Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4GHz, Late 2007 CTO, Early 2008, and Late 2008) - Manual (Page 191)

MacBook Pro 17-inch (original, Core 2 Duo, 2.4/2.6GHz, 2008) Troubleshooting — Hardware Symptom Charts 191
Shut down the system, then press the power button to start the computer. 2.
Reset the SMC (power manager) as described in “ 3. Resetting the System Management
Controller (SMC)” under “Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks” in the previous section.
Make sure the power adapter is connected to a known-good outlet using the AC power cord, 4.
not the duckhead. If the intermittent behavior goes away, recommend using the AC cord to
provide a grounding path for static.
Place the MacBook Pro Mac OS X Install 1 Disc in the optical disc drive, press the start button 5.
and hold down the “C” key. Check the cursor movement, to see if the problem is software.
Check the trackpad flex cable connection to the logic board. 6.
Replace the top case. 7.
Replace the logic board. 8.
Video
No video, but computer appears to operate correctly
See Power, but No Video section under the Startup section at the beginning of this chapter.
Dim display, but computer appears to operate correctly
Remove any connected peripherals. 1.
Make sure the F1 key is not stuck down. 2.
Press the F2 key (with the fn key pressed and not pressed) to increase the screen brightness. 3.
Open Display system preference panel and check brightness. If works, replace keyboard. 4.
Shut down the computer and restart. 5.
Reset PRAM. (After restart, hold down the Command-Option-P-R keys until you hear the 6.
startup chime at least one additional time after the initial startup chime).
Try connecting an external display to check for intact video signal. If no external video 7.
appears, skip to step 10 below. Otherwise proceed to next step.
Check connection of the inverter cable to the main logic board. 8.
Replace the display assembly. 9.
Replace logic board. 10.
Computer appears to work, but there is no video on an external device connected
to the S-video/Composite port of the optional DVI to Video Adapter
The device must be connected to the S-video/composite port while the MacBook Pro is 1.
sleeping or off for the device to be recognized.
Verify that the test monitor being used is a known-good device supported by this computer. 2.