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Level 1

0 points

MacBook Pro Blank Screen (Built - in & External)

Let me explain the setup first. 95% of the time, my MacBook Pro (2.2 GHz Santa Rosa) is running lid closed connected to an external 20" Cinema Display, keyboard and mouse. Normally, the laptop will go to sleep after 5 minutes of inactivity, noted by the glowing light on the latch.

I restarted my MBP last night, and it proceeded to go through the shut down process and restart. The starting chime can be heard, but there was no image on the monitor, just black. I opened the lid to start troubleshooting the issue. Blank screen on the MBP as well. I held the power button down and forced another restart, to no effect. Still a blank screen. I disconnected everything from the MBP and tried again. Still a blank screen. I've reset the PRAM, and also the Power Management setting. Still not working.

From as best I can tell, the MBP is booting up with no problem, I just have a black screen, so the computer is currently unable to be used in any capacity. I let the computer start up, and run for several minutes. I then sent the keyboard command to log off, and I could hear the computer activity increase.

I have not installed anything recently, I did note that there was a firmware release yesterday, but I've yet to install it.

One thing to note is that the light on the latch is very bright when the lid is closed, but grows much dimmer when the lid is opened. Maybe I haven't noticed this before, but it struck me as unusual.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.2), w/ Apple 20" Cinema Display

Posted on Apr 9, 2008 6:05 AM

703 replies

JT006

Level 1

45 points

Apr 18, 2008 9:02 AM in response to rebooter

Do you have non-Apple installed memory in your computer? I had the same problem a few weeks ago, and none of the online or "normal" solutions (resetting PRAM, etc) worked.

I sent my MacBook Pro into Apple. They removed my (4 gigs of) memory and told me it was causing the problem. My computer worked fine with the old memory installed (the 2 gigs it came with), but I decided for the heck of it to put the newer memory back in. It's been working fine ever since.

I suggest just removing the memory and try putting it right back in. It might fix the problem.

Apr 18, 2008 11:32 AM in response to JT006

I don't have the external monitor to try it.... no blank screen for me.

Something weird did happen though.... I switched to root for a second, and Software Update notified me there was an update available, so I hit download and install. Next thing I know, it looked like it was already downloaded, the Restart Now option showed up. I hit restart.

The machine tried to restart and stuck on the blue screen (no spinning icon on the bottom of the screen either). I force shut down the system. On boot up, it entered an endless restart cycle (it would boot to the blue screen, the background for the login screen would appear, and then it would go back to blue, cycle down and restart again) .... After another force shut down, it was OK.

I don't think the update was installed properly (since I force restarted), but it doesn't show up in Software Update or my Installed Update list.... But I don't want the black screen, so for now.... I'm not complaining.

Does anyone think it might be the external monitor causing the problem? If its not the Mac, then what else could it be? ....

RHatCal

Level 1

0 points

Apr 18, 2008 11:32 AM in response to clemson47

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

This solution worked for me. After about 4 weeks without an internal display, about 5 Leopard reinstallations, and trying unconvincingly to explain to the Mac Genius that I wasn't having a hardware issue (he was trying to get me to replace the inverter board), you just saved me a ton of money and a ton of headaches!!! Much appreciated!

cdy

Level 1

0 points

Apr 18, 2008 11:50 AM in response to rebooter

I, too, am having issues with my Macbook Pro (2.4ghz from October 2007) since the firmware update. My display often freezes "mid swap" when I plug my external monitor in. I have to power cycle to get it back to normal.

It's pretty frustrating.

Apr 18, 2008 12:37 PM in response to clemson47

This appears to have resolved my blank screen issue, but it took a couple iterations...

I did notice on a couple blank screen reboots that I could SSH into my MB Pro, so it was booting, but no displays.

I also see a VideoController issue when I run the Hardware Test - 4VDC/1/40000003 .

I have a support call into Apple - got the shipping box today - but am not sure about sending it back in for the possible hardware problem.

Apr 18, 2008 12:43 PM in response to cdy

My Macbook Pro has done the same thing after I disconnect from my 2nd monitor. My solution is to hit the mirror monitor button (F7) and the monitor comes back to life.
I have tried other solutions, but this one works 90% of the time.

Apr 18, 2008 1:16 PM in response to Eric Aitala

I've the EXACTLY same problem and the same error in Apple Hardware Test (4VDC/1/40000003). Don't think that it's a HW problem, because if I access via Remote Desktop my mac work in a perfect way, only... the System Profile see a Intel GMA X3100 and no display attached (no suprise on that).

I've also found that if I start my MBP in target mode (power+T) for 5 minute it "warm" up and the next boot 6 on 10 display power up... not a solution, I know, but seems to work. Hoping for a new firmware from Apple, 'cause my MPBP, once started, work as usual, not a glitch so cannot be a hardware problem.

mrrick

Level 1

0 points

Apr 18, 2008 2:27 PM in response to huskyte

Similar problem with my iMac 20" (early 2006). The external monitor works fine but the built-in is mostly black. Mostly because I get a very short flash of the desktop (1/4 sec?) when I start up and when I wake it from sleep. Tried everything listed above to no effect. It's still under Applecare so it's now in the repair shop.

There are no EFI updates for this machine but I did recently install 10.5.2 and its updates.

lily00

Level 1

8 points

Apr 18, 2008 6:25 PM in response to clemson47

MBP is the only Mac I have... :((

Apr 19, 2008 12:39 PM in response to rebooter

Mine just died....it flickered a few times and now it has gone out. I can see a little very tinny bit of what is on the screen but not well enough to do anything.

eobiont

Level 1

4 points

Apr 19, 2008 9:42 PM in response to Smarty_81

Mine does this once in a while too. I was hoping the firmware update would help. It hasn't. This only happens once a week or less. The computer appears to be functioning normally except no video. I never attach to an external monitor. I did not have this problem when using 10.4

Mike^^

Level 1

0 points

Apr 21, 2008 3:00 AM in response to Sicembears

I think this might work for people without two macs.

SSH to the broken box, install a VNC server and wait for apple to issue a fix or attempt to fix it some other way.

http://sourceforge.net/project/platformdownload.php?group_id=64523 ( Vine Server (OSXvnc))

http://lists.apple.com/archives/remote-desktop/2005/Sep/msg00086.html
(Remotely installing .dmg)

Start the vine server via a terminal and connect to the vnc server eg. vnc4viewer 192.168.0.200:5901 or 5900 or what ever the port was.

netstat -tan will tell you the port the vnc server is running on, it should be 590 something.

You can transfer files to and from the mac using ssh too, using either winscp or gftp on linux.

http://winscp.net/eng/download.php
I recommend using the stand alone version as it requires no installation.

http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html
Putty is a good ssh client for windows.

-Mike
http://amigaweb.net

Mike^^

Level 1

0 points

Apr 21, 2008 2:24 AM in response to Mike^^

double post

Message was edited by: Mike^^

Apr 21, 2008 6:45 AM in response to dannirid

Hey I just wanted to confirm that going through apple support over the phone will get things done significantly quicker. I had an overheating issue that they couldn't fix over the phone. They sent me a box next day and told me it would take 5-7 days to fix. Much faster than the month you wait going through an apple store or third party vendor.

I'm not sure whether I will send it back for this issue. When this is your main work machine you don't have the luxury of going 7 days without the machine. But this doesn't make me too happy with Apple at the moment.

rebooter Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 21, 2008 7:25 AM in response to JT006

Well, I did upgrade the RAM to 4GB. But that was some time ago. I ended up taking the MBP to the Apple Store, which necessitated it being sent out for repairs. The Apple Store rep said it was more than likely the logic board, which would probably be replaced.

Awaiting the return of my MBP this week.

MacBook Pro Blank Screen (Built - in & External)