Apple macbook pro 15 inch mid 2010 User Manual

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) General Troubleshooting — Block Diagram 21 2010-12-15
Block Diagram
Refer to this diagram to see how modules are interrelated.  

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) General Troubleshooting — Liquid Contact Indicators 22 2010-12-15
Liquid Contact Indicators
Liquid contact indicators (LCI) have been added to specific locations on current Mac portables 
to help determine if systems have been damaged by liquid. The sensors are visible only when 
the bottom case and some of the modules have been removed. Normally represented by small 
white dots, the LCIs turn red when they have come in contact with liquid, such as from an 
accidental...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) General Troubleshooting — Common Reset Procedures 23 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...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) General Troubleshooting — Display Issue: Pixel Anomalies 24 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:...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 25 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 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 26 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 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 27 2010-12-15
7. Inspect MagSafe port on 
computer for physical damage, 
debris or metal fragments 
attracted to magnetic 
connector. Verify if MagSafe 
connector is clean and free 
from defects.
YesGo to step 8
NoClean port assembly. Replace 
MagSafe board if necessary.
X03
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,...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 28 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 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 29 2010-12-15
4. Hold the Alt (Option) key 
during startup and verify there 
is a bootable hard drive shown 
in Startup Manager. Choose 
customer hard drive. Verify if 
system can start up from this 
drive.
YesSystem starting up from 
customer hard drive. Startup 
issue resolved.
NoCustomer hard drive not 
present or does not start up 
from this drive. Continue to 
find bootable device. Go to 
step 5.
5. Insert product OS install...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 30 2010-12-15
9. Troubleshoot hard drive cable 
connection, cable failure or 
drive failure step by step: 
-Reseat hard drive cable and 
retest, 
-Replace with known-good 
hard drive cable and retest, 
-Test with known-good hard 
drive.
YesAfter SATA cable is reseated, 
customer hard drive visible in 
Disk Utility. Go to step 10.
Defective hard drive SATA 
cable found and replaced. 
Customer hard drive is now 
visible in Disk...