Apple macbook pro 15 inch late 2008 User Manual

							MacBook (15-inch, Late 2008) Basics — Manual Updates 11 2010-06-15
• Updated Display/Blank/No Video/added “Unlikely Cause”  
• Updated Display/Backlight Issue/No Backlight/added “Unlikely Cause”
• Updated Display/Noise/ Unstable Flickering/added “Unlikely Cause”
• Updated Display/Added new symptoms for Backlight Issue / No Backlight
• Updated InPut/Output Devices/ Specific Keys Don’t Work /added “Ulikely Cause” 
• Take Apart
• Battery: added note to seat the battery connector 
• Bottom case: added 2 replacement steps
• Memory: added additional removal information on step 2
• Logic board: updated graphic in step 7; Removal: added screw sizes in step 8, reword 
camera cable to Camera/AirPort/Bluetooth cable
• Heatsink: added black stick to step 1, added screw part number to step 2.
• HD font bracket/IR/sleep LED: updated graphic in step 4 
• AirPort card: updated graphic in replacement step 1, noted using a black stick
• AirPort Antenna board: added removal using a black stick; Replacement: added new 
graphic showing pink thermal pad on AirPort card.
• Display assembly: added important note reminding technician to install a new thermal 
pad on the AirPort card whenever the display assembly is replaced and removed 
replacement note on step 8
• Battery Indicator Cable: added screw part number on step 3
• Camera Cable Guide: Step 2, renamed cable as Camera, AirPort and Bluetooth cable
• Fans: updated screws, 4 identical (922-8754) and 2 longer (near the ODD, no 922-xxxx 
number offered yet).
• Exploded View
• Added international AirPort Extreme/Airmac part numbers
Updated 14 November 2008
• Take Apart: Added important replacement step in AirPort Card chapter alerting 
technicians to check that the AirPort cable is inserted in the proper orientation into the 
AirPort Card connector. If the cable is inserted backwards it will damage the logic board.
• Troubleshooting: Updated Burnt Smell/Odor symptom. Added step 3 in the Quick Check to 
check AirPort Card cable orientation.  
Updated 21 October 2008
• Updated Features and Specs
• Take Apart: Reorganized topic sequence following Display Assembly chapter
• Added Caution notes to the Display Assembly and HD Front Bracket/IR/Sleep Cable 
chapters.
• Added important replacement note to Logic board section about plugging in audio cable 
when main logic board is not mounted into top case.
• Added Replacement Troubleshooting tip to HD Front Bracket/IR/Sleep Cable chapter to 
reseat the IR/Sleep Cable if the system is having trouble going to sleep or stays asleep.
Manual introduced 14 October 2008  
						

							© 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
 Apple Technician Guide
Basic
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)   
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Basics — Overview 13 2010-06-15
Overview
The MacBook (15-inch, Late 2008) computer features both the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 
integrated graphics processor and a high-performance NVIDIA 9600 GT graphics processor.
Multi-Touch trackpad, and aluminum body. Refer to more features below.
Identifying Features
The main features and service differences include:
• Aluminum unibody enclosure, machined from a single piece of aluminum
• Ultrathin 15-inch LED-backlit glossy display, 1440 by 900 pixels 
• Mini DisplayPort connector
• Express Card slot, 34mm
• Battery indicator button on left side
• Illustrations for removing the battery, hard drive, and memory cards are pictured on the 
inner side of the access door. 
• Product identification label is on top case inside front edge, visible when the access door 
and battery are removed.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Basics — Overview 14 2010-06-15
Product Configurations 
The following table shows the MacBook (15-inch, Late 2008) model configurations at 
introduction: 
FeatureBetter (MB470)Best (MB471)
Intel Core 2 Duo processor2.4 GHz  3MB sharedL2
1066MHz frontside bus
2.53 GHz 6MB shared L2
2.8 GHz 6 MB L2 CTO
1066MHz frontside bus
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce 9400M 
(MCP79) + NVIDIA GeForce 
9600M GT 256MB VRAM
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 
(MCP79) + NVIDIA 
GeForce 9600M GT 
512MB VRAM
Memory, DDR3 1066, SO-DIMMs2 GB (2 x 1 GB)4 GB (2 x 2 GB)
Hard Drive, Serial ATA 100 5400 
rpm
2.5” SATA, 250 GB, 5400
Option: up to 320GB at 7200 
rpm or 128GB SSD
2.5”, 320 GB SATA , 5400
Option: up to 320GB at 
7200 rpm or 128GB SSD
Optical Drive (SATA)8x DL Super, 9.5 mm8x DL Super, 9.5 mm
HousingAluminumAluminum
Display15.4-inch glass LCD, 1440 x 990 pixels, LED backlight, 
glossy finish
I/OUSB: 2- USB 2.0 (1 high powered)
FireWire: 1-FW800
Video I/O: Mini Display Port
Audio I/O:  Combo digital.analog in, Combo digital/
analog/iPhone headset out, Microphone, Stereo speakers 
with subwoofer
Camera: Wave 4 camera (f2.4, 3 micron pixel (640x480))
Other: IR, Battery Indicator Light, 34mm Express card
KeyboardBacklight
BatteryLithium-polymer battery, up to 5 hours 
Power Adapter85W MagSafe Power Adapter
Note About Images in This Manual
Because a pre-production or very similar model was used for most of the images shown in 
this manual, you may notice small differences in appearance between the image pictured and 
the computer you are servicing. However, although the appearance may differ, the steps and 
sequence are the same unless noted.   
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Basics — Serial Number Location 15 2010-06-15
Serial Number Location
Serial Number On Top Case
Remove the access door and battery to see the serial number on the inside front wall of the top 
case.
Transferring the Serial Number
Before installing the replacement top case, transfer the serial number to the replacement 
top case. Peel up the original serial number label with a jeweler’s flat blade screw driver and 
transfer it to the inside edge of the replacement top case (see arrow for location).  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Basics — General Information 16 2010-06-15
General Information
Required Tools 
Caution: To prevent scratches or other cosmetic damage to the computer housing, use a soft 
cloth as a protective layer when removing and installing the external screws.
The following tools are required to service the computer: 
• Clean, soft, lint-free cloth
• ESD wrist strap and mat
• Magnetic Phillips #0 screwdriver
• Magnetic Phillips #00 screwdriver (preferably with a long handle)
• Torx T6 screwdriver with a large-diameter handle for a better grip on tight screws
• Tri-lobe #0 screwdriver (922-8991), for trackpad removal
• Black stick (Apple probe tool, part number 922-5065) or other nonconductive nylon or 
plastic flatblade tool
• Thermal grease (Apple thermal compound syringe, part number 922-7144)
• Alcohol wipes
• Foam wedge fixture for display assembly removal (part number 922-8779)
• Kapton tape
• Tweezers, ESD safe, extra fine points, for flat cable replacement
Refer to Knowledge Base article “Hand Tools for Desktop and Portable Repairs--AP/CA/EU/JP/
LA/US” to purchase tools:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=500200
In addition, the following software programs are required for troubleshooting: 
• Apple Service Diagnostic (ASD), version 3S125
• Apple Hardware Test, version 3A148  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Basics — General Information 17 2010-06-15
The Glass Panel
Warning: The glass panel for this model is not a serviceable part. If the glass is broken or 
scratched, replace the display assembly. Attempting to remove the glass can permanently 
shatter the display face and damage other parts.
To clean the glass panel, use the Apple polishing cloth (922-8245) and iKlear Apple Polish or 
Brillianize anti-static spray cleaning solution. Alternatively, IPA (isopropyl alcohol) can be used.   
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Basics — General Information 18 2010-06-15
Keycap Replacement
Service packages of 78 replacement keycaps are now available in the U.S. and Canada (U.S. 
version keyboard only) for designated MacBook and MacBook Pro computers. The packages 
allow you to replace individual keycaps rather than the entire top case. 
There are four different keycap packages, based on the color of the key and the type of 
keyboard (version D and S). 
Part numberKey colorKeyboard
922-9277BlackVersion D
922-9279BlackVersion S
922-9278WhiteVersion D
922-9280WhiteVersion S
For step-by-step instructions, refer to the relevant support article: “MacBook/MacBook Pro: 
Black Keycap Replacement” (HT4002) or “MacBook: White Keycap Replacement” (HT4003). 
For an overview of the differences among keycap procedures, refer to “MacBook/MacBook 
Pro: Keycap Replacement Matrix” (HT4001).  
						

							© 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
 Apple Technician Guide 
Troubleshooting
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)   
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) General Troubleshooting — Apple Service Diagnostics 20 2010-06-15
General Troubleshooting
Update System Software
Important: Whenever possible before beginning troubleshooting, ensure the latest software 
and firmware updates have been applied.
Apple Service Diagnostics
Run Apple Service Diagnostic to determine if any of the thermal sensors are malfunctioning. 
Replace any failing sensors. See chart below for correlation between error code and part.
NameLocation
TC0DLogic Board
TC0PLogic Board
TG0DLogic Board
TG0HLogic Board
TG0PLogic Board
TG0TLogic Board
TG1HHeatsink
Th2HLogic Board
TN0DLogic Board
TN0PLogic Board
Tm0PLogic Board
Ts0PTrackpad flex
TB0TBattery pack
TB1TBattery pack
TB2TBattery pack
TB3TBattery pack
Test Points
There is no silkscreen text on final production logic boards. Test points mentioned in 
troubleshooting charts are solely for reference.
Troubleshooting Theory
For general information on troubleshooting theory, refer to:
http://service.info.apple.com/service_training/en/006/troubleshoot/index.php?page=intro