Apple macbook pro 15 inch late 2008 User Manual

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 41 2010-06-15
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...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 42 2010-06-15
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...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 43 2010-06-15
10. Verify with Known good 
display assembly 
Connect known-good display 
assembly to system.
YesSystem is functioning with 
known-good display assembly 
Replace display assembly if 
following symptom reporting: 
- had no power issue 
- had incorrect/missing colors 
- had blank video 
- had distorted / blurred video 
- had vertical/horizontal lines 
- had noise/unstable flickering 
- had dim backlight 
- had bad...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 44 2010-06-15
Deep Dive 
CheckResultActionCode
1. Does the MagSafe LED 
go green to amber when 
connected to the system?  
YesBattery is recognized and 
charging. Go to step 6
NoLED is green, Battery may be 
full or not recognized.  Go to 
step 2
LED was on momentarily then 
went out.  Go to No Power for 
system (M01)
2.  When the Battery status 
button is pressed, did any of 
the lights come on?
YesGo to step 3
No Go to step 11...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 45 2010-06-15
8. Test with a known-good 
battery.   Is battery recognized 
and charging?
YesReplace customer battery  
(P10 not charging or P11 not 
recognized)
P10 or     
P11
NoGo to step 9
9. Inspect customer battery cable 
connector for corrosion or 
obstructions.  
YesClear obstructions and 
replace battery if corroded 
and recheck. (P10 not 
charging or P11 not 
recognized)
P10 or     
P11
NoGo to step 10
10.  Reseat battery...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 46 2010-06-15
15. Considering the age of the 
battery greater than one year 
old,  is the health of the battery 
“Good” according to system 
profiler?   
YesBattery is in good health 
and out of 1 year warranty 
coverage.  Battery should 
continue to function until 
consumed.  
NoBattery is consumed after 
warranty coverage. Customer 
to purchase a new battery.
16.  For batteries still covered by 
warranty, is the health of the...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 47 2010-06-15
Deep Dive 
CheckResultActionCode
1. Isolate Peripherals as cause. 
Disconnect all peripherals, 
external devices, and display 
adapters if present
YesSuspect peripherals as cause. 
Reconnect one at a time, 
verifying unit operation at 
each stage
NoGo to Step 2
2.  Reset SMC and clear PRAM 
then verify that unit starts 
without panic issues.
YesIssue resolved with default 
startup settings.
NoGo to step 3
3. Boot in...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 48 2010-06-15
4.  Remove I/O device where 
possible to pinpoint faulty 
device:   
 
- Disconnect camera cable 
from display assembly (for 
AirPort, Bluetooth, camera, and 
ambient light sensor). Camera 
cable can be disconnected 
without affecting startup and 
test. 
 
- Bluetooth card to isolate 
Bluetooth. 
 
- optical drive cable to isolate 
optical drive. 
 
- hard drive cable to isolate 
hard drive. 
 
Memory cards can be...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 49 2010-06-15
6. Disconnect display assembly 
and test with known-good 
display assembly. Verify that 
system now starts up without 
kernel panic/freeze.
YesReplace display assembly.  L14
No Go to step 7
7. Check for thermal values and 
fan running speed 
Run ASD to check for fan 
and sensors test, and verify 
that ASD does not report any 
overtemp, failing sensor, or fan.
YesNo thermal fail detected - 
Replace logic board with...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 50 2010-06-15
Won’t Run on Power Adapter Alone
Unlikely cause: RAM, display assembly, hard drive, optical drive, top case, speakers, camera, 
microphone
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Won’t Run on Power Adapter 
Alone
Runs on battery but not on power 
adapter only.
1. Verify proper wattage adapter is being used.
2.  Check for dirty or stuck pins on the MagSafe 
connectors, both on the adapter and the 
computer.  
3. Connect the AC...