Thanks to a commenter on my earlier post (Mac Book Pro blank screen problem) I found out that Apple is now repairing, free of charge, Mac Book Pros that experienced the same problems. These are Mac Book Pros manufactured between May 2007 and September 2008. Here’s what Apple says:
In July 2008, NVIDIA publicly acknowledged a higher than normal failure rate for some of their graphics processors due to a packaging defect. At that same time, NVIDIA assured Apple that Mac computers with these graphics processors were not affected. However, after an Apple-led investigation, Apple has determined that some MacBook Pro computers with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor may be affected. If the NVIDIA graphics processor in your MacBook Pro has failed, or fails within two years of the original date of purchase, a repair will be done free of charge, even if your MacBook Pro is out of warranty.
Read more: Mac Book Pro: distorted video or no video issues
People who paid for repairs will get refunds. According to Apple support. I need to take my Mac Book Pro to the Apple store in downtown SF because that is where they shipped it from to the repair center.
UPDATE (6 October 2009): I have to highlight this comment from Lavina:
WOW, I just got off the phone with apple and they told me the nvidia video card is covered whether you have a warranty or not because it is a known issue and they will continue to support the replacing of the card, since it is nvidia who is paying in the end. 1-800-275-2273 is the number to call apple.
http://www.apple.com/support/contact/phone_contacts.html is the web page.
When you call you cannot expect the customer service rep to understand. you must be transferred to a tech specialist who is aware of these problems and will start a case # for u. whether you have paid already or not. So sweet!
1 May 2009 at 20:40
FYI, if your MacBook Pro ends up with a black screen that won’t turn on, and you take it to the Applestore “genius” desk, they will run a test on your computer to see if it is the NVIDIA card causing the problem. In my case they said that wasn’t the case and that I needed a new logic board for $1,200. BUT!!! I then took my computer to Tekserve, authorized apple repair place in New York, and they said, yes the NVIDIA card might appear ok, but it IS what caused my logic board to break. They’re fixing my computer free of charge. If you have the black screen of death, don’t pay anything! Find a true “Genius” place like Tekserve who knows what’s going on.
13 June 2009 at 21:47
I took my Macbook Pro which has an NVIDIA graphics card to the Apple Genius. He used a device to test the graphics card and claimed it was not one of the cards that they were extending the warranty for. It was just a hard drive that confirmed the video card was on the established list or not. He claimed that the video card works, despite not being able to view anything on an external monitor. He says it is the logic board, at a cost of $350. Apple seems to favor this blanket solution, but I know that those are refurbished cards, and he did not actually test the logic board, he simply deduced it was at fault. In my mind, I’m wondering why I can still manipulate files on my MBP, take screen shots of running applications, if the logic board has failed.
15 June 2009 at 07:07
Figures, Apple anything only looks good on paper. I have had the White Screen of Death, re-installed OSX about 10 times this month due too boot failures and OS crashes, my 7 year old managed to get a Mac Trojan last week using a parental controlled account in Leopard I set up for him, I’ve had the Apple ram fail and had to replace it (with kingston ram 140$ not apple ram for 800$) I had the start page locked into an unknown site spewing ad’s upon ad’s at me (malware) and have had hard drive errors requiring me to re-install the OS as listed above. The fact that Apple lies about viruses, crashes, malware, superior hardware, rock solid OS is mind blowing considering I have had this Macbook Pro for 8 months and I have had more spyware, malware, viruses, crashes, freeze ups, hardware failures than any computer I have ever used. My Vista XPS system has yet to have a single burp or anything. Now the new line of mac’s prevent you from changing even a battery yourself….unless your across the street from an Apple store that’s complete bullshit and more Steve Jobs coin rapeage. Other issues are the switch from Windows to Mac is not an easy one like they say it is. You cannot run any of the windows software, files, games or programs you had for Windows, so best of luck application hunting for half assed windows clone programs just to get by. This is easiy my last over priced, under performing, limited, incapatable, crapple Mac.
15 June 2009 at 07:10
Applestore “genius” are they for real HAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 I would laugh in the guys face if I went to an Apple sote and he said “hi im an Applestore Genius” I would be like yeah im Steve and supermodel.
16 June 2009 at 14:37
@Scott Edwards..
Yes you can..
Connect the MBP to any other Mac or PC using a FireWire cable, and then start your MBP in Target Disk Mode by depressing “T” after powering up.. Your MBP drives will appear as external drives on the second machine..
Good Luck!
21 June 2009 at 16:32
sorry about the verbal diarrhea. I really only want to read about how to get the problem solved and job done. Save the commentary for the letters to the editor or opinion page. My daughter’s mbp has the 2/3′rds blank screen and I would really like to solve it as inexpensively as possible. Post help here. Your gripes don’t help.
29 June 2009 at 10:33
thank u so much. i just came back from the apple store freaking out! they told me the $1200 story too and i KNEW in my heart it was some bs. Thank u!
leon
9 July 2009 at 04:13
I too had the same problem. My Mac Book Pro 15.4″ was manufactured between May 2007 and September 2007. I went to the Apple Service Provider and he told me it will cost approx $1200 to replace the Logic Board. I then checked on the Discussion forums and found that this was a common problem and emanated from NVidia 8600 GT. I have requested Apple to repair and replace free as promised on their website. Lets see what happens.
16 July 2009 at 00:31
I just want to clarify my issue. I’m not curious about wether i can access my files. I have. I am curious why i can if there is a logic board problem. I have been able to take screenshots of myself blindly operating software. Everything works except for the video, including the video out. Since the keyboard lights up, and twice the screen came back to life with PRAM reset and delete sleepimage process, all evidence points to the graphics card or graphics driver issue (permasleeping), not a backlight or screen power failure. I suggest driver issue because the problem started immediately after updating OSX from 10.5.5 to 10.5.7, however this still places the fault in Apple’s court. Apple claims that updating your OS will improve it’s stability, and I clearly experienced the opposite. It’s either a faulty driver or defective hardware and i fail to see why i should pay for a known defect because someone couldn’t predict properly which specific devices were affected. FACT: mine is affected. Fiction: “Unfortunately the serial number of your graphics card indicates it is not part of the extended warranty coverage.”
Yes I tried to inform the genius that there was a warranty for my product because it is clearly being affected in the same manner as described on Apple’s website. He did not diagnose the problem, it simply categorized into a blanket solution of replacing the logic board. I should not be treated in a manner which is eschewing expenses of appropriate investigative labor and forcing them into my pockets. Nevertheless I have hired a technician to determine the failure of the device and will expose that the apple genius is not a technician and fraudulently determined the inappropriate solution for my problem at a predetermined inappropriate expense on my part in order to save time as a blanket solution. I have seen a large number of people in the forums with my same issue and hardware receive replacement parts free of charge out of normal warranty, and I demand to be treated with the same respect. However, since these manufactured parts are likely defective because of a faulty material set, which sets the standard for equipment below par, the replacement parts are likely just as faulty and may fail within 1 years under normal use. There are a lot of people on the forums experiencing this. I believe we should all be granted replacement parts of assured quality, or have our warranties extended each time a replacement part is used. The issue is, does Apple stand behind the quality of its products? In my case they have not yet, and until they do I will let everyone know about it.
25 July 2009 at 16:44
I recently had this problem with my mbp and it would boot up yet the screen remained black… I brought it to the apple store and the genius there ran some tests and informed me that my graphics card was in perfect order yet it was my logic board that was fried. I wasnt too conviced as all the symptoms my mbp had were described under the faulty graphics card. I therefore brought it back to the same store to have it analyzed by another genius and they told me it was my graphics card! Now its being replaced free of charge. So before you buy another computer, make sure you really double check! it saved me $2000!
23 August 2009 at 09:31
I have the same problem as your mac does, please let me know what happen after you went to the Genuis bar. Thanks,
Jimmy
23 August 2009 at 14:16
Thanks to you and google, I just saved at least $300. You were the missing link to my Macbook Pro’s problem. I got the startup chime, could hear the hard drive working, but had a black screen… caps lock and num lock would work. Could use an external keyboard (apple brand) to fire up iTunes (via Quicksilver) to successfully play music and change the volume. (HUGE relief that the hard drive wasn’t the problem.) The Apple Care rep quickly determined that I was eligible for the fix and was about to email me the article (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377) that you already have posted.
I now have a case number (with specific notes) and will have the computer fixed in 24-48 hours at the Apple store nearest me.
Thanks for the valuable information!!!
23 August 2009 at 16:06
I am so glad I could save you and everyone else a lot of money. Of course, it’s painful not to have your Macbook Pro for several days. I hope that you get it back in 2 days. My Macbook Pro had to be sent to Texas and it spent a whole week there! I had to rely on an ancient Dell that I christened “Wilbur”. Very painful experience to work on a Windows computer.
26 August 2009 at 01:43
I’m so happy I found your site! I’ve been freaking out just thinking about how much I’m going to spend to fix my MBP,.. now I know that Apple will fix it free of charge. I’m going to apple store tomorrow to get it check by the so called “GENIUS”,.. I’ll let u know what they say… I’ll keep my fingers cross! thanks again.
26 August 2009 at 01:57
Hi Esme Vos, Hi Everyone,.. I have a MBP 17″ 2.4Ghz… So far its running good. Re this BLANK SCREEN issue, do you know if this is a RECALL of some sort??? should I get my MBP check even though Im not having the problem… YET!
26 August 2009 at 05:36
Jun,
Don’t bother with a checkup. You will know when the problem occurs. At least you won’t panic. You’ll take your MBP to the Apple store, tell them about this problem and ask that they fix it at their expense.
Esme
26 August 2009 at 05:37
Daisy,
Please report back here on what they say.
4 September 2009 at 04:09
Thanks a lot for all the information!!! I had the same problem with my MacBook Pro 15.4″ 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo/2 that I bought on July 2007 in NY… Black unresponsive screen, computer won’t appear on an external screen but HD is responding. Seem like the same problem caused by the NVIDIA graphic card.
However, I’m on a trip outside the US and had to give it to the apple lab here in Israel, and they say they are waiting for approval from Apple Europe regarding the analysis of the problem and for apple to acknowledge that the replacement and fix should be free of charge. It’s been almost three weeks and I still haven’t heard from them. I’ll keep updating when I’ll hear the good news…
6 September 2009 at 09:37
wondering how the issue is going for everyone .
do they repair ur laptop for the ones that got it done or do they replace it free of charge with a newer model cause i honestly dont want a refurbished graphic card or any parts in my laptop since i paid full price for new goods.
7 September 2009 at 18:23
What about my 2005 IMAC? I came back from vacation and I put it on and got a black screen?
18 September 2009 at 04:16
My MacBook Pro is now with a blank screen; num lock, chime.The unprofessional ‘Genius’ at auth service center and I was told they tried running some damn GPT test and it didn’t work; which means the nvedia card is not faulty and the actual faulty piece is my MBP’s logic board.
My MBP is jus 1yr and 3months old and I had already changed the HDD 1s. Now this display issue. I paid a huge amount to get the MBP. I paid 1 lac 29K INR for this damn MBP and now this. I am majorly disappointed. I curse myself for choosing this damn MBP.
30 September 2009 at 08:42
Hey man!, mine has the same defect, so, is about to check with the authorized repair centers? did u have any reference that I may use? thanks!!
12 October 2009 at 00:14
Guys,
I have the same problem like you all, my MBP was blank screen, even my keyboard, numlock, caplock and volume still working normal, everything normal only blank screen……when i bring it to ASP Indonesia, they said same like you all, my VGA is no problem, but my logicboard, and they said its price 886US$ for change with new one !! DAAMN ANSWER!!! that i wont hear it!!! I think better i buy new one than fix that problem….
so….i have conclusions that Apple always said like that for the same problem….why?? is it fair for their consument who has been loyal with their product???
right now my mbp still wait for fix it for free….because my guarante is over, but i know that issue from apple is free of charge for fix that problem….but in Indonesia why we must charge for services 25US$??? is it free or only their game for their consument???
please if there any indonesian people have the same problem about blank screen, tell me where i must to go for free fix this problem??? please contact me at my email
thx u guys!!
12 October 2009 at 08:40
Deon,
When I went to the Apple Store with this problem, they told me it was the logic board and they told me since the MBP was not covered by AppleCare, I had to pay for the repair. So I paid for it, reluctantly.
Several weeks later, I found out that Apple was repairing this exact problem AT NO COST to the customer. So I went back to the Apple store and demanded a refund. They processed it and I got my money back (more than $300).
That is why I wrote these two articles — to inform people that although the usual story is the logic board problem and you must pay for it yourself – Apple is paying for these repairs and you must contact your local Apple office to get this done:
Indonesia 0018 03061 2009
http://www.apple.com/asia/support/
Note that it is official Apple policy. It’s in their Support page.
Esme Vos
The Pajama Entrepreneur
12 October 2009 at 19:52
Thx u brother, i hope Apple’s policy in Indonesia has the same rules like Apple International’s policy….so, we don’t need to pay for their faults……because when it is not….may Apple Indonesia can disapointing their costumer in here…….
btw…..is it possible when i complaint to other ASP (not 1st ASP when i came) with bringing this blog’s printout, for giving the prove to them, what happen with you guys who have same problem with same answer from Apple in abroad?
once again….thx u for this sharing, hope my mbp is going back normally again……
Rgrd,
Deon
12 October 2009 at 20:14
Deon,
Yes, please print out any materials you need from this website. And good luck! Please report back on your progress as there may be other Indonesians with the same problem.
By the way, last month I spent a couple of weeks in Bali, and two days in Borobodur. Loved it!
Esme
29 October 2009 at 18:07
I had the same problem that all you have had and to check for myself it was the Graphic card, which by the way comes attached to the logic board, I turned on my mbp, then went to another mac i have and connectes to the Main HD on my MBP and went to Screen Sharing I went to About This Mac and pressed the more info button which told me that my graphic card was an intel 64mb integrated one, thats where I realized it was the graphic card. Then I took it to a local apple reseller here in Peru and they did the same check with the Small Hard Drive and they told me that it was going to be repaired at no charge. 10 days later I got a brand new Logic Board and I;m writing this reply from the same mbp that screwed up, I even took advantage that they were opening it up to buy a 500gb HD so great. Hope this helps you check that it is infact the graphic card that is failin.
6 November 2009 at 20:06
same here.. genius disappeared for a minute, to “run” diagnostics. Came back to quickly to tell me that its not the graphics processor. Its something else. But that for $310 they’d send it off to their depot for repair. BS. Im going to tekserv. i can see my mac running in Screen Sharing mode from my other machines, and keyboard illumination and other logic board functions operate just fine. whats apple protecting NVIDIA for? The Genius even told me not to mention this issue to anyone else. I said ef-off punk. Your company published the article. http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377
20 November 2009 at 23:17
My screen is white with little lines of light down the middle… is this the same problem?
I took it to them geniuses, and they said I had to pay 650$ just to send it in and diagnose the problem, which they said, is probably the logic board. Is this the same thing ya’all are dealin’ with?
arrgghhhh
21 November 2009 at 10:03
No, this is not the same problem. The problem I have described in this post is a black screen. This happens to Mac Book Pros made between May 2007 and Sept 2008. The culprit is a defective NVIDIA card, according to Apple. My understanding is that there is a lawsuit between Apple and NVIDIA. The latter denies all responsibility for these problems. Apple has agreed to bear the costs of repair.
However, you should definitely keep looking in the online Apple support website and in the forums because someone might have posted about this problem (or will post about it in the near future). Apple may agree to fix it at no cost to you and to other customers.
Even if you pay this $650 now, keep following the boards and the support site because maybe, 3 months later, they will discover that this is a problem which afflicts all Macs similar to yours, and Apple may issue you a refund for the repair (which is what they did for me with my blank screen of death problem).
26 November 2009 at 09:40
I have exactly the same problem here in Mexico, the guys at Apple Store have been making test for 5 days and still get no error code from their tester. They told me that they have to get that code and after that send it to Apple to change the Logic Board.
I hope they read this post and stop playing that they dont know what is happening.
30 November 2009 at 21:30
Hi Guys,
And thank you all for sharing your feedback. Without you I wouldn’t even know that apple is playing with me.
Ok, so here is my case (interested to hear your opinion)
I bought my MBP 17″ in AUG 07.
About a year or less (hard to specify proper dates) after I bought it, my logic board failed.
At that time I took it to 2 separate authorised places in Sydney and no one wanted to deal with this problem
saying that nothing is wrong, blah blah blah..
After 3rd attempt, I took it to place in Surry Hills, MacCentre it is called I believe and they have been very professional
and helpful and fixed the mother board (replaced) with no charge (it was still covered under warranty).
Yesterday, November 30th my computer died again (I hear you say WOOT? again? yes again).
I took it to the same servicing centre and they have advised me that this is not the nvidia issue (same deal as you guys,
waiting for some freakin numbers and god test to tell me that yes the nvidia is the problem). Total BS again.
Service advised that it will be 2254$ for replacement (~$2000 for logic board), I thought I will (excuse me) piss myself.
$2000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I called apple and demanded explanation. They were playing ebay bargaining game with me, calling me back to say
they will give me a discount on that – first 30% that after a day of fighting and proving my points – 50% (so what, now you
can take prices for parts out of your ar5e???)
So now I am stuck. I bought this computer whan I was a student, spending all this freakin money on machine
that was supposed to work for years and invested my hard earned savings and apple wants to play game with me.
I really don’t know what to do from here. I don’t know how to respond to claim that this isn’t the nvidia issue.
I was referring back to the original article that apple have posted regarding this issue and they still won’t help me out.
When I asked dude over the phone:
“So the cost for the logic board is $2000, so it is more than 27imac, you guys are saying to me that this is possible?”
They couldn’t even reply.
I am going to investigate this case further, speak with fair trading or anyone in the industry.
I want my answers.
Super angry and disappointed at apple customer service.
sgnwsk
4 December 2009 at 12:20
I am having all of these exact same problems. I’ve had my logic board replace TWICE and just had the 3rd one fail on me. I reset the PRAM as someone else suggested and it worked (thank you!). Obviously, this is only temporary.
I don’t have a Mac Book Pro. Just a Mac Book. My question is-Am I covered or is it just MBPs?
9 December 2009 at 15:59
I, too, have a Macbook with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor in it. My Macbook is also experiencing the symptoms described here. Will Apple fix it or will they claim that Macbooks are not covered?
13 December 2009 at 16:05
Just two days ago my screen stopped working (Macbook Pro- mid 2007). The only thing, and I’ve read others having this same problem, is that when I try to turn it on, the fan starts whirring and the sleep light comes on…but no chime and a blank screen. Is this considered the same problem??
15 December 2009 at 18:03
I just took my Macbook I bought in January 2008 into the Apple store. I had the same problem black screen but also an alert tone that intermittently continued until computer turned off. They told me it was the logic board and it needed to be replaced for $280 plus tax. I tried to argue the fact that I had only owned it for less than two years. The “genius guy” did not care or offer any other options. I am pretty disappointed with this expensive machine and customer service.
20 December 2009 at 16:22
Eff me, I was doing some late night work and the monitor totally went blank and died on me. Is this how it happens to wveryone else?
I’m in malaysia and so far the local apple support idiots at the desk has tried to 1) sell me a mbp battery with a more expensive price due to their typo,
2) Could not help diagnose the last problem which concerned the battery.
Am taking my poor mbp downtown today to get it checked one more time. Hopefully its this nvdia problem and support is extended to malaysia!!
22 December 2009 at 21:37
Hey guys, i can’t believe I found this thread, its like I found the greatest help ever! I have seen the the post on apple’s site: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377
When I read that the Macbook Pros are covered even if you’re out of warranty I thought I’d scream! I’m taking my laptop in tomorrow to see what they say, fingers crossed I don’t get the same repugnant attitude many of you guys got from the ‘Geniuses’ (man i hate saying that – did you see, the new Microsoft shops have got ‘Guru’ Bars!).
I’m in London by the way, will let everyone know what happens.
take care, hopefully our little gems will be polished again
23 December 2009 at 09:34
Thank you for your article. On Monday while reading on my Macbook Pro the screen went dead. At first I thought I had put the cursor in the corner again but nothing happened. I closed it and let it sleep for 10 minutes, nothing. I could hear my gmail chiming to let me know I had mail. The key board works fine. I first called Apple support explaining what I found and talked to Raymond who even set up my appt for the Mac genius. The appt was suppose to be for that day but when I got there and the appt was for the next day. They were nice enough to work me in, I showed the NVIDIA information. Like most of you I was told it was the logic board. I totally disagree. I called Apple support a second time and this time talk to Jordan. Who was very helpful because there is another test that can be done. However, the gentleman at the apple store said that he couldn’t get pass the logic board issue to get to the video. It has taken me a whole day to calm down. Looks like I need to either get a second opinion or call Apple support for a third time. Wish me luck.
23 December 2009 at 13:58
Okay after talking to Kayla at Apple support and losing any cool points I had gain earlier when I talked to the other two people from Apple support. I was told to get a second opinion but not to take it to the Apple store but to an authorized Apple fix it place. Which told out to be a blessing because this place is just few blocks from my house. I will find out tomorrow but won’t be able to post until Saturday. I will keep you guys informed on what happens. But I will never take any of my apple products to be look at by the Mac moroons again.
23 December 2009 at 20:14
Actually my MPB w/ NVidia 8600 GT display failure had vertical stripes and a message saying to restart the computer. I went to the genius bar today, and they ordered me a new logic board. They said it would be a free repair, anyway I have Apple Care in effect. I asked if we could also replace the graphics card and they said no, and that there have been improvements to the logic board that make it more compatible with this particular problematic graphics card. They said I can expect better performance after replacing the logic board.
28 December 2009 at 12:52
Thank you so much for this!!! My MBP has been out of commission for about two weeks. I’ve been using my boyfriend’s as a back up and he is getting sick of me stealing his computer. I too tried everything I could to fix mine myself. I eventually called applecare today, and was told to check out my graphics card and to take it to an apple genius. Not only do I have the defunct graphics card, now I have this thread to show them if they try to push me around when I go see them this week. Thanks again!!!!! I need my computer for school and i really didn’t want to dish out $2000 for another one when mine isn’t that old.
15 January 2010 at 19:55
Hi guys!
I’ve been reading all of your posts hoping I can find a solution for my problem. I bought my MBP in Sept 2007, last December the screen started giving problems, it went black for a few seconds until I pressed any key and then the image would come back, other times I had to shut down the computer for it to work. But then, all of a sudden, it went black and never came back again. I went to a local apple service provider and they did a maintenance that got the screen working again, but 2 days later it went black again, so I took it to a different place, and there they said that it was not the nvidia card because they can see image from an external display, instead they said it was the screen that was not working and I had to change it for a new one ($900 dlls, FUCK NO). Anyways, I really don’t know what to do, maybe I’ll take it to another service provider and ask them to run a test to see if it’s the graphics card or the screen….
I don’t know if your computers do the same thing, but apparently mine goes black for 2 or 3 days, then suddenly it works for a while, and the it happens all over again. It’s very annoying because when I take it to the tech, he calls me and says that it’s working just fine.. but in two days he tells me that it did go black.
Any suggestions on what to do?
15 January 2010 at 21:09
This is not what happened to me and to the others who have posted comments. Our screens just went blank. Nothing was wrong with the screen, just the video card. You should check the Apple Support forums, type in searches for “black screen” or “faulty display for Mac Book Pro”, experiment with the search terms.
16 January 2010 at 17:15
Thank for posting and sharing information about this trouble from using apple product.I had the same problem..My laptop was working well, i have never complained anything about my Macbookpro from the date i bought it on June 2008. But after out of warranty my laptop is having a big problem, a black,blank screen when i turn on my laptop. I took it to Genius Bar at Apple Store Chermside,Queensland, Australia. They tested my laptop and told me that my mainboard needs to be fixed, but my laptop is out of warranty so it will cost me 1084$ and hardware repair 135$, total : 1340.90$. So how can i pay for repairing it as it costs the same money to buy a new laptop, even i just bought it only over 1 year. So after reading everyone necessery comment here, i decide to go back there again to ask if my laptop’s problem is from graphic card. Hopefully it is repaired free of charge from apple with their production’s responsibility.
21 January 2010 at 11:37
as many have said, this is a great thread…
before i go to the apple store etc i want to try and clean install my laptop – ive had a fairly good look online, but cant find any info on doing this without being able to see the screen?
i have another mac and a sep screen but whenever ive plugged the external screen in I just get black and ive not been able to get the screen share working either…
what is the easiest way for me to do the clean install on the ‘black screen of death’ macbook pro?
any tips greatly appreciated!
thanks
Jim
21 January 2010 at 23:44
APPLE SAYS ITS A LOGIC BOARD FAILURE NOT GRAPHICS CARD.
I believe this is a lie. I talked to a senior product manager at apple service on the phone and i asked him HOW DOES A LOGIC BOARD FAIL? He said either dropping it or sometimes overheating. So I asked isnt that what the NVIDIA recall was about…an overheating GRPHCS CARD?
It’s my understanding that if the logic board is dead, then they can’t even check if the cause was the NVIDIA GPU. To say your logic board is dead is just a blanket solution so they dont have to foot the bill. THE NVIDIA GPU is integrated on the same circuit board as the logic board.
I had a black screen of death problem. put cpu to sleep by closing lid. i was playing a video..even when the lid closed it still made sound for about 5 seconds but turned off eventually. later when i opened comp, it would not wake. no keyboard, no sound, no external monitor, no read of usb mouse, but light glowed in front, fans whirled, cd rom spun.
what the heck is this?
to me it makes logical sense that if the faulty NVIDIA malfunctions or overheats ITS GOING TO MESS UP THE LOGIC BOARD. Anyone have any info on this?
ANother concern is the INCONSISTENCY on apples part. How come some ppl who have the same problem as me, a so-called “logic board failure”, are getting service thats sometimes “YES WE WILL REPLACE IT MUST BE THE NVIDIA CARD. and at other times, are outright getting rejected?
I DONT GET IT WE MUST ORGANIZE!
26 January 2010 at 20:49
“Genius” please…. we’re having the same run around right now…. the tech called and said it was the logic board which would cost $2200 to replace but if they send it to texas it would be $310 We asked if it was the NVIDIA CARD they said No but they couldn’t check it with the NVIDIA Tester they had it wasn’t working. It had to be “Escalated “LOL and “Checked into Service” The Genius couldn’t figure it out and had to email texas for diagnostic review… Such BS….
All run around to make off like there working on somthing so important. We just need the computer fixed, that we bought to work correctly.
How do you go from $2200 to $310 Like their really trying to Help me!
I agree with joe
“I believe this is a lie. I talked to a senior product manager at apple service on the phone and i asked him HOW DOES A LOGIC BOARD FAIL? He said either dropping it or sometimes overheating. So I asked isnt that what the NVIDIA recall was about…an overheating GRPHCS CARD?
It’s my understanding that if the logic board is dead, then they can’t even check if the cause was the NVIDIA GPU. To say your logic board is dead is just a blanket solution so they dont have to foot the bill. THE NVIDIA GPU is integrated on the same circuit board as the logic board.”
They just had their biggest quarter in a while and their screwing over their customers. We’ll see what Social media and posting this information everywhere will do for their image.
11 February 2010 at 14:32
I got the same problem last week with my MacBook Pro bought August 2007: blank screen while anything else feels work well! Today I took it to the Genius Bar in White Plains, NY. The guy told me it is the trouble of logic board not the graphic card processor!!! I had to pay S310 to replace the logic board. He even checked the graphic card using a USB hard disk, and told me no processor in my laptop!!! So weird! I asked him why my logic board failed? Maybe drop, maybe overheat, his answer. Shit (sorry)! I show him the notice from Apple support on the graphic card processor recall. No clear answer from him. Finally he helped me to ship my laptop to the repair center (I don’t where) for further diagnosis (I don’t how much I will pay later…). The best result would be that the repair center will fix the problem for free, the Genius guy told me.
I will update you guys when I receive back my laptop 1 week late. If I get a new quote on it, I will argue with them again that some guys above have their problems revolved for free, but why not for me? I believe that even it is the dead of the logic board, but STRONGLY associated with the graphic card processor!
15 February 2010 at 06:37
This has happenned to me twice in two years. Both times I’ve been without my computer for 1 week or more. It’s not good enough. They did however replace the Logic board for free, even though the computer is now 3 years old.
15 February 2010 at 06:39
me again…only to add that the Genious Bar Dude said it was a known problem with this model and serial number so don’t take no for an answer.
17 February 2010 at 05:59
Just want to give you my story about what happened to me. I bought my MacBook Pro laptop (cost just under £1,200 here in the United Kingdom) and I have had no problems whatsoever. Bought it August 2007, so it is now just over 2 years old.
Last night, I switched it on and got totally BLACK screen! but keyboard lights up, sound, machines boots up…so I’m like WTF? and in total panic mode…
I don’t search the web, I call Apple UK directly…superb tech guy at Apple talks to me and after trying the ‘re-set thing’ that doesn’t work – he tells me I have to take it in to Apple.
My nearest Apple store is over 30 miles away. Not far you may think, but in August 2007 I was involved in a head-on collision with a drunk driver who was so pissed they were on the wrong side of the carriageway – smashing head on into my car at 90mph (the lousy drunk was speeding too) as I pulled onto that carriageway…needless to say I was badly injured and almost killed…my MacBook Pro was my lifeline to the outside world whilst I was laid up recovering from all the broken bones, injuries etc. I explained to the Apple tech guy that although I am walking now, I have severe PTSD due to the trauma of the crash and I cannot drive more than 10 miles from my home
and don’t go out much (the thought of meeting another drunk driver gives me the chills…)
He goes off to see what he can do for me…he comes back a few minutes later and tells me that my MBP model is one of the one’s with the faulty graphics card (Nvidia) and that they will arrange for a courier to come collect my MacBook Pro from my home, they will repair it and they will deliver it back to me FREE-OF-CHARGE. They are not even charging me for the courier..he was also wonderful to talk to and very nice.
I have an iMac desktop (latest model) and my MacBook Pro (2007 model) and I cannot rate Apple highly enough. Yes, the chip in my MacBook Pro is faulty, but after explaining that I cannot drive to take my MBP in to get it fixed, they are couriering it from me to them and back again…where else would you get service like that? There will be no charge for anything…he gave me a case number, and tomorrow (less than 24 hours after calling them) the courier is coming, even bringing a box to put my machine in to take to them…now that is what I call service…APPLE do take care of their customers, they have taken care of a sick girl who was almost killed in a crash who needs her laptop to connect her to the rest of the world…
So, I lose my MBP for a while so that they can fix it, but over 2 years after me buying it, they are collecting it, fixing it and returning it to me *FREE* of any charge at all.
A quick thank you to the wonderful guy at Apple who sorted it for me – thanks Takis! you made me smile today and I will continue to be an Apple fan and user for evermore…
So, give Apple a chance…they have never let me down when I needed them.
Catgirl x
SCOTLAND (UK)
21 February 2010 at 09:31
I’m having the same problem with the black screen on my 2007 Macbook pro. The thing that concerns me is the fact my keyboard isn’t responding at all. I hear the harddrive working and the DVD drive spinning but no keyboard.
Does anyone know if this is a more serious issue if the keyboard doesn’t work?
2 March 2010 at 13:19
I have experienced the blank screen on startup on my mbp. I am able to utilize an external screen if I startup with it connected.
Work around has been to run parallels/windows in coherence mode in the background. Leave it running even when you shut the machine down. For the last week this has worked well for a workaround until I get a repair number and shipping box from apple
4 March 2010 at 13:36
Thanks for all the help on this website. A colleague of mine sent it to me. I had this black screen of death and in disbelief I tried to start up my MBP about 6 times and then sat and sulked the the past 13 days. I called Apple last night and they tried a test on my machine which didn’t work. They gave me a ticket number and referred me to an authorized dealer here in Ontario. Turns out they have to run another test but appears that the video card is shot (the 8600GT) and Apple is covering the $1500 cost to fix it for me on the extended warranty because of the failure on these cards. I won’t have it back tomorrow but have been told Monday or Tuesday so that’s not bad – only a 3 business day turnaround. Wish I’d taken it in earlier. Happy I don’t have to pay!
9 March 2010 at 03:46
My MacBookPro 15″ SR had a black screen on Sunday. Brought it to the Apple Store. Will post when I hear anything about it. I am surprised how many people have problems with their macs. I had my MacBookPro turned in several times for all sorts of problems. In Dec. I bought a iMac 27 ” and guess what – had to turn it in for repairs.
9 March 2010 at 13:42
Had a blank screen over the weekend (MBP purchased October 2007). Brought it to the Apple Store today. They ran the diagnostics and confirmed it was the graphics card, so there will be no charge for the repair. I’ll be without my laptop for 7-10 days, but at least it will be fixed.
10 March 2010 at 14:29
I got the black screen on my 17″ MBP and took it to the Genius Bar. After a few minutes of testing he decided it was the Logic Board and $320 to fix.
Two days later it’s back and working BUT, it seems like now they no longer claim there’s a video card problem – that they cover. It appears that now it’s getting blamed on the Logic Board and being charged to the customer.
This thread shows that the logic boards are failing at a very high rate and should be covered by Apple – or is it an open door for a class action lawsuit?
10 March 2010 at 17:11
I have a refurbished laptop. Was working just fine when suddenly this morning the screen started to flicker and then just froze. Later on, when I re-started it it did the same thing. So I stopped it again. Turned it on again a little later and this time it flickered and got lines going through it and acted almost like there was a short or something going on. I turned it off right away just in case. I can not afford to get another computer…just wondering if anyone has any ideas.
10 March 2010 at 22:51
I am an expat living in Taiwan (oh, and I should mention that I actually work in the computer industry as a system architect/designer), I purchased my 17inch MacBook Pro in October 2007 from a local Apple dealer here in Taiwan, never had any problems with it until just recently, then 2 weeks ago BLACK screen, nothing works, took the machine to Apple Approved Service Provider for advice and was informed that they would need to send my MacBook to a repair center, the guy in the retail outlet was very good and managed to backup all the data from my hard drive to another Mac machine and then to a portable hard drive. I figured ok, as long as I get it back repaired. Off to the repair center it goes and 24 hours later I get a call to tell me that the logic board is dead, that there is no power present and that it will cost $22,000NT (about $700US) to replace.
I requested that if I was to pay that much money for a new motherboard I wanted them to give me back the old one as well… No can do sir, not without you paying an additional $13,000NT.
So I asked them to tell me EXACTLY what had failed on the logic board… No power sir, thats the only detail we have.
Have you checked if its the nVidia card I ask… yes sir, we ran the test script that nVidia supplied and it shows no problem.
Isn’t that the same test script that Apple says doesn’t show the problem I ask… it’s the only test we have sir, and anyway your nVidia card is not one of those affected by this issue as the batch number doesn’t end in x91, x92 or x94
Well that’s the first time I’ve heard that little nugget of info, not seen any mention of batch numbers in any other postings.
Well now I’m stuck, there is no Apple employed agent/techie that I can talk too here in Taiwan, so cannot check the validity of the repair centers diagnosis…
Advice please anyone
11 March 2010 at 21:20
I have an MBP 15″ that, tonight, gave me a black screen. Same issues as listed above… restarts, hear the little “ding”, keyboard lights up… nothing on the screen. I’ve read above about the NVIDIA cards, logic boards etc. being the issues. Here’s my question, I bought this from PowerMax just 1 yr ago, so it was refurbished. How do I find out when my laptop was manufactured first of all? Second, I do not have any paperwork on this MBP due to a move which left everything in storage 500 miles away… how do I determine “what” my MBP is and if it would qualify for the repair?
Thanks all
C
13 March 2010 at 01:57
I am an expat, originally from new york, now living in the Philippines (Metro Manila). I bought my MacBook Pro 15′ from CDW in the states about three years ago. I too have a blank screen or better said a “dim screen.” I went to a local APPLE authorized service provider (Senco Link Technologies INC.) and they wanna charge me a lil over $650 for a fix.
My questions are as follows :
Will an apple authorized center repair a 3 year old 15″ MacBook Pro 2 GHz Core Duo (with an ATI card) for free? even if it is a logic board problem?
AND is it possible an external monitor can be connected to a “dim screen” macbook pro laptop? the laptop works in everyway except that the screen is so dim it can barely be seen… will an external monitor, at least, allow me to see my desktop?
By the way, this post is being written on my dim screen with the use of my trusty Coleman lantern! I mention this to show that the laptop is functional in every other way. My eyes however is suffering from ” retina blur.” LOL
Any help that anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated as I am a ‘ field worker’ and need my laptop badly.
13 March 2010 at 06:14
Update on my MacBookPro 15″ SR 2007: I picked it up from the store yesterday. They said the graphic card was replaced because mine was one of the defect ones. When I got home I started working with the computer. Was working fine, but then I realized that it is dead silent!!! Checked for sound and there is no sound at all! Very strange. Now I have video, the screen is working fine, but no sound. Called the repair shop and all they said was that it was checked and was working fine. How then can it be when I start it it is not working properly?
14 March 2010 at 22:25
I have a macbook pro 2.2 (mid 2007 MacBook Pro 3,1) that went out (screen went blank) on me last Tuesday March 9th, 2010. After reading this blog and comments (and troubleshooting for an hour or so) I called Apple who then advised me to take it to an Apple Store.
They promptly ran a test to check for the failure as reported in this blog. They ordered a new logic board as the Nvidia chip set is soldered onto the logic board. The new logic board came in next day and they had the computer up and running but with a different error. I almost had it back in under a day.
Then they ordered a new logic board. That one took longer. By Sunday (March 14th, 2010) I got it back. Total downtime was 6 days. Apple was very helpful (both on the telephone and at the Apple Store). So far all is checking out.
To those who are expats, I would stay persistent with Apple on the phone. They seem to be pretty helpful. To Christie, I would find the nearest Apple Store and let them fix it. Apple never needed or asked for my paperwork. Let them tell you if there is a problem trying to fix a refurb.
James C – note that the Apple Store told me that the logic board has to be replaced because the video chipset is soldered onto it. Apple is covering this – at least they did for me. I would push them very hard if you paid for it.
Jacob
15 March 2010 at 01:10
An update on my continuing issues with MBP, Apple Service Providers and Apple Support…
Well I finally found out from the service provider that there is something wrong with, as they called it, the display module, I also discovered that my’n was an ATI Radeon 1600 graphics machine. That was as far as I got with the Service Provider, they have been totally unable (or unwilling) to tell me exactly what the issue is with the ‘display module’. As someone who works in the computer industry I would have expected them to be capable of carrying out an RCCA to identify exactly what and why, if you owned a car and the local garage simply told you the engine had failed, give me several grand and i’ll replace it for you, I’d be wanting to know why.. hence my next move
Called Apple support Friday afternoon, spent 5 hours with a handset glued to my ear being passed from one department to another, at every stop I had to explain my problem again, simply put, can you please get your service provider to tell me what and why my logic board has failed, my expectations of resolution rising and falling at every phone transfer. I’ve read the articles about failing ATI chips due to poor application of heatsink compound and that Apple is replacing these logic boards on a case-by-case basis, but no RCCA from service provider, no leverage with Apple…
Apple support finally called me back today with their response… “It’s the logic board in your MBP that has failed”, why has it failed I ask, “Oh if you need more information than that please talk to the service provider”
So in answer to E.M. over there in the Philippines, a) the ATI card is not a separate item, it is integrated into the logic board, and b) No, it appears they will not replace/repair free-of-charge
Congratulations Apple for circling the wagons, for throwing up a brick wall and most of all, for giving me a phone journey all round the world.
Bitterly disappointed of Taiwan