Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Released June 2012 / Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost / Up to 1 GB GDDR5 Video RAM

597 Questions View all

Options

MacBook Pro 15" Mid 2012 not (always) booting

I’ve bought a secondhand (non-functional) MacBook a while ago. It doesn’t seen to want to boot. The progress bar sometimes gets to around 25-50%, and then the laptop just shuts off. I’ve already tried booting from USB without the SATA cable attached, and the same issue still exists.

Weird thing is, it sometimes boots. I’ve replaced the thermal paste because it was getting pretty warm to the touch. Afterwards, it worked just fine. The next morning I tried waking the MacBook from sleep, and it immediately shut off.

I’ve tried resetting the SMC. After resetting it, the MacBook turns on with the fans on full blast and the battery indicator not working. I need to reboot the MacBook multiple times to get it to "work" again. When I press the Shift+Ctrl+Option buttons during boot, the machine instantly powers off.

Right now when I try booting it up, I get a flashing globe on screen. If I hold any key, it goes to the normal boot screen and shuts off after 25-50%.

Any idea what to do here?

EDIT: It wasn't working again, so I took out the logic board. And now it's booting up again. The magsafe light is nice and green now, and it's dim when the MacBook isn't working.

Coconutbattery shows good health right now, but it was at 47% a few days ago. I think it's shot.

Block Image

Block Image

Answer this question I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No
Score 0
Add a comment

1 Answer

Filter by:
Most Helpful Newest Oldest
Most Helpful Answer

Options

The logic board has some problems as the MagSafe charger LED should be solid green if charged and Amber if needing charge. A dim LED is telling me the charging logic on the logic board has issues. As your system is struggling to stay on it your battery may need replacing.

If you can get it to start up again try running CoconutBattery on it and get a snapshot with the MagSafe connected and a second with it disconnected and paste them here so we can see Adding images to an existing question

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No
Score 1

17 Comments:

Should the issues still be happening if it's running without battery?

Also, when the system randomly decides to work normally the charging LED lights up as expected too, changing from amber to green when fully charged.

by

What does the onboard battery checker tell you (front left side round surface button - hard to see)

by

The onboard battery indicator tells me the battery status accurately. That is, if it's working. It doesn't work for a while after resetting the SMC.

by

Let me restate what I'm asking if you: Disconnect the MagSafe charger from the system. The system its self has a battery tester on the same side you plug in the charger to the far right along the side. You'll see a small round depression thats a button! Press it and tell me what the LED tell you, how many LEDs do you see.

by

Yes, I know what you mean. The battery indicator accurately shows me the battery percentage when it's working. But the moments when the magsafe doesn't light up green, the battery indicator doesn't work either. I think it has to do with the SMC.

by

Show 12 more comments

Add a comment

Add your answer

Jeroen will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 0

Past 30 Days: 1

All Time: 214