Lion randomly crashes - black screen

Son's laptop has had two motherboard replacements, the last about a year ago (December 2011). His 2010 15 inch MacBook Pro started having problems with graphics on Windows recently. The screen would freeze and he'd have to do a hard shutdown to get the system going again. It appears that the system was still running though - music that was playing continued to play - it's just that graphics output stopped. I'm bringing it into the Apple Store. It seems that something failed over time. He's not seeing any problems running on Snow Leopard.

Hi. First, sorry for my English.

I have the same issue so I went to the Apple Store (Lyons, France) telling them that it was the issue related by the article TS4088. They launched many tests, keep my computer for 2 days and finally tell me that there was no problem with my GPU, and that it was surely my OCZ SSD. I think they didn't want to replace my logicboard and find the only non-apple device to make it responsible... I think I'll go back to the Store with the original HDD and try to show them the crash (if I can reproduce, but it often happens while making a call with skype) and show them the report... Did it happen to somebody here ?

I'm really disappointed... but I hope !

Hi there,

I had the same symptoms as TS4088 described. Opening things such as Skype's WebCam on a call would randomly crash.

So, I went to a Apple Reseller yesterday, they said they'll run tests on it. This afternoon, they called in and said that VST failed, and they're now ordering the Logic Board in and doing a replacement free of charge.

Thanks for all the info this thread provided. I don't think the reseller ever had this problem before.

I'll do a followup when the system returns.

I'll drive back to the AS this afternoon and check the MBP again. I try with GXFCard and seems some things gets better but if I choose the dicrect mode I get crash!.

I'll give you more info when I'll be back.

ciao

ps: sorry for my english :-)

Well, I went back from AS and I'm waiting for my new logic board! The Genius guy had see the problem and approve the change of the LC. Seems all gets well now, TY for all ! ciao

Have the exact same problem. Everything the original thread said was 100% true. The genius bar ran the test on my crashing MBP and I failed it. So now I am in the process of getting my MLB replaced. Will recieve my MBP tonight and will let u know if it still crashes. If it doesnt, then the problem is DEFINITELY with the LOGIC BOARD!!

Dear All, (wouldn't say Apple, cause they're pretending not to read this)

This is just terrific. Bought my Macbook Pro 15inch running Snow Leopard - 2.8 Ghz i7 processor. 8GB Ram 2 years ago with all the money I saved (around 3000 euro's!! as a student) and always treated it right.. and now it keeps crashing day in and day out. What kind of **** does Apple sell man, is it the updates? And are they really this ignorant.. they wont even reply..

For me it's the graphic card that's the problem. When I switch to Integrated Only my Macbook crashes immediatly and it gets the black screen which Im getting really familiar with.. When I keep it on Discrete it's no problem. Why should we adept, when Apple should adept.. I thought they stood for quality?

This is my report over the last two or three days.... I'm a student at the film academy.. How am I supposed to work with these issues?

This reads 29 crashes in the past three days...... thank you very much Apple..........

I'm probably going to sound like the same dripping tap with this issue, but I'm confounded as to why Apple hasn't come to the party with a fix on this. My Mac is only 2 years old and is now a virtual paperweight as every time I begin client work in Photoshop, the whole thing crashes. I'm saving my work constantly by the crashes are becoming more and more frequent and now my clients are screaming for reasons for the delays.

Please Apple, at least respond to us and let us know that you're working on the problem.

I get the new logic board on saturday, 2 days of tests and I have no more crash using all the software that before crashed my MBpro!

The boys at Genius Bar was smart and friendly!

I'm happy now.

all the best!

SOLUTION FOR MBP mid 2010 models:

Do a clean install of 10.6.8, you heard it: DOWNGRADE to snow leopard. It's old but it'll run like a breeze, and no crashes whatsoever anymore.

Don't bother updating or reinstalling Lion / Mountain Lion, don't bother even to find out what is causing this. There are numerous posts all over the net reporting kernel panic issues with Lion and Mountain Lion, specifically on the mid 2010 MBP's like mine. Reinstalling Snow Leopard finally solved it all for me.

hi maisu, I wanna know if ur mac was covered by warranty apple or not, when they have fix logic board for free. thanks

hi francos.. when have u bought ur macbook pro 2010? was covered by warrantly? thanks

Hi Silviett2, I bought my MBPro mid 2010 at Apple Store by internet at july 2010. It was out of warranty but Apple knows about this bug and replace the logic board for free.

@Akken: yes, back to SL is one solution but not the best solution: I believe that Lion and M.Lion uses the graphic board in different modes conversely Snow Leopard. And the benefit to use ML are greater than use SL.

IMHO!

all the best

Hi silviett2, my macbookpro was not covered by warranty, but they change the logic board for free, good luck

Hi Silviett

Francos and maisu are right on. I just came back from the apple store. Same computer as you (Lion) with same problem. they run a diagnostic and its pretty conclusive when it shows that its the logic board. it shows a big FAILED in red letters. Its been over 2 years so it was out of warranty but they extend the warranty to 3 years for this specific issue. They'll be replacing my LB for free although it will take about a week.

I had tried other solutions that I found in here and elsewhere but to not waste anymore time just take it in and have them run the test. make sure to backup b4 you go and tell them that you've been looking at the kernal panic reports and this discussion board and it seems that you are having the same problem. best of luck.