Chosen Solution
Apple indicates it’s a processor issue. On further examination, the hard drive is kaput. It is a $900 repair so am curious if there is a cheaper option that I can do myself.
Mmm … Very surprised the Apple Store would even give you an estimate! You see Apple has defined this system as no longer serviced by them: Vintage and obsolete products. So clearly the genius was not a genius! OK, so lets get back to your problem … A system which does not respond at all when you’ve pressed the power button would not be a hard drive failure. The system would still start up (startup bong) as well as get a display image of a folder icon with a blinking question mark About the screens you see when your Mac starts up That limits us to the power supply and/or logic board type of failure. So now lets backup here a bit … You stated you came home from being on vacation to discover the deal system. Do you have your system plugged into a surge suppressor or UPS? Did you leave it running (sleep mode)? Update (10/22/2018) I’m suspecting you had a power surge which your surge suppressor was unable to protect your system. When you have your system in sleep mode the system is in a low power state but still alive! I would bet the power supply went on you. Are you planing on trying to fix your own system here? If you are the system does have on-board diagnostic LED’s which can help aim you to whats gone. Its also possible the logic board also got damaged as well
