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Model A1181: 1.83, 2, 2.1, 2.13, 2.16, 2.2, or 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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No Boot Unless PRAM Unplugged

I have now tried 2 different logic boards (a Core 2 Duo 1.83 and a 2.0) in a MacBook that I have, and both behave the exact same. They will only boot if I take out the LB, unplug the PRAM battery, wait a few seconds, plug it back in, and then get it all hooked back up. And even then, both of them would only boot once and then never boot again until I repeated the process. I have tried 3 different PRAM batteries with the same results. I am losing my mind trying to find the culprit! When the computer does boot, everything seems to work perfectly, including bluetooth, wireless, charging the battery, etc. Any ideas on what is preventing the boot? By the way, when I say it will not boot, it literally does nothing when I press the power button.

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Not sure how this fixed it, but turned out the MacBook just needed a new top case (keyboard + trackpad). For some reason the faulty top case would work for exactly one boot, and not work again. That explains it not booting, since the power button is a part of the top case. I guess the disconnection of the PRAM battery was making it forget enough settings that it would get one boot before failing.

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+ vote for the answer to a real tricky question.

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@brant - Please accept the answer to get this resolved question off of the unresolved list. Thanks!

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MacBook just needed a new top case

(keyboard + trackpad).

OP solved own problem

Not sure how this fixed it, but turned out the MacBook just needed a new top case (keyboard + trackpad). For some reason the faulty top case would work for exactly one boot, and not work again. That explains it not booting, since the power button is a part of the top case. I guess the disconnection of the PRAM battery was making it forget enough settings that it would get one boot before failing.

branttaylor,

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When you're confronted to such a problem it's better to disconnect all the logic board connectors (minus magsafe connector), connect headphones to the sound port and trip the power pads on the logic board to boot it. If the logic board always chime each time you trigger the power pads then you plug the disconnected connectors one at the time and trigger the pads until you find the culprit.

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branttaylor will be eternally grateful.
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