Update: If Apple refuses to fix your Mac Book Pro free of charge, check out this article: Blogger Victorious over Apple in Small Claims Court on NVIDIA GPU Failures (22 April 2012)
* * * * * * *
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!
UPDATE 30 Sept 2010 (via TUAW): MacBook Pro owners who bought a laptop with an Nvidia graphics processor in 2007 and 2008 may be eligible for free repairs as part of a settlement agreement for a class-action lawsuit . . . .The affected Mac models include 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros bought between May 2007 and September 2008. Not every laptop sold during that period is eligible for the settlement—the MacBook Pro models have to contain an Nvidia chip and feature an eligible serial number. (You can check on the former using the About This Mac panel, and confirm the latter on this lawsuit settlement page.) The laptop also needs to be experiencing the scrambled video or blank screen issues. Read more about Mac Book screen problems.
TOTALLY DEAD Mac Book Pro: if this is your problem, the logic board needs to be replaced. See my post on a dead Mac Book Pro.
UPDATE 8 July 2011: Perseverance pays. Read this comment from Claire in Canada:
Claire Says:
What follows is what happened after I followed Esme’s advice.
It took me a while to be able to meet with the senior manager of the Mac store in Ottawa, but I finally did. He first wanted to have a technician have a look at it even though I told him that a genius looked at it last week. So I had to be patient and let the technician say exactly the same thing as the one last week as well as what I read in these posts. Then, I spoke again with the senior manager and showed him the posts I had printed and explaining to him why I thought my MBP should be covered. I think what made him “tilt” was the following question: how can you prove that it’s not the NVIDIA card that created a failure in my logic board?
He went away to discuss about it with the technician, came back and… WOW! the senior manager told me that he would put a new logic board for free! My 2007 MBP has now a new logic board and is working perfectly fine. So – la morale de l’histoire (moral of the story): have perseverance and speak to the manager or senior manager because they are more inclined to ensure a good business relationship than a “genius” who would be more focused on the technical issues related to the computer. Thank you, thank you SO much for starting these posts Esme!
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
16 March 2010 at 10:12
I have a MBP 15″ 2.2GHz (born in November 2007) that gave me the BSoD on Wednesday March 10, 2010. After reading the posts here, I went with some confidence to my local Apple store (I am in Canada), hoping the repair would be covered under the extended warranty program. Of course with my luck, my MBP would NOT complete the test so the code wasn’t generated. The Genius (I had a good one) was certain it was the Nvidia issue, or a graphics card failure, and that the main logic board (Apple speak for motherboard) would need to be replaced. The Genius felt horrible for me, and said all she could do was give me a quote. I paid $1800 for the computer 2.5 years ago, and they wanted $1715 for the repair! I did not have Apple Care.
This is where things turned around for me. The Genius told me not to give up. She said I should call Customer Relations and tell them my story, pleading my case, without getting mad. So, I did. The CR agent was very sympathetic and wanted to help me, but wasn’t sure if she could. After being on hold for 10 minutes, she came back asking me if I had any other Apple devices. After bragging about my “Apple Orchard” as I like to call it (various iPods, iPhone, Apple TV, Airport Extreme, MBPs, Mobile Me), she said, “Ok, we’ll cover that repair for you.” Turns out, loyalty is the big issue with them, and the CR agent said because I was “all Apple” they didn’t want me to have a bad experience.
I was totally numb. I couldn’t believe my good fortune. Neither could the Genius I had originally dealt with when I brought my computer back in for the repair. At the same time, I do feel like this should have been covered in the first place, and that Apple’s little test should be broader to cover any graphics card problems.
I am now typing on my old MBP with a new main logic board that has the correct Nvidia card on it. I was given a 90-day warranty on the MLB. Fingers crossed!
I wanted to post this story, because I found everyone else’s very helpful, and I thought maybe others might want to try the same thing I did.
Good luck! I am Apple for life now…
21 March 2010 at 01:36
Hey Everyone!
I was having the ” Macbook Pro Black Screen of Death” Issue. I was able to do the “Sleep file delete while booting up the macbook while holding ‘T’ ” … Anyways, I just wanted to reply in regards to if apple would really in fact, fix the problem if its out of warranty. I took my macbook pro to the local apple store located here in Pasadena, CA. I had the Mac Genius run a test. He plugged in this device into my USB port (Looks like a small external white hard drive). After he booted up my laptop, the device he plugged in ran a diagnostic. He then disconnected it from my laptop, then plugged it into their laptop. In fact, my laptop was suffering from the defective Nvidia video card. He then told me that since it was defective, and my laptop was out of warranty, they would fix it at no charge since it was a known problem. It took them only 3 days to fix (It was shipped to Texas for repair). The estimated time to fix was 7-10 days. Furthermore, they re-instated my warranty and now its got 90 days of coverage by apple that protects it as if it was still under applecare. Hope this helps anyone out there. Bottom line, if you are having troubles, just bring it in, and have them run the test. Make sure you give them a heads up that you believe that it may be the “Nvidia” defect. Also, go on a side note, when you approach the Mac Genius, make sure to start off kind and friendly, sometimes, it may be up to them as to weather or not they should go above and beyond to get your macbook (which may be out of warranty… like mine) fixed …
10 April 2010 at 09:44
I just had the same problem and when I took the computer to Apple and the information I found on Apple website regarding the nvidia card. I was told by the tech who was working on my computer that I had hard drive errors and would probably have to replace it at a cost of $350 since I did not have apple care. I asked if he ran the test for the graphic problem and he said no, and gave me a rambliing explanation as to why this would not be related and would still need a new hard drive. Since I had extended warrenty thru Best Buy I told him I would pick it up and have it replaced under my warrenty….well a few hours later I received a call back and the tech said I did have a defective graphic and they would order the part and replace it for free… and the best part…. he worked on my hard drive issue and surprise surprise, he was able to get the computer working. Research pays…maybe the Mac Genius’s should do some research..
11 April 2010 at 12:51
My experience: I put my “late 2007″ (MBP 2.4 GHz, 17″) to sleep and it would not wake up this morning. Disconnected from external monitor, drive, and USB. Reset PRAM and SMU several times. No help. Finally took it into the garage and connected it to my old G5 tower using Target Disk Mode. The HD mounted and Disk Utilities reported an “invalid sibling link”. Then it reported “impossible to repair”. Well the HD had already died once, so I figured it was a drive problem: pull it, replace it, hit the old one with a hammer. But I took it in to the Apple store in Santa Rosa, CA just to see if there was any other stuff that showed up. It would not even give a startup chime for my genius. I love it when stuff dies and stays dead. Diagnosis = bad logic board. The machine had Applecare but the plan had expired. After quoting me a flat repair rate of $310 (which I agreed to and thought more than reasonable) she then checked to see if my problem was on a list of “known issues”. It was, so I am getting a no-charge repair. For me all the preventive stuff paid off i.e., DO get Applecare. DO use an external drive and the built-in backup software. It is so easy there is no excuse not to. Buy a crappy used Mac that you can put on a shelf and use if you need it. If you value your time at more than $3.50/hr the added expense is inconsequential should a problem arise. People are misled by sticker price. Even the fanciest computer is cheap compared to the cumulative value of your time and all the stuff you have put on there.
11 April 2010 at 15:21
My computer purchased Oct ’06 started having horizontal lines and applications would freeze a lot 4 months ago, but now the screen goes black and actually powers off requiring re-start.
The Apple Genius replaced my logic board AND hard drive but it’s still going into “permasleep” mode after only being operational a few minutes.
Do all signs point to NVIDIA graphic card?
11 April 2010 at 15:23
My Macbook Pro purchased Oct ‘06 started having horizontal lines and applications would freeze a lot 4 months ago, but now the screen goes black and actually powers off requiring re-start.
The Apple Genius replaced my logic board AND hard drive but it’s still going into “permasleep” mode after only being operational a few minutes.
Do all signs point to NVIDIA graphic card?
8 May 2010 at 10:18
When I booted up my macbook pro 2.2 (Aug 2007 MacBook Pro 3,1) a couple of weeks ago the screen was black. I took it to Apple Store at Flatirons Mall in Broomfield where they determined the logic board failed. I did purchase the extended care pkg when I bought it so it was under warranty. They replaced the logic board at no charge within 24 hours, which would have cost $1300 otherwise.
21 May 2010 at 19:36
A few things when dealing with Nvidia replacement program and Apple in general:
1. Go to an authorized service point, not to an Apple store. Those service places are paid by Apple for every job they do, hence they’re more likely to accept a repair than the store which obviously has entirely different priorities.
2. After your Nvidia card is replaced (alongside the whole logic board), there is a 90 days warranty for this particular repair. If it fails again, you need to deliver your laptop to them within 90 days from initial repair.
3. If the same thing fails for the 3rd time – jackpot. According to Apple policy, you are eligible for a full replacement. Usually you get a brand new computer from their current lineup.
Of course, they will not tell you this, you must demand it yourself.
10 June 2010 at 15:03
FIXED!!
i had the same blank screen problem on macbook pro (sept 2007 model). was travelling in a country where there are no apple stores or apple repair specialists.
fortunately, had a white macbook on me, and i decided to hook up the blank screen macbook pro as a target disk to get my files off.
i ran diskwarrior while the macbook pro was targeted and after the root directories were repaired and replaced, boom! the screen came back on.
crossing my fingures, i dismounted the macbook pro, turned it back on, and no more blank screen!! i still plan to take it to apple for the nvidia fix, but this worked for me – hope it works for you
12 June 2010 at 16:34
NOT FIXED =(
mounting the macbook pro as a target drive and using diskwarrior, or mac’s built in disk utility to repair permissions only solved the problem for a day! – its back to black again. ill need to take the laptop to apple when i get back to the states.
22 June 2010 at 05:28
I recently had the same ” Macbook Pro Black Screen of Death” Issue. I called Apple support & the guy I spoke to was very helpful. He confirmed my model was infact one of the ‘bad batch’ & advised me to take it to my local authorised Apple dealer so they can run tests (as there are no Apple stores in Nottingham) & he made a note of my issue & serial number on their system.
I then took it into the dealer & left it with them in the hope they would clarify that it was infact the graphic processor problem, however they got back to me the next day advising me that this was not the problem & that it was a separate problem & the logic board needed replacing at the cost of £600! I was dumbstruck!
I told the guy I would get back to him & did some more homework.
After speaking to another guy at Apple support who was not so helpful (telling me he was sorry & that if the tests concluded that is wasn’t the ‘known prob’ that I’d have to pay for repairs), I decided to call back the guy at the dealership to quiz him some more about the tests he ran & the problems. As it turns out he couldn’t even test the graphics processor because he couldn’t boot up or access this information because the logic board was so damaged. I then asked him if it was possible that the graphics processor was not working, had failed first & had even been the cause of the logic board failing. His answer was that this was possible.
I then decided to go all out for it & call Apple support back & tell them that is was completely unexceptable for a machine that is not even 2 years old to have such serious malfunctions for no apparent reason…especially when the said machine is listed as having a known problem. I asked them for a exception code & for Apple to incur all costs of a complete repair to this machine. The woman I spoke to put me on hold for a while & returned (most likely having spoke to her superior) & agreed for Apple to repair my MBP free of charge! I didn’t even need to start quoting consumer rights acts to her!
I work as a graphic designer & have owned 4 Macs, 2 ipods & 2 iTouches, most of which have lasted me years. I consider myself, like most people, a very loyal Mac customer (& still do). As someone mentioned earlier Apple have just had their biggest quarter in a while so it’s not like they can’t afford to cover such serious damage to newish malfunctioning products. 2 of my previous desktop Macs are still ticking after 5 & 10 years & cost half the price of my MBP (& I ‘expect’ my MBP to last me years to come for the price it cost!).
I suggest before paying out for over expensive repairs on reletively new machines that are no longer under warranty (& are faulty through no fault of your own) you should stand up for your consumer rights & push hard (while being pleasant to the person at the other end of the phone – remember it isn’t their fault, they are just doing their job & getting them on your side can reap the benefits).
Fingers crossed Apple manage to fix my problems. This will prob be back within the next 6 days.
24 June 2010 at 05:26
Hi There Everyone
Just to let you know that last week my MacBook Pro 17″ (December 2007) went blank when I fired it up in the morning (never had any problems the night before or ever… I do a lot of editing massive photoshop files). I found this website thankfully and took the mac to my nearest Apple shop and explained the problem and what I’d read on this sight. After confirming that the graphics card was knackered, they replaced the Logic board for free and it was ready in two days no questions asked.
Not bad considering its age.
29 June 2010 at 18:13
Last week the screen on my 2007 15′ Macbook Pro fizzled out with a brief flash and a quiet “pop” after waking from sleep. Keyboard still seemed to function (backlight, caps and number lock, volume control) but the machine wouldn’t go back to sleep by closing lid, only by keyboard shortcut. I could shut down by pressing power button and return key and I could restart by pressing power button but only if I touched it very briefly. I also had nothing to look at when I hooked up to external screen. I was unable to boot up using my old computer and Target Disk Mode, (I got a “no readable files by OSX” message).
Anyway, I booked appointment at Genius Bar at the Applestore in Ginza, Tokyo. I had to wait a few days and spent some time trawling about on the net trying to find out what the problem might be. Fortunately I came across this thread which seemed to explain my problem and gave me some hope that this wasn’t going to cost me a whole lot of money that I can’t afford right now. I printed out the page <> (in Japanese) and took it along to the Genius. They seemed aware of the Nvidia issue and used a USB dongle to diagnose and confirm the problem. It was only when I showed them how to start up my machine with a very brief touch of the power button that the guy was able to do this. Up until then they couldn’t start up my machine and there seemed to be a great deal of discussion about unstable logic board or some other problem, but fortunately I left the Applestore with an agreement that my computer would be fixed for free. Hooray.
Thanks everybody for posting your experiences and thoughts. I’ll have to wait several days but I have reason to be hopeful.
13 July 2010 at 05:26
My December 2007 Macbook Pro screen started flickering for a few days, then finally went black. External monitors also didn’t work. I was depressed because I am way out of warranty… until I found this post! Called up apple, they said it is probably the graphics card, in which case, it will be repaired for free! I’m taking it in to an apple-authorized service provider today. Thanks for the post and the comments!
13 July 2010 at 10:18
I bought a MacBook Pro in July of 08′. Just this morning I powered it down to bring to work with me and whallah… Black screen of Death apparently. I push the power button and it starts to sound ok, i can hear the CD drive (because there is a CD in the drive) and the fan starts. Unfortunately, its like the computer is stuck in sleep mode. So I took it to the apple store and what do you know, they tell me its a logic board failure…wtf? They tell me its 310 dollars to fix it 3-5 business days. I call them later and ask about the Ndivia graphics card failure problem, and they tell me they will call back. Is this a valid complaint to have my laptop fixed free?
This laptop was around 5 thousand dollars from apple.. all the latest and greatest stuff. Hi def, 17in faster processer yada yada… I have an old G4 iBook that is still running (quite efficiently if I might add)… It just kills me that an expesive laptop dies like this, and APple tries to rub it off like its such a common problem but does nothing to repair it unless you fork out a bunch of money…
Anyways, Im bringing to a local tech (apple certified) and they told its 30 bucks to completely diagnose it. I dont know, I feel stuck. This is my business computer for graphic and web design and I need it back…
13 July 2010 at 16:45
For those that had their Macbook Pro’s repaired through Apple, did they format your hard drive in the process? I recently had mine sent in (and was charged $310, but hopefully I can get that back with what I know now) and I’m worried they will do this, I don’t have mine backed up.
I will post here when I get it back.
14 July 2010 at 14:04
I just had the diagnosis test done on my macbook pro. at an apple authorized place by a tech and he said it read ” could not find valid video processor”. He determined it was the logicboard and the cost to replace it was around$1500. I purchased in mid 2008. I have taken great care done my software updates never dropped it so on and so forth.
mbp symptoms: black screen, computer turns on but screen does not work, also it was getting very hot.2008 macbook pro with nvidea graphics card
I spent an hour and a half talking with several people at apple all the way up to corporate customer relations and he told me I was ” unfortunately one of the unlucky ones” way to go customer relations. He placed me on hold for about 25 min. then gave me to a tech whom I pelted with questions. At the end of the phone call my only option is to take it somewhere else. I depend on this for my small business and all they kept saying was it wouldnt be fair to those who purchased the extended warranty if they fixed mine for free. My response was why do people have to purchase an extended anything from a company so well know for a solid product when they are spending so much on the product to begin with. and clearly this is a known product flaw. and hey guess what not everyone has the money to buy an extended warranty but we bought your product and we took care of it. Do I expect apple to still stand by the product, HELL YEAH. I will dig and dig and dig until something is done.
21 July 2010 at 07:24
My story: I came home one day and opened the lid of my beloved Macbook. No video, but I could hear the hard drive/optical drive spinning. I powered off the computer manually and powered it back on to try and reset it… but all I got was a blank screen! No startup chime, no keyboard light, white LED indiciator was on, no booting. I did a lot of research online and went through the support steps posted on Apple’s website, and even had my developer friend look at it. Exhausted, I went to the Genius Bar to ask them about the faulty nvidia card and replacement.
He mysteriously took my laptop into the back to “run some tests” but emerged 5 minutes later basically saying my logic board was toast and it’s too expensive to replace, and that I should just buy a new computer. WTF! I asked him if the logic board failure was due to the known issue of the nvidia card failing, but he couldn’t confirm as he couldn’t boot the computer in order to run the graphics card test.
After the initial shock had worn off, I read many responses on this site and also http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/feedback/MacBookPro_video_failure.html and some people made the point that it was more likely that the nvidia card failed (since it’s a widely known problem with our models), causing problems with the logic board that it’s attached to, rather than the logic board just failing for an unrelated reason. Also, logically, not being able to boot the computer doesn’t necessarily mean the graphics card is fine – but since the diagnostics test the apple staff run just come up as “inconclusive”, then they just assume it’s not the issue. In other words, they will only undertake the repair if they can 100% run the test and prove that there is a graphics card fault, *even if* the macbook pro model is one of the known models to have a graphics card problem that could have contributed to the entire logic board it’s attached on to fail.
I called Apple Support first thing in the morning and planned to explain this to them. She wanted to run through all the troubleshooting steps first to make sure we could identify the problem. She first got me to reset the PRAM by holding down option+cmd+p+r+power button simultaneously for a good 30 seconds. To my surprise, the blue loading screen appeared and the starup chime rang! I had never gotten this far just following the steps on my own. Eventually my whole computer booted like normal and I logged in! I asked her if I could still get a new logic board replacement, since mine at least appears to be wonky, but she said Apple couldn’t do anything since I’m out of warranty without AppleCare, at least until the graphics card appears to show more symptoms or fail completely.
Moral of the story: if you are in the troubleshooting stage, try calling Apple and making sure you are going through the support steps thoroughly (esp. if you are a relative non-techy like I am) I also highly recommend the support line versus in-person at the Apple Store, as the employee who was initially helping me just gave up completely on my computer without going through the troubleshooting steps or completely explaining what the root of the problem was. It’s possible I just was unlucky enough to get someone who wasn’t well-trained, but in my opinion the phone support are more patient and have more resources that they use to help you.
Fingers crossed that just resetting the PRAM will be enough for my laptop and I don’t have to visit this page again
2 August 2010 at 06:58
Hello all,
My story is pretty much the same as above although with good results (2August2010). Was watching YouTube and all of a sudden my screen started to flicker, then froze with black vertical lines. I did a hard restart and the computer froze before even starting up. I performed several more hard restarts with varying results, sometimes I would get my desktop and then the image would freeze other times not even that far. The next morning I made an appointment at the local mac store for the genius bar. Immediately prior to going in my MacBook Pro started working again, but I was not convinced so I still brought it in despite being unable to reproduce the error.
I explained the problem to the Apple employee who promptly reset the P-ram and also one other aspect (not sure what it was at this point). The employee then took out a hard-drive they had, and booted off of it. Whatever the employee saw (less than 30 seconds) he was able to say that I needed a new logic board. Panic set in and I asked what it was going to cost as I was out of my warranty for a while now; he replied, “NOTHING”, and explained that it was a known problem and that they would do the repairs in store and I would have my brand new (old) mac book pro back in a week.
I can not tell you how pleased I am with Apple’s service and commitment to my satisfaction despite the fact that they are loosing money on me. On my 3.5 y/o macbook pro they have (free of charge) replaced my logic board, and given me a completely new hard drive due to a failure (was actually my fault). When I had my hard drive replaced they felt so bad that I lost all of my data that they gave me a COMPLETELY FREE 1 TB TIME-CAPSULE (over $300 value).
So in conclusion, if you have blank screen of death bring it to apple store, if you loose your data give them sob story for a free time-capsule. I am usually never partial and always look at my options when purchasing a new computer, but Apple has succeeded in making me a “Mapple Head” for the foreseeable future.
Thanks
Jeffrey
10 August 2010 at 11:46
Same here: video blank after suspend mode. Target drive worked without problems. Still Apple ‘Genius’ said I had to replace logic board for $330, without him doing much investigation, stating it’s not the NVIDIA issue. Brought it to independent Apple repair center. They fixed in under the extended NVIDIA related warranty. Lesson learned: Apple store has incentive to have you pay for repair, or sell you a new computer. Independent repair store is happy to make money on the repair itself.
10 August 2010 at 19:37
so this past sunday afternoon during a video chat on skype, i was treated to a whopping 17″ of blackness on my MBP 2.4 core 2 duo. after scouring the web on my aging g5 power mac and running every possible fix or troubleshooting idea, i had to accept that the darn thing was not going to display ever again.
external peripherals, keyboard backlight, audio and function keys all worked just fine. heck, it even auto-joined my wireless network upon startup, so i could ssh and screen-share with it and control things remotely. i deeply suspected it was and could only be the dreaded nvidia gpu…
as it turns out, that was the problem. after a quick diagnosis by the very knowledgable geniuses at the apple store in san francisco, they had me all set up for a free repair, no questions asked besides my contact info. 3-5 day turnaround expected, and hopefully i should be back to skype in no time!
thanks for all the stories, ideas, and tips above!
14 August 2010 at 19:24
had this problem, and booked an appt with my local Genius bar in Vancouver, CANADA.
They tested it, affirmed it was a logic board problem, located the part, and will have my MBP back to me in a few days.
I don’t have apple care, it has been 2.5 years, and the repair will be…. free.
I am very grateful that this happened! And all 4 days before I leave the country!
Thank God (and I do mean it literally!) for the failure PRIOR to my leave, and a free fix
Moses
12 September 2010 at 18:47
I just wanted to say thank you so much for this post! My macbook pro screen went black today and thanks to your post, I learned about this issue. Headed straight to the genius bar, where Phil ran a test, and said it was indeed the graphic processor. He has the part instock and said it will be fixed in 1 – 3 days. No charge! As a graphic designer, this laptop is essential. Thanks so much for saving me the $1000!
26 September 2010 at 21:09
Like many of you, I too have experienced that horrible feeling- when you can’t access anything from your MacBookPro! Last week, my MBP began to act peculiar. All of a sudden, it would just die down and I’d have to reboot it, and repeat the process over and over until it finally went blank, i.e. “black” within a week. It’s irritating too, because you know it’s alive watching that sleep button…
I initially thought it was a faulty battery again because it was replaced (free of charge) in February. (Come to find out, the touch pad was sensitive making the curser jump all over the screen. They discovered the adhesive between the battery and the siding was coming apart, creating pressure, which was the problem.)
I use my MBP for many many things, including DJing. It’s my right hand man on my left side! I’ve made my Genius Bar appointment for tomorrow afternoon. Time will tell, but with the advice posted here, I should go in knowing what to expect and walk away without paying a dime! My guess is that they’ll be good to me. I just hope I don’t have anything too offensive on my desktop!
>
29 September 2010 at 05:46
Same MBP, exactly the same problem, a nightmare to get it fixed without paying 1000 Euro for a new motherboard. It seems like you need to be lucky to get yours repaired under guaranty! Thank you for sharing this information. I’m not giving up yet!
30 September 2010 at 21:07
I just bought a 2009 Macbook pro today which was used as a demo model in America for less than 6 months, and has been shipped to an reputable NZ computer dealer who i then bought it off for 1400 with 18 months warranty.
It was working absolutely fine in the store, but as soon as I turned it on at home, when it opened and was trying to access the wireless internet, the screen started flickering on and off, and then just the blank black screen and nothing else.
I forcibly turned it on and off a couple of times to see if there was a difference, is tried turning it on with the shift key held down, that worked for about 5 seconds and then back to blank black screen.
Has anyone heard of the 2009 models having this NVIDIA problem?
19 October 2010 at 18:43
I bought an Imac 21.5″ in July.On October 16, I too encountered a black screen. I took it into the Apple store and they decided to fix it.I insisted I wanted a new computer and they agreed. After receiving the “new computer” and taking it home I plugged it in and there it was again a black screen. I called Apple care and found out that I was given a refurbished computer.I am going in to the store again, this time I want a brand new computer. I’m wondering if this is the same problem.
25 October 2010 at 02:13
FOR THOSE IN THE UK!
I too have just found my beloved mbp to have the same problem – it was taking ages to wake up from sleep and eventually gave up the ghost and the dreaded black screen of death took hold
I initially hit the forums on the apple support website as previously they have been very good, but there is NOTHING on there about the graphics processor problems mentioned in this article…hmmmm
So huge thanks to PE; I googled my problem and found this thread. My mbp was bought in 2007 and have had battery problems at the beginning of this year, mainly that the battery was getting so hot that it was swelling which stopped the tracker pad button from working, and the metal casing on the battery itself was buckling and almost peeling off! As I was still under warrenty with applecare, they replaced it TWICE for free. Happy days.
Then this happened yesterday…and you can’t get support on a sunday which i found out the hard way. So I rang them this morning…
TIP: If you don’t want to foot the bill of being put on hold for 10mins before getting through to an advisor then use this number:
0800 0480408 and follow the instructions (thanks http://www.saynoto0870.com)
Put through to a lovely lady that sounded like she wanted to go through the usual procedures as some have stated above. I went in for the kill expecting a fight and just told her my mac was fine (boots up with the chime, hard-disk whirrs and i can use the volume buttons) it just has a black screen which is down to the NVIDIA card WHICH I READ ON THEIR WEBSITE. I also checked my laptop on the NVIDIA site as mentioned in this thread so I had that as backup info. She put me on hold to check the details of my mbp by using the serial number and to check if there were known issues (which there are) and hey presto! I have been sent a case number to hand in with my laptop to have the parts replaced for free!
The fact that they have issued a statement on their website, (which can only be found through this thread might i add), means they have no ground to refuse to fix the problem for free.
Booked in tomorrow to see a ‘genius’ so lets hope its plain sailing from there…
30 October 2010 at 03:16
Thanks for the info “Rollingsheep”. My brothers 2007 mbp gave up last night with the black screen, he too can boot up, hard disc whirrs & has sound, so I’ve given him the number you posted & he’ll be onto them today. I checked the serial number on the NVIDIA site too for him. Fingers crossed! Hope you’ve had yours sorted.
6 November 2010 at 11:34
Hello, i am having the blank screen problem with my macbook pro which has the same graphic processor. I bought the laptop in Dec of 2007 nd this problem began on the 1st of November 2010. Apple is telling me to pay $50 just to even get phone support which im not gonna do. Can u tell me how else i can get this laptop fixed?
13 November 2010 at 11:21
Hey everyone. I just got the same issue with my computer, MBP 2.2 GHz, and I called the tech office of Mac, they said to go into some store that does mac repairs for them and ask them to run an Nvidia check to see if I can get the warranty. Not going there, but I plan on heading to a mac store when I get a chance and asking them for it. Thanks so much for all of the info!
15 November 2010 at 10:13
MU November 6 Post…. I took my MacPro in to the Genius Bar on November 7th. My MBP is almost 2 yrs old….they told me it was the logic board and would be repaired free. MU don’t pay $50, take it to Mac Store Genius Bar, have them check the pc.
19 November 2010 at 22:09
I have the 15″ 2.2ghz MacBook pro with all the video issues. I took it down to the Genius Bar at the Flat Irons mall in Boulder… Although the staff was friendly, they were less then interested in fixing the computer. They did the test for the NVIDIA problem and said it is in fact a bad video card and admitted it showed all the signs of the NIVDIA failures, but the serial number of my chip was not recalled and they would not do the repair (They stated there are very few bad chips). They did offer to replace the logic board, but ended up getting new remanufactured one form China off ebay that works great. Not really interested in getting another faulty board from them. All in all, I am not impressed with Apple.
1 December 2010 at 19:54
Hey, i just purches this Macbook pro! yesterday, and today i got the white blank screen, i freak out! due to the fact that is a new computer and an expensive one! and is already giving me problems???? wtf, i google it to see why, and came across this forum! and to top it, i just notice that i have that NVIDIA shit on this computer that i just got, will they replace it will a new one that doesn’t have the NVIDIA on it??? is late right now, but for sure tomorrow morning i will be banging at there door.
14 December 2010 at 01:58
I had these problems this week with my MBP 15″. I took it through to the Apple store and they said that they would replace the logic board for free. I bought this MBP about three years ago and had only taken out a two year applecare plan.
I was ready to fight my corner but the guy was fairly clued up on the problem and within 10 minutes had accepted my machine. Luckily I won’t be forking out £700 to fix this.
27 December 2010 at 17:50
Ok so I had the black screen problem…… and figured out how to fix it.
If yo can be bothered….
get a flash light to act as the backlight to your screen (You’ll need some sharp eyesight or get the light just right cos it will be faint). you’ll have to go to your settings app and try to change the aspect ratio of your screen…
it sound impossible and you might think me crazy but the method is long plus i’m too excited to write the rest cos i’m gonna surf my life away for the next couple of hours.
if you change the aspect ratio the backlight will magically turn on.
I must note that although i got the backlight problem any time i tried to wake my mb up it would flash on and flash off.
holla if you need help. no apple store and out of warranty payments for me!
P.S. I’m no technician I swear!
4 January 2011 at 03:54
https://roscomps3.securesites.net/www.nvidiasettlement.com/pdfs/NVF_NOT.pdf
Written on the link:
To qualify for a replacement chip in your Dell or Apple notebook computer, you must be a United States resident who purchased in the United States one of the Dell or Apple notebook computer models listed in Section 7 hereto,… (replacement chip/reimburse/replacement unit).
I’m from Indonesia! I’ve got a US-Californian 15″ MBP early 2008 product that got validated as the model with the defect NVIDIA product! What about me! I bought my MBP in Jakarta, imported from the infinite loop, got this freakin’ Black Screen on the day after Christmas, but no, I’m not a US resident!
My MBP is since 27 Dec 2010 in a local Apple Authorized Service called Estore Jakarta, whom –no matter how I try to explain them– smilingly told me that the fault is with Logic Board (US$1000+ to replace), that they know very well about the NVIDIA issue, but my MBP is a different issue, a $$$ issue..
I already checked the link: https://roscomps3.securesites.net/www.nvidiasettlement.com
put my serial number, and validated as the defected model. But not a US resident.. hhh…
Now worrying since my laptop is still in Estore Jakarta, who believes I must pay $$$ if I want to get it fixed.
Does anyone know how to complain to Apple? The Indonesian support telephone number, 0018.03061.2009 is a such a weird, can’t be contacted number. And Apple don’t have an email address for support either!
Angry Anxious!
7 January 2011 at 08:53
I’m not the lucky one to be told that it was my nVidia! They’re all saying it’s the logic board and I must pay $$$. I wrote about my experience and points out arguments from both my own experience and others in http://appleblackscreen.wordpress.com.
I feel that the different treatment Apple give for each of every customers (some got replacement, some are not) are unfair to us, their loyal consumer. We all got the defective product and we paid a lot for that.
So check my new blog http://appleblackscreen.wordpress.com
Give your story and comment there. I say we the customers of Apple must let Apple know how disappointed we are with their service.
Aiko.
1 February 2011 at 05:31
Ok I have the same issue as most of you but however my cap lock does not light up when depressed. I have tried resetting the pram, but I do not even get any beeps. I bought the MBP back around 2008. What should I do beside throwing it out the window? thinking maybe I should have stayed with my PC. Oh yea and here is the kicker. I am currently stationed in Korea and there are no apple stores. just authorized apple sellers.
24 February 2011 at 19:56
Hey everyone! Just wanted to share my experience after having done tons of research and reading other people’s experiences.
I have a MBP 17″ 2.4 bought circa late 2007. I actually had a previous problem with the CD drive making loud noises, but Apple replaced it in an instant after only having had it for a month. Flash forward to present day. It’s 2011 and my Applecare-schmapplecare is over. I got the email about the Nvidia settlement last year, but thought nothing of it since I hadn’t had any serious problems (thinking back, I have had times in the past where waking the Mac took longer than usual or a black screen would be looking back at me, but those were fixed by simply restarting). But this past week, I started having the classic symptoms: MBP would not wake up from its sleep, black screen, front light remained solid, CD/DVD drive would whir, no chime at boot, and also overheating after having left it “on” for a while.
I took the thing into Apple on Monday to see what they would do. “Genius” tried all the tricks to get my MBP to boot up and also tried connecting it to a monitor to see if it was the display. I subtly mentioned if it could be the Nvidia chip and he tried hooking it up to their Nvidia usb thing. But no. My system was basically dead and that stupid Nvidia test could not be done. He told me I could leave my Mac with them for a diagnostic test by their techies to do some more in-depth probing, but that it was probably a dead logic board. Since I’m out of warranty, it would be $900 in-house or a flat-rate of $310 to send it to their depot. I figured the techies in the back would tell me more, so I left my MBP in their care and got a call back the same night saying it was indeed the logic board that needed replacing. I decided on the $310 deal of course, but told the guy I needed to back-up my data first, so he told me to come in with an external hard drive ASAP.
Wednesday rolls around and I bring in an external. I get seated at the “Genius” bar and proceed to explain my circumstances, but this time I put a little extra emphasis that I was concerned it was an Nvidia issue since my MBP was one of the models affected in the settlement. I waited around for a good 5-10 minutes or so while my “genius” went in the back and did whatever he did. He came back to me with my MBP in hand and said that they would do it in-house free of charge. My mind was blown and I thanked him profusely. I asked him if I should still back-up my data just in case, but he said my HD would not be touched during the repair process. Looking at my Work Authorization form, my warranty status now says “Quality Program (E1).”
I’m still waiting to get my MBP back from the repairs, but all in all, I feel lucky as hell after having read all the non-success stories. After all these unnecessary shenanigans, I’ve inferred that Apple has very inconsistent service. My advice: try a different “genius” or store even. I wouldn’t doubt the wide range in experience and sympathy of these guys. Maybe it was the way I dressed the first time going in compared to the second time or maybe he saw the Pomeranian chihuahua sticker on my case. WHO KNOWS (please, do tell if you do know).
To conclude: don’t give up!
19 March 2011 at 12:19
Wow i have my MacBook Pro 13′ and i have been having thease problems since a couple days ago i bought the extended warrenty but i think its up and i have been having this problem i know it happenes in the 15′ and 17′ but i mean come on for 1,200$ i could buy a IMac to replace my MBP and i really hope it doesnt cost that much to repair it because i think the Graphics and Logic Bored do need to be replaced it should be covered for free but if not i don’t know were to take it to like a 3rd party computer store with mac i know one close to my house that i have never been to but has been there for years and i think they can do a reasonable price cause if it happens a second time after being fixed ill just get a new MBP cause i mean it shouldn’t even be happening ITS A MAC FOR CHRIST SAKE well wish me luck while i go into Apple…
23 March 2011 at 09:35
I had the screen on my 17” macbook pro go black and found this site! I called Apple for help and was told my Macbook pro fit the description of the problem, was manufactured within the correct time period, and I was given a claim number.
I took it to my local apple store, a diagnostic was ran successfully and a free processor board is on order and will be serviced for free. No arguments required!(the processor board is valued at $909.09 and labor at $39 US dollars)
Thanks for posting the article.
12 April 2011 at 12:01
Thank you so much! They fixed my computer have it back works great now.. If I did not know I would probably consider buying a new one, and really did not have the funds for that.. So it would been a real long time, until I could…. Thanks again, so happy!!!!
19 April 2011 at 13:10
So I’m almost certain it is the video card on my knowledge too, but they did the flu test and just said it was the logic board. So how do I prove its not? What do I need to show them so they fix it?
19 April 2011 at 13:12
Auto correct screwed some thing up, I meant mbp instead of knowledge. And gpu instead of flu. Haha.
8 May 2011 at 18:03
Well I thought I was having the same issue but now I don’t know. My Macbook Pro was bought in August 2008. I had a black screen flickering issue that turned into a “my screen is now completely black but it’s clear my computer is still running issue” that I have temporarily fixed for the past year or so by setting my energy setting to “Higher Performance” instead of “Better Battery Life”. If I go to my energy saver preferences right now and change it back to “Better Battery Life” I lose the screen completely and cant get it back. But the computer is clearly still running. Recently my computer has started to overheat 200+ degrees Fahrenheit while playing World of Warcraft on it and once it hits 250 it goes black, freezes and has to be force shut down. I have both fans RPMs set to 3500. I always played WoW on this machine and never had an issue.. I thought I was having the same problem as everyone else here but now I’m not sure… Does anyone have any thoughts? Or a similar problem?
Thank you all
13 May 2011 at 05:58
My laptop broke last wednesday and got it back yest…fixed for free!
LESSON LEARNT: Don’t accept a technical engineer’s diagnostic until you’ve questioned them about everything they did to get to that conclusion! Use google to search the problem you’re having to get some background knowledge on it.
WHAT HAPPENED: My laptop just had a black screen but I could hear the computer was on and managed to get my files by connecting to the hard drive through wireless using another computer.
WHAT THE STORE SAID: I took it to the store and they said it’s a problem with the graphic card. They looked up my serial number and found it was built during the period where they accidently put in unstable graphic cards into their laptops (NVIDIA problem). So MAC decided to fix these laptops for free as it was their fault in the first place…keeping their customers very happy! So they sent it off to their engineers to be fully diagnosed and fixed.
WHAT THE ENGINEER SAID: They rang me on Monday and said that it’s NOT the the free of charge problem and that they have to charge me for the diagnostic and quote for fixing it. I was shocked obviously and I kept asking are you sure? How do you know?? And eventually I got it out of him that it failed the NVIDIA test because they saw a white screen and you’re meant to see a black screen. I told him that has got to be wrong because I was always seeing a black screen. And he said well we saw a white screen and the hard drive isn’t loading. Obviously that was also wrong because I was able to get my data off the hard drive…so I asked him to try the ‘test’ again and eventually he accepted. He rang me back and said ‘Oh sorry, it has passed the test now.’ !!!! Then he told me they thought it was the logic board (motherboard for PC people) which would have cost £800.
WHY IS THIS WRONG: Most of us don’t have a clue about how computers work and why they go wrong so we trust what technical engineers tell us and in this case be charged a lot of money for wrong diagnosis.
28 May 2011 at 16:31
I just returned from the apple store, and they are fixing my black screen issue for free. This issue seems to be a known issue, and I didn’t have to debate the repair
29 June 2011 at 11:52
I hope Esme or someone else can help me. I have a 15″ Macbook Pro (bought in June 2007) that I wanted to sell for parts, but I read these posts this morning and booked an appointment at the Mac store to double check what really is not working with my laptop. In November 2010, the screen went blank. The computer could get power but no chime and the sleep light stayed solid. The diagnostic from Mac store at that time: MLB had to be replaced. Too expensive so I bought another Macbook Pro (!). Now, I spoke with a technician at the genius bar who told me again that it was not a NVIDIA issue, but a MLB issue. If it was a NVIDIA issue, I would have heard the chime. I had printed some of these posts (thank you everyone who shared their knowledge!) and I asked him to tell me how could he be 100% sure that it is not a NVIDIA issue affecting my MLB? His answer was not clear. Please advice on the next steps I should take.
8 July 2011 at 17:52
What follows is what happened after I followed Esme’s advice.
It took me a while to be able to meet with the senior manager of the Mac store in Ottawa, but I finally did. He first wanted to have a technician have a look at it even though I told him that a genius looked at it last week. So I had to be patient and let the technician say exactly the same thing as the one last week as well as what I read in these posts. Then, I spoke again with the senior manager and showed him the posts I had printed and explaining to him why I thought my MBP should be covered. I think what made him “tilt” was the following question: how can you prove that it’s not the NVIDIA card that created a failure in my logic board?
He went away to discuss about it with the technician, came back and… WOW! the senior manager told me that he would put a new logic board for free! My 2007 MBP has now a new logic board and is working perfectly fine. So – la morale de l’histoire (moral of the story): have perseverance and speak to the manager or senior manager because they are more inclined to ensure a good business relationship than a “genius” who would be more focused on the technical issues related to the computer.
Thank you, thank you SO much for starting these posts Esme!
20 July 2011 at 14:14
So as with other people, I too have a MacBook Pro 17″ with teh 8600M GT video card which exhibited the blank screen yet working logic board problem. Now, its been quite a few months since I had the machine repaired, and now I am having a new problem where the machine will randomly reboot. I’m not sure what’s going on, so I’ll have to look into it.
25 July 2011 at 04:37
Hi guys, i had the same problem…was using my mac..jus shut the lid..opened it after 30mins and nothin came on..tried a lot but in vain..finaly i took it to the apple care and they told me that its the logic board issue which can be fixed only by changin the logic board…they also told me that my lappy has passed the nvidia test or elz it would hav been done for free..
can any1 of u suggest what can be done as to chech wether the logic board is dead coz of the nvidia chip or wht..i can get back to them and hold them up 4 wrong info as iv already paid them the service charge and got my mac book pro 15″ back..plz suggest and help…
27 July 2011 at 17:34
I just picked up my friend’s 15″ MBP from the local Apple store. Long out of warranty, the Apple folks still did the $900 repair, when I referenced info from this post.
Thanks for keeping this thread running!
Tod
6 August 2011 at 14:08
Did everyone have to pay $50 to speak to someone at technical support?
6 August 2011 at 15:31
Allyson,
I did not have to pay to speak to tech support and I don’t think anyone else had to.
Esme Vos
8 August 2011 at 13:10
This is a very interesting thread and I feel much more tech savvy after reading this, I too had the same issue with my 15.4″ Mac Book Pro, which I bought in December of 2007, though it is WAY out of warranty, it is taken care of and I have never had an issue with it, I went to power the machine on, just to be greeted with the “black screen of death” as well. I chatted with the Apple support team and first stated my issue, (without stating what I have learned from this thread) and got the run around.. I logged back in and got a different person, and jumped into full defensive mode and stated the facts about the lawsuit with the NVIDIA chip and that my computer was one involved and where do I acquire the case number and I got answers! Now my question is, they keep stating that nothing can be done until the GTP test is completed and if my laptop passes, it will require a logic board replacement, (which I’m assuming they will make me pay for.. $700) What should I do to argue my point that they should foot the bill??? Please help me, I am going to the actual store this week because I believe doing this personally is best, or is it better to mail it in??
8 August 2011 at 21:57
I had the Logic board replace, and the tech told me that my hardrive would also be replaced. Well as it turns out, my computer exhibited the same signs and it went out again! Not they are telling me that my computer needs to have the hardrive replace and they are charging me 170 to 180 dollars.. Could this logic Bord caused problems on my hard dive? Why did they tell me that they replaced it? Ugh frustrated it has only been like three months when I replaced my logic board, recall part.
23 August 2011 at 17:42
i have my macbook pro 17inch early 2008 back to life after one year suffering that my MBP cannot be repaired for free , it’s simple i have heat up the logic board in the oven for about 9 minutes on 165 C degrees and now it’s came back to life again without any problems so i think is a bad soldering for nvidia or other chipset on the board , so go google the solution on youtube for heating the logic board on the oven and don’t wait faulty Promises from apple
12 September 2011 at 07:18
I have a Macbook Pro 15 I bought in mid 2008.. got the black screen of death in march this year (2011).. have read articles, took it to local tech shop as warranty was expired, was told it didnt fail within 2 years so I have to pay for new motherboard.. after several months of stewing I called apple today and the tech said to take it to apple store and get it replaced for free.. he told me it is 4 years instead of 2.. going tomorrow to apple store at 10am for an appt he set up for me.. he states they have a test to run on it and it should be taken care of free. wish me luck
13 September 2011 at 11:37
well no luck.. Genius told me I do have the Nvidia chip but it isnt my video problem and I need a new logic board.. for a flat fee of $310.00 (out of warranty) they will replace logic board.. I took back macbook pro and told Genius I will email him my you tube video of me blowing this up with a 12 guage shot gun and it will make a great Apple video. appears apple wants to double dip (get paid by Nvidia as well as be paid by me)so off to gun range tomorrow. I will remove battery first…
14 September 2011 at 11:53
I just went to the Genius bar at an Apple Store in Massachusetts to have my 2008 MBP looked at. Told them the problem, he hooked it up to a tester and found that it was defective. He stated that the logic board will be replaced and I suppose the video card too. As I was talking to him I found out that they don’t see this all the time, but it is common enough for them to be aware of it. My MBP was way out of warranty with no AppleCare and it still cost me nothing. No real troubles so far, good luck to others who are having problems.
16 September 2011 at 04:40
I just started having this problem yesterday (September 16, 2011). The class action lawsuit site says that the repairs have to be received by July 18, 2011. I’m very glad to see Chris’ posting of two days ago – there’s hope!
I’ll let you know what happens.
19 September 2011 at 18:04
Thank you all for your informative posts! My battery had been slowly losing the length of time it would hold a charge and then last night it wouldn’t wake up from its sleep state. I bought a new battery at the Apple store this morning, only to find that it did NOT resolve the problem. Started researching and found this site. Since my MPB was manufactured within the time period for the faulty video cards, I marched back to the Apple store armed with the knowledge. I simply TOLD them I think I had diagnosed my problem, which was that I had a bad NVIDIA card and that it harmed my logic board. The tech tested my mac, said I was correct, and proceeded to fill out paperwork to put in a new logic board at no charge. I think telling them instead of asking them was the key!! They didn’t even blink. I will pick up my repaired mac in a couple of days at no charge. Woohoo!!!
22 September 2011 at 11:09
I went to an autorized services apple in Veracruz, Mexico for service my Mac Boock they gave me back my Mac and at 5 th day my mac crash dead, came back to the service shop and they told me that the card was burned and that they have to replace that card, the cost for that will be almost 1000.00 US $ I do not think that is fear my Mac it was working good I just take it for service and maintenance. Apple has to fix my Mac at no cost don’t you think?
26 September 2011 at 09:04
Hi guys, i did read all the posts about this issue and i would like to share whats happening to me, since i dont think the 8600 nvidia gpu is the only one affected.
i bought a i7 2,66 Ghz 15″ macbook pro in august 2010…(mid 2010 hardware configuration) and it worked great for about 7- 8 months….then i started to get black screen of death while running applications that do an intense use of graphics. this means i had lot of black screens 10/15 x day…(since i bought this machine…the best of macbooks pro to use it with stuff i work with as apple website said….it was the best machine). ok i phoned the apple support (i dont have a genius bar in my zone) …and they told me to wait..cozmust have been an issue about new firmware version and i had to wait. i did wait, and surprise….in the meantime my waraanty was over. still have this black screen daily…im unable to have a videocall on skype for example)….ive left several feedbakc on apple website…waiting for an update of firmware..no way, nobody answered to me and nothing comed out….ive send my lappy in assitance and they did a repair cleaning fans and i paid for it. still having the issue, i phoned apple customer service again, they treated me like a piece of shit…sayng they doing me a favour answering my phone call for free….(i dont have apple care and i refuse to pay for software helps ervice, sinc ei tried everything and issue happens to be hardware related)…so they told me to come back to my assistance center and have it fixed payng for a new logic board. i have no money and i saved money for 2 years to buy the “supposed” best machine of the planet….and thats what i get.
now i discovered browsing forums (apple website included) that lot of people are having issues with nvidia chips….that apple seems to have a lawsuit with nvidia…and prove of it is new laptops comes with ati graphics (and yes they dont crash the system like nvidia configurations ones do).
now question is: apple is hiding stuff and playng with customers…they should know we are good people and most of us with the economy crisis going on saved money for 2 years to buy a machine (like i did)….this is totally frustrating and i would never suggest tto anyone to buy an apple product again, they friendly and cool but coz they basically fucking our back. congratulations apple. i have a machine i cant use, no money to buy another, no money to repair it. sorry for my english and if anyone can help or suggest smth is really appreciated. take care , peace.
1 October 2011 at 19:51
Hey there,
Bought a MBP in November 2010 . Just got back from Apple store today and guess what? Logicboard needs to be replaced. Nvidia problem. Still under warranty. But just wanted to let you all know it doesn’t only apply to 2007-2008 models. Hope the prob gets solved.
2 October 2011 at 17:22
I just want to thank the person that started this post. I called the number and had my mac fixed for free. thanks so much. 10-2-2011
4 October 2011 at 00:15
Thank YOU so much! for all the info, I was reading this page for hours, copied and printed some of the best comments, printed this page: http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2377 and then went to the genius bar, got my MBP fixed for no charge within 2 days only !
6 October 2011 at 20:33
17″ MBpro-$3200 back in 2007. First the battery expanded to four times its original size, now the logicboard is shot. I love using MAC but this is the worst money I have ever spent, the quality they put out is horrible, these scumbag crooks have been taking advantage of you people long enough by selling second rate garbage in a pretty package. Everyone STOP BUYING APPLE PRODUCTS FOR ONE YEAR AND SEND THESE CORPORATE SCUM PIGS A MESSAGE, we buy Apple products for their supposed quality, they better put their profits into a quality product instead of taking large bonuses else people reject their company for good.
8 October 2011 at 13:13
Apple still playing games with the defective posted times 2207-2008 of the Nvidia black screen of death. West 14th St. store tells me it’s the logic board.
And where does the Nvidia GPU reside? On the same motherboard.
What utter bullshit.
14 October 2011 at 02:56
Thanks very much for everyone sharing here! Just got back free fixed MBP, bought > 4 years without invoice. At first, the Service Centre refused to replace since replacement period is within 3 years after purchase. I requested the raise channel and called immediately, it’s the Apple Technical Support 2112-0099 (Hong Kong). After talked with the first staff, requested him to raise, then another staff answered and he talked to the Service Centre directly for free fix. The MBP had been fixed within 3 days.
20 October 2011 at 23:41
@Iris Hui:
I’m in the same situation as you (4 years plus 3 months), but Apple Spain refused to replace. Would you share your serial number with me? I’m pukkita in gmail. Point is apple it’s Apple no matter where, being Hong Kong or Spain, and the faulty chip or deffective assembly occured at manufacturing time.
21 October 2011 at 12:34
I live in Germany. My MB Pro 15″ has been in use every day since I bought it new from the specialist Apple store here (JCS Computers)in June 2008. The other day it would not get beyond playing the start up bong and then would only show a black screen with white chequers/oblongs. No trackpad or screen functions worked but I could hear the HD spinning. So, took it to JCS Apple repair shop. Their helpful expert quickly checked the serial number against the Apple data base and said the engineers would investigate but it appeared to be the video chip. Next day having disassbled the machine to check the chip, they said it was proven to be at fault and Apple accepted immediate responsibility for a free repair even though the MB is 3 1/2 years old. Job done. Excellent.
19 November 2011 at 09:53
Here is the Apple knowledge base article regarding this issue http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2377
When you call, cite the article and the representative will be better able to help you.
3 December 2011 at 20:54
Thanks for this site/post! I thought I had broken my husband’s Mac!
One afternoon I opened it and the screen was black, the keyboard was dark but I could hear whirring. After a few dozen tries of restarting it wouldn’t even whir.
I quickly searched for what the problem could be and how to fix this. When I found this page and read the posts as well as the many many comments I knew that HAD to be the problem. It fit the exact timeline that my husband got the laptop and it fit all the “symptoms” mentioned here.
We took it to a Mac store in Austin, Tx and had NO PROBLEMS! They actually were very busy but managed to squeeze us in and a tech was available fairly quickly. When we told him the problem he actually ran a test that said NVIDIA chip test and told us we qualified for a free repair!
I was prepared to encounter a problem and fight for our right, even having this whole post at the ready but it was not even necessary.
We were both pleasantly surprised at how easy the whole deal was. Apple customer service for our experience was fantastic, we both left sold on Macs for life!
I’m very sorry for anyone who may have encountered problems with any Mac personelle giving then a hard time (if it helps, try the Mac store at Austin’s Barton Creek Mall) but also thank you sooo much for this post, it saved my hubby’s laptop and saved us hundreds!
3 January 2012 at 12:23
Really appreciate the post. I have a 17″ Macbook Pro from that time period and I just the black screen of death this morning. I found this and will go to an Apple store tomorrow with hopes that everything will get resolved. As many of us know, it is hard to survive without a laptop in this day and age. Thanks for putting this out there for people freaking out in this situation. What I have learned is that it is either the logic board or the video card and from the YouTube videos that I have seen I would have to say the logic card since the video card can still display video but messed up in some way.
27 January 2012 at 07:27
Thanks for this article and for all the comments. My MacBook Pro from late 2007 has been doing this on and off for a while now, and I just thought it was the sleep function going on the fritz. But last night it happened and it took most of the night to get it to finally start working again. I’m going to bring it to the Apple Store this weekend and see what they can do. I’m hoping armed with this information, I’ll be able to get it fixed even though it’s long out of warranty (and NVIDIA has seemingly stopped taking claims). But if it hadn’t been for this post and everyone’s updates, I never would have found out about the NVidia issue (I never got a notification about this or the class action suit from Apple). I’ll keep you posted.
24 February 2012 at 10:39
Hi Folks, I have a similar problem. I have a 13 inch MacBook (bought in Dec 2007) my screen goes black but reappears when I bring down the lid. Until red the posts on here I did not realize that a fragmented screen was also connected with this problem. However I don’t think that my MB has NVIDIA graphics but if I’m not mistaken Intel GMA X3100. Has anybody got problems with MB 13″? Thanks to all those who have posted as it’s helped to clarify certain points. If I have to spend over a 1000 Euros to have my Mac repaired I will most likely go back to PC at a fraction of the price.
23 March 2012 at 20:25
To respond to AnotherMac, I have a 13″ Macbook that I purchased in August of 2008 and it has been having the black screen issue for about 6-7 months now. I no longer have warranty or anything and usually after I manually power it off, and turn it back on, the problem is resolved temporarily. I have been backing up my computer daily and just praying that it makes it to the end of my degree before I have to purchase a new one. Wish I could be of more help but I figured it is maybe time to purchase a new Mac soon before I apply to grad school. I am going to keep searching other forums and if I find out anything, I’ll post here. If anyone else has information on Macbook 13″ that’d be great as well!
22 April 2012 at 03:27
Please check out the latest on the Mac Book Pro logic board NVIDIA debacle. A blogger took Apple to Small Claims Court and won:
Blogger Victorious over Apple in Small Claims Case on NVIDIA GPU Failures
http://www.macrumors.com/2012/04/19/blogger-victorious-over-apple-in-small-claims-case-on-nvidia-gpu-failures/
25 April 2012 at 17:49
I just fixed a MacBook Pro with the same problem. Unplug everything, press command+option+P+R hold until the screen appears for the second time. It is very important to make sure that nothing is plugged in. If you think your battery is empty, then let it charge and then try. thanks
1 May 2012 at 15:40
Hi
I also have a macbook 13 inch (purchased Sept 09) my screen has just started going black when using, occasionally when I push the contrast buttons up and down the screen will come back but then keeps going black until I finally shut it down in frustration. I am on a wait list to get it seen to at my local apple dealer (where I purchased it from). Any advice help on this matter would be great. Thanks
1 May 2012 at 22:07
Sharyn,
Just read all the posts and especially the links in the main article so you are prepared when you see your dealer. You can even print out this article and show it to them, so they know they can’t pull the wool over your eyes.
6 May 2012 at 21:44
Sharyn,
To see if your MBP has an NVIDIA graphics card, click on the small apple icon on the left hand side of the topmost menu bar showing on your screen. When you click on the apple icon you will see a drop down menu. Click on “About This Mac”. A box will pop up. Click on More Info. You will see next to “Graphics” exactly what kind of graphics card your MBP has.
6 May 2012 at 14:51
I there any way I can tell if my MB has the NVIDIA graphics ?? I am still on the waiting list to get my MB looked at (8 days later)
I have tried pressing command+option+P+R with no success
Thanks
8 May 2012 at 20:26
Thanks Esme
10 days later, after ringing my apple centre (no contact from them) it appears my problem is a backlight issue; either inverter cable or inverter board am looking at a $320 – $400 fix
Although apple will fix the cracks in the casing at no cost to me.
27 June 2012 at 15:57
I have just had my logic board replaced free of charge by the Apple Store at La Canada shopping centre in MARBELLA, SPAIN. My 15″ MBP was manufactured in May 2008 and i purchased it in June 2008 in the UK. The screen went pixelated and the grey apple appeared on start up but nothing else happened. When I went with it to the Genius Bar in Marbella it was 4years and 3days since the purchase. I was treated with the utmost courtesy and on the spot diagnosis failed to find the exact problem. They therefore kept the machine in over night for more diagnostics. The next day i called in to check progress and my Genius informed me that Apple had instructed them to replace the logic board.
No excuses, No fuss or prevarication just top service with a smile. I am posting this using my MBP 48 hours after entering the shop. They can do it!!!
29 December 2012 at 16:54
I will never buy another Apple product again. I actually have now started to have the same problem with my mac book pro about my screen going out.I went to the apple store and this sales lady who had no idea what she was talking about tried to tell me that it wasnt the NVIDIA chip and tried to discredit all the info that I printed out from this website and said they were just forums. She said it would cost 300 dollars to fix my logic board which I think is ridiculous. I went as far as even writing to Tom Cook the CEO at Apple and some lady name Suzanne Bradford contacted me. She told me that she was sorry that this was happening and that they couldn’t do anything about it because of a 4 year warranty that expired last year and now the problem shifts over to the consumer and they are responsible. Whether the blank screen happened in the first year or 4 years later, its still a result of a bad soldering job that Apple did. Apple claims that their products are the best but I actually have an IBM laptop that has lasted and had none of these problems. Apple is the worst and their customer service sucks including the top executives. They have lost a customer for life.