3 Can't turn ON with power button, but it works otherwise
Some facts:
- I am still able to turn my Mac ON (details below, may be helpful for someone)
- It does not react anyhow to power button, I can't turn it on/off/sleep with power button
- Top case with power button is not the problem (tested on another Mac)
- Resetting SMC, PRAM does not really help
- I am confident it is logic board issue
As described above I have late 2006 Core 2 DUO Macbook 13 with some problem that it not reacts anyhow to power button. Otherwise the keyboard and touchpad work. The only way I found to turn it ON is to disconnect the PRAM battery. With disconnected PRAM battery every-time when the MAC loses power (disconnect power supply and remove battery) it starts itself automatically up on connecting to power supply. (That is not a fault that is normal behavior, which I observed on more units). So I am able to use my Mac normally until I turn it off, then I must remove the battery (and lose WIFi passwords, time, date setting etc). What can be the problem? Obviously something with logic board but what? I do not mind any soldering, but I do not know where to start, I see one transistor close to the keyboard flexcable socket which is described as "power button", may be I should start there? I saw on newer Mac's that there are two soldpads on logic board, where by shorting them it is possible to turn it ON, but I see nothing like that on my logic board (except the transistor mentioned above)
Edit: Scheduled start up in Energy saver preferences also works.
Is this a good question?
4 
2 Comments
+ great question, just wish I had an answer as good. This is a first.
by mayer
I located 2 pins on the logic board which act as power button, shortening them with screwdriver turns it ON and OFF as expected. But still no reaction for the button on the topcase.
by radek