Apple macbook pro 15 inch mid 2009 User Manual

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 51 2010-12-15
6. Disconnect display assembly 
and test with known-good 
display assembly. Verify that 
system now starts up without 
kernel panic/freeze.
YesReplace display assembly.  L14
No Go to step 7
7. Check for thermal values and 
fan running speed 
Run ASD to check for fan 
and sensors test, and verify 
that ASD does not report any 
overtemp, failing sensor, or fan.
YesNo thermal fail detected - 
Replace logic board with 
matching symptom: 
 
- If hang or freeze 
 
- If Kernel Panic/system 
crashes
 
 
 
M05 
 
M06
NoIf sensor test failed, reseat 
sensor connections on logic 
board and retest. If still failing, 
replace sensor or part where 
it is located (top case, display, 
other) : 
If top case sensor failed 
If display sensor failed 
If logic board sensor failed 
If fan test failed, replace fan.  
If overtemp , replace heatsink.   
 
 
 
 
 
X99
L14
M18
X03
X10  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 52 2010-12-15
Battery Run Time Too Short
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Battery Run Time Too Short
Battery runs out of power very 
quickly (less than two hours)
1. Check if the battery is covered under a repair 
extension program. Use the “Portable Computer 
Battery Screening Process for Apple Service 
Providers” (Knowledge Base CP165). 
2.  Verify no applications have runaway processes 
with the CPU. See “Runaway applications can 
shorten battery runtime” (Knowedge Base 
TS1473).
3. Use “Apple Portables: Battery Life” (Knowledge 
Base HT1466) to screen for short battery run 
time. If replaced for run time too short, regardless 
of warranty coverage, use symptom code P09 if 
replaced.
Won’t Run on Power Adapter Alone
Unlikely cause: RAM, display assembly, hard drive, optical drive, top case, speakers, camera, 
microphone
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Won’t Run on Power Adapter 
Alone
Runs on battery but not on power 
adapter only.
1. Verify proper wattage adapter is being used.
2.  Check for dirty or stuck pins on the MagSafe 
connectors, both on the adapter and the 
computer.  
3. Connect the AC adapter to known-good power 
source.
4.  Verify power cord or plug is properly attached to 
AC adapter and MagSafe cable is not damaged.
5. Reset SMC by pressing the (left) Shift-Control-
Option keys along with the power button once.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 53 2010-12-15
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. With battery removed, will a 
known-good AC adapter start 
up and run the system and 
show MagSafe LED status?
YesConfirm user’s AC adapter as 
bad and replace.  
P14
NoVerify MagSafe board cable 
seating to logic board. Go to 
step 2
2.  Does a known-good power 
adapter’s LED light up either 
green or amber?
YesSMC on logic board senses AC 
power adapter. Go to step 3 
NoReplace the MagSafe board. 
Go to step 3.
3. Does the unit run on known-
good power adapter alone?
YesIssued resolved.X03
NoReplace logic board..M01
Power Adapter Issue
Unlikely cause: logic board, RAM, display assembly, hard drive, optical drive, top case, speakers, 
camera, microphone
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Power Adapter Issue
• No power
• No Power LED
• Non-operational
• Stuck /broken pin
1. Connect AC adapters MagSafe connector to the 
computer.  The LED on the connector should be 
green or amber.
2.  Verify power cord, or plug, is firmly attached to 
AC adapter. 
3. Verify AC power source is supplying AC power.
4.  Check for dirty or stuck pins on the MagSafe 
connectors, both on the adapter and the 
computer. Use and cleaning of power adapter 
with MagSafe
5. Reset SMC by pressing the (left) Shift-Control-
Option keys along with the power button once.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 54 2010-12-15
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Verify that the MagSafe LED 
is green or amber while 
connecting a known-good AC 
adapter on customer system.
YesSMC on logic board senses AC 
power adapter and enabled 
power. Go to step 4.
NoVerify MagSafe interconnect 
board is connected to logic 
board. Go to step 2
2.  Does the unit run on known-
good AC power adapter only?
YesIssued resolved.P99
NoReplace the MagSafe 
interconnect board. Go to 
step 3.
3. Verify the MagSafe LED 
is green or amber while 
connecting known-good 
power adapter on customer 
system.
YesBad MagSafe interconnect 
board. Issue resolved.
X03
NoGo to step 4
4.  Does the customer’s power  
adapter have stuck or 
bent pins on the MagSafe 
connector?
Yes Replace power adapter.P15
NoGo to step 5
5. Does the cable or duckhead 
have visible damage?
Yes Replace cable or duckhead.P16
NoGo to step 6
6.  Check that LED on MagSafe 
connector is displaying both 
green (if battery charged) and 
orange (when charging).
YesVerify adapter with known-
good unit and customer unit 
and troubleshoot source of 
error
 
NoReplace power adapter.P03  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 55 2010-12-15
Noise / Hum / Vibration
Unlikely cause: RAM, display assembly, top case, camera, microphone, battery
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Noise / Hum / Vibration
Computer or AC adapter emits a 
noise or vibration.
1. Verify and reproduce the source of the noise from 
the computer / adapter with the customer.
2.  If the AC adapter is the source of the noise 
disconnect and try a known-good adapter.  ( a 
small amount of hum or vibration is normal with 
AC adapters ).
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Use of a known-good AC 
adapter eliminates the noise/
vibration.
YesReplace AC adapter.P04
NoGo to step 2
2.  Verify if the noise is heard 
through the speakers and / or 
headphones.
YesGo to step 3
NoGo to step 4
3. Disconnect any peripheral 
devices, cards, or cables 
attached to the unit. Verify the 
noise is gone.
YesCheck for possible ground 
loop.
NoGo to step 6
4.  Locate the source of the noise.  
Is the noise from an optical 
drive?
YesCheck with a different media 
disc. Possible issue with disc 
label or out of balance media. 
If not related to media, and 
noise is above normal level, 
replace optical drive.
J04
NoGo to step 5  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 56 2010-12-15
5. Is the noise from the hard 
drive?
YesIt is normal for drives to 
produce noise when they 
spin up or the heads move.  
Replace drive if noise is above 
normal levels.
H06
NoGo to step 6 
6.  Is the noise coming from the 
fan?
YesThe fan(s) are generally 
running in a slow mode, 
but may accelerated when 
intensive processing is 
required (calculation, 3D 
gaming, or screen saver 
animation). If still beyond 
expected sound level, check 
for interference of fan with 
other mechanical element of 
system (foam, bracket, shield) 
before replacing a noisy fan.
 
 
 
 
X03
NoGo to step 7.P04
7. Noise maybe related to 
interference from other 
electrical devices operating 
near the computer, or on 
the same AC power source.  
Verify if noise is gone when 
operating in a different 
location on a different AC 
circuit.
YesPerhaps operating the unit 
with a surge suppressor will 
eliminate or reduce the noise.  
Change location of use or 
limit use of other device that 
is inducing the noise.
NoReplace logic board.M99  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 57 2010-12-15
Burnt Smell / Odor
Unlikely cause: Enclosure
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Burnt Smell / Odor
Computer or power adapter emits 
an odor or smell of smoke.
1. Disconnect the battery and AC adapter from the 
computer.
2.  Attempt to identify the source of the odor. Visual 
clues are component damaged like capacitor chip 
popped or burn marks. 
3. Check AirPort Card cable orientation.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Has the source of the odor 
been identified.
YesReplace the affected part.P08
NoGo to step 2
2.  Are any burn marks visible on 
components?  
YesReplace the affected part.P08
NoGo to step 3
3. Refer to Liquid Contact 
Indicators. Are any of the spill 
sensors red?
YesFor more information, refer 
to Knowledge Base article 
http://support.apple.com/
kb/HT3400:  “About Liquid 
contact indicators (LCI) on 
portable computers.
Go to step 4  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 58 2010-12-15
4. Is the computer operating 
normally?
YesThis could be related to 
normal operation. Also check 
for accidental damage cause 
using  Knowledge Base article 
http://support.apple.com/
kb/CP161”.
NoPlease refer to best related 
troubleshooting section. If 
after inspecting the unit you 
feel there is a possible safety 
issue with the computer or 
AC adapter, please notify 
Apple.  
Battery Leaking or Swollen
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Battery Leaking or Swollen
• Trackpad button does not work 
• Battery pack case has opened. 
• Bottom cover cannot be 
reinstalled
1. Check if the battery is covered under a repair 
extension program. Reference: MacBook, 
MacBook Pro (15-inch) or MacBook Pro (17-inch) 
with swollen battery article (Knowledge Base 
TS2358).
2.  Use the “Portable Computer Battery Screening 
Process for Apple Service Providers” (Knowledge 
Base CP165) and use “Battery pack is visibly 
deformed” case under section 2E. Use symptom 
code P13.
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 [email protected] stating that a suitable 
symptom code could not be found.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Communications 59 2010-12-15
Communications
Ethernet Port/Device Issue
Unlikely cause:  power adapter, battery, speakers, optical drive, hard drive, fan, camera, 
microphone, top case, display assembly, AirPort card
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Ethernet Port/Device Issue
• No Ethernet device present
• Unable to access network 
resources
• Ethernet device shows no 
connection
• Ethernet device unable to get 
an IP address
• Slow network performance
1. Check the network cable for damage, try a 
known good Ethernet cable – CAT5 or better 
recommended for 100Mbps+ connections.
2.  Check Ethernet ports on Mac and wall/switch for 
dust, debris, damage or bent pins. 
3. Ensure distance from networking infrastructure is 
less than 300 feet / 105 meters. 
4.  Verify port, cable and network hardware with a 
known good system. Isolate firewall, MAC address 
filtering or hardware access control devices.
5. Check system logs. Isolate OS by starting up from 
original install media (10.5.x) or compatible known 
good OS.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Visually inspect Ethernet 
connector to ensure all pins 
will make physical contact with 
CAT5 network cable.
YesEthernet interface contacts 
are good. Go to step 2.
NoPins are damaged or bent flat, 
replace logic board. 
M10
2.  Isolate OS by booting from 
original install media. Verify 
Network Link status active by 
using Network Utility on install 
DVD.   If the Ethernet interface 
(en0) Link Status is inactive, 
recheck physical connect and 
link activity indicator on hub/
switch.
YesEthernet interface (en0) Link 
Status is active, go to step 3.
NoIf connection is OK on known-
good system, replace logic 
board. 
M10  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Communications 60 2010-12-15
3. Verify if IP address is listed 
for the Ethernet interface in 
System Preferences: Network.   
Connect computer to network 
with known-good DHCP IP 
allocation, ensuring static 
DHCP maps or filtering is not 
preventing address allocation. 
Note: DHCP allocation may not 
be instantaneous depending 
on network.  Retest.
YesGo to step 4.
NoIf connection is OK on known-
good system, replace logic 
board. 
M10
4.  Verify connection by using 
Network Utility to ping another 
connected computer on the 
same subnet.  Ensure the 
target computer’s IP address is 
valid, on the same subnet and 
powered on. Ensure no MAC 
address filtering or hardware 
access control devices are 
present. Use a simple hub/
switch environment.
YesGo to step 5
No If the symptoms do not 
change, replace the logic 
board.
M10
5. Verify Ethernet performance 
and reliability by starting up 
from a known-good OS install, 
and downloading a large file 
from a web site or file server. 
YesIf there is no performance or 
connectivity issue isolated 
solely to the system under 
test, the problem may be the 
network environment. No 
repair is necessary. 
NoIf there are connection 
dropouts or poor 
performance not seen on 
a known-good test system, 
replace the logic board.
M10