Black screen. NVIDIA 8600M graphics card failure?

I'd just like to chime in here with a very similar case. Have an MBP3,1, and underwent this nvidia problem a year ago, had the mobo replaced. ONE month after my applecare expired, of course the new GPU is acting up, kernel panics and all. The only way to use the machine is to remove NVDAResman.kext.

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated. I've also been a 'mac guy' for 15 years, gone through the fanboy/notfanboy stages. NOw i'm just fed up, and am looking at other manufacturers. I've seen some Dells that run OSx reliably.

I just updated to 10.5.8 through Software Update. When the update installation was completed, the MBPro rebooted twice, as per normal, but the display DID NOT come back on this time. It booted, both times, to the black screen again. Darn!
I thought I'd solved the issue: it booted fine to 10.5, I repaired Permissions, rebooted, connected to my home wifi and downloaded the update thru Software Update.

It looks like this pretty much indicates the nVidia GPU defect.
Weird that it booted fine in 10.5 but not in 10.5.8.

I'm pretty sure the problem is heat related, as the MBPro got pretty hot while downloading and installing the update, with the fans going pretty fast and loud. I'm going to wait for it to cool down a bit, then turn it off and wait before trying to boot it up again.

So looks like I'm off to Apple again on Monday morning: it'll be my 3rd MBPro from this series that I've taken in to get diagnosed for the nVidia problem. The other had the logic boards replaced free, so at least Apple is acting first rate on this. Keeping fingers crossed. Will update next week.

Here's a weird one.
I took my MBPro into the Apple store to have them do the nVidia test. But they couldn't run the test because they couldn't get the software to read my MBPro serial number. And they said that without being able to identify the serial number, they couldn't do the test.

They figured the problem is that the MBPro is a refurbished one. Seems that it had already had the logic board swapped out, so that the MBPro and the new logic board don't "match". And so the nVidia software can't identify it. Weird.

Anyway, I left it with them and they're going to "reset the eeprom" and, if I understood correctly, give the logic board a "new" serial number. Which will allow them to run the nVidia test.

Should also say that when they went to test my MBPro, naturally the screen came on! Just after I'd finished telling them how it had gone black after installing Snow Leopard and rebooted twice. I could hear everything running, the startup chime, the post-installation Welcome to Snow Leopard bit, the music, etc., with the keyboard lighted, Caps Lock working and so on.

The Apple tech went on to explain that the nVidia chip defect is heat related, that when the MBPro gets really hot, over time the graphics chip gets unsoldered from the logic board.
This coincides with what I've seen, in that my current MBPro, as well as another one that had the problem last year and was fixed free, would sometimes have a working screen I'd left it to cool off for a few hours. But a good example of it getting hot and having the screen go black is doing a system install, which makes it work pretty hard and makes it get really hot. Not surprising then that my screen went black after installing Snow Leopard. And then worked after leaving it for a couple days.

I guess if they say it isn't affected by the nVidia defect and that the logic board won't be replaced for free, I'll have to reinstall Snow Leopard right in front of them and show them that the screen goes black after the computer overheats. Keeping fingers crossed.

Just to remind everyone that the Apple Program to replace your logic board for free if you have the nVidia defect has been extended to FOUR YEARS from the date the computer was purchased, which in effect means that for the first generation of this model (Late 2007) the computer should be covered until late 2011 - so at least another year from now.

My MBP died nearly two weeks ago. Simply died. Closed the lid, went to bed, next morning I open the lid and that's it. I have the power on light working, I have the DVD drive spinning, the fans spinning, USB port has power, but nothing else works. I don't have the boot chime either, meaning OSX is not loading. Just out of the blue.

So I took it to an Apple reseller here in Brazil (São Paulo) and asked them to run the NVIDIA test. Thing is apparently they need the keyboard to be working, mine is not responding. Three days and they hadn't realized the keyboard was not responding ( ! ).

After all I've read online on the symptoms the machine presents when the NVIDIA card fails, I'm almost sure that's my problem, and my serial number is within the recall program. Now my question is, and I'd appreciate it if an Apple adviser could answer me, the exact symptoms a faulty NVIDIA card can show. I'm not an expert but I believe that depending on the gravity of the issue with the video card, the whole logic board, or almost the whole board would stop working.

After a phone call today, the techs at the store are tending to tell me (they haven't "finished testing my machine yet, but it's probably not the video card") that it's NOT the video card and I'll have to pay for a new logic board. I don't like this scenario, especially when this video card is a very known issue. And I don't trust the techs either, they can just lie if they don't figure out how to test my video card.

Other guys have reported the exact same symptoms my machine is presenting, and had their mobo replaced.

So,

1. How is the NVIDIA test done when you have no keyboard and no communication with the HDD?
2. Let's say the whole logic board is compromised, how can you be sure it was NOT the video card that caused it?
3. What's Steve Job's phone number? :P kiddin'

Any help would be very appreciated.

I just got my MBPro 2.4 Ghz (nVidia 8600M) back from the Apple techs and they replaced the logic board for free as part of the recall program. Great stuff. Solved my black screen on reboot and sleep problem.

The only thing I'd like to add is that there's now a vertical red line near the left edge of the screen that runs the entire height of the screen. It's pretty thin, about 1 pixel wide I guess, and it was never PERMANENTLY there before getting the logic board replaced: it was BLUE when it first showed up, but it wasn't permanent, then it started to show up RED. I had the black screen problem so I couldn't be sure if it had become permanent, but I don't think so. And now it is there and it's permanent, or so it seems.

It is not a line of bad pixels, I should add. If I drag a white background window over the area, you DON'T see the red line through the window; i.e., it is BEHIND the window. Which I've never seen before.

I just got the computer back today and am currently updating to 10.6.4, but I don't know if that will make any difference.

Does anyone think the red line (formerly blue) could be related to the nVidia graphics card problem?

I bought my MacBook Pro late 2007 and this year June 2010 I get the failure of the Nvidia Graphic card. It is all very tricky what I have been told. As you know the comments everywhere state the same problem that I am having with my Macbook. Even so I brought the macbook to check at an Apple retailer here in Aruba and what i get back is that I need a new logic card that costs $800!!!!!
And that Apple technicians said that my MBP doesn't pass the test. I can't believe this and Apple is trying to get away with not repairing their failure. IF it was a problem that no one was familiar with, yes i would pay to get it fixed, but after saying so many blogs and comments of people with this issue, I know that it is a failure that we as consumers are being punished by. Buying a MBP is already a great investment, for people thinking that we are doing a step forward. Now I dont know about tht. Because the life spent was 2,5 years!!!
I am ULTRA dissapointed in APLLE

I might be able to help.... A little..

First... Is your screen dead? or is it a backlight problem? When your computer boots up.. try shining a flashlight at the screen. You may be able to faintly see information on the screen. If so.. its probably a backlight issue. I dealt with this problem with a work around. I hooked an external monitor to it and hit COMMAND-F1. COMMAND-F1 will alternately give you a second screen or a DUPLICATE MAIN SCREEN.

Next.. Disconnect ALL external devices hooked to the computer. Now you need to run a computer diagnostic. To do this, hold down the "D" key while restarting the computer. Keep that flashlight handy... the screen that comes up will have the same BLACK issues.. and it will not send output to your external monitor. There is a checkbox to run a more intensive diagnostic... check that.. and start the diagnostic. This process will take several minutes.... Once complete.. restart the computer and your screen MAY come back on. This is a temporary fix.. and you may find it goes out on you again in the next few days.

I recently had a problem where my ethernet port shut down.. I think someone wrote some bad code into Firefox and it locked me out. Running the diagnostic also fixed this issue.

I'd just like to describe my (mostly positive) experience with Apple regarding this issue.

I have a late 2007 MacBook Pro 3,1. I used to notice lots of odd video related things, like random lines/colors flashing on my external display every now & then for a fraction of a second. Finally, one day in 2009, my laptop screen got jumbled (displayed lots of vertical lines). This would come & go, but was there 90% of the time.

Took it to the Apple store, where they diagnosed a faulty nVidia card. I was out of warranty (didn't have AppleCare), but they replaced the logic board for free.

Fast forward ~1 year to 12.2010. Every now and then when I run my MBP in 'clamshell mode' powering an external monitor, the video to the external monitor starts flickering. I can move my mouse around, but that's it. Have to hard reset. Console message mentions something NVDA related.

So I took it in again to Apple. They diagnosed yet another failed nVidia card. Again, they're replacing the logic board for free (>3 years past my purchase). While I'm a happy customer of Apple's given how they've taken care of me, I'm worried that this problem might persist. And I don't know what's going to happen past the 4yr mark...

Anyway, those who aren't getting the replacement for free should certainly cite that there are many of us who have gotten the replacement. As I understand it, as per Apple's Quality Assurance Program (or whatever they call it?), they should replace your logic board for free if the problem is in fact the video card.

I bought a macbook pro about 3.5 years ago, and in December the logic board suddenly stop functioning properly (i knew it was the logic board immediately because i had a macbook before my pro, and the same symptoms occured - i had only owned that macbook for 2 years before the logic board crapped out on me). So, back to my macbook pro. I took it to the apple store and spoke to a so-called "genius" at the genius bar. They ran some tests and determined that it was in fact my logic board and told me that it would cost me $1300-1400 to repair it and that it would be my onus to repair it and that it was not covered by apple (i had no applecare warranty so my reg. 1 year warranty had obviously expired). But the next day, i took it to WestWorld, and they have since informed me that Apple DID NOT let me know that the specific macbook pro model qualified for a new logic board replacement from Apple because of some manufacturing defects. So, i am now learning that i do not have to pay for a new logic board and Apple is responsible for repairing my laptop - but the "genius" at the Apple store did not tell me this and told me my only options were to buy a new logic board or a new computer. This does not seem like very ethical behaviour. And i was and still am very enraged by this sort of business practice from Apple, especially when i have been a loyal customer. I've bought three computers from Apple and many more additional products. To try to squeeze $1400 dollars from me to pay for a logic board that is supposed to be paid for by Apple is a completely ridiculous act. If any one else on this forum has ever experienced anything similar to these unethical dealings, please share. I would give you the exact model and OS of my macbook pro but it is at WestWorld awaiting its logic board to be supplied free of charge from Apple.

It's weird, b/c back in the day (2005), there was a flat repair fee for Macs. I paid just ~$360 for an entire logic board replacement on my PowerBook G4. What happened to that? The logic board replacement that Apple is doing due to my faulty nVidia card is costing nearly $900 (Apple's covering it). Have they gotten rid of the flat fee repair?

I think the Genius tag is a bit rich really. Should have been reserved for people like Albert, Stephen and the likes. Just another ego boost for staff to make them feel important rather then train them to be ******* effective and efficient. Personally I think it is all a real wank. Just my opinion though. Having loads of issues with recent 10.6.6 install (Snow Leopard). Went to see the Mac centre in Sydney central and this wanker at the door said in a smarmy manner, 'that didn't happen to me'. La de ******* da mate. Felt like belting him really. Told him that was his opinion, but I was having bother. His mate was cool though, actually acknowledging my problem. I wasn't expecting a quick fix but just someone to talk with.

The issues in this thread can also be found in the threads

MBP logic board failure

and MacBook Pro logic board failure

Much more info to digest there.

Bottom line. Apple has been frustratingly inconsistent in dealing with this obvious issue along the lines of 1) Computer still boots = free repair 2 ) Computer does not boot = $900 repair. Yet it all comes down to logic board failures on these machines. Is it just a great coincidence that so many people have had logic board failures on this generation of macbook pro?

Seems doubtful.

Also note that the "Apple Discussions Team" has taken to editing and removing posts by community members related to this issue that advocate a certain course of action.

I had the black screen of death last night on my June 2007 MacBook Pro (clearly powered, could play a music CD and turn volume up and down, just no display), and took it into the Apple Store for a 10:30am Genius Bar appointment today, fingers firmly crossed it was covered. Lovely fella put a USB pen in the laptop to gather an error code, told me the code generated meant it was the NVidia issue, and told me the repair was free of charge. By 2pm today they phoned to say it was ready to be picked up.

Could not be happier. Under a four hour turnaround, repair would have cost over £700 with VAT. I know people can have issues sometimes with Apple devices (as indicated in this forum) but I'd never have got that level of service with any other manufacturer.