Hello! It is great to see someone keeping a classic 2008 MacBook alive. That "half-charged" success tells us the computer itself (Logic Board) is likely still functional, which is good news! The issue seems isolated to the power delivery path.
Based on the symptoms you described (no light on the MagSafe adapter, computer runs on battery but won't charge), here is a troubleshooting plan to isolate the issue.
1. The "Hard" SMC Reset (Specific for Removable Batteries)
You mentioned you tried resetting the SMC, but on these older models, the keyboard combination (Shift + Control + Option + Power) does not work. That combination is only for newer Macs with non-removable batteries.
Please try the strict mechanical reset method:
- Shut down the MacBook completely.
- Disconnect the MagSafe power adapter.
- Remove the battery.
- Press and hold the Power Button for 5 full seconds. (This discharges the capacitors on the Logic Board and resets the power management chip).
- Release the Power Button.
- Reinsert the battery and reconnect the MagSafe adapter.
- Check if the LED light on the charger turns Green or Orange.
2. Clean the MagSafe "Handshake" Pins
The MagSafe light only turns on if the charger and the MacBook "talk" to each other via the tiny middle pin. If there is dust or corrosion (common after sitting for 3 months), this handshake fails.
- Inspect the Port: Look at the magnetic port on the side of the laptop.
- Check the Pins: The gold pins on the charger should be springy. Push them gently with a fingernail to ensure they aren't stuck down.
- Clean: If you have 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and a soft toothbrush (or a wooden toothpick), gently clean the contact points on both the laptop and the charger.
3. The Likely Hardware Culprit: DC-In Board
If the SMC reset and cleaning do not work, and the charger works on another Mac, the issue is likely the DC-In Board.
- On the 2008 White MacBook, the port where you plug in the charger is a separate small circuit board, distinct from the main Logic Board.
- These are known to fail with age, or the internal cable connecting it to the Logic Board can become loose or oxidized during storage.
- The Symptom: A dead DC-In board results in exactly what you see: the computer works on battery power, but the charger behaves as if it's not plugged in (no light).
Next Steps
Since this device is considered "Obsolete" by Apple, official service isn't available. However, because it is a 2008 model, it is quite easy to open. If you are comfortable with DIY repairs, replacing the MagSafe DC-In Board is a common and inexpensive fix for this specific model.
- Clean the MagSafe port thoroughly first (see the video below).
- Perform the mechanical SMC reset exactly as described above.
Good luck getting that white classic running again!
Cleaning MagSafe Port with a Toothbrush
This video demonstrates how to safely clean the MagSafe port, which is often the simplest fix for a charger that won't light up. Even though it is made for the latest MagSafe version, I believe the cleaning process is essentially the same for the 2 previous versions.
