Apple macbook pro 15 inch mid 2009 User Manual

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 41 2010-12-15
7. Check if sleep event happens 
repeatedly in system.log 
If sleep/wake events are 
repeatedly reported, plug 
external monitor and run ASD 
to check for sleep sensor test. 
Verify if sleep sensor test is 
failing.
YesCheck for intermittently 
shorted BIL/sleep sensor in 
top case. If damaged, replace 
BIL/sleep sensor cable of top 
case. 
 
Reseat and retest sleep 
sensor with ASD. If failing 
again, check with a...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 42 2010-12-15
No Video/Bad Video
Unlikely cause: hard drive, optical drive, top case, battery, power adapter
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Power, but No Video
• Power
• No video
• fan, hard drive spin, or optical 
drive reset sound
• sleep LED is on or went on
• light if Caps Lock pressed
1. Reset SMC. 
2.  Reset PRAM.
3. If no startup chime, verify with known-good 
memory.
4.  Verify with external monitor.
5. Press Alt key on...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 43 2010-12-15
4. Reset SMC and verify that 
system video is displayed.
YesCorrupt SMC State preventing 
video.
NoGo to Step 5
5. Reset PRAM. 
If no action, use external 
keyboard with same sequence. 
Verify that system video is 
displayed.
YesInvalid or Corrupt PRAM 
contents affecting video 
output 
NoGo to step 6
6.  Connect External video 
Connect known-good VGA/
DVI adapter to known-good 
display, press power button 
and close...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 44 2010-12-15
8. Check for sleep sensor 
condition. If display assembly 
sleep sensor is stuck in a 
closed state, video will appear 
on internal display temporarily, 
until the OS sleeps the system. 
Disconnect BIL/ sleep cable 
and restart unit without 
external display. Verify that 
system starts up with video on 
internal display stays on and 
does not go into sleep mode.
YesSleep sensor was stuck or had 
shorted cable. Replace...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 45 2010-12-15
11. Verify with reseated backlight 
cable or replaced display 
assembly 
Verify that unit now  has video 
and backlight.
YesIssue was only due to 
damaged display assembly or 
unseated cable.
NoDisplay cable damaged the 
logic board. Replace logic 
board.
M25
Battery Isn’t Recognized or Won’t Charge
Unlikely cause:  display assembly, speakers, optical drive, hard drive, trackpad
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Battery...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 46 2010-12-15
3. Does battery status indicate 
a fully charge battery with all 
LEDs on?
YesCustomer battery charged, 
check health.   Go to step 13.
NoGo to step 4
4.  Does battery status indicate 
the battery is not recognized 
with a single LED on that 
chases back and forth 5 times?
YesGo to step 8 and tag battery 
as a possible P11 candidate.
(P11)
NoGo to step 5
5. Does battery status indicate 
the battery is recognized but...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 47 2010-12-15
11. Battery status LEDs not 
working - inspect button stuck 
or cable disconnect at logic 
board and reset SMC.
YesLED status now working. Go 
to step 3.
NoGo to step 12.
12.  Remove system battery and 
connect and test a known-
good battery status indicator 
assembly.   Do LEDs indicate a 
battery not recognized chase 
pattern? 
YesReplace customer battery 
LED indicator assembly. Go to 
step 3
X03
NoReplace customer...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 48 2010-12-15
Kernel Panic/System Crashes
Unlikely cause:  Battery, Power Adapter
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Memory Issues/Kernel panic and 
freezes
• Display notice of system kernel 
panic during start up and 
desktop use.
• System freeze during use.
• System freeze upon wake from 
sleep.
1. Reset SMC and clear PRAM
2.  Remove suspect external devices.
3. Verify user memory is Apple-approved memory, 
and memory configuration...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 49 2010-12-15
3. Boot in Safe Mode with Shift 
key down, and check for recent 
kernel panic data in panic log.    
 
Open Panic.log file on hard 
drive and check for affected 
interface that crashed. If unit 
still crashes during startup, you 
will need to take out disk to 
a good system to access the 
file. Verify that kernel panic 
dependency is not with an I/O 
interface. 
YesKernel Panic is not a system 
I/O related device. Go...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 50 2010-12-15
Remove I/O device where 
possible to pinpoint faulty 
device:   
 
- Disconnect camera cable 
from display assembly (for 
AirPort, Bluetooth, camera, and 
ambient light sensor). Camera 
cable can be disconnected 
without affecting startup and 
test. 
 
- Bluetooth card to isolate 
Bluetooth. 
 
- optical drive cable to isolate 
optical drive. 
 
- hard drive cable to isolate 
hard drive. 
 
Memory cards can be...