Forums | MacLife

kman · 2009-07-02 7:10 pm

Hey all.

I have a week-old 13" Macbook Pro - the backlighting was working when I first got it, but it has since stopped. It may have stopped when I installed 4GB of RAM and a 500GB HD. The lighting controls come on the screen, as though I'm adjusting it, but the lights themselves never come on, even in pitch black.

I have tried:

* Resetting PRAM and SMC
* Booting from the system disc and fixing permissions and running disc repair
* Re-installing the original RAM and HD
* Running the Apple Hardware Test

All to no avail. The the hardware test found no problems, except on one of the extended passes I got this:

4MEM/6/40000000:0xaa2a3418

Which looks like a memory problem, though I haven't had any problems other than the backlighting, and putting in the original memory didn't fix it.

Is there anything else I should try before I take it back to the Apple Store?

Thanks in advance!

Robert B Technician · 2009-07-03 11:12 am

That AHT code is for bad RAM or RAM slot.

Bad RAM or RAM issues can cause no backlight in these books.

I would try reseating the original RAM, then reset the PRAM and SMC one more time. If it works, the RAM you bought was bad. If that doesn't work, then I would take it back to the Apple Store (with the original RAM in.)

Good luck!

Jonathan R Technician · 2009-07-03 11:39 am

Just to follow up with the last post, if your problem is lack of backlight on your keyboard, insure that you have not damaged or inadvertently caused the very small cable just to the left of the ram slot on the main logic board to become loose. Be very careful with this connector as it is very small and delicate.

kman · 2009-07-03 1:16 pm

FIXED!

Jonathan was right about that little cable! I don't know how I missed it, but sure enough it had come out from the slot. After some tricky fidgeting (it's hard to get back in!) I fixed it, booted up and my backlights are back.

Thanks so much for the help - you guys saved me a trip to the Apple store.

I'm still concerned about the RAM - I've had a couple moments when everything on the system seems to be freezing up, but then it gets better after 30-60 seconds. I think that one of my new chips may be bad. Do you guys have a method for checking them (Hardware Test, Rember?) or should I just send them both back to NewEgg? Right now I'm booted with only one of the chips in, so that maybe I can isolate the problem.

THANKS AGAIN!

K

Robert B Technician · 2009-07-06 10:50 am

Great! The best way to check RAM is to isolate and see if one is giving you grief. Newegg should be quick with the exchange.

Qusus · 2009-09-04 1:47 pm

Hey guys, I'm pretty sure I have the same problem with my backlit keyboard after installing new ram. I took it apart and the connector was a little loose.

However, I don't seem to be able to put it all the way in. Half of the gold connector is still showing. Any tips on how I can actually get that sucker all the way back in there?

Robert B Technician · 2009-09-08 11:10 am

Qusus-

It's a clocking lever design so carefully unlock the lever and remove the cable, then reseat the cable and lock the lever.

It may take a little play (slight wiggle action) to reseat the cable but no force is required and I can't stress enough "easy does it"

FYI - We've seen a lot of these broken connectors from DIY upgrades which is why we always stress how delicate the cables/connectors are. If you're careful, calm and steady everything should be fine.

A good rule of thumb is "the more careful you are when you unseat/remove a component, the easier it will be to reseat"

Forums | MacLife

#1 2009-07-02 7:10 pm

13" MBP Backlit Keyboard Not Working

#2 2009-07-03 11:12 am

Re: 13" MBP Backlit Keyboard Not Working

#3 2009-07-03 11:39 am

Re: 13" MBP Backlit Keyboard Not Working

#4 2009-07-03 1:16 pm

Re: 13" MBP Backlit Keyboard Not Working

#5 2009-07-06 10:50 am

Re: 13" MBP Backlit Keyboard Not Working

#6 2009-09-04 1:47 pm

Re: 13" MBP Backlit Keyboard Not Working

#7 2009-09-08 11:10 am

Re: 13" MBP Backlit Keyboard Not Working

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