Apple macbook pro 17 inch User Manual

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — General Information 161
MacBook Pro Firmware Updates
Firmware is the name given to software that is written into memory circuits such as flash 
memory, that will hold the software code indefinitely, even when power is removed from the 
hardware. Firmware on Intel Mac computers is designed to be updated if necessary through a 
software update.
EFI and SMC firmware is stored on the MacBook Pro’s logic board. EFI firmware updates update 
the Boot ROM, and SMC Updates update the System Management Controller firmware. The SMC 
manages fans and other environmental parameters that are independent of the Boot ROM.
Firmware symptoms can be easily mistaken for hardware issues (e.g. overheating issues, fan noise 
issues, etc.). Always check both EFI and SMC firmware versions and update if necessary before 
replacing any hardware components in the MacBook Pro.
The following lists describe the type of symptoms that may be resolved by updating the EFI and 
SMC firmware in the MacBook Pro.
Symptoms that may be resolved by updating EFI firmware:L1 Cache reporting as bad
• 
Boot Camp not booting into Windows
• 
Built-in FireWire has GUID zero if ExpressCard FireWire is present at boot
• 
Auto-reboot after wake from sleep
• 
Stuck in Target Disk Mode upon restart
• 
Cannot eject media (various conditions)
• 
Bad media taking too long to eject (including holding mouse button down at startup taking 
• 
minutes to eject)
Auto-reboot after wake from sleep
• 
Symptoms that may be resolved by updating SMC firmware:
Status LEDS on battery do not light until the pack has charged for approximately 10 minutes
• 
Unusual fan behavior and thermal management issues
• 
Please follow the steps outlined in Knowledge Base article 303364 About firmware updates for 
Intel-based Macs to perform an EFI and/or SMC firmware update. 
Information about firmware versions for Intel Macs can be found in Knowledge Base article 
303880 Mac OS X: Firmware Updates for Intel-based Macs.  
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — General Information 16 2
Software Troubleshooting Tips and Tools
All MacBook Pros require an Intel-compatible Mac OS.
For the MacBook Pro (17-inch), use Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later only.
• 
For the MacBook Pro (17-inch Core 2 Duo), use Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later only.
• 
For the MacBook Pro (17-inch 2.4GHz), use Mac OS X 10.4.9 or later only.
• 
For the MacBook Pro (17-inch Early 2008), use Mac OS X 10.5.2 or later only.
• 
Login window and account
Mac OS X requires at least one user account to be established—the Administrator’s account. 
By default, the Accounts system preference pane has the “Log in automatically [Admin’s name]” 
checked. This automatic login setting allows the system to boot into the Finder without having a 
login prompt. However, if this box is not checked, you need a password to get to the Finder, and 
you need to create a user account after you reinstall system software.
Customer forgot password
If the customer forgot the password for the computer:
Insert the MacBook Pro Mac OS X Install Disc 1 DVD.
1.  
Restart the computer while holding down the C key on the keyboard.
2.  
When the installer appears, chose Reset Password under the Installer Utilities menu
3. 
Follow the on-screen instructions.
4.  
Safe Mode
Safe Boot is a special diagnostic way to start Mac OS X when troubleshooting. Safe Mode is the 
state Mac OS X is in after a Safe Boot. Starting up in Safe Mode does five things to simplify the 
startup process and operation of the computer:
It forces a directory check of the startup (boot) volume. It is identical to using Disk Utility’s 
• 
Repair Disc or the fsck –fy terminal command.
It loads only required kernel extensions (some of the items in /System/Library/Extensions).
• 
It disables all fonts other than those in /System/Library/Fonts
• 
It moves to the Trash all font caches normally stored in /Library/Caches/com.apple.ATS/(uid)/, 
• 
where (uid) is a user ID number such as 501.
It disables all startup items and any Login Items.
• 
To start up into Safe Mode (to Safe Boot), do this:
Be sure the computer is shut down.
1.  
Press the power button.
2.   
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — General Information 16 3
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
3. 
Note: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not before.
Release the Shift key when you see the screen with the gray Apple and progress indicator 
4.  
(looks like a spinning gear). After startup, the words “Safe Boot” appear in red letters under 
the Apple logo on the Mac OS X login screen. 
Note: The Safe Boot startup process takes longer than a normal startup. It can be quite long 
(several minutes) depending on the amount of time it takes to check and repair the directory 
(if needed).
To exit Safe Mode, restart the computer normally, without holding down any keys during 
5. 
startup.
Knowledge Base Articles
These troubleshooting articles can be searched from http://www.apple.com/support. 107392 What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?
• 
107394 Safe Boot Takes Longer Than Normal Startup
• 
106692 Mac OS X: Troubleshooting Installation and Software Updates
• 
106693 Mac OS X: Troubleshooting Installation From CD-ROM
•  
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Steps 16 4
Troubleshooting Steps
You should perform the first few steps of troubleshooting regardless of whether there is a 
repairable problem or damage.
Gather Information
Gather the normal information about the problem. (If you are not familiar with the normal 
information to gather, or any of the other steps, see General Troubleshooting Theory.)
Verify the Problem
Verify that the symptom exists as the customer reports it.
Try Quick Fixes
Special quick fixes that apply to this computer include:
Familiarize yourself with the unit’s normal operating temperature (see Knowledge Base 
• 
document 3061 2)
Make sure cable connectors are fully seated 
• 
Reset the SMC. (See Knowledge Base document 
•  303319).
For more details, see the Symptom Charts section.
Run Diagnostics
The following diagnostic tools are available for this product: Apple Hardware Test
• 
Apple Service Diagnostic
• 
See Knowledge Base document 11212 5, “Service Diagnostic Matrix”, to download the appropriate 
disc image.
Try Systematic Fault Isolation
There are no special systematic fault isolation techniques for this product. 
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Steps 165
Research
If you have not located the trouble following the steps thus far, try researching the symptoms. 
Research resources include:Symptom Charts section of this manual
• 
GSX 
• 
gsx.apple.com 
Enter serial number and click Coverage Check
Service Source 
• 
service.info.apple.com 
Check Quick Links and/or Technical Resources 
Check options under appropriate Product Service pop-up menu
Product support page 
• 
service.info.apple.com 
Choose MacBook Support Page from the appropriate Product Service pop-up menu
Knowledge Base 
• 
search.info.apple.com
Self-paced service training 
• 
service.info.apple.com 
Choose Service Training from the Product Service pop-up menu
Escalate
Follow the practices and policies of your business or agency.
Repair or Replace
Once you locate the trouble, you will most likely need to repair the unit, or mail it in to an 
AppleCare Repair Center, depending on the service strategy in your region. Be sure to include 
the CompTIA code, the troubleshooting steps you performed, and the results in the Service 
Instructions section of GCRM and/or GSX.
If the symptoms point to a component on the logic board, use the block diagram at the end of 
this chapter to help determine whether you need to replace the entire logic board.
Verify the Repair
To verify the repair:
Attempt to recreate the original symptoms. You should not be able to. (If you can, return to 
1.  
the beginning of the troubleshooting flowchart.)
Perform the preventive maintenance tasks for this product. For this computer this includes 
2.  
only cleaning the display and case. 
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Steps 166
Inform the User
Include in the case notes all that you have done. The customer may like a copy of any diagnostic 
reports.
Important: For any unit you send on to a repair center, include the CompTIA code, symptoms, 
steps to reproduce, and troubleshooting steps you have completed thus far in the Service 
Instructions section of GCRM and/or GSX. (Service Instructions are also known as FAI notes.)
Complete Administrative Tasks
There are no particular administrative tasks for this product, other than those required by the 
internal policies of your business or agency. 
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 16 7
Hardware Symptoms
How to Use the Symptom Charts
The Symptom Charts included in this chapter will help you diagnose specific symptoms related 
to the product. 
The steps to solve a symptom are listed sequentially. You might not need to perform every 
step before the symptom is resolved. Start with the first step, and then test for the symptom. If 
the symptom persists, replace any modules you removed, go to the next step, and test again. 
Continue down the list until the symptom is resolved. 
Startup
Startup Sequence
The Intel-based MacBook Pro starts up very much like the previous professional Macintosh 
notebook computers. If power is available to the system from the battery and/or AC power 
adapter, pushing the power button will boot the system and begin the boot process.The screen will stay dark. The sleep LED will glow solid. This will last a few seconds.
• 
As the system boots, a power-on self test (POST ) will be performed. See 
•  POST	Error	Codes 
listed later for failure results.
If the system is not muted, you will hear a boot beep. The backlight will turn on and the 
• 
sleep LED will turn off. 
The screen will turn gray. The Apple logo will appear and then the turning gear will appear.
• 
The desktop pattern will show up, as well as the menu bar start populating.
• 
No Power, No Video
The computer will not power on (no sleep light, no fan movement, no hard drive spin-up,  
no Caps Lock LED illumination when pressed, and no display illumination).
Note: After each step, check that the system is not supplying power to the logic board. If you see 
the sleep LED come on or the Caps Lock LED illuminate when the key is pressed, then the system 
is indeed drawing power. In this case, hold down the power button for six seconds to insure the 
system is shut down before working on the machine. At this point, the issue is no longer a ‘No 
Power, No Video’ problem. Move on to the Power, but No Video troubleshooting section.
Note: Examine the display carefully. An image may be barely present on the screen, but with no 
backlight clearly illuminating the image. In this case, the system is working properly except for 
the backlight. Use the Display: 	Dim	Video troubleshooting section to resolve this issue. 
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 16 8
Remove any connected peripherals and eject any ExpressCard.
1.  
Check that the battery has enough charge to start the computer by pressing the button next 
2.  
to the LEDs on the battery (on the bottom of the machine). At least one LED must light solid 
(not flashing). Make sure the battery is fully seated.
Connect a known-good Apple 85W Portable Power Adapter and power cord or plug to a known-
3. 
good power outlet. If the DC plug is properly inserted, the LED should light up; if not, go to the 
MagSafe connector troubleshooting section.
Try powering up without the battery installed. If it boots, try a known-good battery. If it does 
4.  
not boot, replace the battery connector cable .
Note: With the MacBook Pro (17-inch 2.4GHz and Early 2008), unlike previous models, if you 
use the MacBook Apple 60W Portable Power Adapter to power the system, the battery will 
need a minimum charge to be able to boot the system. If the battery is fully depleted and no 
85W adapter is available, allow the battery to charge first before turning on the system. 
Reset the SMC (power manager) as described in “
5.  Resetting the System Management 
Controller (SMC)”  under “Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks” in the previous section.
Try to power up the system and check the sleep indicator. If it turns on solid and turns off, 
6.  
the main logic board is getting power and completing the boot cycle. Go to the Power, but 
No Video troubleshooting section.
Verify that the power button cable is connected properly to the top case flex cable assembly 
7.  
and that the flex cable is connected correctly to the logic board. Try turning on the system.
Disconnect the keyboard completely. Inspect the connectors. With the keyboard disconnected, 
8. 
restart the system using the on-board startup jumper pads . If it boots, replace top case.
Remove any additional RAM.
9. 
Try removing the AirPort Extreme card from its socket and start the computer. If it starts, 
10.  
shut it down and check the flex cable connector and the connector on the logic board and 
replace the damaged parts.
Reseat these flex cables:  
11 .  
• Left I/O flex cable 
• Hard drive flex cable (will boot to flashing folder if not connected or corrupt) 
• Optical drive flex cable 
• Trackpad flex cable 
• Display LVDS cable 
• Thermal sensor cables
If the computer starts up, inspect any suspect flex cable connectors and their terminals on 
12.  
the logic board for damage and replace any damaged parts. 
Re
13 .   place the left I/O board.)
Replace the logic board.
14.   
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 16 9
Power-On Self Test (POST) Error Codes
The computer automatically performs a power-on self test when it is turned on after being fully 
shut down (not a restart). This section describes what to do if you hear beeps during startup. 
When this occurs, the sleep LED will stay on, occasionally flashing.
MacBook Pro relies on a combination of tones and blinking sleep LEDs to display power-on self 
test (POST ) error codes.
If the computer detects no SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory—also 
referred to as RAM), or the RAM installed does not meet the appropriate specifications, the screen 
will remain black but the power LED on the front of the computer will blink once per second to 
signal the error. This error condition may be due to physically damaged RAM, the incorrect type 
of RAM, or not having any RAM installed.
Some RAM may appear to pass the power-on self test (POST ) but still cannot be addressed by 
the operating system. In this case, the computer will display a gray screen, sound three tones and 
blink the power LED on the front of the computer three times, pause, and repeat the blinking 
until the computer is turned off.
Related Knowledge Base articles: 
303083: Intel-based Mac Power On Self Test RAM error codes
303363: Intel-based Mac: Startup sequence and error codes, symbols
Blue screen appears (a spinning disc cursor may also be visible), Prohibitory Sign 
appears (a), Kernel Panic dialog box appears (b), or Gray screen during startup
Make sure all external devices are disconnected and any ExpressCard has been ejected. If the 
1.  
kernel panic goes away, troubleshoot the external device by reconnecting each device until 
the panic occurs.
If there are two RAM cards installed in the expansion slots, remove the top card and restart.  
2.  
• If symptom repeats, replace bottom card with known-good RAM card.  
• If symptom does not repeat, replace top RAM card with known-good RAM card and restart. 
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 17 0
Flashing question mark appears on the screen
Note: This system will only boot with the version of Mac OS X system that shipped with this 
computer or later. It does not support booting into Mac OS 9.Start up from the MacBook Pro Mac OS X Install Disc 1 DVD that came with the computer 
1.  
(hold down the “C” key during restart).
When the Installer opens, select Disk Utility from the Installer menu under Utilities.
2.  
When Disk Utility opens, all mounted disk and volumes will be listed on the left hand side. If 
3. 
you don’t see the internal hard drive, the system is not recognizing it. Skip to the next step. 
Otherwise, select the internal hard drive icon and follow the instructions under the First Aid 
tab to verify the hard disk, and repair if needed. Restart the computer.
If Disk Utility is unable to repair a persistent directory issue or corrupt file information, 
4.  
consult the following articles for possible solutions: 106214: Using Disk Utility and fsck to resolve startup issues or perform disk maintenance
• 
25770: Handling “overlapped extent allocation” errors reported by Disk Utility or fsck
• 
302411: Disk Utility reports “Underlying task reported failure” when repairing a volume
• 
If the hard drive is still not recognized, refer to the 
5.  Internal Hard Drive Not Recognized 
troubleshooting section.
Reinstall system software using the MacBook Pro Mac OS X Install 1 disc.  
6.  
Note: Don’t forget to install both the Mac OS X system and application software. 
For further assistance in software troubleshooting, go to Knowledge Base article:  58042: A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
• 
88410: SMART: A Brief Description
• 
Power, but No Video (Computer begins to power up, the fans and hard drive spin, the Caps 
Lock key lights up when pressed, but there is no startup chime or video.)
Note: Examine the display carefully. An image may be barely present on the screen, but with no 
backlight clearly illuminating the image. In this case, the system is working properly except for 
the backlight. Use the Display: 	Dim	Video troubleshooting section to resolve this issue.
Reset the SMC (power manager) as described in “
1.   Resetting the System Management 
Controller (SMC)”  under “Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks” in the previous section.
Try connecting an external display to check for intact video signal. If external video appears, 
2.  
check the system for any pending software or firmware updates and update accordingly.
Verify inverter cable and LVDS cable connections are seated properly and that the cables are 
3. 
not damaged.
Replace the display assembly.
4.  
Replace the logic board. 
5.