MacBook Pro won't boot, sleep light is on, nothing else

Well it looks like it was the nVidia problem after all. Shipped in my MacBook for repairs and repair status says it's already on its way back. They were supposed to contact me if it were any other problem, letting me know the repair cost, but since they did not contact me I will assume it was the nVidia issue and it's fixed and on its way back.

Paul, appreciate your perseverance in presenting the nVidia problem. 🙂

Wow! It looks like I'm not the only one. I've already scheduled an appointment at the Genius Bar. Just a few questions though. Would the nVidia problem also cause the power problem. When I close my MBP the sleep light doesn't pulse and when I open it it stays dimmed. Also, when I plugged in my iPhone it wouldn't charge it.

I've had this issue with a 2010 MBP since new. The only workaround that seems to work regularly for me is to try booting with nothing plugged into any of the three (3) USB connectors........

Sybil M wrote:
Would the nVidia problem also cause the power problem. When I close my MBP the sleep light doesn't pulse and when I open it it stays dimmed. Also, when I plugged in my iPhone it wouldn't charge it.

Hi Sybil,

The NVIDIA GPU is an integral part of the logic board. As such, its failure/malfunctioning seems as though it can cause a variety of issues (although the "normal" symptoms are noted in the Apple KB article linked earlier). The only way to find out is to have it tested.

I took it in and it's having the logic board replaced (along with the optical drive - unrelated issue). Thank goodness for Apple Care!!!!!

Sybil M wrote:
I took it in and it's having the logic board replaced (along with the optical drive - unrelated issue). Thank goodness for Apple Care!!!!!

Glad that worked out for you. 😉

I have an early 2008 MBP running Snow Leopard 10.6.4 encountering this very same "Black Screen of Death" problem 2010/08/06 — the MBP is not completing POST process (Power On System Test). I followed the SMC, PRAM/NVRAM and SMS reset instructions in Apple's KB articles with no success (HT3964, HT1379 and HT1934, respectively) and read pages upon pages of discussion forum postings looking for potential answers.

Further detailed research uncovered KB article TS2377. Based upon this article I took the MBP to the Apple Store for diagnosis on 2010/08/07. The Apple technician tried to boot the system with an external drive containing their NVIDIA test diagnostics software but of course that wouldn't work with this BSOD.

*Resolution in process:* The Apple technician ordered a new logic board (item number 661-4960) after verifying my serial number was eligible for replacement — _+*with or without*+_ AppleCare coverage?!? There is really no way to determine if the problem is or is not be related to the NVIDIA "Bad Bump Material" problem documented as far back as mid-2008 because the NVIDIA card is soldered onto the logic board. Either way both components will be replaced.

Further discussion with the Apple technician flushed out the word recall — which explains the replacement eligibility _+*with or without*+_ AppleCare. I called every Apple store in my immediate area (there are six) and none of them had this part in stock. So I'm waiting for the AppleCare process to get a replacement logic board shipped to my closest Apple Store with the standard 3-5 business day service turnaround commitment (maybe longer, maybe shorter).

I'm extremely disappointed in the level of support that Apple is giving in this situation. Here's why:

If there is a known hardware manufacturing defect that may result in a complete and total failure of a system, customers should be notified. Hiding this problem with a non-publicized UTR (under the radar) recall smacks of a business decision made to address this issue on an exception basis, minimizing Apple's out-of-pocket costs to fix the problem — effectively leaving impacted customers with a "boat anchor" situation. I realize these are expensive components — but who cares! Cupertino-based business analysts already have a good handle on the failure rate % for each platform with this problem — Apple should have adequate stock on hand to provide an expedited resolution to this problem for its customers. No excuses.

Net/net: If your MB or MBP experiences a "Black Screen of Death" condition — don't bother trying to find a potential workaround! Get your system to an Apple Store or other authorized Apple service provider and be prepared to wait. I'm up to day five now. I'll post another again when there is some movement....

This happened to me last night.
I read somewhere in a previous post that MBP users can expect to be dishing out a lot of cash for repairs, expecially after the warranty has run out which I can confirm.
I have had my MBP just over 3 years, running on Leopard, and this year I have already had to have the HDD and a fan replaced.

I'm hoping that this problem is NVIDIA related and not a hardware fault.
Similar symptoms with the boot chime, black screen, apple logo on back not lighting up and only the sleep light flashing.
Unfortunately didn't have access to an external monitor so will have to wait on that.

Went through all the usual troubleshoots (Safe Mode, resetting PRAM etc) and have now booked an appointment at my local Genius Bar, the earliest of which I can get is next Wednesday which is pretty poor in my opinion.

Will keep you updated.

Message was edited by: BenMeetsWorld