[casselma]

Ok, I have a MacBook Pro purchased new in summer of 2006. Worked great until November 2007. It has suffered a few falls: one to the corner where the power supply in fall 2006 (no problems directly after that) and then in May 2007 a fall flat on the bottom (no problems directly after that). I suspect this is the problem, I just am trying to determine if this is something fixable by me, fixable by an Apple tech, or if I need to start saving for a new computer.

Here's the problem: Starting Thanksgiving 2006 while using the battery, it would just go completely off. It did that a couple times, but it would always start back up immediately when I used the power button. A few days after that, it would not boot-up without the power supply plugged in. The other "symptom" is when the power supply is plugged in, the green indicator light takes about 4-5 seconds to light up. Before it lights up, it is unable to start up. Once started, the computer can "see" the battery. The status appears in the menu bar (started at 57%, now trickling down to 32%), but the battery is not charging, nor is the computer drawing power from it. A new battery does not solve the problem, as I took it to an Apple service center and they used a brand-new battery in it, and it refused to start up.

Here's the question: I think it's odd that power supply still works, yet the power from the battery is dead. It makes me think that some connection simply got jiggled loose in the 1.5 years and 2 falls I've had this computer. Is there such a connection? A connection that connects the battery to the wall-connection and the rest of the computer? If so, is it accessible and easily fixable?

The Apple service center guy told me it's likely a motherboard issue and that it would probably entail a full gutting. I'd much prefer to attempt a fix myself or have it fixed knowing it is possibly fixable than wasting money on a diagnostic check to learn its junk or spending the cast on a new laptop. It is perfectly usable as a corded machine, but I do miss the freedom of a laptop.

[ibook_steve]

Welcome to the forums!

It's entirely possible that you have either knocked a component off a circuit board or damaged an internal connector from the falls. I'd try opening it up using the guides at iFixit: iPod, iBook, & PowerBook Parts and Accessories and seeing if there is anything obviously wrong. Other than that, it may very well require a logic board replacement.

I'm assuming you don't have AppleCare. Otherwise you could just send it to Apple for repairs.

Steve

[casselma]

Thanks. Doing some snooping there has me curious as to whether the battery connector connects to the battery to the motherboard, would the power connector port be unrelated to this part? Though 12 pages of disassembly/reassembly has me daunted, I think I might take it in to an Apple Store to see if I can get it fixed.

And yes, no AppleCare here. Guess that's more of a necessity with a laptop... Live and learn.

[8drs]

I had an identical issue. Although my MBP 15 was out of warranty I called Apple support anyway.

The first person I talked with checked if my battery was part of the earlier recall. I knew it wasn't but I know there are procedures to go through.

She then had me download and install the 1.2 Battery Update which I did and it displayed the exact same symptoms.

I reported some strange things that showed up in the Power section of System Profiler:
- only 30 battery cycles shown - that seemed strange on a MBP more than a year old
- low mAh
- 0 amperage

She took this info to a product specialist and returned with news that Apple would replace my battery free.

From what I have read from numerous sources, this should fix the problem.

You might call Apple support and see if you get the same great service I did. BTW - I DO NOT have Applecare on this machine.

[casselma]

Thanks for the info. I've tried a new battery, and it still doesn't work. Did you have it serviced, or did they simply send you the new battery?

Here's my battery info:
Battery Information:

Battery Installed: Yes
First low level warning: No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh): 2603
Remaining Capacity (mAh): 814
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 11811
Cycle Count: 210

[8drs]

They sent me new battery....in two days!!!!


It fixed my problem....