Apple macbook 13 inch aluminum late 2008 User Manual

							MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 31 2010-06-15
Won’t Start Up
Unlikely cause:  display assembly, speakers, fan, camera, microphone 
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Power but No start up
• No startup chime, some video 
activity, Apple logo, startup 
spin dial
• Startup chime with possible 
beep tones.
• Fan, hard drive spin or optical 
drive reset sound 
• Sleep LED is on , blinking or 
went out
• Caps Lock LED toggles when 
pressed
1. Reset SMC.
2.  Verify startup process passes initial memory 
checks – no beep errors or flashing sleep LED 
indicators. Display activity is starting up. 
3. Clear PRAM. Verify starts up from user drive.
4.  Connect known-good external bootable device 
and press Alt key during startup then select 
external startup device to bring up system for 
diagnostics.
5. Verify presence and status of user hard drive. Use 
Disk Utility to repair drive and file permissions.
6.  Start up in Safe Mode by pressing power button 
and holding down Shift key when you hear 
startup tone.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Reset SMC and Clear PRAM to 
set default startup device to 
internal hard disk drive (HDD).
YesUser hard drive bootable, 
issue resolved default 
settings.
NoCustomer system not starting 
up, go to step 2
2.  Is system indicating a memory 
error with repeated sleep LED 
1 or 3 flash sequence and beep 
tones if sound is enabled?
YesTroubleshoot memory issues, 
go to step 3
NoContinue with startup 
sequence verification go to 
step 4   
						

							MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 32 2010-06-15
3. Reseat customer memory 
and/or swap in known-
good memory to isolate bad 
memory and replace defective 
parts.    
YesCustomer memory defective 
and replaced. Continue to 
verify startup process.  Go to 
step 4
X02
NoShould known-good memory 
fail in one or more slots, 
replace logic board.
M07
4.  Hold the Alt (Option) key 
during startup and verify there 
is a bootable hard drive shown 
in Startup Manager.  Choose 
customer hard drive.  Does 
start up from this drive work?
YesSystem starting up from 
customer hard drive. Startup 
issue resolved 
NoCustomer hard drive not 
present or does not start up 
from this drive. Continue to 
find bootable device.  Go to 
step 5
5. Insert product OS install disc 
in optical drive. Install disc 
is bootable and should be 
present in Startup Manager.   
Can system start up from OS 
install disc?
YesStarts up from optical drive - 
customer hard drive not yet 
bootable, go to step 8
NoComputer has no internal 
bootable devices.  Test 
external startup devices, go 
to step 6
6.  Boot from a known-good 
bootable copy of product OS 
on a USB drive or network 
server to start up and verify 
internal mass storage devices 
are available using System 
Profiler and Disk Utility.  
YesSystem started up from 
external device and reports 
data regarding internal SATA 
devices. Go to step 7
NoNo startup devices available. 
Replace logic board 
M02
7. Troubleshoot optical drive 
and optical drive cable with 
cable reseat and known-
good part substitutions.  Is 
there a defective optical drive 
component to replace? 
YesCable reseat solved issue. 
Continue to verify hard drive 
issues, go to step 8 
Defective optical drive cable 
found and replaced.  Continue 
to verify hard drive issues, go 
to step 8 
X03
Defective optical drive found 
and replaced. Continue to 
verify hard drive issues, go to 
step 8 
J03
NoReplace logic boardM19  
						

							MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 33 2010-06-15
8. Use Disk Utility loaded from 
OS install disc to verify if hard 
drive is available on device list.  
Is customer hard drive listed in 
Disk Utility?
YesCustomer hard drive available 
for inspections and repair.  Go 
to step 10. 
NoHard drive not present, 
troubleshoot hard drive and 
cable. Go to step 9.
9. Troubleshoot hard drive and 
hard drive SATA cable with 
cable reseat and known-good 
part substitutions. If customer 
hard drive, is there a defective 
hard drive component to 
replace? 
YesReseat of SATA cable now has 
customer hard drive visible in 
Disk Utility, go to step 10
Defective hard drive SATA 
cable found and replaced, 
now has customer hard drive 
visible in Disk Utility, go to 
step 10
X03
Suspect customer hard drive 
defective, attempt OS restore, 
go to step 10
NoKnown-good hard drive and 
known-good hard drive SATA 
cable used, still no hard drive 
present. Replace logic board
M19
10.  Boot system with Shift key 
down. Does it work?
YesGo to software 
troubleshooting article
NoGo to step 11
11. Use Disk Utility to repair 
customer hard drive  and 
repair permissions if system OS 
found on hard drive.  Is hard 
drive bootable after software 
repairs?
YesOS on customer hard drive 
repaired, issue resolved. 
NoHard drive not bootable, 
perhaps missing OS, go to 
step 12
12.  Use Disk Utility to partition 
customer hard drive with one 
GUID partition then restore 
Mac OS from product OS install 
disc.  Is hard drive bootable 
after OS install?
YesCustomer hard drive now 
starts up from new OS image, 
issue resolved 
NoReplace hard drive.H02  
						

							MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 34 2010-06-15
Intermittent Shutdown
Unlikely cause:  hard drive, optical drive
Troubleshooting Shutdown Issues
Before troubleshooting shutdown issues, always do the following:
• Run the available Apple diagnostics to check for cause of previous shutdown(s). Running 
ASD also helps isolate any abnormal value reading from a thermal, voltage, or current 
sensor or from a fan speed meter.
• Collect all available information from the user on shutdown details: periodicity, power state 
when issue happens, running applications, running time before shutdown.
User-related shutdowns
A computer shutdown may be caused by user operation. Shutting down the computer (by 
selecting the Shut Down menu, by pressing the power button for at least 4 seconds, or by 
programming a timed shutdown in the Energy Saver preferences) should not be considered as 
a failure unless the power button or the magnetic sleep sensors are found to be defective.
Suggested steps for troubleshooting:
• Reset SMC.
• Check Energy Saver preferences settings.
• Test top case button and magnetic sleep sensor operation and secure connection to logic 
board.
Activity-related system shutdowns
These shutdowns are linked to system settings, devices drivers, applications, or operating 
system freezes.
• System could not finish the standard shutdown process and had to force shutdown.
• An installed watchdog detected that an application did not respond within the specified 
time. ( This watchdog can be enabled in Mac OS X Server Energy Saver preferences.)
Suggested steps for troubleshooting:
• Check the system logs and activity monitor utility for clues on the freezing process.
• Check for available software and firmware updates for installed device drivers, applications, 
or operating system.
• Start the system from a known-good and up-to-date bootable drive for issue reproduction. 
Power-related system shutdowns
These shutdowns are due to power management, poor connections or defective power 
sources.
• External or battery power source was removed.
• Battery went empty while computer was on.
• Battery went empty while computer was asleep.  
						

							MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 35 2010-06-15
Suggested steps for troubleshooting:
• Reset SMC.
• Check that AC cable, AC adapter and battery connections are secure to logic board.
• Verify battery and power adapter sources using the Battery and Adapter test utility.
Hardware-related system shutdown
These shutdowns are due to temperature, voltage, current, fan speed or other hardware-related 
sensor values going out of range.
• One of the temperature sensors reached a specified temperature limit.
• One of the voltage sensors reached a specified voltage limit.
• One of the current sensors reached a specified current limit.
Suggested steps for troubleshooting:
• Check all sensors connections and values using Apple Service Diagnostics and other 
available Apple Service utilities.
• Confirm correct Apple-branded battery and power adapter are installed.
• Check for abnormal battery temperature.
• Check fan(s) operation.
• Confirm cleanliness of heatsink fins and air flows.
• Confirm heatsink is correctly seated on logic board and thermal material is present.
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Intermittent shutdown
• Powers off during startup
• Powers off with desktop use
1. Collect details from customer on shutdown 
occurrence  and system configuration when it 
happens (on battery, when running for a while, 
frequency of shutdowns, running applications, 
shutdown repeatability). If shutdown can be easily 
reproduced, check next steps:
2.  Verify battery charge status
3. Check AC adapter MagSafe connector and 
connection with system 
4.  Reset SMC and PRAM
5. Start up with shift key down for safe mode
6.  Startup from known-good bootable device
7. Run ASD for sensors + thermal tests   
						

							MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 36 2010-06-15
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Activity related shutdowns: 
Reset SMC and PRAM and 
verify that shutdown issue still 
happens.
YesCheck with known-good 
bootable drive: go to step 2
NoShutdown cause was related 
to SMC or Pram programmed 
shutdown settings or 
corruption, and was resolved 
by reverting them to default 
settings.
2.  Booting from known-good 
bootable drive , verify that 
shutdown issue still happens.
YesGo to Power related 
shutdowns on step 3
No Shutdown events do not 
happen on known-good OS.  
Reinstall Mac OS on customer 
hard drive,  update OS with 
latest version and check if any 
firmware update is available.
3. Power related shutdowns : 
verify that shutdown issue 
can ONLY be reproduced with 
user’s battery and AC adapter. 
YesIntermittent power issue 
means checking user’s 
AC cable for intermittent 
connection, checking user’s 
battery and AC adapter 
health,
No Issue also happens with 
known-good battery and AC 
adapter. Go to step 4 
4.  Reset SMC and PRAM, then 
verify if shutdown symptoms  
does not happen anymore.
YesShutdown cause was related 
to SMC or Pram settings or 
corruption, and was resolved 
by reverting them to default 
settings.
NoShutdown event still occurs. 
Go to step 5.  
						

							MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 37 2010-06-15
5. Check system running on  
battery only.  Use known-good 
charged battery.  
Verify if shutdown/reset/sleep 
issues disappear when known-
good battery is used without 
AC adapter.
YesRecharge customer battery 
and retest. Check for 
customer battery health 
in Apple System Profiler or 
run Battery & Adapter Test 
utility, and replace battery if 
its health is reported bad or 
consumed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
P09
NoSymptoms unchanged - Go 
to step 6 
6.  Check with known-good AC 
adapter source only 
Remove battery and use 
known-good AC adapter. 
Verify if the shutdown/reset/
sleep issues disappear with 
known-good adapter.
YesFaulty user’s AC adapter. 
Replace user’s AC adapter if 
AC cable and duckhead were 
confirmed good.
P14
NoSymptoms unchanged - Go to 
Hardware-related shutdowns 
on step 7
7. Hardware-related shutdowns: 
Run ASD or other latest 
available service utility and 
verify if a sensor failure is 
reported.
Yes-If a temperature or a fan 
sensor failure is reported, go 
to step 8  
 
-If a voltage or a current 
sensor failure is reported 
in ASD w/known good AC 
adapter and batteries, replace 
logic board. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
M23
NoSetup ASD to loop test suite 
for burn in tests and go to  
step 7. if no failure is found 
after burn in tests, return unit 
to customer for no failure 
found.  
						

							MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 38 2010-06-15
8. Verify if a thermal sensor or fan 
failure is reported in ASD or 
other available service utility.
Yes-If fan not running failure, 
check for fan cable seating 
and retest. If same failure 
after retest replace fan with 
known-good fan and retest. 
If issue does not happen with 
known-good fan, replace 
user’s fan. 
 
-If an over temp failure 
reported, check for cause of 
over temp, like obstructed 
vent, dust in heatsink fin, 
clogged fan and retest. If still 
failing replace part where 
sensor is located (logic 
board, battery, or trackpad) 
according to the sensor 
location table . Go to step 9
 
 
 
X22
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
M23 
P17 
K99
NoReplace Thermal module 
Go to step 9
X10
9. Isolate if issue solved 
Verify if shutdown/issue does 
not happen anymore after part 
exchange.
YesIssue fixed
NoReplace logic board with 
corresponding symptom: 
-if for thermal error cause 
-if for other cause
 
 
M18
M08
No Video/Bad Video
Unlikely cause: hard drive, optical drive, top case, battery, power adapter
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Power, but No Video
• Power
• No video
• fan, hard drive spin, or optical 
drive reset sound
• sleep LED is on or went on
• light if Caps Lock pressed
1. Reset SMC. 
2.  Reset PRAM.
3. If no startup chime, verify with known-good 
memory.
4.  Verify with external monitor.
5. Press Alt key on startup..  
						

							MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 39 2010-06-15
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Characterize video issue 
Define whether the issue is a 
bad image with backlight OR 
no video issue. 
Verify whether some image 
even distorted is visible.
YesBad image quality, go to step 
5
NoNo image seen or image 
visible with no backlight, go 
to Step 2
2.  Isolate Peripherals as cause 
Disconnect all peripherals, 
external devices, and display 
adapters if present and verify 
that video is displayed.
YesSuspect peripherals as cause. 
Reconnect one at a time, 
verifying unit operation at 
each stage
NoGo to Step 3
3. Adjust Brightness 
Power-on unit , attempt to 
adjust brightness to maximum 
using brightness (F1/F2) 
keys and verify that video is 
displayed.
YesVideo displayed - Brightness 
set to minimum, panel 
backlight was inadvertently 
turned off. If backlight returns 
to low check for stuck F1 key 
on keyboard. 
NoGo to Step 4
4.  Reset SMC 
Reset SMC and verify that 
system video is displayed.
YesCorrupt SMC State preventing 
video.
NoGo to Step 5
5. Reset PRAM. 
If no action, use external 
keyboard with same sequence. 
Verify that system video is 
displayed.
YesInvalid or Corrupt PRAM 
contents affecting video 
output 
NoGo to step 6  
						

							MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 40 2010-06-15
6. Connect External video 
Connect known-good VGA/
DVI adapter to known-good 
display, press power button 
and close display to force main 
screen startup on external 
video. Verify that video is 
correct when displayed from 
external display.
YesVideo correct on external 
display. Research available 
firmware and software 
updates, retest.  
 
If returning with software 
already updated, go to Step 7 
NoReplace logic board with 
according symptom code: 
-no video 
-bad/distorted video
 
 
M03
M04
7. Isolate LCD display detection 
Disconnect external monitor 
and reopen display and restart 
unit. Verify that sleep LED 
indicator goes off after internal 
LCD has been detected. 
YesSleep LED goes off when LCD 
detected.  
-If still no video then Go to 
step 8,  
-If video present, but with 
defect, go to step 9
NoInternal LCD not detected. 
Run Clamshell Service 
Diagnostic utility and check 
for LCD panel presence. If 
not found, reseat LVDS cable 
connection on logic board 
and retest. If sleep led does 
not go off after cable is 
reseated, go to step 10
8.  Check for sleep sensor 
condition 
If display assembly sleep 
sensor is stuck in a closed state, 
video will appear on internal 
display temporarily, until the 
OS sleeps the system. 
Disconnect IR/sleep cable and 
restart unit without external 
display. Verify that system 
starts up with video on internal 
display stays on and does not 
go into sleep mode.
YesSleep sensor was stuck or had 
shorted cable. Replace IR/
sleep cable (or enclosing top 
case) 
 
X13
NoSymptoms unchanged - Go 
to Step 9