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Model A1237 or A1304 / 1.6, 1.8, 1.86, or 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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Only boots up sometimes

Hi.

My Macbook air 2009 only boots sometimes. About 3 out of 10 times.

At first it had the problem that when booting it would freeze during the OSX init. (Status bar stopped loading)

I have reset NVRAM with the option, command, P and R key combo. It seemed to clear it and the device started.

Now it wont always start up and i'm thinking maybe bad RAM.

In system report -> memory it shows 2 x 1 GB RAM in each slot with status OK. But product and serial number shows no info.

Any ideas as to what this might be? Bad RAM or maybe kernel panics??

Best Anders

Update (04/27/2017)

Hi.

Thanks a lot for your fine reply!

I have gone through some of your suggestions and I do not think the RAM is bad afterall.

I have replace the battery, so this is not the problem.

I have disassembled the unit and power buttonand using my fingers directly on the button i have had several succesfull boots.

I would like to try using the power pads to confirm this. But where are these?

I have posted a picture of the motherboard here:

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Best Anders

Update (05/11/2017)

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picture here

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Update (04/27/2017)

notice the RAM is placed different. The PCB says 94V0.419H REV A.

EMC 2334

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Update (04/27/2017)

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Update (05/17/2017)

picture of motherboard with power pads

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Update (04/27/2017)

I found them! Holy **** i found them :) The power pads that is.

It was a risk, but i dont think it will come to life, so why not try.

They are marked with red in the picture should you ever need it.

Unfortunately still the same issue, the computer wont allways turn on.

When the pads are shorted ( or power button pressed) The fan starts to spin. And does so for about 6-7 seconds.

Then the fan slows down (as if the computer was turned off ) and comes to a complete stop.

Then again it start to spin but it never comes on. ( only sometimes)

I'm thinking maybe power/voltage issue?

Anything ideas as where to look?

Best Anders

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Answer this question I have this problem too

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Thanks again, but the two motherboards are not the same, cant find power on pads :/

Best Anders

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Your system has soldered RAM which is not removable. Here is a good breakdown of your system to review: MacBook Air Models A1237 and A1304 Teardown. Check Steps 17 & 18 to see the RAM. While you could have a bad RAM module I would say your more likely having other problems. A common issue is a swollen battery pressing from below effecting the keyboard (& power button).

I would start off running this gem of a free app: Coconut Battery. It will give you an idea on the health of your battery. Post a screenshot of the main screen so we can see it too.

To see if the battery is interfering with the power switch you'll need to pop the bottom cover off and then short across the power pads (just a short duration is needed). See if the system is able to respond this way more reliably. The next test is to make sure the battery is charged and then shut it down and cool it down for a few hours. Putting it in the refrigerated section of refrigerator after you first tightly wrapping it in a plastic bag and then letting the system warm a bit before you pull it out of the bag. Does the system start up without fail? Try the power pads as well.

To check the SSD you'll need a second Mac to connect your system in Target Disk Mode follow this Apple T/N: Use target disk mode to share files between two Mac computers. Once you got the systems interconnected you can then use the other systems copy of Disk Utility to check your systems SSD. You can also make a backup of your stuff and then do a fresh install of the OS.

If the SSD comes back bad you'll need a new drive. OWC or Transcend are your options for 3rd party drive for your system.

Update (05/04/2017)

Sorry I forgot to add the power pad info. Here's a better image which is marked:

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The green outline is where you'll find them just under the black plastic right in the corner are two square pads.

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15 Comments:

Hi Dan.

The image of motherboard you put up is not the same in my Air.

Any chance you have other image?

Best

Anders

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Can you take a set of images of the logic board as I don't have the A1304 model. I should be able to spy the pads if I have some clear images.

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Hi Dan.

I hope you can spy them from these images! :)

posted in other comment

Best

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Hi Dan. Can you spot the power on pads? I cant tell myself... :)

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If im not mistaken, now dont try this until dan confirms, if you look at the heatsink and then the dots. If you go all the way to the right of the top row and go one in and then go from there to the bottom of the board, it looks like those 2 small pads there are for powering it on. Now dont try until @danj checks my work.

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