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Question

MacBook 4,1 death by dim green light-HELP!

Nov 14, 2012 12:41PM PST

After making a tough call and installing new cdrom drive, upgrading HD, and maxing memory RATHER than buying a new computer that I can't afford, my MacBook suddenly won't charge or turn on. Get a dim green light on magsafe connector and no battery blips.

After researching, narrowed it down to bad charger, bad magsafe input board or bad logic board. Bought refurb charger, no go. Bought new magsafe bd, no go. Can't make myself replace the logic board even after all the money i've thrown at this!

Anybody have any thoughts on what I can try before parting out this computer and buying an enclosure for the HD? Pretty, pretty please Happy

Battery was working great before, but I've heard they can de-charge to the point of death. Worth pursuing? Can't boot into target mode, or run any kind of repairs without it turning on--any other options?

Thanks in advance, Mark
MacBook 4,1
OSX 10.5

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Remove the battery and try a boot without it,
Nov 14, 2012 9:15PM PST

sounds like you damaged something when you were taking apart/reassembling the MacBook.

Open it up again and check ALL the connections


P

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Thanks for the thoughts!
Nov 15, 2012 3:50PM PST

Nope, won't boot with or without battery installed. Arrgh!

Actually the upgraded computer was working great for about 3 weeks before charging issue came up.

Thanks for the thoughts!

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BUMP
Nov 19, 2012 4:51PM PST

I'm gonna bump this just once! Please any additional ideas?

I'm really on my last legs here! To add to matters, I'm having trouble with my wifes iPhone and need to update the iOS before at&t will create a case number. U guessed it, the dead computer in question is the only one I have that will run a new enough version of iTunes to connect to the phone.

thanks in advance, Peace.

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What did you find when you opened it up
Nov 19, 2012 8:53PM PST

and checked ALL the connections?

P

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Didn't find much!
Nov 23, 2012 3:56PM PST

Well, there are thousands of connections, and I checked, er, maybe 20 (focusing on items that I'd worked on in the case).

But short of making sure sockets are clean and engaged, and nothing is obviously out of place, there's not much else to do inside. Did check output on charger, that's good.

Like I said, there was a period of time after upgrading all of those components in the OP when the computer was charging fine and behaving normally. Otherwise, I'd suspect something fouled during the process.

Don't have another battery to try, and don't want to buy one just to check.

Any other options in terms of troubleshooting? I've read a fair number of people running up against the "dim green light" but a lot seem to be able to boot their machine while the power chord is attached. Not me. Does that indicate anything?

Thanks again!

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Other than a logic board issue,
Nov 23, 2012 10:33PM PST

I have run out of ideas

Sorry

P