On Dec 5, 2009, at 12:12 PM, Geoff Black wrote:

> Would that still be the case if I mentioned that the battery chargs ok!
> On 05 Dec 2009, at 10:07 PM, Geoff Black wrote:
> 
>> Apologies for short info
>> 
>> MacBook Pro 15 "  2.3gz intel 250 Sata hdd - 2gb Ram - Model 2006 Late
>> (December)
>> Running sys 10.4.9
>> 
>> Damage from drop - slight .
>> 
>> 
>> On 05 Dec 2009, at 10:02 PM, Jim Scott wrote:
>> 
>>> 
>>> On Dec 5, 2009, at 11:55 AM, Geoff Black wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Anyone give some insight
>>>> 
>>>> This book was dropped onto the corner where the power adapter  
>>>> couples
>>>> up. (Small dent)
>>>> Powerbook works fine on 220vac supply but when running on battery
>>>> power it shuts off without notice - running for up to 10 minutes.
>>>> 
>>>> I am under the suspicion theat the overheat protecter has come
>>>> loose -
>>>> but Mac shop insists the entire logic board be replaced.
>>>> 
>>>> The mac works fine on mains.
>>>> 
>>>> Any conclusions
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> It would be helpful if you were able to tell the group exactly which
>>> Apple laptop you have. There were no Intel PowerBooks, for example.
>>> I'm guessing you have either a 15-inch or a 17-inch MacBook Pro with
>>> an Intel 2.33 GHz processor.  Since there were internal as well as
>>> external design differences, it would help to know exactly which
>>> MacBook you've got.
>>> 
>>> It sounds as if the Mac shop suspects that the charge circuit for
>>> the battery got damaged.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -- 

I'm going to continue to bottom post, even though you are top posting. Good 
luck to anyone trying to follow this thread!

The fall may have damaged the I/O board, or a cable or sensor may have come 
loose. It's highly doubtful the logic board is damaged. Try this first: reset 
the Power Manager. Here's the procedure from the Apple Service Manual for your 
model of MacBook:

Resetting the Power Manager (SMC)
Power management is now handled by a chip called SMC (System Management 
Controller). Previously, it was handled by the Power Management Unit (PMU). To 
reset the SMC:
If the computer is on, turn it off.
Disconnect the power adapter and remove the main battery.
Hold the power button down for five seconds, then release.
Install the main battery and connect the power adapter.
Press the power button to restart the computer.

Next, I would run the Apple Hardware Test included on your install DVD. That 
probably won't pinpoint any problems. On the other hand, it might, because some 
of the items in the following diagnostic string are checked by the AHT.

Next, look through these two hardware troubleshooting tips from the Apple 
Service Manual:

System shuts down intermittently

1. Disconnect all external peripherals and eject any ExpressCard.
2. Make sure a known-good fully charged battery is fully inserted. Check that 
the battery latch is fully engaged and is not broken or getting caught before 
fully catching. Check battery connection to logic board.
3. Make a visual inspection of the battery connector in the battery bay. Make 
sure all blades are visible and not bent. If damaged replace the battery 
connector.
4. Make sure the system is not overheating, the air vents are clear and the 
unit was not used on a soft surface.
5. Make sure all feet are still on the bottom case. If not, order foot 
replacement kit.
6. Check that the fan cables are connected and the fans are operational.
7. Remove the battery and connect known-good 85W power adapter and power cord 
or plug to a known-good power source; make sure the DC plug is properly seated. 
The DC plug should light up. If not, consult the MagSafe power adapter 
troubleshooting section.
8. Verify that both thermal sensors are well seated and there is no damage to 
the cables.
9. Verify that the left I/O board cable is securely connected and shows no 
signs of wear.
10. Try known-good left I/O board.
11. Check that thermal material between the heat exchanger and logic board is 
in contact by unscrewing the logic board screws and gently pulling up on the 
left side of the board to verify resistance caused by adhesion from the thermal 
material. If not, reinstall new thermal materials for the processor, control 
ASIC, and video chip (see Logic Board Takeapart chapter).
12. Replace the logic board.

System shuts down almost immediately after startup

1. Disconnect all external peripherals and eject any ExpressCard.
2. Make sure a known-good battery is fully inserted. Check battery charge and 
make sure that at least two LED charge indicators light up, otherwise connect 
the adapter. The adapter should light when plugged in. If not, consult the 
MagSafe power adapter troubleshooting section for further troubleshooting.
3. After charging for a while, if the battery does not seem to charge, or if it 
is charged up but quickly discharges, replace the battery. Verify with a 
known-good battery.
4. Check battery connection to logic board, and check wire attachment to 
connectors.
5. If just before the system shuts down, the sleep LED briefly comes on, check 
the two thermal sensor connections to the main logic board. They should be 
fully seated with no damage to the wiring. If the thermal sensor is damaged, 
replace it.
6. If a known-good battery does not charge, replace the left I/O board.
7. Replace the logic board.

You now know the correct procedures for checking your MacBook. Note that 
replacing the logic board is the very last step, if none of the earlier steps 
uncover the problem. That's where a lot of Mac repair shops want to start, 
without even doing all of the earlier diagnostic steps. So use your best 
judgement.

Based on everything you've told us, the fall either broke something, jarred 
something loose, or warped the case enough to put a gap between a thermal pad 
and a heat source. Ten minutes seems like a very short time for heat buildup to 
shut down your machine, but if it's the cpu that's overheating, that could be 
the case. At the very least, you need to take apart your MacBook and check all 
the stuff noted above. That's what I'd do before doing anything as drastic and 
as expensive as replacing the logic board in hopes that would solve the 
problem. (On the other hand, replacing the logic board probably would cure the 
problem if whatever is loose or warped from the fall gets "fixed.")

Good luck.

Jim Scott

-- 
You received this message because you are a member of G-Group, a group for 
those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs.
The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette 
guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list

Reply via email to