Shelbi Joseph asks:
My Macbook 13″ (white, mid 2009) doesn’t start.
Checked HD, RAM, Battery, Charger etc. Did a Apple Service Diagnostic EFI and it passed the test. Can’t run the OS test. A few times I could enter the OS and it worked for a while. Most of the time it shuts down on the apple logo. Tried resetting PRAM but the mac does n’t restart automatically during the process. Tried reinstalling the OS but it shuts down. any idea or help? much appreciated your comments, ideas and help.
Browser: Firefox 4
System: Windows
Tagged: boot issue, fix hardware, hardware issue, laptop, mac issue, macbook
System: Windows
Tagged: boot issue, fix hardware, hardware issue, laptop, mac issue, macbook
7 Answers -
Kyem Ghosh
May 30, 2012this shouldnot happen. By d way which iOS you are trying to run? Please donot try the new lion cz yours mac is quiet old. You go for snow leopard. It it still happens, chk your mac by installing any linux (ubuntu or fedora recommended). Even you can run it with a live disc too. If it runs good, your hardware is ok. Or else go to the apple store with your iOS disc and complain about it for replacement…
Thanks Ghosh…..yes I tried with Lubuntu and Zorin. The moment I select the cd to run, the mac shuts down. It is curious that sometimes I can get to the ios though it shuts down after 10-20 minutes.
May 30, 2012Thanks to receive a comment from India….Me too belong to the same great country though I don’t live there anymore. regards
May 30, 2012if linux doesnot work for you, I guess there are some hardware problems (I’m more about 70% sure). Although I don’t have much knowledge on hardwares. So I’ll ask you to wait for others to comment…
May 30, 2012Well, nice to hear that you belong to India…. And there are many more Indians here in MUO… Technology connects the whole world and so we feel, we are much closer, irrespective of countries and continents….. And we are here in MUO to serve technology such that we stay connected…
Truefire_
May 31, 2012Hi Shelbi. From reading your description of this problem, as well as the suggestions in the comments, it sounds like this is an overheating problem. The fans may be failing. You may want to see about replacing the fans, or try a fan dock. The other possibility is that the motherboard is failing for some reason.
Thanks..can’t say the rpm of the fan, but is is running. If it is over heating, at least it should work for some time no? what do you say. regards
May 31, 2012Susendeep Dutta
May 31, 2012Had you cleaned the parts of it – RAM,fans etc..If cleaning is not fixing your laptop then I think that your motherboard has become faulty and I think might be other parts too.I think that you are facing severe hardware problem.
ha14
May 31, 2012Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
Your Mac won’t start up in Mac OS X (Mac OS X 10.3.9 or earlier)
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1411
Mike
May 31, 2012If your MacBook boots up occasionally it’s usually a sign that there is a problem with the hard disk. Since you already reinstalled the OS you can rule out damaged files.
Did you run a health check on the hard disk?
1. boot from the Installation DVD
2. start the Disk Utilities
3. select the hard disk and click “Verify Disk”
By “Apple Service Diagnostic” I suppose you are referring to the Apple Hardware Test via the Installation DVD (one of them). Did you run the normal test or the extended one?
Also, do you have the stock RAM installed or did you install some third party memory?
When you try doing the PRAM reset what does your MacBook actually do? Does it boot up normally? Make sure you are using the correct key cominbation (cmd + alt + P + R). Some people accidentally use the ctrl key instead of option (alt).
Try putting your MacBook in Target Disk Mode by pressing “T” during boot up. If the FireWire symbol shows up it is fine. If this isn’t working either you might have some problem with logic boad.
Thanks Mike, I tried tarjet disk mode and the symbol is showing up. Can’t boot or install. After a few seconds of booting, it just shuts down. Any further ideas…
June 13, 2012Mike once again. Does n’t start the boot disk. I did an extended hardware test and it says no problems found. More ideas???? pls….
June 13, 2012You could try removing one of the RAM’s and boot up/install again. Considering it’s only a few screws it’s worth a try.
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-MacBook-Pro-13-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2009-RAM/1334/1#.T9tqUY6CKS0
Everything you reported leads me to believe it is a problem with the hard disk.
However, if you can’t even start from the installation CD to reinstall the system… ~ I can only suggest going to an Apple Authorized Service Provider (preferable not an Apple Store because they are always eager to change the logic board for several hundred dollars).
June 15, 2012Of course if you got an extended Apple Care plan feel free to go there.
June 15, 2012Thanks Mike, I tried with one RAM out, but it misbehaved. The same, just shuts down when it has to start from a dvd or HD. I tried with another HD and to reinstall onto it. No way….It’s weird that the diagnostic test says everything is fine and nothing working. My last try is with the apple service centre. Will let you know what the apple service guys have to say. Thanks for all your help.
June 16, 2012Shelbi, I am having the EXACT same problem. What did the mac store tell you?
July 21, 2012I am having the exact same problem, what did the mac store tell you?
July 21, 2012Sachin Kanchan
June 6, 2012i have never used a mac so i am not sure about how to explain..
but i found a link on apple’s support site..and i see [ha14] too has already posted a few links already, so must check them
and here this could help-
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1367
Patrick
November 5, 2012hallo shelbi, I have the same problem and relay desperate!
did solve the problem? or do someone has any idea….?!