Macbook Pro won't turn on

I hope this is the correct site for this enquiry.

I have a 2008 Macbook Pro running recently installed Snow Leopard. Everything has been running smoothly until this evening when it decided to turn itself off.

When I try to restart, it whirrs for a second the sleep light comes on momentarily then there is a clicking sound and nothing at all on the screen.

The green light on the mains adapter is lit.
Does this sound like a hardware problem or is it something else. I would really appreciate some help with this problem.

Thanks in anticipation
Harry

First question is...have you owned this computer since new...or is it a "new to you" used computer that was recently purchased?

Since the computer was working...try an SMC reset:

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

- Nick

macbook pro won't turn on

Hi Nick

Thanks for your quick reply.
I have already done an SMC reset and nothing happens. I have recently bought this machine on ebay.

When I turn it on it sort of whirrs and then clicks off.

Harry

kershawh said:

I have already done an SMC reset and nothing happens. I have recently bought this machine on ebay.

When I turn it on it sort of whirrs and then clicks off.

Click to expand...

What was the advertised operational condition of this computer from the e-Bay seller?

Was it supposed to be 100% operational...or did you get a great deal on it becasuse it had existing issues?

- Nick

Have you tried a PRAM reset?:

About NVRAM and PRAM

* Nick

macbook pro won't turn on.

I actually got a three month warranty with it. So I will probably go for a refund.

Incidentally I have already tried a PRAM reset but to no avail.

kershawh said:

I actually got a three month warranty with it. So I will probably go for a refund.

Click to expand...

Probably a good idea. If it was supposed to be 100% operational...there should be no need for you to fix/troubleshoot other folks issues!

kershawh said:

Incidentally I have already tried a PRAM reset but to no avail.

Click to expand...

Next time it might be a better idea to list what you have already done...so we don't have to cover things that you already tried. Seems like you tried everything I suggested (SMC and PRAM resets) before I suggested them.

I'm concerned that if I suggest anything further...you may have tried those things already as well. It's always nice to suggest things that someone has not yet tried.

Good luck with the return.

- Nick

Many apologies I will try to be a little more accommodating next time. No need to be so rude I thought this was supposed to be a help forum for users of all degrees of experience.

Oh dear !!

kershawh said:

No need to be so rude I thought this was supposed to be a help forum for users of all degrees of experience.

Oh dear !!

Click to expand...

Obviously you didn't appreciate the time & effort I spent trying to help you already. And didn't you see all of the smiley faces I had in my last post?? No rudeness was intended.

I like helping folks with their computing problems...but it doesn't do me or you any good for me to suggest things that you have already tried before posting...that's why it's important for you to mention what you have already tried.

There are many more things I could have suggested besides an SMC or PRAM reset...which you may or may not have already tried.

Also my replies had nothing to do with "users of all degrees of experience"...what I suggested was...inform us what you've already tried...so we can focus on things you haven't tried.

Remember...it always pays to be friendly...because there may be a next time you need help!

- Nick

Sorry Nick I really did appreciate your help last night. I was so hacked off with the mac that I said things I didn't really mean. You weren't being rude and I should have told you what tests I had already performed.

Once again apologies and I hope there are no hard feelings.

Harry

Try starting her in safe mode (shift key on boot)

Failing that try in verbose mode (cmd V on startup)

That will start her up in text mode and may tell us at what stage the boot process is failing

Alos, did the mac come with the original grey restore DVD

Thanks for your reply. Just tried what you suggested but to no avail. Every time I try to boot up it whirrs then clicks off.
No I don't have the grey restore disc. I bought the machine second hand and had to buy a snow leopard disc from apple.

Harry