Apple macbook pro 15 inch late 2008 User Manual

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 101 2010-06-15
Built-in Trackpad Does Not Track Properly
Unlikely cause: LCD, hard drive, optical drive
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Built-in Trackpad Does Not Track 
Properly
• Cursor movement is random, 
uneven, or jumpy.
• Cursor hangs or stalls along 
path.
1. Check for environmental factors such as humidity, 
hand lotion or jewelry.  Check if user is touching 
the trackpad simultaneously with both hands.
2.  Clean the trackpad surface (with the computer 
off ) using a clean, dry, lint free cloth.
3. Make sure all software and firmware updates have 
been applied.
4.  If the issue occurs when system is running from 
the power adapter, use a grounded power cord 
with the power adapter.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Can you see the trackpad 
continuously listed under USB 
in Apple System Profiler?
YesTrackpad communicating to 
system. Go to step 5.
NoGo to step 2
2.  Does the trackpad look 
damaged?
YesReplace trackpad. Go to step 
6.
K02
NoGo to step 3.
3. Reseat the trackpad flex cable 
on the logic board.  Does the 
trackpad work now?
YesLoose cable.  Issue resolved.
NoGo to step 4.
4.  Is the trackpad connector on 
the logic board damaged?
YesReplace logic board.M24
No Go to step 5.
5. In System Preferences: 
Universal Access, turn off 
special Keyboard and Mouse 
& Trackpad settings.  Does 
trackpad work now?
YesSettings issue resolved.
NoGo to step 6.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 102 2010-06-15
6. Does a known-good trackpad 
work?
YesReplace trackpad according 
to symptom found. 
- No mouse/trackpad 
response  
- Trackpad cursor not tracking 
properly 
- Trackpad button issues.
 
 
K02 
 
K12 
K13
NoReplace logic board.M16
Apple Remote Inoperable
Unlikely cause:  LCD, hard drive, optical drive
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Apple Remote Inoperable
• Remote is not recognized.
1. The computer is on and awake.
2.  Check with known-good remote on user’s 
computer and the user’s remote on known-good 
computer
3. Remote is used within 30 feet of the computer 
and unobstructed line-of-sight to the IR window.
4.  Clean the IR window.
5. Open System Preferences: Security pane. Verify 
that “Disable remote control infrared receiver” is 
not checked.
6.  In Security pane,  if “Unpair” button is active, press 
it and pair the Apple Remote. See “Pairing your 
Apple Remote with your computer” (Knowledge 
Base HT1619).  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 103 2010-06-15
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Open Photo Booth or iChat’s 
Video Preview window.  Point 
Apple Remote at built-in iSight 
camera, press any button on 
remote, and verify that (as seen 
through the camera) a faint 
blinking light is on the remote.
YesApple Remote works. Go to 
step 2.
NoReplace the remote’s battery.  
Go to step 2.
2.  Verify that you can pair the 
Apple Remote with a known-
good system?
YesGo to step 3.
NoReplace the Apple Remote. 
Go to step 3.
X04
3. Verify that Apple Remote now 
works.
YesIssue resolved.
NoCheck and reseat IR/sleep LED 
board cable connection at 
logic board. Go to step 4.
4.  Does the Apple Remote now 
work?
YesIssue resolved.
NoReplace the hard drive front 
bracket (includes IR/sleep 
cable). Go to step 5.
5. Does the Apple Remote now 
work?
YesIssue resolved.K99
NoReplace logic board.M15
Built-in Speaker Has No Audio
Unlikely cause: LCD, hard drive, optical drive
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Built-in Speaker Has No Audio
Can’t hear any audio from within 
the machine.
1. Make sure all software updates have been 
applied.
2.  Check in System Preferences: Sound: Output that 
sound output is set to “Internal Speakers”.
3. Use the F12 volume key to set the sound to 
maximum.
4.  Reset PRAM.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 104 2010-06-15
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Check System Preferences: 
Sound: Output and verify that 
no external speakers, “Digital 
Out,” or headphones are being 
reported connected when 
there is none present.
YesAudio-out port is not 
damaged.  Go to step 3.
NoGo to step 2
2.  With known-good headphone 
or speakers, plug in the audio 
output jack for several cycles. 
Verify that you get audio 
through external headphones/
speakers when connected.
YesGo to step 4
NoReseat the speaker 
connectors to logic board.  Go 
to step 3.
3. Verify that you now get audio 
through internal speakers .
YesIssue resolved.
NoReplace logic board.M09
4.  Disconnect known-good 
headphones or speakers. 
Verify that you now get audio 
through  internal speakers.
YesIssue resolved.
NoReplace affected speaker(s).X08
Distorted Sound from Internal Speaker
Unlikely cause: LCD, hard drive, optical drive
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Distorted Sound from Internal 
Speaker
• Distorted audio
1. Reset PRAM.
2.  Adjust sound output and level in System 
Preferences: Sound: Output, and use the Balance 
to locate a left, right, or woofer speaker distortion 
source.
3. Compare the same sound and same settings 
against another unit to make sure the sound is 
actually distorting.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 105 2010-06-15
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Comparing internal speakers 
with headphones, is the 
distortion on both headphones 
and speakers?
YesAudio source or gain issue. 
Reset PRAM, adjust sound 
level in System Preferences: 
Sound: Output, and retest 
with known-good audio 
source and external speakers. 
Go to step 5. 
NoInternal speaker issue. Go to 
step 2.
2.  Use the Sound Output system 
preference to test the left 
and right speakers. If lower 
bass notes are distorted, right 
speaker/subwoofer may be 
defective. Are all speakers free 
of distortion, sounding clear 
and loud?.
YesIssue resolved.
NoAdjust volume to test full 
range of volume settings. Go 
to step 3.
3. Is affected speaker cable 
properly inserted and free 
from damage?
YesGo to step 4.
NoReseat speaker cable or 
replace damaged speaker. Go 
to step 5.
X09
4.  Is affected speaker membrane 
free from dust or debris, and 
speaker membrane is not 
deformed/damaged?
YesGo to step 5.
NoClean any dust or debris. Go 
to step 5.  
If membrane is damaged, 
replace the bad speaker(s).  
X09
5. Verify that speaker enclosure 
is not damaged, correctly 
installed in system, and does 
not create unneeded vibration 
when sound is played.
YesSpeaker housing and 
installation is good. Go to 
step 6.
NoProperly install or replace 
affected speaker.  Go to step 
6.
6.  Verify that internal speakers 
no longer produce distorted 
sound.
YesIssue resolved.X09
NoReplace logic board.M09  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 106 2010-06-15
Express Card Will Not Insert Into Slot
Unlikely cause: LCD, MLB, hard drive
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
ExpressCard will not insert into 
ExpressCard Slot
ExpressCard does not fully seat 
into the slot
Slot door does not open 
completely
1. The card must be a 34mm wide card with the top 
side oriented up and not be warped or damaged.
2.  Clear any obstruction in the slot.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Is the slot cover opening 
properly?
Yes.Go to step 3
NoRe-seat the ExpressCard Cage 
and inspect the slot cover. Go 
to step 2.
2.  Does the slot cover open 
properly after the adjustments?
YesIssue resolved. 
NoReplace top case.X13
3. Can the ExpressCard slide 
completely into the slot?
YesIssue resolved. 
NoRe-seat the ExpressCard Cage 
with the card already installed 
in the card cage.. Go to step 4.
4.  Ejecting the ExpressCard 
and re-inserting it, does it 
completely slide into the slot?
YesIssue resolved. X13
NoReplace the ExpressCard 
Cage. 
M17  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 107 2010-06-15
Express Card Not Recognized By System
Unlikely cause: LCD, MLB, HDD/ODD
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
ExpressCard is not recognized by 
the system.
Card does not show up on the 
desktop or in System Profiler 
1. Check correct drivers are installed for the 
ExpressCard.
2.  Verify with known good USB and PCI Express  
based ExpressCards that the slot is good. 
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCSC
1. Does the ExpressCard cable 
connection to the main logic 
board look secure?
YesGo to step 3
NoRe-seat the ExpressCard Cage 
cable connection. Go to step 
2.
2.  Is the card recognized?YesBad connection. Issue 
resolved. 
X04
NoGo to step 3
3. Does the ExpressCard cage 
look damaged (connector or 
cage?
YesReplace the ExpressCard cage. 
Go to step 5
NoRemove the ExpressCard 
cage, install an ExpressCard 
(one fits completely inside), 
then re-installed the card 
cage. Go to step 4. 
4.  Is the card recognized?YesCard cage mounting issue. 
Issue resolved. 
X99
NoReplace the ExpressCard cage. 
Go to step 5
X13
5. Is the card recognized?YesBad ExpressCard cage. Issue 
resolved.
X13
NoReplace the logic board.M17  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) Symptom Charts — Input/Output Devices 108 2010-06-15
FireWire Port Not Recognizing Known Devices
Unlikely cause: LCD,HDD/ODD
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
FireWire Port is not recognizing 
known devices
Attached FireWire device like 
digital camera or mass storage  
drive not recognized by the system
1. Check for latest software update.
2.  Use Apple System Profiler to verify the computer 
recognizes the FireWire bus.
3. Test port by connecting to another computer 
using FireWire Target Disk Mode.
4.  Verify the FireWire cable is good.
5. Verify a self powered FireWire device is getting 
power
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
After resetting SMC, was the 
FireWire Port recognized?
YesIssue resolved.
NoFireWire port is bad. Replace 
main logic board.
M12
Uncategorized Symptom
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Uncategorized Symptom
Unable to locate appropriate 
symptom code
Verify whether existing symptom code applies 
to  the issue reported by the customer. If not, 
document reported symptom and send feedback to 
smfeedback@apple stating that a suitable symptom 
code could not be found.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) 109 2010-06-15
Mechanical Issues: Thermals and Enclosure
Reset/Power Button Stuck
Unlikely cause:  LCD, hard drive, optical drive
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Reset/Power Button Stuck
• System will not power on
• System sounds bootROM 
unlock tone during startup
• System automatically starts up 
repeatedly
1. Diagnose stuck button with SMC keyboard reset 
sequence
2.  Inspect keyboard connection to logic board.
3. Try logic board power-on pads to determine open 
or closed power-on key.  Closed circuit will not 
allow on-board switch to work.
4.  If stuck down or closed, remove keyboard cable 
from logic board and try on board switch again to 
determine if top case is defective.
5. If logic board will not power on with keyboard 
cable removed, troubleshoot no power/no boot.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Reset SMC using keyboard 
3 keys and power-on key.   
MagSafe LED can verify SMC 
reset.  Momentary stop of 
battery charging will indicate 
SMC reset, orange LED will go 
green momentarily then return 
to orange.
YesKeyboard reset works while 
holding 3 keys and toggling 
power-on key, multiple press 
and release of power-on key 
works to show power-on key 
not stuck or fixed.
NoSMC keyboard reset not 
working, suggests power-on 
key is open circuit or stuck 
down.  Go to step 2.
2.  Remove battery and AC power 
for 30 seconds to perform a 
manual SMC reset.  Apply AC 
power.  Does power-on key 
work when pressed?
YesSMC restored from power 
removal sequence.  Power-on 
key now working properly.
NoPower-on key stuck or open.  
Go to step 3.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) 110 2010-06-15
3. Inspect keyboard flex cable for 
loose or damaged connections.   
Align and reseat to flex cable 
to ensure proper connections.  
Does power-on key now work 
correctly?
YesCable reseat restored power-
on key operation.
NoPower-on key still stuck or 
open.  Go to step 4.
4.  Use conductive tool to assert 
power on by touching power-
on switch pads on logic board.
YesSystem powers on suggests 
top case power on key circuit 
is open.  Replace top case.
X14
NoPower-on key circuit may be 
closed suggesting a stuck 
power-on key.  Go to step 5.
5. Disconnect the internal 
keyboard flex cable and assert 
power-on switch pads on logic 
board.  Removing top case 
power-on key from circuit 
should free on-board switch to 
work properly.
YesOn board power-on switch 
pads now starts the system.   
Replace top case due to stuck 
power-on key.
X14
NoGo to M01: No power/ not 
booting
System Runs Hot
Unlikely cause:  LCD, hard drive, optical drive
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
System Runs Hot
• System feels very warm
• Fan(s) not working
• Fan(s) are full on
1. Verify the computer operating on a flat, hard 
surface and the vents are not blocked.
2.  Verify the computer is not running hotter than 
expected for normal operation. If possible, 
compare to a similarly configured computer.
3. Reset SMC.
4.  Inspect fan performance
5. Run thermal sensor test.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode