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    Random Macbook Death?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by jtmanis, Nov 4, 2011.

  1. jtmanis

    jtmanis Newbie

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    Hello all,

    I have an early 2008 (I believe that's the right date) Macbook, so there's always the possibility it may have just been its time, but figured I might ask around just in case. I woke up this morning and noticed that my computer was, well, dead. I usually leave it in sleep mode overnight, so at first I thought it just wasn't waking up from sleep.

    I noticed the Magsafe had the green light on, indicating that it was definitely getting power. I took the battery out and tried to turn it on with the Magsafe attached, thinking it might've been been an issue with the battery somehow. The Magsafe had the green light, but the computer still wouldn't power on.

    So, is my computer shot or is there hope? There isn't an Apple Store anywhere near where I live, and I definitely don't have the funds to get a new computer, nor do I have a complete backup of everything, so if there's anything possible that can be done to save it, I'm open to every suggestion. I took the battery out and left it unplugged when I left for school, just because. Could it possibly be the power button just randomly died?
     
    jtmanis, Nov 4, 2011
    #1
  2. diggy

    diggy Notebook Deity

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    Do an SMC reset - Take the battery out, press the power button and hold it down for about 10 seconds. Put the battery back in and see if it turns on and works properly.
     
    diggy, Nov 4, 2011
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  3. jtmanis

    jtmanis Newbie

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    I'll try that first thing when I get home, thanks.
     
    jtmanis, Nov 4, 2011
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  4. jtmanis

    jtmanis Newbie

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    SMC reset won't work, and I can't do a PRAM reset since it won't power on. Any other ideas?
     
    jtmanis, Nov 4, 2011
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  5. KCETech1

    KCETech1 Notebook Prophet

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    somewhat sounds like the mainboard gave up. how far away is that apple store?
     
    KCETech1, Nov 5, 2011
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  6. jtmanis

    jtmanis Newbie

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    Closest Apple Store's several hours, but I found an authorized service provider about an hour away. Any idea how much it might cost to get the logic board replaced?
     
    jtmanis, Nov 5, 2011
    #6
  7. KCETech1

    KCETech1 Notebook Prophet

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    depending on the model $450-$900
     
    KCETech1, Nov 5, 2011
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  8. mmoy

    mmoy Notebook Deity

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    The MacBook might be in the $300 - $400 range. I had three logic boards replaced a few years ago under warranty and I recall the prices charged (and covered) were around $325. I have had three recent logic board changes and I think that they ran $350 to $425. The MacBook had lower equipment levels than the MacBook Pros which we had work done on.
     
    mmoy, Nov 7, 2011
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  9. jtmanis

    jtmanis Newbie

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    Thanks for the replies, guys, but I've decided to just save up for a few months and go with getting a new one from MacMall or some place. I was planning on getting one for college next year anyway, so it's not that big of deal, I'll just have to suffer with the Windows 7 netbook my high school issued in the meantime.
     
    jtmanis, Nov 7, 2011
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  10. shriek11

    shriek11 Notebook Deity

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    Your school gives out netbooks?
     
    shriek11, Nov 8, 2011
    #10