Apple has determined that a small number of MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) computers may intermittently stop displaying video on the built-in display or on an external display connected to the MacBook Pro. In this situation, you may also see a restart warning message before the video is lost or the display turns black or gray. Affected computers were manufactured between April 2010 and February 2011.
Via Apple Support
Update: The MacBook Pro intermittent black screen issue has been addressed with the release of MacBook Pro Video Update 1.0 — but it's only good if you're running Lion (10.7.2+). If you choose to remain on Snow Leopard, you should make a Genius Bar appointment at your favorite Apple store to have the problem addressed. Chances are you'll get a new motherboard out of it. See the support article for more information.
It seems the MacBook Pro/Lion Black Screen of Death™
I updated my Lion partition to 10.7.2 yesterday, and it seemed more stable than it was before - though I didn't get much of a chance to really push the system. I was planning to update my production system this evening, but I think I might hold off a little longer until there's more info from Apple in the article.
I had the same thing happen with an older MBP. Replacing the whole logic board resolved the problem.
ReplyDeleteIn the older Macbook pros the "no video" issue was a stereotypical symptom of the "nvidia failure"...where the only cure was a new logic board...
ReplyDeleteIn this circumstance, that is not the case it is a driver incompatibility with 10.7-10.7.1 and the GPU in the 15" pros.
and it has nothing to do with the hardware of the computer itself.
10.7.2 seems to have fixed the problem, though i am a little leery that it has been totally resolved
Tyler Crocker
ACMT
10.7.2 may have made the issue less prevalent, but I can confirm the problem still exists on my MacBook Pro 15" i7 machine.
ReplyDeleteTo test if your machine is affected, in Lion - launch Photo Booth, select "effects" and click right to the second page of effects. If you've got the issue, your screen will go black every time. Mine does, and it's infuriating.
I really hope Apple comes up with a solution soon. It makes my machine unusable in Lion, and totally breaks the whole iCloud workflow for me, since contacts can't be set up to sync in Snow Leopard.
i'm a new mac user i got the black screen issue right after installing lion ... then it did not boot again .. every time i tried to start it up , i could hear the fans ,HD ..for a second and it shut down again
ReplyDeletei gave it a try got the mother board out cover it all with aluminum film except the chips nvedia , Gpu
using the hot air gun for 1 minute 30 second for each chip... i reassembled it and guess what it worked
..just as good as new
i have a MacBook pro 17 early 2008 2.5 Gh
ReplyDelete10.7.2 does seem to have fixed the problems...
ReplyDeleteBut as my dumb luck would have it, my MBP has another issue that makes it crash in the exact same manner (black screen) that's not covered by the program. It's going to cost me ~$350 to replace the mother board, and leave me without a machine for at least a week.
That makes 3 portables in a row that have been lemon fresh for me. Thinking of moving to a desktop machine for my next purchase.
I have experienced the black-screen problem a number of times. My machine is in fact a mid 2010 Macbook Pro, running OS 10.6.8. Can't swear to it, but I think the problem surfaced after the 10.6.8 update. I have tried everything, including resetting PRAM and Startup Manager, cache cleaning with Yasu, and at Apple Support's behest, disk surface check and permissions repair with Disk Utility.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I've found that seems to help is from this unlikely source: the World of Warcraft tech support forum. (Am not a gamer; found the link in a Google search.) It details a simple installer hack for the updated Nvidia drivers for OS 10.7 that enable their installation under 10.6.x. Too early to say the problem has completely gone away, but my system seems to be more stable since doing this. Here is the URL for the procedure:
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/2721563837
update: there is a snow leopard version of the update available now (since nov. 18th). see http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1475
ReplyDeleteI have a 15" MacBook Pro, Core i7, 4 GB RAM. Been having the black screen crash since 10.6.8, with black screen freezes intensifying after updating to OS X Lion. Had rolled back my OS the factory settings to avoid the issue but retried Lion and 10.6.8 again once the video update was released in recent weeks. After the issue persisted, I dropped off my MBP last week at the Apple Store in the Courthouse Neighborhood of Arlington, VA. I had read several success stories across different forums with them covering a logic board replacement, and if needed, entire computer replacement, even if outside of warranty.
ReplyDeleteThey proposed a fresh install, which I had already done but wanted to let them see the problems persist as I had. They claimed to run tests "all night long with as many applications open as possible." The Genius Bar claimed it didn't crash at all. I opened my computer, launched PhotoBooth and it crashed within 30 seconds of them handing it back to me.
I purchased in May of 2010, and am out of warranty with no AppleCare. Despite the video update, they would not admit to a manufacturing defect in the product, and wanted me to pay $350 to replace the logic board at a service center, or $500+ to service it at the store. I would consider doing so if I hadn't read several places that replacement logic boards haven't solved the problem.
Is there any way to prove it is a manufacturing defect? Jim, how was your black screen issue different from the one they are admitting to as a manufacturing defect?
Is it even worth paying to fix the logic board if others are seeing no success? Jim, please let me know if you end up replacing your logic board and it fixes your problem.
Apple has enough cash on their books to fix this. Hoping they do the right thing...
I'm in the exact same boat as you. The "genius" bar told me they ran their tests (whatever they are) with no crashes specific to the Nvidia issue the program covers, but they did find other issues that they wouldn't allude to when I pressed them, and that it would cost me $350 to send off to have the motherboard replaced, or $500 to do in-store -- which makes absolutely no sense to me...
ReplyDeleteI can make my machine crash somewhat consistently by running Reeder under 10.7.2 -- but that's pretty much the only app I have regular trouble with (it's a shame too, I like the app). Otherwise, if I baby the machine, it's pretty stable.
I may take my MacBook Pro to an authorized repair shop to have them run the tests. Supposedly, other people have had luck taking that route. If that doesn't do it, I'll shell out the money (and time) it takes to "fix" the problem. It may be a few months before I do though. With the holidays, I don't have the "play" money to do it.
So I printed out the support page and highlited the fine print that stated the issue is covered two years from purchase, thus extending coverage of the issue from the default warranty. They ended up performing the logic board replacement at no cost and apologizing for trying to make me pay for the defect the previous day.
ReplyDeleteIt is clear that the geniuses are generally not aware of the issue since it has happened to a relatively small number of customers considering the size of apples base.
Since receiving the laptop, I have not had a single crash. Reinstalled lion to make sure there wasn't any software patch I would lose if I had to do a fresh install again. Good luck diagnosing your machine Jim. Make sure they are fully aware of the replacement program and get the genius to talk with a manager.
Thanks, Brad. That's encouraging news. I'll try the same approach, but take my machine to a different Apple store this time since I'm fortunate enough to have a few within reasonable driving distance.
ReplyDeleteCould you please send me a link to that support page you printed out??
ReplyDeleteLink to support article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088 (which is the link of the support article title above).
ReplyDeleteI am having these issues too (Mid-2010 MacBook Pro). Before I upgraded to Lion (about 3-4 days ago) I was having just as many bouts of black screen of death. I just installed the MacBook Pro Video Update 1.0 today and already had a crash since so I am not entirely sure that they fixed the issue entirely. At least it is encouraging to know that they realize the issue is there.
ReplyDeleteSuch a nightmare.
I also have mid 2010 15" Macbook Pro. I have only started to get the black screen and video issues recently and didn't think about it being from the update, but the timing does match. I have downloaded the fix, but have since had issues, so I will be taking it off to the apple store for further investigation. Typical though, warranty has run out...
ReplyDeleteIf you're covered by the program, Apple will fix if it's within 2 years of your purchase date. If you're not covered, it'll be between $350-$500. Best of luck. Let me know how it turns out for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your plight, Rourke. This is a great write-up.
ReplyDeleteI like that you were able to make the appointment in Apple's lab, and were able to consistently produce the issue. I wish I'd done the same.
I would encourage those who have the same problem to take the approach you did, and not be discouraged by being told Apple can't reproduce the problem. Hopefully, it will help others solve their own troubles. A lot of readers visit this article every day searching for Apple video troubles, so it's definitely more than just an "occasional" hardware issue.
Hello Guys, I'm a Windows user until now! with the release of W8 and the mass attack of viruses and spyware I decided to buy me an affordable 2nd hand Macbook pro 15" I7, with this I tought that the problems should be over but what a disappointment,!! On the first day all was great! No problems using the Macbook , all when smooth and fast, Yes I was happy till the day I got a sudden shut-off on my Macbook whit the message that the system has detected a failure and has to restart the system?? After many restarts I went searching the Net for this failure and find out that this is an Apple well knowing motherboard malfunction which should be covered by Apple under warranty !!
ReplyDeleteI called the Apple Customer care and after a while they told me that Apple has finished this free MoBo replacing program since end 2012!! I dropped from the Windows misery to the Apple misery!! Yes! I've the same problem with my Macbook Pro I7 15” as many other desolated and disappointed Macbook users, Apple should take they’re responsibility and replace the mobo for free.
When a car has manufacture failures they call it back for free repair and so it should be with computers!! and in this case it should be covered for more than 2 year! An new Apple fan???