Apple macbook pro 15 inch mid 2009 User Manual

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Basics — General Information 21 2010-12-15
The antiglare display models have a Bluetooth card and antenna in the top left corner. 
The Glass Panel
Warning: The glass panel for this model is not a serviceable part. If the glass is broken or 
scratched, replace the display assembly. Attempting to remove the glass can permanently 
shatter the display face and damage other parts.
To clean the glass panel, use the Apple polishing cloth (922-8245) and iKlear Apple Polish or 
Brillianize anti-static spray cleaning solution. Alternatively, IPA (isopropyl alcohol) can be used.   
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Basics — General Information 22 2010-12-15
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. The packages 
allow you to replace individual keycaps rather than the entire top case. 
There are four different keycap packages, based on the color of the key and the type of 
keyboard (version D and S). 
Part numberKey colorKeyboard
922-9277BlackVersion D
922-9279BlackVersion S
922-9278WhiteVersion D
922-9280WhiteVersion S
For step-by-step instructions, refer to the relevant support article: “MacBook/MacBook Pro: 
Black Keycap Replacement” (HT4002) or “MacBook: White Keycap Replacement” (HT4003). 
For an overview of the differences among keycap procedures, refer to “MacBook/MacBook 
Pro: Keycap Replacement Matrix” (HT4001).  
						

							© 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
 Apple Technician Guide 
Troubleshooting
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009)   
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) General Troubleshooting — Apple Service Diagnostics 24 2010-12-15
General Troubleshooting
Update System Software
Important: Whenever possible before beginning troubleshooting, ensure the latest software 
and firmware updates have been applied.
Apple Service Diagnostics
Run Apple Service Diagnostic to determine if any of the thermal sensors are malfunctioning. 
Replace any failing sensors. See chart below for correlation between error code and part.
NameLocation
TC0DLogic Board
TC0PLogic Board
TG0DLogic Board
TG0HLogic Board
TG0PLogic Board
TG0TLogic Board
Th2HLogic Board
TN0DLogic Board
TN0PLogic Board
Tm0PLogic Board
Ts0PTrackpad flex
TB0TBattery pack
TB1TBattery pack
TB2TBattery pack
TB3TBattery pack
Test Points
There is no silkscreen text on final production logic boards. Test points mentioned in 
troubleshooting charts are solely for reference.
Troubleshooting Theory
For general information on troubleshooting theory, refer to:
http://service.info.apple.com/service_training/en/006/troubleshoot/index.php?page=intro  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) General Troubleshooting — Hardware vs. Software 25 2010-12-15
Hardware vs. Software
For information on how to isolate a hardware issue from a software issue, refer to:
TS1394—Mac OS X: Troubleshooting installation and software updates 
HT2956—Troubleshooting Mac OS X installation from CD or DVD 
For information on how to troubleshoot a software issue, refer to:
HT1199—Mac OS X: How to troubleshoot a software issue 
Clamshell Service Diagnostic Read Me
Isolating video and wireless issues in portable computers can be time consuming and 
confusing. The Clamshell Service Diagnostic (CSD) is a new diagnostic tool that checks Apple’s 
latest portable computers for the presence of AirPort, Bluetooth, LCD and Ambient Light Sensor 
(ALS) to assist you in quickly making a failure determination.
Troubleshooting benefits of using CSD include:
• Quick way (less than 1 minute) to determine whether clamshell-related modules (AirPort, 
Bluetooth, LCD and ALS) are electrically connected without taking apart the system.
• Results of CSD can help pinpoint if any clamshell cables may need to be reseated to logic 
board.
• Diagnostic results can help isolate a video or wireless issue to either the clamshell or the 
logic board, to avoid unnecessary replacements of these components.
CSD checks for the presence of the computer’s:
• AirPort
• Bluetooth
• LCD
• ALS
CSD does not check for the presence of the computer’s:
• iSight camera
• externally connected hardware components (such as USB or FireWire devices)
CSD does not check for issues with the OS X or other software-related problems such as 
application or extension conflicts.
Emerging Issues
For the latest on troubleshooting issues, refer to Global Service Exchange (GSX) and reference 
Service Source, Knowledge Base and the Service News tabs for product specific information.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) General Troubleshooting — Functional Overview 26 2010-12-15
Functional Overview
Refer to this diagram for symptoms related to MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) logic board 
connectors.
Right Fan :
-intermittent shutdown
-freezes
-noisy fan
Right Speaker and 
Subwoofer:
-no sound from right speaker 
or woofer
-distorted right or center 
soundClamshell to Airport, 
Bluetooth, iSight and 
ambient light sensor :
-any of these 
communications failing
-no keyboard backlight 
activation is possible
-no startup (if shorted 
Airport cable)
LCD + backlight:
-no video on internal 
lcd
-no backlight
Battery:
-not running when on 
battery only
-no power on if wrong 
power adapter  used
-no battery level 
displayed
Battery indicator leds 
+battery level button
+magnetic sleep 
sensor: -no battery error indication,
-no battery level while 
charging
-no sleep when 
clamshell closed,
-no video on internal 
display (sensor stuck)-
no battery level shown if 
button pressed
Keyboard 
backlight:
-no keyboard 
backlight
Keyboard + power 
on button:
-no power on with 
keyboard
-dead keys
Trackpad 
+trackpad button 
+thermal sensor:
-no cursor movement,
-no click action
-unit running slower (no 
trackpad thermal sensor)
Sata hard drive + Sleep led
+ Infrared sensor:
-no hdd visible in system 
profiler
-no sleep led status
-no infrared reception
-no power on (if shorting 
SMC)Sata optical drive:
-no odd visible
-no boot from odd
Magsafe connector 
(underneath mlb):
-no power on
-no battery charge
-no led on adapter
Ram:
-no boot,
-freeze or kernel panic
-video artifacts
Connectors located on 
the other side of the 
MLB:
Microphone 
-no integrated sound 
inpu t 
Left speaker 
-no left sound,  -distorted left sound
Left fan
-intermittent shutdown
-freezes
-noisy fan    
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) General Troubleshooting — Block Diagram, MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) 27 2010-12-15
Block Diagram, MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009)
Refer to this diagram to see how modules are interrelated.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) General Troubleshooting — Liquid Contact Indicators 28 2010-12-15
Liquid Contact Indicators
Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI) have been added to specific locations on current Mac portables 
and desktop keyboards to help determine if systems have been exposed to liquid. Damage due 
to liquid exposure is not covered by the Apple one (1) year limited warranty or the AppleCare 
Protection Plan (APP). Normally represented by small white dots, the LCIs turn red when they 
have come in contact with liquid, such as an accidental spill.
Important: The Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) is a tool that helps technicians identify whether 
or not a product has been in contact with liquid. Technicians should not rely solely on this tool, 
but should perform a thorough examination for signs of liquid contact, such as corrosion.
For more information, refer to Knowledge Base article HT3400:  “About Liquid contact indicators 
(LCI) on portable and desktop computers.” http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3400
Common Reset Procedures
When a reset procedure is required for troubleshooting, follow the applicable steps:
Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
To reset power management via the SMC chip:
1. If the computer is on, turn it off by choosing Shutdown from the Apple () menu. 
2.  Connect the power adapter to the computer and to a working power source. 
3. Important: Use the keys on the left side of the keyboard. On the built-in keyboard, press 
Shift-Control-Option along with the power button once. 
Note: When the LED on the MagSafe connector is orange, resetting the SMC will change it 
to green for a few seconds, indicating that SMC was correctly reset. 
4.  Wait 5 seconds and press the power button to restart the computer.  Note: If bottom case 
is removed, you may alternately reset the SMC by disconnecting the power adapter and the 
main battery, and holding the power button down for five seconds.
For more information:
http://www.apple.com/support
HT3964—Apple Portables: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)  
  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) General Troubleshooting — Common Reset Procedures 29 2010-12-15
Resetting the Parameter RAM (PRAM)
To reset PRAM, 
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2.  Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to 
hold these keys down simultaneously in Step 4.
Note: If the keyboard does not have an Option key, use the Alt key instead.
3. Turn on the computer.
4.  Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. 
Important: You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the 
second time.
6.  Release the keys.
For more information:
http://www.apple.com/support
HT1379—Apple Portables: Resetting the PRAM 
Starting Up in Safe Mode
A Safe Boot is a special way to start Mac OS X when troubleshooting. To start up into Safe Mode 
(Safe Boot), 
1. Make sure the computer is shut down.
2.  Press the power button.
3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
Note: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not 
before.
4.  Release the Shift key when you see the screen with the gray Apple and progress indicator 
(looks like a spinning gear). During startup, ”Safe Boot” appears on the Mac OS X startup 
screen. To leave Safe Mode, restart the computer normally, without holding down any keys 
during startup.
For more information:
http://www.apple.com/support
HT1564—What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? 
TS1884—Safe Boot take longer than normal startup   
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) General Troubleshooting — Display Issue: Pixel Anomalies 30 2010-12-15
Display Issue: Pixel Anomalies
When displaying a single color over the screen area, the LCD panel might show one or more 
pixels that are not properly lit. To determine if the display has an acceptable number of pixel 
anomalies, follow the steps below:
1. Set the display image to one of the following colors: all-white, all-red, all-green, all-blue, or 
all-black display. Knowledge Base article 112125: “Service Diagnostics Matrix”, has the LCD 
Tester Diagnostic Utility that will generate these patterns on the screen.  
2. Using a jeweler’s loupe, pocket microscope, or other magnifying device, identify and 
count each pixel anomaly:
Bright subpixel anomaly = subpixel that is always on 
Dark subpixel anomaly = subpixel that is always off  
3. The number of acceptable pixel anomalies for this computer is:  
BrightUp to 3
DarkUp to 5
CombinationUp to 7
4. If the number of subpixel anomalies exceeds the acceptable number shown above, 
replace the LCD panel display assembly. Numbers outside the acceptable range would be
Bright4 or more
Dark6 or more
Combination8 or more
5. If the number of subpixel anomalies is acceptable, explain to the customer that the 
pixel anomalies are within specifications, and no repair is necessary.  
Important: Do not release the specifications to customers. Instead, inform them that a 
certain number of subpixel anomalies are considered acceptable, and these factors apply to 
all manufacturers using LCD technology—not just Apple products. 
When speaking with customers, please use the following explanation: 
• Active-matrix LCD technology uses rows and columns of addressable locations (pixels) 
that render text and images on screen. Each pixel location has three separate subpixels 
(red, green, and blue) that allow the image to be rendered in full color. Each subpixel has 
a corresponding transistor responsible for turning the subpixel on or off. 
• There are typically millions of these subpixels on an LCD display. For example, the LCD 
panel used in the Apple Cinema HD display is made up of 2.3 million pixels and 6.9 
million red, green, and blue subpixels. Occasionally, a transistor does not work perfectly, 
which may result in the affected subpixel being turned on (bright) or turned off (dark). 
With the millions of subpixels on a display,  it is quite possible to have a low number 
of faulty transistors on an LCD. Therefore, a certain number of subpixel anomalies are 
considered acceptable. Rejecting all but perfect LCD panels would significantly increase 
the retail price for products using LCD displays. These factors apply to all manufacturers 
using LCD technology—not just Apple products.