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

Other than that one freeze, since i updated software not bad. Seems a little slower than before but I could just be imagining that. Installed fan control as a comfort blanket and am keeping the temp down.

Have been making it work hard in spells(hd video and graphically intensive games) and keeping an eye on performance.

Only one annomally apart from screen freeze, similar to another users experience. while looking through files in finder the slider disappeared for a second when i tried to move it, and in its place a pixelated view of the desktop flashed.

Might be new OS glitch but I am still in touch with someone in Apple so if anything happens I hope it can be resolved fast,

Other than that one freeze, since i updated software not bad. Seems a little slower than before but I could just be imagining that. Installed fan control as a comfort blanket and am keeping the temp down.

Have been making it work hard in spells(hd video and graphically intensive games) and keeping an eye on performance.

Only one annomally apart from screen freeze, similar to another users experience. while looking through files in finder the slider disappeared for a second when i tried to move it, and in its place a pixelated view of the desktop flashed.

Might be new OS glitch but I am still in touch with someone in Apple so if anything happens I hope it can be resolved fast,

Hi all, just want to share with you guys about my MBP...
My 17" MBP was bought in 30/7/30, and on 5/2/09, when I press the power button, i can hear the starting chime, but no display at all.
At first, I thought it is just random thing, so I restart it again. After few tries, it's still black display, and even no starting chime, only the superdrive loading sound.
I then tried all methods, resetting NVRAM, switching RAMs, safe mode...all those stuffs, but still no luck. Since I don't have the installation disc, i didn't try those methods.
So I browse and saw this post, and I decided to call Apple Hong Kong Support(we don't have Apple Store here), and I described this problem to him, and stating that I think it's the nVidia problem....after 5 mins waiting, he suggested me to bring it to the local apple authorized service provider.
So I brought it there, as my MBP is out-warranty, I should hv to pay HKD$600 inspection fee in advanced. But the guy there told me I didn't have to pay in advance, so that's it....
After 2 business days (that's quick), I received my MBP w/ a replaced motherboard, and of course I don't hv to pay any, I also received an extra 90-day warranty for the motherboard...
Coincidentally, my MBP participated the two exchange programs, battery and also display card...haha....

Nice to know it was fixed so fast, and Apple have obligated themselves to do it completely free, they know how embarassing this is.

What was your purchase date?

Oh and 2 days down time is a big deal for someone who uses their machine for work.

I don't think apple are covering themselves in glory here considering they are using the same faulty parts in their repair.

I have almost the same problem, and I am in HK too, just send it to Senco for checking, no reply yet, but the staff said it may cost me HK$7000 to replace the logic board. I would like to ask, which authorize service center you went?

After 1.5 years with my MBP, I am affected by very similar problem:

* The machine fully works
* I can use it via ssh and screen sharing
* But there is no display output, internal or external

I printed the knowledgebase article and went to a local authorized service center (in Paris). After 5 days of waiting I was offered to sign a paper agreeing to pay 1196 euros for logic board exchange!

Trying to convince them that it was that specific NVidia problem did not work. They have a special "secret" test (possibly using ExpressCard video adapter) that is supposed to make a "gong" sound if it is a problem with NVidia, and, as they say, it did produce a "gong". They say that exact problem is unknown, it is not NVidia, but the logic board in general, hence 1196 euros out of my pocket.

I do not want to give up yet, will try another service center (any recommendations?). Something is extremely fishy here, with the fully working laptop producing no video output, in the presence of the known problem of that video chip model.

I had the blank screen of death on my SR MBP 2.2 15 inch (purchased June 2007). Unfortunately I had screensharing and ssh turned off so I couldn't get a log or screenshot before taking it in. I took it to the apple store here and the Genius took it to the back room and I suspect just did the usual reset stuff and told me the results of some test showed it was not the nvidia issue. They sent it off to Houston and I got it back with a new logic board at a cost of $310.00. The Genius who gave it to me told me that the serial number didn't fall under the defective range. I guess at least I now have a laptop that works again but I don't completely buy their story.

Frankly, I'm debating if I should contact apple support and try to get a refund. (Although it will probably be that much harder now that they have my money.)

It seems like there is more of a widespread logic board failure issue moreso than graphics card issue?

i'm on my third logic board...

I'd tend to agree. I had my logic board replaced for the NVIDIA issue. When I got it back it failed within an hour. I tested it, got the sensor error. Back to the repairs place, ran their extended tests, couldn't see the error, but Apples hardware test showed it. Apple recommended another new logic board. That was installed. Got the computer back. It failed within hours. Sensor error again. Back out to the repair place. The guys repairing it spoke with Apple engineers, again. Their solution is to replace the logic board, again, for a third time.

I get the sense that Apple are of the opinion that they are doing me a favour replacing the logic board without charging me. I'm of the opinion that I spent alot of money on a laptop that was shipped with faulty parts and was going to fail in a very short period of time.

I'm already losing time and money just dealing with this issue over and over again. How many times am I going to have to replace the logic board before I have a working machine? I bought Apple because I wanted quality, and I would not expect to have to replace the machine 2 years later.

I have had my display replaced and have not seen the stripes since. I am considering my problem fixed and unsubscribing to this thread.

I send my Macbook Pro for repair and got it back 3 days later with a new logic board and no charge! It has been working wonderfully so far and I'm hoping it stays that way. Good luck to all!

Sorry, typo ...the purchase date is 30/7/07

I bought to Communications and Services Experts Limited (CASE) Kowloon
http://www.apple.com/hk/en/buy/service.html
I just told them my MBP should be eligible for the exchange program, then OK

Hi all, (I am sure there are more out there)

My MBP is still functioning nicely, Kev sorry to hear you keep getting lemons, It appears I lucked out on this one.

Fingers staying crossed that if the same thing happens again it does so before my 2 years are up.

This could just be bunk but i sent it on to Apple and haven't received any denial in their reply

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/921/1049921/inquirer-confirms-apple-mac book-pros-have-nvidia-bad-bump-material

Apple may rightly believe this is not worthy of response but provided some food for thought re: NVIDA vs. logicboard debate.

Gotta love the machine while it's working tho....

Hey,

I never post on these message boards, even though I do read them alot. But I feel like I should post my experience with what seems to be a similar problem you all are having.

About two weeks ago I attempted to wake my MBPro from sleep. It seemed responsive but the displays (including an external one) would not work. I tried a restart many times and heard the chime but still no display. After many resets/battery disconects I just disconnected the battery and left the computer till the morning. I woke up the next morning turned on the computer and to my surprise it worked. Used the computer all day with no problem then put it to sleep. Five minutes later I tried to wake the machine up. Nothing, tried restarting, nothing, not even a start chime. Tried to boot from the CD... again nothing. In other words it seemed as if the entire MBPro had died.
I brought the computer in and the diagnosis was the logic board, but for some reason they were unable to determine whether this was a result of the faulty NVidia graphics and henceforth whether I would have to pay the $1000 to fix it. I came back a week later and it seemed that it was a faulty graphics chip causing the problems. The computer was fixed and at apples expense.
I must say that although this faulty part does stain apples reputation for quality I think the service I've received completely redeems apple. It shows alot of honesty and dedication to the customer to not only post the possible default in a rather important and expensive part but also to offer a rebate to fix this part.
I feel on message boards its usually people who have negative comments or complaints who post. I just thought I'd post a positive experience I had with apple.