hours of constant resets!

Since then I have had to have the MBP permanently living on the MagSafe adapted as when this is removed for an extended period of time the battery drains and the above issue prevails. This happened once earlier in the year but I was patient enough to resolve through another marathon SMC reset session.

Now I write to you from my iPad staring at the brick which is my late 2008 MBP. It simply won't switch on. Based on the experience above, does anyone have any advice or other tricks? I don't think I have the patience anymore to see if the SMC reset will fix it (I've already been doing it got the past few hours).

Best
Tim

 

[CoastalOR]

All
I have a beloved late 2008 15" MacBook Pro - the first unibody Mac. It is gorgeous.
It has been a very reliable computer for me, and I have only upgraded the HDD to a Hybrid Momentus XT a few years back for some extra oomph. However, over Christmas last year the machine no longer booted up. I found the trick was to constantly reset the SMC until I finally got the start up chime - it took about 3 hours of constant resets!
Since then I have had to have the MBP permanently living on the MagSafe adapted as when this is removed for an extended period of time the battery drains and the above issue prevails. This happened once earlier in the year but I was patient enough to resolve through another marathon SMC reset session.
Now I write to you from my iPad staring at the brick which is my late 2008 MBP. It simply won't switch on. Based on the experience above, does anyone have any advice or other tricks? I don't think I have the patience anymore to see if the SMC reset will fix it (I've already been doing it got the past few hours).
Best Tim

Could you explain how you are doing the SMC reset? I believe the process varies depending on having a removable battery or not. Does your 2008 have a easily removable battery? It seems to me that something else is going on.

I have bolded some items from your post that I would like more information. What are the symptoms of no longer booted up & won't switch on (push the power button and nothing happens?, get a start up chime but does not complete start up?, anything displayed on the screen? etc...). The other issue, MagSafe adaptor as when this is removed for an extended period of time the battery drains, approximately how long is extended period of time?

 

[tejaykay]

Could you explain how you are doing the SMC reset? I believe the process varies depending on having a removable battery or not. Does your 2008 have a easily removable battery? It seems to me that something else is going on.

I have bolded some items from your post that I would like more information. What are the symptoms of no longer booted up & won't switch on (push the power button and nothing happens?, get a start up chime but does not complete start up?, anything displayed on the screen? etc...). The other issue, MagSafe adaptor as when this is removed for an extended period of time the battery drains, approximately how long is extended period of time?

Hi CoastalOR

I'll attempt to answer your questions below.

There is simply no response when pressing the power button. No fan sounds, no chime, no display change. It is like pressing a button on a brick. The LED lights on the side exterior casing showing the battery status do work though!

The MBP has a removable battery. I am resetting the SMC by unplugging the external power, removing the battery, holding down the power button for 5 seconds, replacing the battery, replacing power cable, and then attempting to switch on. No response. (But this has worked in the past).

The battery drains whilst the laptop is switched off in bout 48hrs. I know I need a new battery, but the power LED indicators on the side show that there is juice.

Does this help? Thanks again.
Tim

 

[CoastalOR]

You definitely have the correct process for SMC reset and know about the battery.

I'm sorry, but it seems like a hardware problem. It would cost to have a certified Apple Tech diagnose and whatever the parts would cost. It probably is not cost effective to repair.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Have you ever replaced the battery?

If not, might be worth a try -- but no promises that this will solve the problem.

The reality may be, that even though your 8-year-old MacBook is "beloved", it's nearing time to consider replacing it with something new....

 

[tejaykay]

Thanks both for your answers. I think I will try and buy a new battery as I would like to get it back in working order and pass it on to my father in law.

I have also tried to future proof things. Given the prevalence of iOS devices I spend most of my time on my iPad Air 2. I upgraded my wife's 2010 MBP with a 1TB Hybrid HDD and 8GB ram. This was going to be our shared machine for when we had to use a laptop.

Unfortunately the new shared laptop is crippling slow for me to use on my user account. A lot of my Apple life feels broken at the mo (accept for my new 6S!).

Thanks again