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MBP 15" won't boot -- how to rule out a keyboard/switch issue?

Is there a way to boot a MBP other than by using the power switch on the keyboard?

Last night I dropped my C2D 15.4" 2.4ghz MBP. I inspected it immediately and it booted up successfully. I then closed the lid and went about some other business.

This morning I discovered the battery was completely run down (one blinking light) and the machine wouldn't boot. When I say "wouldn't boot" I mean that absolutely nothing happens when the power switch is pressed - no fan movement, no lights, nada, zilch.

I connected the AC adapter and it stayed amber to indicate charging. However, even once the AC adapter light turned green and the battery showed a full charge, it still wouldn't boot. Tried a different AC adapter w/ the same results.

I kind of suspect a keyboard issue. I've taken the machine apart a few times to swap hard drives and the connection between the keyboard ribbon and the logic board is a little loose. Obviously when that connection is loose the keyboard and power switch are inoperable.

I opened the case and checked the keyboard connection and reseated it to no avail. (I also tried resetting the PRAM and PMU first)

Seems to me that it's not the I/O board since I'm able to charge the battery. That leaves me thinking it's either the keyboard or the logic board (eek)

How would you narrow this down further?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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You could remove the top case, on the logic board there will be a set of contact points, usually with a white line pointing to them that say either PWR or PWR BTN .. this internal power button can be jumped with a conductive screwdriver.. I usually use a T8.

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Matthew, thank you! I had no idea such a thing existed. I'll Google to find out where it is on the MBP 3,1's logic board.

(Ironically, the machine IS actually booting and operational now. Not sure how long it will stay this way...)

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Once your top case is removed you could try to apply pressure to the top case connector while booting the machine.

You may read this thread where Nick used a multimeter to test his MBP power switch:

After attempting to clean keyboard, laptop won't power on

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Thank you! That's a good troubleshooting step as well.

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johnedmundrose will be eternally grateful.
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