Apple macbook pro 15 inch late 2008 User Manual

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 51 2010-06-15
Power Adapter Issue
Unlikely cause: logic board, RAM, display assembly, hard drive, optical drive, top case, speakers, 
camera, microphone
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Power Adapter Issue
• No power
• No Power LED
• Non-operational
• Stuck /broken pin
1. Connect AC adapters MagSafe connector to the 
computer.  The LED on the connector should be 
green or amber.
2.  Verify power cord, or plug, is firmly attached to...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 52 2010-06-15
4. Does the customer’s power  
adapter have stuck or 
bent pins on the MagSafe 
connector?
Yes Replace power adapter.P15
NoGo to step 5
5. Does the cable or duckhead 
have visible damage?
Yes Replace cable or duckhead.P16
NoGo to step 6
6.  Check that LED on MagSafe 
connector is displaying both 
green (if battery charged) and 
orange (when charging).
YesVerify adapter with known-
good unit and customer unit 
and...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 53 2010-06-15
3. Disconnect any peripheral 
devices, cards, or cables 
attached to the unit. Verify the 
noise is gone.
YesCheck for possible ground 
loop.
NoGo to step 6
4.  Locate the source of the noise.  
Is the noise from an optical 
drive?
YesCheck with a different media 
disc. Possible issue with disc 
label or out of balance media. 
If not related to media, and 
noise is above normal level, 
replace optical drive.
J04
NoGo...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 54 2010-06-15
Burnt Smell / Odor
Unlikely cause: Enclosure
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Burnt Smell / Odor
Computer or power adapter emits 
an odor or smell of smoke.
1. Disconnect AC adapter from the computer.
2.  Attempt to identify the source of the odor. Visual 
clues are component damaged like capacitor chip 
popped or burn marks. 
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Has the source of the odor 
been identified.
YesReplace...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 55 2010-06-15
3. Is the computer operating 
normally?
YesThis could be related to 
normal operation. 
NoPlease refer to best related 
troubleshooting section. If 
after inspecting the unit you 
feel there is a possible safety 
issue with the computer or 
AC adapter, please notify 
Apple. 
Battery Leaking or Swollen
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Battery Leaking or Swollen
• Computer wobbles
• Trackpad button does not work
•...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) 56 2010-06-15
Communications
Ethernet Port/Device Issue
Unlikely cause:  power adapter, battery, speakers, optical drive, hard drive, fan, camera, 
microphone, top case, display assembly, AirPort card
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Ethernet Port/Device Issue
• No Ethernet device present
• Unable to access network 
resources
• Ethernet device shows no 
connection
• Ethernet device unable to get 
an IP address
• Slow network performance
1. Check the network cable for...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) 57 2010-06-15
3. Verify if IP address is listed 
for the Ethernet interface in 
System Preferences: Network.   
Connect computer to network 
with known-good DHCP IP 
allocation, ensuring static 
DHCP maps or filtering is not 
preventing address allocation. 
Note: DHCP allocation may not 
be instantaneous depending 
on network.  Retest.
YesGo to step 4.
NoIf connection is OK on known-
good system, replace logic 
board. 
M10
4.  Verify connection by using 
Network Utility...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Communications 58 2010-06-15
AirPort/Bluetooth: Defective Wireless Devices
Unlikely cause:  power adapter, battery, speakers, optical drive, hard drive, fan, camera, 
microphone, top case
Caution: When testing an AirPort card connection, wait at least 5 seconds after shutdown 
before touching the camera cable connection to the logic board. Waiting less than that could 
damage the AirPort card.
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
AirPort or Bluetooth:...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Communications 59 2010-06-15
2. Run Clamshell Service 
Diagnostic utility and check 
for all devices presence. If not 
found, reseat the camera cable 
connection to the logic board. 
YesLoose logic board connection.N04
NoAirPort issue, go to step 3,  
Bluetooth issue go to step 7.
3. (AirPort) Verify the antenna 
connections to the AirPort 
card are not reversed or loose. 
Reseat antenna and I/O cable 
connections.
YesLoose connections or crossed...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Communications 60 2010-06-15
No/Poor Wireless Signal
Unlikely cause:  power adapter, battery, speakers, optical drive, hard drive, fan, camera,  
microphone, top case
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
No/Poor Wireless Signal
• Unable to find networks
• Intermittent connection 
dropouts
• Slow transfer speeds
1. Check for nearby interference sources in the 
2.4/5GHz range such as microwave ovens and 
cordless phones (Knowledge Base HT1365).
2.  Check that...