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 spill.
For more information, refer to support article HT3400:  “About liquid contact indicators (LCI) on 
portable 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 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 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 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: “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.    
						

							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 Issues
No Power
Unlikely cause: display assembly, speakers, optical drive, hard drive
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
No Power / Dead Unit
• No power
• No image
• No startup chime
• No fan or hard drive spin
• No reset sound from optical 
drive
• No sleep LED activity
• No light if Caps Lock pressed
• Non-operational
1. Verify AC power presence with MagSafe LED 
indicating on or charge state.
2.  Verify battery status as being partly charged, 
charging with AC power.
3. Reset SMC.
4.  Run Battery Diagnostic Utility.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Isolate peripherals as cause. 
Disconnect all peripherals and 
external devices and verify unit 
starts.
YesSuspect peripherals as cause. 
Reconnect each one at a time, 
verifying unit operation as 
external device is reinstalled.
NoGo to step 2  
						

							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 
known-good battery to verify 
starting on battery. 
YesSystem can start up from 
known-good battery. Original 
battery possibly at fault or 
needs to be charged. Verify 
original battery functionality 
and charge; then verify AC 
adapter functionality. Go to 
step 4. 
P11
NoSystem will not power using 
known-good battery only. Go 
to step 5
4.  Customer battery may be run 
down, or not recognized. 
Verify customer battery in 
a known-good system is 
recognized and accepting 
a charge. Confirm customer 
battery is not consumed nor 
defective.
YesBattery is recognized, 
charging and health is good. 
Return to test unit with 
customer battery and AC 
adapter power. Go to step 6.  
NoReplace customer battery 
for not charging (P10) or not 
recognized (P11). Customer 
to purchase a replacement 
battery if consumed.
P10   or   
P11
5. Inspect battery cable 
connection at logic board and 
reseat if necessary. Replace 
battery if battery cable is 
damaged or burned. Verify if 
the system powers on from a 
charged battery.
YesBattery power restored, retest 
unit with customer battery 
and AC adapter power.  Go to 
step 6. 
NoLogic board is expected to 
power on with battery only. 
Inspect and test power on 
key. Go to step 10.
6.  Inspect MagSafe power 
adapter. Verify AC adapter is 
correct wattage, compatible 
with product and works on 
known-good computer. 
YesPower adapter is good, go to 
step 7
NoRelease stuck pin(s). Replace 
adapter if it is not working, 
or if it has wire damage or 
burned pins.
P14  
						

							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, removal of battery or 
battery not recognized. 
YesSystem starts and has power. 
MagSafe LED indicates power 
is flowing to logic board.  
Verify customer battery will 
also charge. Review battery 
health to ensure customer 
satisfaction.
 
 
 
P11
NoAC power is down or battery 
is not charging. Go to step 9
9. Verify power from adapter is 
present on logic board.  
Remove system battery, use 
AC power only. Reseat or test 
known-good MagSafe cable to 
achieve power for logic board. 
  
YesLogic board has power 
adapter energy to start 
system. MagSafe cable reseat 
or replacement resolved issue. 
If still no system power on 
indications, go to step 10
X03
NoAC adapter power not going 
to logic board power supplies. 
Replace logic board. 
 
M21
10.  Remove two screws on metal 
cable cover to access keyboard 
connector and plug a known 
good powered AC adapter. 
 
-Try to power system using top 
case power key. If no power on, 
reseat keyboard flex cable to 
logic board and retest. 
 
If no power on , short the two 
pads (as illustrated) and verify 
if system powers on. 
 
- If no power on, the power 
key may be stuck. Disconnect 
keyboard cable and try 
shorting the two pads again. 
Verify if system powers on.
YesPower on key works fine, issue 
resolved. 
Power on key works after 
keyboard cable is reseated. 
Issue resolved.
Power on key was stuck, had 
to disconnect keyboard cable 
to be able to power on by 
shorting pin 5 to ground.  
Replace top case for stuck 
power on key.
 
 
K05
NoNo logic board power on 
when shorting power button 
pads on logic board. 
Replace logic board.
 
 
 
M01  
						

							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 process passes initial memory 
checks – no beep errors or flashing sleep LED 
indicators. Display activity is starting up. 
3. Clear PRAM. Verify starts up from user drive.
4.  Connect known-good external bootable device 
and press Alt key during startup then select 
external startup device to bring up system for 
diagnostics.
5. Verify presence and status of user hard drive. Use 
Disk Utility to repair drive and file permissions.
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Reset SMC and Clear PRAM to 
set default startup device to 
internal hard disk drive (HDD).
YesUser hard drive bootable, 
issue resolved default 
settings.
NoCustomer system not starting 
up. Go to step 2
2.  Verify if system is indicating a 
memory error with a repeated 
1 or 3 flashes sequence of 
sleep LED or beep tones (if 
sound is enabled).
YesTroubleshoot memory issues. 
Go to step 3
NoContinue with startup 
sequence verification. Go to 
step 4 
3. Reseat customer memory 
and/or swap in known-
good memory to isolate bad 
memory and replace defective 
parts.   
YesCustomer memory defective 
and replaced. Continue to 
verify startup process. Go to 
step 4
X02
NoShould known-good memory 
fail in one or more slots, 
replace logic board.
M07  
						

							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 disc 
in optical drive. Install disc 
is bootable and should be 
present in Startup Manager.  
Verify if system can start up 
from OS install disc.
YesStarts up from optical drive - 
customer hard drive not yet 
bootable. Go to step 8.
NoComputer has no internal 
bootable devices. Test 
external startup devices. Go 
to step 6.
6.  Boot from a known-good 
bootable copy of product OS 
on a USB drive or network 
server to start up and verify 
internal mass storage devices 
are available using System 
Profiler and Disk Utility. 
YesSystem started up from 
external device and reports 
data regarding internal SATA 
devices. Go to step 7.
NoNo startup devices available. 
Replace logic board 
M02
7. Troubleshoot optical drive 
cable connection, optical cable 
failure or optical drive failure 
step by step: 
-Reseat optical drive cable and 
retest, 
-Replace with known-good 
optical drive cable and retest, 
-Test with known-good optical 
drive.
YesCable reseat solved issue. 
Continue to verify hard drive 
issues. Go to step 8.
Defective optical drive cable 
found and replaced. Continue 
to verify hard drive issues. Go 
to step 8. 
X03
Defective optical drive found 
and replaced. Continue to 
verify hard drive issues. Go to 
step 8. 
J03
NoReplace logic boardM19
8.  Use Disk Utility loaded from 
OS install disc to verify if hard 
drive is available on device list. 
Verify if customer hard drive is 
listed in Disk Utility.
YesCustomer hard drive available 
for inspections and repair. Go 
to step 10.
NoHard drive not present, 
troubleshoot hard drive and 
cable. Go to step 9.  
						

							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 Utility. Go to 
step 10.
X03
Suspect customer hard drive 
defective. Attempt OS restore. 
Go to step 10.
NoKnown-good hard drive and 
known-good hard drive cable 
used, but still no hard drive 
seen. Replace logic board
M19
10.  Boot system with Shift Key 
down. Verify if system boots in 
Safe Mode.
YesGo to software 
troubleshooting article
NoGo to step 11
11. Use Disk Utility to repair 
customer hard drive and repair 
permissions if system OS found 
on hard drive. Verify if hard 
drive is bootable after software 
repairs.
YesOS on customer hard drive 
repaired, issue resolved.
NoHard drive not bootable, 
perhaps missing OS. Go to 
step 12
12.  Use Disk Utility to partition 
customer hard drive with one 
GUID partition then restore 
Mac OS from product OS install 
disc. Verify if hard drive is 
bootable after OS instal.
YesCustomer hard drive now 
starts up from new OS image. 
Issue resolved
NoReplace hard drive.H02
Intermittent Shutdown
Unlikely cause: hard drive, optical drive
Troubleshooting Shutdown Issues
Before troubleshooting shutdown issues, always do the following:
• Run the available Apple diagnostics to check for cause of previous shutdown(s). Running 
ASD also helps isolate any abnormal value reading from a thermal, voltage, or current 
sensor or from a fan speed meter.
• Collect all available information from the user on shutdown details: periodicity, power state 
when issue happens, running applications, running time before shutdown.