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2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.1 GHz) with 3 MB shared L3 cache.

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Powers down after each startup

This MBP started developing a power down issue where it got to the point the computer was unusable due to the constant power downs roughly between 5 to 10mins after starting up the MBP.

So I went and formatted the internal Apple SSD and then tried to reinstall OS X 10.10, big mistake was I was stil getting the power downs in the middle of installing a new system. So I am now caught in a constant loop of the MBP powering down with roughly 6mins to go before completion of installing OS X.

I've tried to run a hardware test, but roughly a minute into the test the MBP powers down.

I can bootup via a bootable external and system seems to run fine until I try to clone a system on to the internal Apple SSD using Superduper. Roughly about 5mins into cloning to the SSD the MBP powers down.

I've tried SMC reset which did seems to do something as all the fans starting going crazy, but was unsure if I should leave the MBP on with fans going full force in the middle of an OS X install so powered off the MBP. Also carried out nvram reset which did't seem to do anything to stop the power downs.

I've also realised after the reset SMC that when the magsafe is plugged into the MBP it auto powers up and chimes.

Basically am stumped now, have a feeling it's possibly the SSD causing the problems. I guess I could pull out the SSD and boot via my external drive and see how the MBP powers down.

Anyone give me any ideas i can try?

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If you have access to a second Mac you could try starting up the system in Target Mode then access it via Thunderbolt or Ethernet cable between the two systems. Then you can try re-installing the OS to fix that issue. But of course that assumes the system will stay up in Target Mode.

As to your root issue:

After fixing your drive or by using an external bootable drive can you get into safe mode? Here's a guide on the different startup options: Startup key combinations for Intel-based Macs.

Update

OK, lets try this:

Make sure the sleep LED is not lit, if it is you will need to hold the power button until it goes out.

Open your system up and disconnect the battery, then carefully plug in the power adapter in and now retry powering up the system is the system stable now in Safe Mode?

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5 Comments:

I did try Target disk mode, but I also get power offs when in target disk mode via the MBP. Since posting I've ruled out the internal SSD now, as i pulled out the SSD and ran the MBP via a bootable external drive. Low and behold I was still getting power downs via the MBP, I've just about given up on what else it can be causing the power downs apart from the main board.

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At this point you'll need to refocus on the cause of the system shutting down. When it shuts down does the white sleep mode LED on the front edge lit? Can you give us some history what happened to the system that caused this problem.

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It's been shutting down/powering off for sometime but has seemed to be getting worse as in quicker powering off after booting. All I can say is after OS X 10.10 installed if seemed to get worst, but was powering off every so often before.

Both internal fans seems to work, so am not sure its a heat related issue. Only thing left now really is the main board.

What other info/history would you need to know?

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I can't even install a clean system on to the internal SSD, as it powers off midway through installing new system.

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The fact you can't even get it to be stable in Target mode points to a hardware issue. The reason I asked about the history is to try to aim us at an area.

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