Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Screen Goes Black During Startup (after login)

Hello,

I have a 2005 Mac Mini PPC OS 10.4.11. This is the first problem I've had since purchasing the computer. This problem popped up out of nowhere. The screen goes black during startup just after I login into my account. I can hear the hard drive spin like it is finishing the startup process. The monitor power button blinks green.

I'm using the digital video cable. I tried switching to the VGA cable but the screen then goes black before the login screen.

The computer will startup in Safe mode.

I've tried Disk Utility (repair disk and repair permissions), Techtool Pro, Drive Genius, ColorSync Utility, Reset Pram, installed latest OS updates, and even re-installed the System twice (once because I removed all the Extension files and then the computer would not startup at all).

I've also tried removing cache files, plist files, startup files, preference files, and some or all of extension files.

The only applications I have recently installed were QuickTime Pro and a .flv movie player; both about a week before this problem started. I tried to uninstall them but could not figure out how.

What is the problem? How can this be fixed?

Thanks.
Richard

Mac Mini PPC, Mac OS X (10.4.11), ViewSonic VX922 Monitor

Posted on Aug 11, 2008 10:15 AM

Reply
13 replies

Aug 11, 2008 12:09 PM in response to Richard4d

Another thing:
I just tried to change the Display Resolution (from 1280x1024 to 1280x960) in System Preferences and the screen went black. I could not exit out. So I had to reboot.

Could this be a monitor / video driver problem? Or was that just a result of being in Safe Mode?

I am not using ViewSonic drivers. ViewSonic drivers only work with OS 9.

How do you repair monitor / video drivers?

Oct 11, 2008 2:44 AM in response to Richard4d

Hello,

The black screens are back. It's happening the majority of the time but in a random manner.

It happens with a cold startup, reboot, when the screen saver kicks in, or while the screen saver is running; but not every time.

Repair Disk Permissions: sometimes works.

Sometimes the start up will work when I hold down the Apple+Option keys.

Safe Boot works and sometimes it will start up ok after a Safe Boot.

I looked for the files:
/Users/YourUsername/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.windowserver.<any12digi tNumber>.plist

/Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist

but they are nowhere to be found. I removed them in August when this first started.

Any suggestions what the problem is?

Thanks.
Richard

Oct 11, 2008 3:00 AM in response to Richard4d

It sounds like maybe the HD is starting to go out, do you have an external Firewire drive you can install to?

Might be time for An Archive & Install, which gives you a new OS, but can preserve all your files, pics, music, settings, etc., as long as you have plenty of free disk space, if we haven't done that yet...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120

But I don't give that too much chance of curing it

Oct 22, 2008 7:31 PM in response to Richard4d

Howdy. I have Had the same problem as you in regards to a ViewSonic Monitor and the Mac Mini. This is my post:

Monitor failure when switching resolutions

Using Displays with the Mac mini, Apr 1, 2008, Replies: 2

Running 10.5.2 on Mac Mini G4 1.42 Ghz with ATI Radeon 9200, 32 MB VRAM and ViewSonic VX922
When switching resolutions from 1280x1024 to 800x600 or vice versa, the monitor will cut to black and the power light on the monitor switches from solid green to flashing green. Only by combinations of powering down the mini and starting it up again with the monitor on or off will bring the monitor back to life. This problem makes it difficult to play World of Warcraft amongst other games. Any feedback in regards to this problem would be appreciated.
Thank You!

At this point, I am unable to switch Monitor resolutions. If I do, the monitor goes black, and I have to power everything down and wait a while before I can restart.

I've resigned myself to not switching resolutions, but I'm wondering if you've had any luck.

Thanks for your time!
Kevin

Screen Goes Black During Startup (after login)

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.