Apple macbook pro 15 inch mid 2010 User Manual

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Display 71 2010-12-15
6. Substitute with a known-good 
display assembly and verify if 
LCD video works.
YesReplace user’s clamshell 
assembly.
L03
NoNo video with known-good 
clamshell assembly. Replace 
logic board
M03
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...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Display 72 2010-12-15
4. Inspect LVDS connectors and 
cable under magnification 
for pinched cables and 
damaged or bent pins. Do 
any connections appear to be 
defective?
Yes- Defective LVDS cable. 
Replace display assembly. 
- Defective LVDS connector 
on logic board. Replace logic 
board.
L09 
 
M25
NoIf connections are OK and 
secure and the display is still 
blank, go to step 5.
5. Remove logic board and locate 
F9800 fuse on board. For fuse...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Display 73 2010-12-15
Noise / Unstable Flickering
Unlikely cause: battery
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Noise / Unstable Flickering
• Image flicker
• Audible noise
1. Verify known-good source sound file not causing 
speaker distortion.
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...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Display 74 2010-12-15
Mechanical/Physical Damage
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Mechanical/Physical Damage
• Broken glass
• Broken hinge
• Stripped screw/head
• Stripped screw boss
• Dent or scratch to chassis 
1. Determine damage caused by user/technician 
environment, accidental damage, or abuse.
2.  Inform user/technician the failures are not 
covered by Apple warranties.  Refer to  
http://www.apple.com/legal/warranty
Cosmetic Defects
Quick Check...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 75 2010-12-15
Mass Storage
Hard Drive Read/Write Issue
Unlikely cause: LCD, speakers, fan, camera, microphone
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Hard Drive Read/Write Issue 
Bad Sector/Defective 
Drive Formatting Issue
• Cannot save documents
• Read/Write error message
• Hang when accessing or 
saving data
1. Boot from Install DVD. Verify S.M.A.R.T. status of 
drive using Disk Utility.
2.  Repair disk using Disk Utility.
3. Erase disk and...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 76 2010-12-15
4. After reseating hard drive flex 
cable connections, verify if 
known-good hard drive boot 
to desktop.
YesReinstall user’s drive, go to 
step 2
NoSuspect hard drive flex cable, 
go to step 5.
5. Replace hard drive flex cable 
and verify if system boots to 
desktop with known-good 
hard drive.
YesReinstall user’s drive, go to 
step 2.
X03
NoReplace logic board.M19
6.  Verify if user’s hard drive starts 
up successfully after...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 77 2010-12-15
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Boot from Restore DVD and 
launch Disk Utility.  Verify if 
hard drive is available for Disk 
Utility to repair.
YesGo to step 2.
NoGo to step 3.
2.  Verify if Disk Utility mounts 
drive and repairs disk and 
permissions successfully.
YesRestart computer, go to step 
6.
No- If computer has not been 
verified with a known-good 
hard drive, go to step 3; 
-Otherwise, go to step 7.
3. Reseat hard...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 78 2010-12-15
Hard Drive Noisy
Unlikely cause: LCD, speakers, fan, camera, microphone
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Hard Drive Noisy
• Noise during start up
• Noise during operation
• Noise when drive is copying or 
saving data
1. Start up from Install DVD.  Verify S.M.A.R.T. status 
of hard drive and repair disk using Disk Utility.
2.  Verify if any available firmware updates are 
available for the installed drive.
3. Check for reported...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 79 2010-12-15
5. After installing new hard drive, 
verify if the system is still noisy.
YesRemove hard drive and start 
up from external drive to test 
fan noise.  Go to step 6.
NoIssue resolved.
6.  After removing hard drive, 
verify if the system is still noisy.
YesFan noise or optical drive 
noise likely to be the cause. 
See ODD Noisy symptom 
table and Fan failures/Thermal 
symptom table.
NoGo to step 7.
7. Install a known-good hard...

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 80 2010-12-15
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Verify if optical drive is listed in 
the System Profiler device tree 
for serial-ATA devices.
YesOptical drive has power, 
inspect disc acceptance. Go 
to step 5.
NoInspect hardware.  Go to step 
2
2.  Verify all connections between 
logic board, flex cable, and 
optical drive are secure.  
Visually inspect cables and 
connectors for any debris, 
damage, or bent pins. Verify if 
optical drive...