Q: Black screen of death crash.

I took my MacBook Pro to Genius Bar and they found a problem with the logic board.  That's after the first diagnostics (where they boot holding the 'N' key) came up clear, but in describing my problem in more detail--kernel panic, black screen--they kept the MBP overnight for stress testing and recreated the problem.  They replaced the logic board (took about 3 days) and I just got it back last night.  So far no problems today, but we'll see.  I'm hoping that did the trick.  For others who are experiencing this problem, you should definitely take your MBP in and get it repaired.  Good luck!

Have you had this happen any more since they replaced your logic board?  I have been able to replicate this almost instantly when using iPhoto.  If you have not had this happen any more, it would lead me to beleive my logic board is bad as well.  I have one of the i7 15 inch MBP with 8 gigs of ram.  Are you running a similar system?

It's been two days and my MacBook Pro (i7 15" with 8G RAM) has not crashed. I'm more comfortable now that the problem may have been resolved. I would definitely take it in to Apple and have them replace the logic board.  Good luck.

Thanks for posting this as I am having exactly the same problem... although my issue comes when using Skype Video and a couple of other apps... I even managed to get the Black Screen of Death when in Time Capsule!!!

I am going to head back to the service place and let them work this out... I had my LogicBoard replaced about a month ago after it wouldn't wake up from sleep... and now this is happening... Let's not even talk about lost productivity with my work!

Has anyone found a work-around for this problem?

Oh yeah... this is my setup

Model Name:          MacBook Pro

  Model Identifier:          MacBookPro6,2

  Processor Name:          Intel Core i7

  Processor Speed:          2.66 GHz

  Number Of Processors:          1

  Total Number Of Cores:          2

  L2 Cache (per core):          256 KB

  L3 Cache:          4 MB

  Memory:          4 GB

  Processor Interconnect Speed:          4.8 GT/s

  Boot ROM Version:          MBP61.0057.B0C

  SMC Version (system):          1.58f16

Message was edited by: Pasta_Al

Pasta, they told me that skype could cause this type of error.  I previously had skype and to humor the first guy with support, I wiped my system and did a fresh install (not restoring from time machine in case anything in my profile was corrupt). 3-4 days after my reinstall and not reinstalling skype, it started happening again.  I called them back and they sent me a diagnostic tool to send them some logs and they overviewed it and said it was my logic board.  It is now in route to Memphis to have it replaced.

Thanks for the reply Joshua. I did a fresh install yesterday and, like you managed to get this happening whilst switching on time capsule... I hadn't even installed anything yet! This will be my 2nd Logic board if that is the issue!

really??  I am about to sell mine.  Thinking about getting one of those new iMacs.

Same issue here with an kernal panic error log thats very similar to the errors posted earlier in this discussion board.   As a previous Mac Genius my gut feeling is GPU (graphics card) because it tends to happen when I'm doing things that have a higher GPU use.   For example, exactly when I got to use mission control it will sometimes black screen crash.   Also, the fact that the screen goes black is another easy tell for GPU/Logic Board. 

One interest note is that it never happens when connected to my external monitor (where I typically use my MBP).   It only happens when I'm using it as traditional laptop,  so I'm thinking it might be related to the Nvidia graphic switching technoloy that was new with these MBPs.  I'm thinking that when it switches from the native to the dedicated GPU it messes up and causes the crash.  

I will take Yojo's advice and take it into the Apple Store and get their opinion.   I'm looking to sell this puppy when the new MacBook Airs are released so don't want someone feeling like they got jipped.  Very happy I have AppleCare.    Highly recommended buy even for someone who was a priror Mac Genius.   

I'll keep you updated on my findings/results.

Hmm,  I should have done a plain old google search first.   Seems like Apple is hip to this problem.

Apple KB Article

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088

CNet Report

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20119849-263/apple-acknowledges-2010-macboo k-pro-black-screen-bug/