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

My MBP:

Power-on
Fan spin.
Drives spin.
No chime.
No light on cap key.
No power on USB.
Steady LED.

Apple Service says: this is not nVidia related issue. Is logic board issue, "can't boot" issue. I'm not satisfied.

It is causal.

It's pretty clear to me that the NVidia 8600M GT Graphics Card is what caused the problem, and that have may eventually fried the Logic Board connected to it

Txiquim,

Did you ever resolve the "4SNS/1/40000000:TGOD" issue with your MacBook Pro?

My Macbook Pro just suffered it's third video-related issue (power on, chime, drives spin, keyboard backlight comes on, but no video on screen or with external monitor).

Logic board was replaced in August of '09 (prior to the official nVidia repair program), and again in September of '09. This time, the techs at the Apple Store say that it is a video failure but the GPU is not covered under the replacement program. Supposedly the logic board that was put in in September has a different GPU than the original version (that's what they tell me, anyway) and is not subject to the replacement program.

According to the kb article (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377), this should be replaced for free. Apparently this is not the case for machine's that were already fixed once for the nVidia issue.

Txiquim,

I don't think Apple can fix the 4SNS/1/40000000:TG0D issue. They agreed to swap my MacBook Pro (which was exhibiting the error) with a new unibody MBP.

Dan

Not true. Those symptoms are exactly the ones I had on my MBPro 17" 2.4Ghz with the 8600M GT chip and it was diagnosed as having the nVidia problem. Indeed, I thought the lack of startup chime, while all the rest turned on (except screen) actually WAS the sign that it was the nVidia defect.

Anyway, as I said, I've had my 17" repaired free and now my wife's 17" MBPro from the same series (though with Hi-Res display option) is showing EXACTLY the same problems as mine had had.

I have an appointment with the authorized Apple shop next week.

Sorry re. above post, which is a little vague. I was replying to a post that said the problem probably wasn't the nVidia defect if your computer didn't boot up with a chime.

Anyway, I've had one 17" 2.4Ghz MBPro fixed free for the nVidia defect.
An interesting note is that the Apple tech at first wasn't able to boot the special external USB hard drive they use to test the MBPro with the nVidia diagnostic software. This was the USB port near the Magsafe port. He switched the HD to the USB port on the other side and was then able to run the tests, which showed the nVidia defect.

Side note: I've had USB port problems with Powerbooks going back to the Aluminum models. They often didn't provide enough power to use external HDs or DVDs.

Question re. the nVidia diagnostics test: Do they need to be able to boot from the USB port? Is there no Firewire external drive?

Question re. the No Video on screen problem in general: is one way to do a "pre test" for the problem, before taking the MBPro to the Apple shop, to see if you have USB power? i.e. the MBPro shows all the OTHER typical problems (turns on, but no video on built-in or external screen, battery charges, charger light is on, front sleep light is on, fans turn, HD spins, DVD drive spins, etc.), but you don't get any response from external USB drives? Any ideas?

I have another defective MBPro from this series (17" 2.6Ghz), has all the exact same symptoms as the last one (this is my wife's, the other was mine), but if I stick a USB pen drive into the USB ports the LED on the pen drive doesn't come on, i.e. doesn't indicate receiving power.

Could this be a bad sign?

MBPro 17" 2.6Ghz was booting only with blank screen, but via Safe Mode the screen came on.

Just got back from an Apple reseller, who checked our MBPro 2.6Ghz with black screen problems. I’d called previously and asked if they were able to do the nVidia defect diagnostic check and he said sure, so I took the MBP the next day and, naturally, they didn’t have the external drive to do the check, they could only send it to the local authorized techs they use. They were really friendly, but I was not too happy re. wasting my time.

Anyway, the guy wanted to check the MBP, so he booted it up in Safe Mode and, lo and behold, for the first time in about 10 days, the screen came on right away. I was a bit surprised, but I’d never thought of trying to boot in Safe Mode. Duh! Enthusiasm curbed though when we could only get a Folder with flashing question mark. He tried to boot it from an iMac in Firewire Target mode, but that didn’t work. They didn’t have an external HD in the store Obviously not equipped to do many in-store tests.

Anyway, that was a surprise. The MBP had given several signs of the nVidia defect (HD, fans, DVD, charger light all coming on at boot, battery charging normally – but black screen, no chime, no illuminated keyboard). I had another MPB 17 with the nVidia defect last fall and the logic board was replaced for free. It had the same symptoms, so I had some experience with the problem.

So, as to the next step. What do you think about the screen coming on, with the Folder and flashing question mark, when booting in Safe Mode? The guy in the Apple store (not an Apple tech) agreed to check it over, as he thinks it’s a problem with the hard disk. He said they could do “minor” tests and repairs without having to send it out to the authorized techs. By “minor” he said he means that if they find the problems were caused by a bad hard disk or faulty RAM or even bad cables on the logic board, they’d call me to update me, quote me a price and ask for the go-ahead to replace whatever needed replacing. He repeated a couple of times that he felt it was the hard disk.

He was pretty convincing and wanted me to leave it with him so he could do his tests. I wasn’t sure, as I have opened up the MBP before and can replace a HD no problem. I would normally save the 60 Euro or so, but I was thinking that it might make it easier to get them to replace the logic board for free if it comes to that. I mean, I was fairly sure it was the nVidia defect, and he’s fairly sure that the logic board isn’t the problem (i.e. it booted up), so that would be a positive with regards to situations where Apple techs refuse the free repair because they say the problem (black screen, etc.) is “only” the logic board and not the nVidia chip.

But anyway, that’s maybe getting ahead of things, as I have to hear back from them in the next couple days. Keeping fingers crossed re. having only a “minor” problem!

P.S. anyone have any ideas/experience re. the seemingly dead/black screen coming on when booting in Safe Mode?

I had no warning signs and didn't know about this issue until Monday. Put the computer to sleep the night before by closing the clamshell. When I opened the clamshell on Monday morning the screen remained black. The activity light was still functioning and the caps key would light up.

I tried rebooting the machine which gave chimes but the screen remained black.
At this point I figured something was wrong. I searched on the internet and found this forum. I tried connecting an external monitor to the DVI port on the laptop but it wouldn't drive it.

I connected the laptop to my router via ethernet and then used screen sharing to log onto my laptop so I was 100% sure that the fault was with the graphics card. At this point I called Apple care and they booked me with an appointment to the nearest Apple Store.

The "Genius" confirmed what I had already deduced that is was the GPU and that they would replace the logic board with "version 2". I am interested it other peoples experiences with "Version 2" logic board is the GPU still prone to premature failure ?

My logic board was replaced for this issue, but then the machine had heat issues related to a GPU temperature sensor. After a month and several repair attempts, Apple offered me a new unibody MBP, and I accepted it (I wish I had known I could get a matte screen though...glossy is awful). Perhaps I just got a bad replacement logic board though. One of my co-workers had his logic board replaced for this issue, and his machine is fine.

I had the same problem, so I took my machine into the NYC apple store and requested to have the NVIDIA test run on the machine. The tech tried to boot me up, and couldn't even get the test to run. They did a few other things and then told me that with Snow Leopard, some of the NVIDIA cards from the "bad" batch can slowly kill the logic board. They took my machine in and gave me a new board, no problems.

Thank you apple - as a loyal customer and shareholder I was very happy with the experience.

I took the laptop back for another test as the problem changed from a freezing screen to the blank screen on boot. The test was positive so I'm now getting it replaced fro free Finally they excepted responsibility, although I've bought a new unibody now. Guess my wife will get an upgrade from her old laptop now.

hey guys, this issue just cropped up recently with me and i have experienced the same sypmtoms:


Power-on
Fan spin.
Drives spin.
No chime.
No light on cap key.
No power on USB.
Steady LED.

The apple service provider that i sent it in to seems to attribute it to a logic board problem, but only had a reply of "too bad" in the case that the nVidia card caused the logic board to die

In comparison, i am quoting "djbeefhart" from NYC:

"I had the same problem, so I took my machine into the NYC apple store and requested to have the NVIDIA test run on the machine. The tech tried to boot me up, and couldn't even get the test to run. They did a few other things and then told me that with Snow Leopard, some of the NVIDIA cards from the "bad" batch can slowly kill the logic board. They took my machine in and gave me a new board, no problems.

Thank you apple - as a loyal customer and shareholder I was very happy with the experience. "

The apple service provider simply stopped at running the test, and did not show me the kind of understanding and service provided to you. I am based in Singapore and i think that extra concern or understanding should be shown to known defects (in this case the nVidia card) that might be detrimental to a computer.

In the past 3 years, i have sent my MBP in for 4 repairs and hope that apple would be able to help renew my faith in them :/

A few questions:
1) the service center wanted to charge me 858 USD for a logic board replacement- is this the going rate?
2) could i know your thoughts concerning my issue, as it seems to be quite wide-spread of late.

hi all,

I have the same issue and delighted Apple have accepted this issue. I plan to go to Apple Center this week and test the theory. It will be a welcome from previous attempts [failed battery - 90 cyles, fails Power supply..] As the MBP is 2.5 years old.. and otherwise a great machine.. - i don't want to loose it and certainly would not be repairing it at this price. [hate to say it... but at that price... a few netbooks make more financial sense]

As a question - would a USB Video adapter work [i.e. Diamond BVU195 HD USB Display Adapter]? It does not use the Video card - so technically if I connect one - i can drive an external monitor for about $80?

Thanks all and helpful thread - learning about extended warranty for this model to cover the failed video card.

Br M

Just to update re. my problematic Macbook Pro 17" 2.6Ghz with nVidia 8600 graphics and the High Resolution 1920 x 1200 option.

It had all the signs of the nVidia problem, apart from the fact that the keyboard and caps lock didn't light up. I left it with the nearest Apple store, who verified the problem and shipped it off to the nearest lab, as they don't do the repairs themselves.

I didn't hear back from anyone for about 2 weeks, so I called and they said it was still being tested. I called back a week later and the Apple store said it was arriving that very day, all fixed and with a brand new logic board. Great news. Many thanks to Apple and this extended warranty program. I'm in Italy and the Apple people have been fantastic about this defect. We've had 2 17" MBPros from this series fixed due to the nVidia problem. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed on a 3rd MBPro I have, a 15" 2.4Ghz from the same line that up till now has been a workhorse.

One problem though: the 17" that I just picked up from the Apple store after the repairs now has 2 very large, very noticeable dark "blotches" on the screen. They are so noticeable in fact that I'm pretty sure we would have seen them before. I've tried to clean them off delicately, using a soft damp cloth as per Apple manual, but after a couple of tries it appears it's not dirt or fingerprints, but rather some kind of damage. The dark blotches appear to be UNDER the top layer of the display. One is more or less in the middle of the screen, about the size of a silver dollar. The other is about 3 inches long and 1/2" high, lower middle of the screen, kind of uneven and looks a little like smudges from the keyboard that I used to get on my Powerbook G4. But they don't clean off and they too appear to be under the top layer of the screen.
I noticed them right away this time, after booting into a lighter colored desktop color and while visiting some websites with light colored pages.

I called the Apple store that handled the repair and they were pretty friendly and asked me to bring it back in for a look. I'm going right in today to have them look at it. The guys at the store didn't notice it, maybe because they first saw it with a blue desktop, before the repairs, and then with the same blue desktop afterwards.

Has anyone had a similar problem with these dark "blotches"? Is there the chance that the techs at the Apple lab somehow damaged it while doing the repairs?

Message was edited by: moonshot61

Message was edited by: moonshot61

This may have been mentioned before but if you can get the computer to boot, you can bring up Spotlight (default shortcut CMD-spacebar), type "terminal" and hit enter, then type "system_profiler > newfilename" to generate a profile report to check to see if the computer reports the Intel GMA integrated graphics which seems to be a pretty common symptom.

You could write the file to ~/Desktop/profile.txt and pull it off via Target Disk or try writing it to /Volumes/externaldrivename/profile.txt and get it off that way.

Obviously, blind terminal groping isn't really a great way of handling it but it might help you confirm what's going on before bothering with Apple's folks.

Mine's newly dead for the second time, by the way. Anyone had any luck with getting a refund for these defective things? I'm not eager to have my board replaced with another board with the same defectively designed chip.