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ajbaker00 · Oct 1, 2007, 08:37 AM

Tried turning my MacBook Pro 1.8ghz Core Duo on over the weekend. Nothing. Help!

To be more precise. The laptop was left sleeping over night. When I opened it in the morning the fans started and the HDD spun for a second but nothing further. Having turned the laptop off (power button for 5 seconds) I tried to boot from cold. The same happened.

Symptons:
Both left and right fans start and spin at their low or medium setting (certainly not as noisy as when the machine is hot)
The HDD spins up and sounds as though it is accessing for a second (literally)
The sleep light becomes lit and stays lit
No screen activity whatsoever
The only noise is that of the fans and HDD - the HDD becomes quiet after a second
No activity from the Superdrive (when waking from sleep this used to make a sound); cannot insert a DVD
The battery is fully charged
When plugged in the charging light is lit
The same occurs whether the battery or power adapter is plugged in (or both)
Closing the screen with the laptop 'on' does not make any difference - the fans continue, the sleep light remains on

Things attempted:
Reset PRAM using Cmd-Option-P-R
Held down power key when off (no battery or power) for 5 seconds
Having opened the laptop I can confirm disconnecting either (or both) the HDD and the Superdrive do not change the behaviour above.
I have not attempted to remove one or both of the RAM chips yet. Will attempt tonight. Having said that I have not changed these in the 18 months I have had the laptop and have not updated any software within the last week or so.

Can anyone offer any thoughts or advice? Are there any other diagnostic checks I could make?

I am guessing the HDD is fine - my thinking being the machine should show a 'no startup disk' icon when this is disconnected. I therefore intend to make a backup of this and then consider getting someone to repair. Can anyone recommend a repairer in the UK or would it be more sensible to request Apple take a look.

My only thought remaining is the PRAM battery could be dead. When I disconnected this from the logic board, again, no change of behaviour. What symptons would you expect from a dead PRAM battery? Could it be any more severe than simply losing the date/time on each startup?

Please help....

JonoMarshall · Oct 1, 2007, 09:59 AM

Go and see Apple, no chime would indicate a bad board... if you're chiming then it's more than likely to be a display issue, but could again be the board.

(Extra thoughts)
If you're chiming can you start in target disk mode (Command & T when booting)?
If you're chiming have you tried using an external display at all?
I'm guessing you have some warranty left, no?

ajbaker00 · Oct 1, 2007, 10:26 AM

No chiming = one worried customer.

Nope, there is no chime. I forgot to mention I had tried target disk mode, but I new at the time it would be no good... I will try an external display but I guess that too will be no good since there is no chime.

Warranty. Interesting question. The machine is 18 months old, and I did not purchase AppleCare since last time I did that my laptop last 5 years without a problem! Standard warranty is 12 months. However in the UK we consumer rights legislation which states we have the right to expect items to last a 'reasonable' period of time - which for a £1500 laptop should be more than a year. I might try this, but to be honest I don't hold out much hope since to get any company to budge beyond a year takes lots of letters, threats of court action etc.... and I need my laptop working!

Is Apple the best bet to get this sorted, or are there alternatives? I have no problem replacing the logic board myself (and see they can be purchased from the US) but wonder if 1. there is anyway to confirm it is the board and 2. how much a repair by Apple would be vs. replacing myself vs. replacement by another company. Thoughts?

JonoMarshall · Oct 1, 2007, 10:37 AM

An Apple (or equiv. authorised company) repair would be easiest but more costly, get some quotes and decide for yourself.

If it was me I'd get it diagnosed by Apple, then buy a donor machine or parts (if they're not too expensive) and swap out the components you need and sell everything else on again.

Cold Warrior · Oct 1, 2007, 10:43 AM

Reset the PMU.

ajbaker00 · Oct 1, 2007, 10:47 AM

Cold Warrior sorry, I should have said I had reset the PMU - that is the same as holding the power key down for 5 seconds with no battery or power cable attached yes?

Thanks Jono. I am awaiting a SATA enclosure to get the data off the HDD and then it shall be on its way to Apple. Thanks for the assistance even if it is not what I wanted to hear.

Simon · Oct 1, 2007, 10:56 AM

Run Apple Hardware Test (boot from the install DVD and hold 'd'). Then contact Apple with the error codes.

ajbaker00 · Oct 1, 2007, 11:11 AM

Since the Superdrive does not spin, there is no way of inserting the Hardware Test DVD to boot from it. The laptop doesn't get anywhere near the boot sequence.

Cold Warrior · Oct 1, 2007, 12:08 PM

you could try booting it from an external disc drive, if you have one, and if it will take it.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Sucks when a computer goes down.

seanc · Oct 1, 2007, 12:14 PM

Take out one of the RAM sticks and alternate them to see if one of them lets the machine boot. You've not accidentally somehow let the MBP get wet have you?