Apple macbook pro 17 inch User Manual

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 181
Use a digital camera to test your Apple Remote.
3. 
If you have a digital camera or DV camera with an LCD display, you can use it to see if your 
Apple Remote is emitting a signal. Infrared beams are invisible to the human eye, but most 
digital cameras and video cameras use Charged-Coupled Device (CCD) chips or image 
sensors that are sensitive to infrared light.
To use a camera to test your Apple Remote, follow these steps:  
• Turn on your digital camera or DV camera and remove any lens cover.  
• Point your Apple Remote toward the display latch button.  
• Press and hold the Menu button on the remote while looking at your camera’s LCD display.  
• If you see a faint blinking light coming from the Apple Remote in the camera’s LCD, then 
the remote is working properly.  
• If you don’t see any blinking light in the camera’s LCD, replace the battery in your Apple 
Remote and then test it again with your computer.
Replace the Apple Remote battery. See Knowledge Base article 302543: How to replace the 
4.  
Apple Remote battery .
Replace the Apple Remote.
5. 
Infrared Board
Note: Infrared transmission loses strength in daylight. If the remote control is being used near a 
bright window or outdoors, the system may not respond.
Supported applications do not respond to input from the remote control
Make sure “Disable remote control infrared receiver” check box is not checked.
1.  
If “Unpair” is available in the Security pane of System Preferences, another Apple Remote may 
2.  
be paired to the computer (pairing allows only one Apple Remote to control the computer). 
To delete a pairing between the remote and the MacBook Pro, click Unpair. (You may have to 
enter your Administrator password to make changes in the Security preference pane.) 
For further instruction, consult Knowledge Base article 302545: Pairing your Apple Remote 
with your computer .
Perform the checks above under “Apple Remote” to verify that the Apple Remote is 
3. 
functioning correctly, and then retest. 
Check that the infrared board cable is connected to the hard drive flex and infrared board.
4.  
Verify that the infrared sensor can be seen in Apple System Profiler. Open Apple System 
5. 
Profiler and check to see that IR Receiver appears under the USB Bus tab in the USB device 
section. If you don’t see it, replace the infrared board and retest.
Replace the hard drive flex and retest.
6.  
Replace the logic board.
7.   
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 18 2
Built-in iSight Camera
The built-in camera is not recognized
Boot the MacBook Pro to the desktop and launch iChat AV. 
1.   Note: You do not need to be 
connected to a network to use iChat AV to troubleshoot. Verify that the correct versions of 
Mac OS X and iChat AV are installed. Reinstall or update software as needed.
Open the iChat AV preferences and click on the ‘Video’ icon. Verify that the camera is 
2.  
recognized by the iChat AV software. Is the camera recognized?
Check the camera connection to main logic board. Try re-seating the connector.
3. 
Check the camera connection from the logic board to the camera board (in the display 
4.  
assembly). Try re-seating the connector.
Replace the display assembly.
5. 
Camera image quality poor
Verify that the lens assembly for the iSight camera is clean. Fingerprints and other 
1.  
contaminants can affect image quality. Clean the lens using a lint-free lens cleaning cloth 
being careful not to scratch the lens. Verify that there is sufficient lighting to produce a good 
quality image. 
Lighting which is comparable to that found in a well-lit office will product a good quality 
2.  
image. If possible, avoid having a brightly lit background. Diffused lighting is preferred over 
direct lighting. Launch iChat AV and open the iChat AV preferences. Click on the ‘Video’ tab. Is 
the video quality acceptable?
Yes: The camera is functioning normally. The image quality problems may be caused by 
bandwidth limitations when using iChat over the internet. Instruct the customer to use the 
iChat AV connection doctor feature to verify that there is sufficient bandwidth to have a 
video iChat session without a significant degradation of image quality. 
No: The camera may not be functioning normally. Continue troubleshooting.
Check the flex connections from camera to camera board in the display assembly. Try re-
3. 
seating the connectors.
Replace display assembly and retest.
4.  
Camera recognized but no audio
Open the System Preferences window and click on Sound. 
1.  
Verify that the built-in internal microphone has been selected as the sound input port.
• 
Use the volume level meter to verify that the input volume settings are appropriate.
• 
Launch iChat AV and open the iChat AV preferences. Click on the ‘Video’ icon. Speak into the 
2.  
microphone while monitoring the microphone level indicator. If line meter responds, it was a 
settings problem.
Reset PRAM. (After restart, hold down the Command-Option-P-R keys until you hear the 
3.  
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 18 3
startup chime at least one additional time after the initial startup chime).
Check that the speaker/microphone connector is plugged in.
4.  
Check that the left I/O flex cable connector is properly seated on the logic board.
5. 
Replace the speaker assembly.
6.  
Replace the left I/O board.
7.  
The camera is recognized but the built-in microphone’s audio quality is poor
Open the System Preferences window and click on Sound.
1.  
Verify that the internal microphone has been selected as the sound input port.
• 
Use the volume level meter to verify that the input volume settings are appropriate.
• 
Open iMovie and create a new project. Click on the Audio button and record a sound 
2.  
sample. If audio quality is fine, it was a settings problem.
Check that the speaker/microphone connector is plugged in.
3. 
Replace the speaker assembly.
4.  
Replace the left I/O board.
5. 
Keyboard
No response from keys on the keyboard
Remove any connected peripherals and eject any ExpressCard.
1.  
If only numbers show up, check if NUM lock (F6) is engaged. 
2.   Note: This step does not apply 
to MacBook Pro (17-inch Early 2008).
Go to Apple System Profiler and look under the USB Bus tab in the USB device section. If you 
3. 
see Apple internal keyboard / trackpad, go to step 6.
Attach an external USB keyboard. If the external keyboard doesn’t work, go to step 6.
4.  
Turn off the computer. Check the keyboard flex cable connection to the trackpad and the 
5. 
trackpad flex cable connection to the main logic board (also check connectors for damage).
Start up from the MacBook Pro Mac OS X Install 1 DVD that came with the computer (hold 
6.  
down the “C” key during restart, if possible) to verify that it is not a software problem.
Replace the keyboard.
7.  
Replace the top case.
8.  
Replace the logic board.
9. 
No keyboard illumination
Go to the Keyboard system preference pane and make sure the “Illuminate keyboard in low 
1.  
light conditions” check box is checked. Cover the left and right speaker grills with your hands. 
Note: The keyboard illumination is not bright enough to be seen in most well lit spaces. In  
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 18 4
order to view the keys being illuminated, the ambient light needs to be dim.
Check the keyboard backlight flex cable connection to the top case flex cable.
2.  
Replace the keyboard.
3. 
Replace the top case.
4.  
Replace the left ALS board.
5. 
Replace the logic board.
6.  
Keyboard is partially illuminated. 
Check the keyboard backlight cable connection to the top case flex.
1.  
Replace the keyboard.
2.  
Replace the top case.
3. 
Microphone
The microphone is not working
Check the Sound system preference pane and verify that the selection under the Input tab is 
1.  
built-in microphone.
Check the signal level and level meter and adjust the gain.
2.  
Reset PRAM. (After restart, hold down the Command-Option-P-R keys until you hear the 
3. 
startup chime at least one additional time after the initial startup chime).
If there is no sound output from the internal speaker nor is the microphone working, verify 
4.  
all cable connections.
Check the microphone connection to the left I/O board.
5. 
Check the left I/O flex cable connection to the logic board.
6.  
Replace the microphone module.
7.  
Replace the left I/O flex cable.
8.  
Replace the left I/O board.
9. 
Replace the logic board.
10.  
Modem (External)
Note: MacBook Pro does not have a built-in modem, but offers an optional external USB Modem. 
No modem dial tone
Check that the correct modem is selected in the Network Port Configuration section of the 
1.  
Network system preferences. 
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 18 5
Verify known-good analog (not digital) telephone line.
2.  
Verify known-good RJ-11 telephone cable.
3. 
Verify RJ-11 cable is not plugged into Ethernet port (should not be physically possible with 
4.  
this MacBook Pro).
Verify RJ-11 telephone cable is firmly installed in the modem port.
5. 
Inspect RJ-11 connector for pin damage. If damaged, replace modem.
6.  
Open Apple System Profiler, and look for Apple External Modem in the USB Device Tree 
7.  
under the Hardware tab. If it does not appear, check the modem USB connection.
Update the system software.
8.  
Try a known-good Apple USB modem in all USB ports. If it does not work in either of the two 
9. 
left USB ports, replace the left I/O board. If it does not work in the right USB port, replace the 
logic board.
Modem does not respond (can hear dial tone)
Check that the correct modem is selected in the Network Port Configuration section of the 
1.  
Network system preferences.
Check that the modem application is properly configured.
2.  
Open Apple System Profiler, and under the Software tab look at Extensions. Check to see that 
3. 
the MotorolaSM56K and AppleI2SModem Family files are listed and loaded. If not, restart the 
system and check again. If still not visible, replace system software.
Open Apple System Profiler, and look for Apple External Modem in the USB Device Tree 
4.  
under the Hardware tab. If it does not appear, check the modem USB connection.
Replace the Apple USB Modem.
5. 
Replace the logic board.
6.  
Modem intermittently disconnects or low performance
Verify known-good RJ-11 telephone cable (for example, the retaining clip is not broken off ) 
1.  
and check that it is firmly installed when used. If telephone cable is bad, replace it.
If the issue happens with only one particular phone line, but not another, the problem may 
2.  
be an issue with that phone line. Under bad line conditions, try setting the modem script to 
start with a slower connect rate such as “Apple Internal 56K Modem (v.34).” 
If the customer indicates the system disconnects under very high CPU loads such as burning 
3. 
DVDs and/or working with video editing software such as Final Cut Pro, try connecting the 
modem without any application running and see how the modem performs. Use Knowledge 
Base article 106642: Mac OS X: Using Apple PPP Test Server to test the modem. If OK, suggest 
to the customer to use the modem with less applications running simultaneously. 
Replace the Apple USB modem.
4.  
Replace the logic board.
5.  
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 18 6
Optical Drive
Optical drive not recognized
Make sure the optical drive is a cable select drive set as a slave (1). 
1.  
Reset PRAM. (After restart, hold down the Command-Option-P-R keys until you hear the 
2.  
startup chime at least one additional time after the initial startup chime).
Make sure the optical drive flex cable is undamaged and properly installed. If damaged, 
3. 
replace the flex cable.
Replace the optical drive.
4.  
The optical drive does not accept CD or DVD discs (mechanical failure)
Verify that the media is not warped and is a standard 12 cm circular disc.
1.  
Check for a small (non-standard) disc or other foreign object stuck inside. Remove the optical 
2.  
drive from the system to extract a stuck disc. See Removing a stuck disk in the optical drive 
chapter of the take apart section.
Verify that the disc is pushed almost all the way into the slot.
3. 
Check that the optical drive flex cable is undamaged and properly installed. If damaged, try 
4.  
replacing the flex cable.
Replace the optical drive.
5. 
The optical drive does not eject CD or DVD discs
Verify that the disc is not in use by quitting any applications that may be using the disc.
1.  
Press and hold Media Eject key at top right corner of keyboard. If that does not work, hold 
2.  
down Function (fn) key then Media Eject key. If that does not work, hold down Function (fn) 
key and Media Eject key simultaneously.
Drag the disc icon to trash, or select it and press Command-E.
3. 
Choose Restart from Apple menu while holding down trackpad button during startup.
4.  
Check the optical drive flex cable for proper connection to the logic board.
5. 
Reseat the optical drive mechanism. Make sure the drive is oriented toward the back of the 
6.  
computer, and that all four corners are seated, so that the drive sits flat in its bay.
Replace the optical drive.
7.  
The disc icon does not show up on the desktop, or a dialog box appears to 
initialize the disc when inserting a read-only disc
Verify that the correct type of disc is being used.
1.  
Use the Software Update system preference pane to check for updated firmware.
2.  
Try cleaning the disc. If it is dirty or scratched, it may not mount.
3.  
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 18 7
Try a different disc.
4.  
Replace the optical drive cable.
5. 
Replace the optical drive.
6.  
Difficulty writing to optical media
Verify that the correct type of disc is being used.
1.  
Try a different brand or speed of CD-R disc.
2.  
Note: Some brands of 24x or 32x CD-R media may not work with the SuperDrive.
Note: There are two factors in the ability for the optical drive to write to media.  First, there are varying qualities of blank optical media. Some media are made to such 
• 
low specifications that the ability for the drive to write to it is marginal. There are 
variations in optical media even under the same brand. Some brands source their optical 
media from a variety of manufacturers, so there may be variations in the quality.
Second, an optical drive that supports writing to a CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW disc 
• 
requires a special writing algorithm for discs from different disc manufacturers. There 
are hundreds of disc manufacturers, it is impossible to implement writing algorithms 
for each disc manufacturer. Usually, drive manufacturers implement special writing 
algorithms for discs from major disc manufacturers. For discs that are not supported by 
the drive with special writing algorithms, the drive will use a generic writing algorithm 
to write the disc. In this case, the writability and readability may not be optimal.
Use the Software Update system preference pane to check for updated drivers or firmware.
3. 
Replace the optical drive flex cable.
4.  
Replace the optical drive.
5. 
Ports
A USB port is not recognizing devices
Shut down the computer; then press the power button to start the computer.
1.  
Use Software Update system preferences to verify that the latest software is installed.
2.  
Test the ports with a known-good Apple keyboard or mouse.
3. 
Use Apple System Profiler to verify that the computer is recognizing the bus.
4.  
If a left port is not recognized, check the left I/O flex cable’s condition and connection. 
5. 
If the left I/O flex cable is intact and well-seated, and a left USB port is still not recognized, 
6.  
replace the left I/O board. 
If the right USB port is not recognized, replace the main logic board.
7.   
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 18 8
A USB device not recognized by computer
Note: If you are trying to use a serial device with a USB/Serial adapter, check with the 
manufacturer of the adapter for compatibility.Shut down the computer; then press the power button to start the computer.
1.  
Verify that the current driver for the device is installed.
2.  
If the device is a camera, turn on the camera only after initiating the download with the 
3. 
camera application.
Try the other USB port.
4.  
Try a different USB device on same port.
5. 
Eliminate any device chains by plugging in only one peripheral.
6.  
Test the USB ports with a known-good Apple USB keyboard or mouse.
7.  
If a left port is not recognized, check the left I/O board flex cable and connections. 
8.  
If the left I/O flex cable is intact and well-seated, and a left USB port is still not recognized, 
9. 
replace the left I/O board. 
If the right USB port is not recognized, replace the main logic board.
10.  
A FireWire port is not recognizing devices
Test the FireWire port by connecting to another computer using FireWire Target Disk Mode. 
1.  
Refer to Knowledge Base article 58583: How to Use FireWire Target Disk Mode .
Verify that the correct drivers are properly installed for third party devices, if needed. 
2.  
Make sure the FireWire cable is firmly attached.
3. 
Try a known-good FireWire cable.
4.  
If the device is self-powered, make sure that the power supply is connected and the device’s 
5. 
LED indicates it is getting power.
Replace the logic board.
6.  
MagSafe Power Adapter 
The power adapter LED does not turn on
Confirm the power adapter is connected to a known-good outlet.
1.  
Try replacing the AC plug or AC power cord. If the adapter works, replace the plug or cord.
2.  
Check if pins are missing or bent. If so, replace the power adapter.
3. 
Check the pins in the power adapter’s DC plug for pins that are stuck down.
• 
If pins are stuck down, check for debris blocking one or more pins. Carefully clear the 
• 
pins with metal tweezers. If necessary, clean the pins as described below.
If the pins appear OK, but the LED on the MagSafe connector does not light up, clean 
•  
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 18 9
the pins as directed in Kbase article 303240: 
Use and cleaning of power adapter with 
MagSafe connector .
Remove the battery and connect the power adapter. If the adapter turns on and boots the 
4.  
system, replace the logic board. 
Remove the battery and connect the power adapter. If the adapter turns on and boots the 
5. 
system, replace the logic board. 
Sound
No sound is audible but the Speakers section of the Sound system preference pane 
indicates an external device is plugged in (to the headphone jack or USB ports)
If there is nothing plugged into the headphone jack or USB ports, the Output tab of the 
1.  
Sound system preference pane should be set to the internal speakers.
If not, and if nothing is plugged in, try plugging in headphones or external speakers. Restart 
2.  
the computer. Remove the device.
Reset PRAM. (After restart, hold down the Command-Option-P-R keys until you hear the 
3. 
startup chime at least one additional time after the initial startup chime).
If the system continues to indicate a phantom device is plugged into the system, replace the 
4.  
left I/O board.
Replace the logic board.
5. 
No sound from speaker(s)
Use Software Update to verify that the latest audio update has been installed.
1.  
Press F10 (with the fn key pressed and then not pressed) to verify that mute mode is not 
2.  
enabled.
Press F11 or F12 (with the fn key pressed and not pressed) to check the volume setting. 
3. 
Verify that no external speakers or headphones are plugged in.
4.  
Check the speakers tab on the Sound control panel to confirm that the software is correctly 
5. 
detecting that there are no external speakers or headphones connected. If so, use the 
previous troubleshooting procedure.
Shut down the computer and restart.
6.  
Reset PRAM. (After restart, hold down the Command-Option-P-R keys until you hear the 
7.  
startup chime at least one additional time after the initial startup chime).
Verify that the speaker cable is properly connected to the left I/O board.
8.  
Check the speaker cable. Verify left and right cable connections.
9. 
Verify sound output with known-good headphones or external speakers. If audio is heard, 
10.  
replace the speaker assembly. 
						

							MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 19 0
Replace the left I/O flex cable.
11 .  
Replace the left I/O board.
12.  
Replace the logic board.
13 .  
Distorted sound from speakers
Verify that the sound quality is normal with known-good external speakers/headphones. If 
1.  
the sound quality is normal, check the speaker wire and connections.
In the Sound system preference pane, check the balance. 
2.  
Compare the same sound and same settings with two different units to make sure that 
3. 
sound is actually distorted. If abnormal, replace the speaker assembly.
Check the speaker wire. If damaged, replace the speaker assembly.
4.  
Replace the left I/O flex cable.
5. 
Replace the left I/O board.
6.  
Replace the logic board.
7.  
Trackpad
The cursor does not move when you are using the trackpad
Verify that no USB device is connected.
1.  
Boot from the Software Install and Restore DVD to verify that the issue is not software 
2.  
related. If the trackpad works, restore the system software.
Reset the SMC (power manager) as described in “
3.  Resetting the System Management 
Controller (SMC)”  under “Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks” in the previous section.
Check the trackpad flex cable connection to the logic board.
4.  
Replace the top case.
5. 
Replace the logic board.
6.  
The cursor intermittently stalls or moves erratically
Notes:
The user must touch with the surface of the trackpad with only one finger at a time and 
• 
point directly down on the trackpad surface.
When running Apple Hardware Test or Apple Service Diagnostic, the trackpad will respond in 
• 
very small movements of the cursor. This behavior is normal.
When using an AC power adapter, you may need to have a three prong ground to eliminate 
• 
noise coming from the AC outlet. If a grounding plug is not available, instruct the customer 
to have their palms touching the top case while using the trackpad.
Clean the trackpad surface (with the computer off ) using a non-static-inducing material. 
1.