Apple macbook pro 15 inch mid 2009 User Manual

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 31 2010-12-15
Symptom Charts
Follow the steps in the order indicated below. If an action resolves the issue, retest the system 
to verify. Note: A compilation of Quick Check tables is available at http://service.info.apple.
com/QRS/en/quickreference.pdf.
Note: There is no silkscreen text on final production logic boards. The photos shown with test 
points are from pre-production units and are solely for reference.
Startup and Power...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 32 2010-12-15
2. Reset SMC (remove all system 
power for 1 minute), and verify 
unit starts. Can system start up 
after SMC reset?
YesCorrupt SMC state preventing 
power on.  Issue resolved with 
SMC reset.
NoGo to step 3
3. Will system power up with 
battery only?  Check battery 
level LED indicator for status 
of battery charge or battery 
use error.   Inspect battery 
connector for burn marks or 
damaged pins if substituting a...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 33 2010-12-15
8. Verify adapter status LED 
turns on green then orange 
indicating power and battery 
charge in progress.              
A green LED can indicate a full 
battery, removal of battery or 
battery not recognized. 
YesSystem starts and has power.  
MagSafe LED indicates power 
is flowing to logic board.   
Verify customer battery will 
also charge.  Review battery 
health to ensure customer 
satisfaction. 
 
 
 
P11
NoAC...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 34 2010-12-15
Won’t Start Up
Unlikely cause:  display assembly, speakers, fan, camera, microphone 
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Power but No start up
• No startup chime, some video 
activity, Apple logo, startup 
spin dial
• Startup chime with possible 
beep tones.
• Fan, hard drive spin or optical 
drive reset sound 
• Sleep LED is on , blinking or 
went out
• Caps Lock LED toggles when 
pressed
1. Reset SMC.
2.  Verify startup...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 35 2010-12-15
3. Reseat customer memory 
and/or swap in known-
good memory to isolate bad 
memory and replace defective 
parts.    
YesCustomer memory defective 
and replaced. Continue to 
verify startup process.  Go to 
step 4
X02
NoShould known-good memory 
fail in one or more slots, 
replace logic board.
M07
4.  Hold the Alt (Option) key 
during startup and verify there 
is a bootable hard drive shown 
in Startup Manager....

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 36 2010-12-15
8. Use Disk Utility loaded from 
OS install disc to verify if hard 
drive is available on device list.  
Is customer hard drive listed in 
Disk Utility?
YesCustomer hard drive available 
for inspections and repair.  Go 
to step 10. 
NoHard drive not present, 
troubleshoot hard drive and 
cable. Go to step 9.
9. Troubleshoot hard drive and 
hard drive SATA cable with 
cable reseat and known-good 
part substitutions. If...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 37 2010-12-15
Intermittent Shutdown
Unlikely cause:  hard drive, optical drive
Troubleshooting Shutdown Causes
Your computer’s system log may record why it shut down or went into sleep mode. Reviewing 
SMC codes in the system.log of the Console application may provide some information about 
why the event occurred.
To review SMC codes in the system.log in Console:
1. Open the Console application. Console is located in the...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 38 2010-12-15
Shutdown 
Cause 
Number
CauseSuggested Fix
-61
Watchdog timer detected 
unresponsive application, shutting 
down the system.
Troubleshoot for stuck application, 
startup item and any loading 
preferences (Mac OS X Server Energy 
Saver).
-62
Watchdog timer detected 
unresponsive application, restarting 
the system.
Troubleshoot for stuck application, 
startup item and any loading 
preferences (Mac OS X Server Energy...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 39 2010-12-15
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Intermittent shutdown
• Powers off during startup
• Powers off with desktop use
1. Verify battery charge status
2.  Check AC adapter MagSafe connector and 
connection with system 
3. Reset SMC and PRAM
4.  Start up with shift key down for safe mode
5. Startup from known-good bootable device
6.  Check system.log info for shutdown cause
7. Run AHT /ASD for sensors + thermal test
Deep Dive...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 40 2010-12-15
3. Start up from product OS 
install disc or from an external 
hard drive with product Mac 
OS.  
Are shutdown symptoms and 
events gone while starting up 
from this known-good Mac 
OS?
YesShutdown events cease on 
known-good OS.  Reinstall 
Mac OS on customer hard 
drive and  update OS with 
latest version and check 
if bootROM updates are 
available.
 
 
 
 
NoSymptoms unchanged - go to 
step 4
4.  Check system...