Q: MacBook Pro Blank Screen (Built - in & External) - continued

< edited by host>

Doing the same process I described on my previous post, I turned on the Remote Management with VNC on my MBP.

Got into MPB's desktop using "Chicken of the VNC" (what a name).

On System Profiler saw with my own eyes my previous Nvidia Gforce 8600 turn into a GMA X3100 with 64 MB of shared system memory.

If the firmware update did this, is there a way to undo it?

On Windows machines, if you install a bad video driver, you can roll back to a previous version, or download a new driver and install it over the bad one. Can this be done with firmware?

I think that maybe the guys on the Apple Service know how to do this and the computers are coming home with just the same bad Logic Board, just fixed with a previous firmware version.

I'm just trying to figure it out, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thread devotees will likely have figured this out by now, but I feel obliged to provide this information to anyone who, like me, needs their computer now to limp along, despite this crippling error.

The whole "Clemson" solution, from what I can tell, is the basis for what I've discovered is the only temporary solution. "mikariel," in the preceding thread, seems to have figured it out.

Immediately after zapping the PRAM (CmdOPt+PR)--WITHOUT another restart-- hold 'T' to boot into target disk mode. Wait a sec, then hit the power button (as mikariel says, the computer will power off instantly if you are indeed in target disk mode). Power on and see if your screen comes back on-- it's been working for me.

I think (and believe me, I could absolutely be wrong) that the Clemson and PRAM-zap solutions would, in the natural course of performing them, involve the above fix, and that's why people reported success. I'd love to hear some feedback from others who try mikariel simple solution. Is it working for you?

I, for one, am too afraid to shut off my computer anymore. I'm in college, and I can't afford to have my computer go out of commission every time I have to gall to shut the lid or power down. The inability to shut off or put to sleep one's computer is insane, especially for those of us who only recently took the plunge into the infinitely "better" Apple universe.

I hope I've helped and not further muddled things up with another erroneous "fix." Try it out--let me know.

I would like to know if anyone until now has received a replacement machine, rather than a fix.

The solution to keep the computer on all time is a desperate act and you know that sooner or later you will have to shut it down. Firmware rollbacks seem possible with the firmware restore CD; but if you have no screen what do you restore? How? I haven't tried the PRAM+Target disk trick. I wish I did purely to confirm the craziness of the problem, but I have no doubt at all that I will have another chance when the machine will be returned from repair.

designunits wrote:
and he said -god, I wish I recorded that- that at the third failure they would give me a new machine

Been there, heard that. I experienced my third failure and was quite happy at first because I thought it meant a new MBP, but the folks at Apple Care told me it was a 'case by case basis' and that perhaps if it failed a fourth time, they might replace it. Might.

modernlovers wrote:
Immediately after zapping the PRAM (CmdOPt+PR)--WITHOUT another restart-- hold 'T' to boot into target disk mode. Wait a sec, then hit the power button (as mikariel says, the computer will power off instantly if you are indeed in target disk mode). Power on and see if your screen comes back on-- it's been working for me.

Didn't work for me

Well I just got my MBP back from Apple Repairs in Houston TX. The Repair sheet says "cable reseated".... I still have AppleCare so it was taken care of anyway, but i have the EXACT same problem as everyone here, would someone else please reply with what their Apple Repair sheet said after they repaired this problem. The sheet says something else, but it makes no sense to me. DId i get a new logic board/video card or what??

Hi,

I have the exact same problem. I'm just posting this to make this thread larger hoping that Apple takes action.

I'm currently hoping to receive a warranty extension. If not, it will cost about 900 euros, which is a ridiculous high price!

Bert.

I just got my Macbook Pro 17" Santa Rosa back last night from the Apple Store. It's nice to have video again. Makes the machine much more useful.

I will say, I am impressed that under the $310 flat repair fee, they replaced not only the motherboard, but also the keyboard and the panel around the keyboard which had an issue where the back corner was peeling up. So, the machine looks and acts like new and it's hard for me to stay too angry at Apple right now.

However, I still believe they need to admit the Nvidia failures and cover related replacements for free past the one year date. They knew about the Nvidia flaws within the warranty period.

From the look of [this recent article in Apple's knowledge base|http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377] it seems like Apple has taken notice.

laundry bleach wrote:
From the look of [this recent article in Apple's knowledge base|http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377] it seems like Apple has taken notice.

_This is so important, I cannot resist to quote the best part:_

If your MacBook Pro is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above, please take it to an Apple Retail Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) for evaluation, or call your local Apple Contact Center. Before visiting the Genius Bar at the Apple Retail Store, please make a reservation.

Apple is issuing refunds to customers who may have paid for repairs related to this issue. Please contact Apple for details on the refund process.

Note: If your MacBook Pro is not experiencing any of these symptoms, you do not need to contact Apple.

See here, quickly: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

Finally!

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

Thank You All

Oh man, I'd lost hope!

I'm so happy

I am so freaking happy! I've waited it out, feeling lost and depressed! I'm running to the Apple store!