Apple macbook pro 15 inch mid 2009 User Manual

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Display 71 2010-12-15
Display
Display Anomalies
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Display Anomalies
• Incorrect/missing colors
• Distorted/blurred image
• Pixel anomalies
• Vertical/horizontal lines 
• Non-uniform brightness
• Image flicker
• Image persistence
1. Allow display to reach normal operating 
temperature for about 15 minutes before 
evaluating front-of-screen performance.
2.  Check display preferences for use of custom 
display profile.
3. Check brightness setting.
4.  Check for Software Updates.
5. Clean glass panel while checking for dust/debris.
6.  Go to Deep Dive: General
Deep Dive: General
CheckResultActionCode
1. Verify if user’s issue is incorrect/
missing colors.
YesGo to Incorrect/Missing 
Colors Deep Dive.
NoGo to step 2.
2.  Verify if user’s issue is distorted/
blurred image.
YesGo to Distorted/Blurred 
Image Deep Dive.
NoGo to step 3.
3. Verify if user’s issue is bright or 
dark pixel anomalies.
YesGo to Pixel Anomalies Deep 
Dive.
NoGo to step 4.
4.  Verify if user’s issue is vertical or 
horizontal lines.
YesGo to Vertical/Horizontal 
Lines Deep Dive.
NoGo to step 5.
5. Verify if user’s issue is non-
uniform brightness.
YesGo to Non-uniform 
Brightness Deep Dive.
NoLCD functioning OK.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Display 72 2010-12-15
Deep Dive: Incorrect/Missing Colors
CheckResultActionCode
1. Verify display is listed in the 
System Profiler’s Graphics/
Displays device tree.
YesThis ensures color profile can 
be matched with LCD. Go to 
step 2.
NoGo to N09.
2.  Verify System Preferences 
Display Profile is valid for 
display being tested.  Color 
profile should be set to Color 
LCD,  user may have created an 
off-color calibration setting.
YesIf display profile is valid and 
the colors are still incorrect or 
missing go to step 3.
NoSet System Preferences: 
Displays: Color to Color LCD 
and retest.
3. Verify that the glass panel is 
free of contaminants.
YesGo to step 4.
NoClean glass panel using 
approved method. Retest.
4.  Run Clamshell Service 
Diagnostic utility and check 
for LCD panel presence. If not 
found, reseat and verify LVDS 
cable is secure to the logic 
board.  Are colors restored?
YesLoose cable connection.  Issue 
resolved.
No Go to step 5.
5. Set desktop pattern in System 
Preferences to ‘Solid Gray Light’. 
Verify if incorrect/missing color 
issue affects entire display.
YesTest a known-good display, go 
to step 7.
NoGo to step 6.
6.  Set up display under test side 
by side with another known 
good display showing the 
same image. Verify if issue 
is noticeably worse on the 
display being tested. 
YesTest a known-good display, go 
to step 7
L02
NoSmall variations in color 
uniformity are normal and do 
not warrant replacement or 
repair of the display.
7. Substitute a known-good 
display assembly to test logic 
board video output.  Is normal 
video restored?
YesReplace display assembly. L02
NoReplace logic board.M04  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Display 73 2010-12-15
Deep Dive: Distorted/Blurred Image
CheckResultActionCode
1. Sample image illustrates loss of 
LVDS data signals to LCD or a 
defective LCD panel, Inspect & 
reseat LVDS cable connection 
looking for damaged or bent 
pins.  Is image restored with 
reseated cable connection?
YesIssue due to loose connection. 
Display issue resolved.
NoGo to step 2.
If logic board connector 
damage, replace logic board.
M24
2.  Substitute a known good 
display clamshell to test logic 
board video output.  Is normal 
video restored?
YesReplace display assembly.L04
NoReplace logic board.M04
Deep Dive: Pixel Anomalies
CheckResultActionCode
1. Determine if “defects” are dust/
debris on surface of glass panel.
YesClean glass panel.
NoGo to step 2.
2.  Determine if bright pixel 
defects exceed the acceptable 
number. See 
Display Issue: Pixel Anomalies.
YesReplace display assembly.L08
NoLCD meets bright pixel defect 
specifications. Go to step 3.
3. Determine if dark pixel defects 
exceed the acceptable number. 
See 
Display Issue: Pixel Anomalies.
YesReplace display assembly.L08
NoLCD meets dark pixel defect 
specifications. Go to step 4.
4.  Determine if the combination 
of bright/dark pixel defects 
exceed the acceptable number. 
See 
Display Issue: Pixel Anomalies.
YesReplace display assembly.L08
NoExplain to user that LCD is 
within specifications. Do not 
replace display assembly.       
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Display 74 2010-12-15
Deep Dive: Vertical/Horizontal Lines
CheckResultActionCode
1. Horizontal lines may be related 
to a failing RAM module. Verify 
if video issue only happens 
AFTER the Apple logo and the 
spinning wheel has appeared.  
YesIssue only happens AFTER 
Apple logo and spinning 
wheel appears. Go to step 2.
NoIssues happens since startup. 
Go to step 5.
2.  Start with shift key down 
(safe mode) to disable system 
extensions. Verify if issue still 
happens when booting in safe 
mode.
YesGo to step 5.
NoNo video issue when booting 
in safe mode. Go to step 3.
3. Isolate with only one memory 
module installed , then with 
the other one. Test with 
known-good memory. Verify 
that issue only happens with 
specific RAM module(s).
YesReplace affected RAM 
module.
X02
NoGo to step 4
4.  Isolate with one known-good 
memory module installed 
in one of the memory slots. 
Repeat by testing in the other 
memory slot with known-
good memory module. Verify 
that issue only happens with 
specific memory slot on logic 
board.
YesReplace logic board.M07
NoGo to step 5
5. Run Clamshell Service 
Diagnostic utility and check 
for LCD panel presence. If not 
found, reseat the LVDS cable to 
the logic board video output. Is 
normal video restored?
YesIssue resolved by reseating 
loose LVDS cable..
NoGo to step 6
6.  Connect external compatible 
DisplayPort display (or 
DisplayPort adapter and  
display). Verify if correct video 
appears on external display.
YesGo to step 7.
NoReplace logic boardM04  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Display 75 2010-12-15
7. Substitute a known-good 
display assembly module to 
test logic board LVDS video 
output. Is normal video 
restored?
YesReplace display assembly 
module.
L05
NoReplace logic board.M04
Deep Dive: Non-uniform Brightness
CheckResultActionCode
1.  Determine if brightness 
uniformity issue is visible after 
display has warmed up for 15 
minutes.
YesGo to step 2.
NoDisplay backlight can take 
several minutes to stabilize. 
2.  Check LVDS cable connection 
to logic board.
YesReseat LVDS cable
NoGot to step 3
3. Determine if variation in 
uniformity appears excessive 
when compared to another 
similar unit.
YesReplace display assembly.L07
NoExplain to user that 
LCD appears to meet 
specifications.    
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Display 76 2010-12-15
Defective Camera / Built-in iSight Not Operating Correctly
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Defective Camera
• Camera not detected
• No green LED for camera
• Excessive blooming
• Poor white balance
• Poor focus
• Green image
• Image distortion
1. Check for Software Updates.
2.  Verify camera lens and glass panel are clear of 
contaminants.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Launch System Profiler and 
confirm that “Built-in iSight” is 
listed under USB High-Speed 
Bus.
YesCamera recognized. Go to 
step 3
NoGo to step 2.
2.  Run Clamshell Service 
Diagnostic utility and check 
for all devices presence. If 
not found, inspect and reseat 
camera cable on logic board.  
Is iSight listed in System 
Profiler?
YesCamera recognized. Go to 
step 3.
NoGo to step 4.
3. Launch PhotoBooth.  Verify 
that camera’s green LED is on 
and image appears normal.
YesIssue resolved..
NoGo to step 4.
4.  Substitute a known-good 
display assembly to test logic 
board camera connection.  
Is iSight camera operating 
properly?
YesReplace display assembly.X11
NoReplace logic board.M13  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Display 77 2010-12-15
Blank / No Video
Unlikely cause: Power adapter, speakers, ODD/HDD, fan, microphone, top case
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Blank / No Video
• No video
• No backlight
1. Check brightness setting
2.  Attach known-good supported external display. 
3. Boot from Mac OS X install DVD that came with 
computer.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Verify boot chime present 
when system restarted. 
Reset SMC and clear PRAM if 
necessary for proper start up.  
Is LCD video present?
YesGo to step 3.
NoGo to step 2.
2.  Connect known-good 
supported external display. 
Verify whether image appears 
on external display when 
system is booted.
YesExternal display detected by 
system.  Go to step 3.
NoGo to No Video symptom 
code flow.
3. Verify if LCD backlight is on 
by looking for faint glow 
from display when viewed 
in darkened room with 
brightness adjusted to full.
YesVideo signal from system 
to external video is OK, LCD 
backlight is on.  Go to step 5.
NoGo to step 4.
4.  Shine bright (low heat) 
flashlight into the front of LCD. 
Verify if an image is being 
displayed.
YesImage present but backlight 
is not on. Check logic board 
connections.  Go to step 5.
NoGo to No Video symptom 
code flow.
5. Run Clamshell Service 
Diagnostic utility and check 
for LCD panel presence. If not 
found, reseat and verify that 
the display connections to the 
logic board are secure. Verify if 
image is restored by reseating 
loose connections
YesIssue resolved.
NoContinue to test with known-
good display assembly.  Go to 
step 6.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Display 78 2010-12-15
6. Verify LCD video works with a 
known-good display assembly. 
YesReplace display assembly.L03
NoGo to No Video symptom 
code flow.
Backlight Issue / No Backlight
Unlikely cause: Power adapter, battery, speaker, ODD/HDD, fan microphone, top case
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Backlight Issue / No Backlight
• Display not illuminated
• Flashing, unstable or non 
uniform background lighting
• Poor backlight at some or all 
settings
Check that brightness setting is above minimum.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Connect external display, clear 
PRAM to set brightness to 
default level and verify if Color 
LCD is listed in the System 
Profiler’s Graphics/Displays 
device tree.  
YesDisplay panel detected by 
system. Go to step 3.
NoGo to step 2.
2.  Unplug and reseat the LVDS 
cable at the logic board. 
Repeat verification in System 
Profiler.
YesDisplay panel detected by 
system. Go to step 3.
NoGo to step 4.
3. Darken room and verify 
backlight by detecting if any 
glow is emitted from the 
display
YesBacklight operating. Go to 
step 5.
NoGo to step 4.
4.  Swap memory with known-
good memory to determine if 
video issue is ram related..
YesReseat or replace defective 
memory
X01
NoGo to step 5  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Display 79 2010-12-15
5. Inspect LVDS connectors and 
cable under magnification for 
pinched cables and damaged 
or bent pins. Do any of the 
connections appear to be 
defective?
YesDefective LVDS cable. Replace 
display assembly.
Defective LVDS connector 
on logic board. Replace logic 
board.M25
NoIf connections are OK and 
secure and the display is still 
blank, go to step 6.
6.  Remove logic board and locate 
F9800 fuse on board. For fuse 
locations, see kBase #TS3600.
Using an ohmmeter, 
determine if fuse is burned out.
YesFuse was probably burned 
out by a short in display cable 
or connection. Replace both 
- display assembly AND  
- logic board.
 
 
L09 
M25
NoReplace customer’s display 
assembly. Go to step 7.
L09
7. Verify that display and 
backlight operations are 
restored.
YesIssue resolved.
NoBacklight issue persists. 
Replace logic board and 
reinstall original display 
assembly.
M25
Noise / Unstable Flickering
Unlikely cause: Top case, battery
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Noise / Unstable Flickering
• Image flicker
• Audible noise
1.  Verify known-good source sound file not causing 
speaker distortion.  
						

							MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) Symptom Charts — Display 80 2010-12-15
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Verify if user’s issue is due to 
video flickering coming from 
display.
YesSuspected flickering issue, go 
to step 2.
NoAudible noise issue, go to 
step 5.
2.  Verify display listed in the 
System Profiler’s Graphics/
Displays device tree is not 
disappearing intermittently  
(refresh System Profiler to 
observe).  
YesPower and LCD panel ID are 
OK.  Go to step 3.
NoGo to No Video symptom 
code flow.
3. Inspect and reseat the LVDS 
cable and camera cable 
connection between display 
and logic board.  Also test 
if brightness setting is a 
contributing factor.  Has 
flickering stopped?
YesLoose cable connection.  Issue 
resolved.
NoGo to step 4.
4.  Substitute a known good 
display assembly to test logic 
board video output.  Has 
flickering stopped?
YesReplace display assembly.L06
NoReplace logic board.M04
5. Verify the source of the noise 
is the electrical as opposed 
to mechanical.  Audio noise 
should not be a concern now 
that LCD components are all 
solid state devices including 
LED backlights.
YesNoises that are not audible 
from the normal user position 
are considered acceptable. 
Return unit to the user.
NoNoise from another source. 
Go to P04 Noise/Hum/
vibration.