Apple macbook pro 15 inch late 2008 User Manual

							 Apple Technician Guide
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)
Updated: 2010-06-15  
						

							 Apple Inc.
© 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
Under the copyright laws, this document may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the 
written consent of Apple.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document is accurate. Apple 
is not responsible for printing or clerical errors.
Apple 
1 Infinite Loop 
Cupertino, CA 95014-2084 
USA 
+ 1 408 996 1010 
www.apple.com
Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, MacBook, and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in 
the U.S. and other countries. 
Please send feedback to [email protected].  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)
Contents
Manual Updates 8
Updated 15 June 2010 8
Updated 14 May 2010 8
Updated 08 February 2010 8
Updated 3 December 2009 8
Updated 16 November 2009 8
Updated 01 July 2009 9
Updated 17 June 2009  9
Updated 15 June 2009 9
Updated 1 June 2009 9
Updated 14 April 2009 9
Updated 18 March 2009 9
Updated 3 March 2009 10
Updated 17 December 2008 10
Updated 14 November 2008  11
Updated 21 October 2008 11
Manual introduced 14 October 2008  11
Basic
Overview 13
Identifying Features  13
Product Configurations   14
Serial Number Location  15
Serial Number On Top Case  15
Transferring the Serial Number  15
General Information 16
Required Tools  16
The Glass Panel  17
Keycap Replacement  18
Troubleshooting
General Troubleshooting  20
Update System Software 20
Apple Service Diagnostics  20
Test Points 20 
						

							Troubleshooting Theory 20
Hardware vs. Software 21
Clamshell Service Diagnostic Read Me  21
Apple Hardware Test 22
Functional Overview 23
Block Diagram, MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)  24
Liquid Submersion Indicators 25
Common Reset Procedures 25
Display Issue: Pixel Anomalies  27
Display Hinge Behavior 28
Symptom Charts 29
Startup and Power Issues  29
No Power 29
Won’t Start Up  32
Intermittent Shutdown  35
No Video/Bad Video 40
Battery Isn’t Recognized or Won’t Charge  43
Kernel Panic/System Crashes 46
Battery Run Time Too Short 49
Won’t Run on Power Adapter Alone  50
Power Adapter Issue 51
Noise / Hum / Vibration  52
Burnt Smell / Odor 54
Battery Leaking or Swollen  55
Uncategorized Symptom 55
Communications 56
Ethernet Port/Device Issue  56
AirPort/Bluetooth: Defective Wireless Devices  58
No/Poor Wireless Signal 60
Bluetooth Wireless Input Device Loses Connection  61
AirPort Card: Kernel Panic 63
Wireless Performance Issue / Slow Connection  65
Wireless Input Device Doesn’t Pair 67
Uncategorized Symptom 69
Display 70
Display Anomalies  70
Defective Camera / Built-in iSight Not Operating Correctly  75
Backlight Issue / No Backlight 77
Noise / Unstable Flickering 78
Mechanical/Physical Damage  79
Cosmetic Defects 80
Uncategorized Symptom  80
Mass Storage 81
Hard Drive Read/Write Issue  81
Hard Drive Not Recognized/Not Mounting  82  
						

							Hard Drive Noisy 84
Optical Drive Won’t Accept/Reject Media  85
Optical Drive Read/Write Data Error 87
Optical Drive Not Recognized/Mount  89
Optical Drive Noisy 90
Optical Drive Not Performing to Specs  92
Uncategorized Symptom 93
Input/Output Devices 94
USB Port Does Not Recognize Known Devices  94
Built-in Keyboard Does Not Work Properly 95
Specific Keys Don’t Work 96
Built-in Trackpad Does Not Work  97
Built-in Keyboard Has Dim or No Keyboard Backlight  99
Built-in Keyboard Is Not Recognized 100
Built-in Trackpad Does Not Track Properly  101
Apple Remote Inoperable 102
Built-in Speaker Has No Audio  103
Distorted Sound from Internal Speaker  104
Express Card Will Not Insert Into Slot 106
Express Card Not Recognized By System  107
FireWire Port Not Recognizing Known Devices  108
Uncategorized Symptom 108
Mechanical Issues: Thermals and Enclosure  109
Reset/Power Button Stuck 109
System Runs Hot 110
Uncategorized Symptom  112
Take Apart
General Information 114
Connector Types on Logic Board  114
Access Door 117
Battery 119
Removal  120
Replacement  120
Hard Drive Bracket  122
Removal 123
Replacement  124
Hard Drive 125
Removal 126
Replacement  128
Reinstalling Software that Came with the Computer  130 
						

							Installing Applications 130
Bottom Case 131
Bottom Case Information   133
Memory 134
Removal 135
Replacement  136
Midwall 137
Removal  138
Replacement  139
Battery Connector Cover  140
Battery Indicator Light Board  142
Removal 143
Replacement  143
Battery Indicator Cable  144
Removal 145
Replacement  145
Camera/AirPort/BT Cable Guide  146
LVDS Cable Guide 148
Display Assembly 150
Replacement 154
Display Hinge Behavior  154
Display Clutch Cover 155
Removal 156
Replacement  157
AirPort Card 159
Removal 160
Replacement  161
Antenna Board  164
Removal 165
Replacement  165
Optical Drive  166
Replacement 169
Optical Drive Flex Cable  170
Right Speaker / Subwoofer  172
Hard Drive Connector Cable  174
Removal 175
Replacement  176
Fans 177  
						

							Logic Board 179
Heatsink 186
Removal 187
Replacement  188
Trackpad 190
Removal 191
Replacement  194
Battery Power Cable  199
Left Speaker 201
Microphone   204
MagSafe Board  206
Center Bracket 208
Cable Clip for AirPort Card  210
HD Front Bracket/Flex Cable with IR and Sleep LED  211
Express Card Cage 215
Kensington Lock 217
Top Case 219
Removal 220
Replacement  220
Top Case Information  221
Views
Exploded Views 223
Main Assembly 1  223
Main Assembly 2 224
Display Assembly  225
External Views 226
Front View 226
Port View 227
Screw Chart   228
Screw Location Diagrams  230
Bottom Case Screws 230
Top Case to Display Assembly Screws   231
Main Modules to Top Case Screws 232 
						

							MacBook (15-inch, Late 2008) Basics — Manual Updates 8 2010-06-15
Manual Updates
Updated 15 June 2010
Troubleshooting:
• General Troubleshooting: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC): Updated text 
to clarify MagSafe LED behavior; deleted text requiring resetting date and time.
Updated 14 May 2010
Basics: 
• General Information: 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.
Troubleshooting: 
• Troubleshooting: I/O Symptom Chart: Built-in Keyboard Does Not Work Properly: Deep Dive: 
Action: Step 1 updated.
• Troubleshooting: I/O Symptom Chart: Specific Keys Don’t Work: Quick Check: Step 5 updated.
Updated 08 February 2010
Take Apart: 
• Bottom Case: Added section with graphics called “Bottom Case Information” that discusses 
two catches that are no longer present on current production bottom cases
• Logic Board: Added information in step 11 about I/O bracket and screws that are no longer 
required with current production top cases
• Top Case: Added section with graphic called “Top Case Information” that discusses a bracket 
that is no longer present on current production top cases
Updated 3 December 2009
Troubleshooting:
• General Troubleshooting: Added new section “Clamshell Service Diagnostic Read Me”
• Symptom Charts: Startup and Power Issues: Revised for Clamshell Service Diagnostic (CSD) 
considerations
• Symptom Charts: Communications: Revised for CSD considerations
• Symptom Charts: Display: Revised for CSD considerations
Updated 16 November 2009
Basic: 
• General Information: Required Tools: Changed Torx T6 screwdriver to require one with a 
large-diameter handle for a better grip on tight screws
Take Apart:   
						

							MacBook (15-inch, Late 2008) Basics — Manual Updates 9 2010-06-15
• Display Assembly: Added replacement note about installing foam gasket; revised “Tools” to 
specify a Torx T6 screwdriver with a large-diameter handle for a better grip on tight screws
• Logic Board: Added replacement note about installing foam gasket.
Updated 01 July 2009
Take Apart:
• Display Assembly, Optical Drive, and the Logic Board chapters were updated with 
information about the shim located behind the camera cable connector. If the shim is not 
replaced during reassembly, the camera cable could work loose, resulting in no video. 
• A replacement shim is now included with replacement logic boards.
Updated 17 June 2009 
Take Apart:
• Display Assembly chapter was updated with a topic on “Display Hinge Behavior.” 
Troubleshooting:
• General Information chapter was updated with a topic on “Display Hinge Behavior.” 
Updated 15 June 2009
Take Apart:
• Revised wording on Replacement step 3 in the AirPort Card chapter.
Updated 1 June 2009
Take Apart:
• Added TrackPad procedure.
• Logic Board: Removed reference to MagSafe screws in graphic, added note to alert 
techs not to remove MagSafe screws during logic board removal.
Views:
• Added TrackPad kit (922-9008) to exploded view diagram
Updated 14 April 2009
Troubleshooting: 
• Display/Display Anomalies: Deep Dive: Vertical/Horizontal Lines table added with 
graphics showing symptom.
Take Apart:
• Front Bracket/IR/Sleep Indicator cable: Updated procedure, with new text and cable 
connector graphics
• Logic Board: Updated procedure with IR/Sleep cable connector caution.
Updated 18 March 2009
Troubleshooting: 
• General Troubleshooting: Added information on Apple Hardware Test. There are two   
						

							MacBook (15-inch, Late 2008) Basics — Manual Updates 10 2010-06-15
versions of Apple Hardware Test (AHT ) for the MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008). To 
identify which version of AHT to use, check the third, fourth, and fifth digits in the 
system serial number
• Intermittent Shutdown: Added table “Troubleshooting Shutdown Causes” 
Take Apart:
• MagSafe Board: Updated removal procedure and added graphic to port test using 
unplugged power adapter cable
• Logic Board: Updated cable disconnect procedure (step 8) and added new graphic in 
step 13
• Optical drive: Updated graphic showing a shim next to connector on AirPort/
Bluetooth/camera cable
• Front Bracket/IR/Sleep Indicator cable: Updated removal procedure, to remove 
trackpad flex cable first, before disconnecting the IR/Sleep cable from the logic board.
Updated 3 March 2009
General Information: 
• New “Replacement Caution” graphics added to Thin, Multi-Pin Horizontal Insert topic
• New topic added: Display Issue: Pixel Anomalies
Take Apart: 
• Mag Safe: Replacement Note added. Check the port connection by plugging in a 
disconnected power adapter cable. If the MagSafe port is off center, the cable will not 
plug in securely, and you must reinstall the MagSafe board.
• Logic Board: New text and graphics added showing a shim and a new EMI gasket on 
the AirPort/Camera/Bluetooth cable. 
Troubleshooting: 
• Updated links in Deep Dive: Pixel Anomalies table
Views: 
• Added part numbers to exploded views
• Added two new part numbers to Screw Chart, 922-8994 and 922-8995
Updated 17 December 2008
• General Information: 
• Corrected link to Knowledge Base article 50020
• Added Apple Service Diagnostics and Apple Hardware Test diagnostic versions
• Block Diagram: updated memory to DDR3 and Bluetooth to 2.1
• General Troubleshooting
• Added Apple Service Diagnostic heading and a sensor chart with name and location 
of sensors
• Removed reference to Knowledge Base article HT3221 
• Updated text to use a tweezer to insert locking-lever flex cables
• Symptom Charts
• Updated Intermittent Shutdown/Deep Dive/Step 6/Yes Action and Code changed from 
X03 to M08