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MacBook Pro 17" Blank Screen Problem

First of all, I am aware that this is a common problem with many posts.

As you know I have a MacBook Pro 17", we know about the nVidia 8600M GT problem.
The blank screen, sleep indicator is also a problem for me and a lot of others.

First, I have brought my Laptop(if you can call it that) to a Mac Genius. The "Genius" had connected his iPod to my laptop, and said that my system isn't responding to what he is trying to do. First he told me that it is the "Logic Board" and that it will cost "$2400 Australian Dollars" to replace, also that it was "nothing to do with the nVidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics card". May as well buy the next MacBook Pro 17" that releases.

I went home disappointed, and decided that I will try some methods.
I have an Old eMac, 700 Mhz, 640MB Ram, Mac OS X 10.3.9, the first computer that made me love Mac.

I did a method that seem to give excellent results.
The method was connecting my MacBook Pro with a Firewire to my eMac.
Using the Firewire Mode (Pressing "T" on startup), I went into my Mac OS X HD and removed two files.
Using Shift CommandG to: private/var/vm/, I deleted the sleepimage
Then, system/library/caches/com.apple.kext.caches/startup, and removed: Extensions.mkext.

Booted up my Computer, and it was perfectly fine.
Of course when booting into Mac I had to do the same thing over and over.
So I decided to just make my Mac boot up in Windows all the time.
It worked very well as if nothing happened, and booting into windows meant I did not have to remove the "Extensions.mkext" anymore.
This was until I decided to go back to Mac OS X, cause I missed it.
It was perfectly fine, but I was also curious if putting it to sleep for 1 minute would it boot back again from sleep.

Sadly, it didn't nor did the removal of the "two files", now it's back to its problem.

I am going to take my Laptop to another Apple Store (NextByte) on the weekdays to check what they have to say because I am doubting the other Genius, as well as I have heart in my Laptop that it is related to the graphics card.

However, because I have my laptop set to boot on Windows when it starts up, does this interfere with tests that Apple staff try on my Laptop?

Thank you for your responses in advance.

Notes:
• MacBook Pro just turned over 2 years old a few weeks ago.
• I have already planned to buy the next new MacBook Pro 17" that comes out in case all else fails.
• I have read many posts of this
• I am aware of the nVidia problem and Apple's notice about it being able to be fixed within 3 years of its purchase.
• I am aware my post can have spelling or grammar mistakes 😉.
Thank you

- The Protagonist

Macbook Pro 17", Mac OS X (10.6.2), nVidia GeForce 8600M GT | 2.4 GHz | 2GB Ram | Intel Core 2 Duo | Bootcamping Windows XP SP3

Posted on Nov 20, 2009 4:41 PM

Reply
2 replies

Nov 20, 2009 8:56 PM in response to The Protagonist

I am guessing that you don't have Applecare extended warranty for the MPB.

My 15" MBP had the black screen of death 2 weeks ago and was diagnosed with the Nvidia GPU fault by a genius at the Doncaster Applestore and fixed for free. I saw that they definitely connected an external drive and ran some tests, but not 100% sure they booted off it. If they did boot off the external, then your MBP setup probably does not matter.

If you have not been to an Applestore (I don't mean a reseller like Nextbyte), then definitely book your self in.

I was sure glad I had the Applecare, otherwise the replacement logic board was going to cost $2000+ to replace. It only took 3 days to repair, with the part having to come from Sydney.

Good luck.

MacBook Pro 17" Blank Screen Problem

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