Apple macbook pro 17 inch mid 2010 User Manual

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010) General Troubleshooting — Liquid Contact Indicators 21 2010-06-11
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 only visible 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 an accidental 
spill....

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010) General Troubleshooting — Common Reset Procedures 22 2010-06-11
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 (17-inch, Mid 2010) General Troubleshooting — Display Issue: Pixel Anomalies 23 2010-06-11
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 (17-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 24 2010-06-11
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 (17-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 25 2010-06-11
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 (17-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 26 2010-06-11
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...

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 27 2010-06-11
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 (17-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 28 2010-06-11
3. Reseat original memory and/or 
swap in known-good memory 
to isolate bad memory and 
replace defective parts.    
YesOriginal 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
4.  Hold the Alt (Option) key 
during startup and verify there 
is a bootable hard drive shown 
in Startup Manager.  Choose...

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 29 2010-06-11
8. Use Disk Utility loaded from 
OS install disc to verify if hard 
drive is available on device list.  
Verify if original hard drive is 
listed in Disk Utility.
YesOriginal hard drive available 
for inspections and repair.  Go 
to step 10.
NoHard drive not present, 
troubleshoot hard drive and 
cable. Go to step 9.
9. Troubleshoot hard drive cable 
connection, cable failure or 
drive failure step by step: 
-Reseat...

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 30 2010-06-11
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...