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Grey lit screen and no keyboard input - is it the motherboard?

Hi,

I have an old 2007 macbook. A while ago now I started to have to boot the computer using safe boot due to corrupted security permissions, all would work well for abfew weeks then it would need it again.

Finally all I started to get was a grey screen on startup.

I tried to reinstall OSX from dvd but this resulted in the dvd getting stuck in the drive which after none of the usual and unusual solutions worked led to me having to dismantle the drive.

I figured that the HDD which is the original had failed but replacing the drive has made no difference so this is how the computer boots at the moment:

1) Grey screen

2) Power lights work,

3) Keyboard lights don't come on - keyboard keys appear not to work (e.g c for dvd boot etc.)

4) External drives if plugged in get power.

5) External usb keyboards plugged in don't light up either, nor do their keys appear to affect boot.

6) I had the boot chime muted before all this happened so I don't get a chime and couldn't say if it were playing or not.

7) The new internal hdd and old dvd drives do sound normal.

Could this be the ram (I don't think I have any to test with) or is it more likely the motherboard? Any ways to get the external keyboard working?

I can't really throw money at the computer at the moment so trying to rule out as much as possible.

Thanks.

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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I've now tried with a different keyboard and an external screen. The keyboard again gets no power to it.

The external display gets no signal but as I've never tried using a macbook white to hdmi connector before does it require any key pressed to output to an external display on boot?

Thanks.

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Just realised that of course if there is a key to hold and no keyboards have power then I'm still stuck.

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After trying all the things I could think of and suggestions online I've managed to rule out the keyboards, RAM, DVD Drive, HDD, Power draw from the wifi card, Battery etc.

This leaves me with only one conclusion and that is either the GPU or Motherboard is the source of the failure and so the computer is only salvagable as parts.

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Try this (at least it should restore your start up tone)

Here's how to reset your PRAM:

  1. Shut down your machine. Yes, all the way down, not sleep or logging out.
  2. Press the power button and then press command-option-p-r. ...
  3. Hold those keys down until your Mac reboots again and you hear the startup chime.
  4. Let go of the keys and let your Mac reboot normally.

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Hi,

Thanks for the response. I tried that but nothing happened, but with the keyboards not appearing to be working I don't know if holding the keys down is working or not.

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With a working keyboard this should have toned for you. Check to see if the battery is swollen.

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I didn't have the battery in, just the power lead as I presumed it would be okay like this, but the battery looks okay and was bought about two years ago when I got the macbook.

Thanks.

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I found the original 512mb ram stick and have now tried it with the same issues as before so I can rule out ram and hdd.

Is there anything else to suggest bar a different external keyboard? or is it now looking more likely to be the motherboard?

It's really odd how external devices get power but not my tested usb keyboard.

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Turns out spambot deleted my comment:

I found the original RAM stick however the same issues remained so I think I can rule out ram and the hdd now.

Does this just leave ghe motherboard or should I try unplugging the dvd drive?

I'll likely try another external keyboard but if it doesn't light up would you have any suggestions to get it powered?

It is very strange that external drives get power but not a keyboard.

Thanks.

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Chief will be eternally grateful.
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