Q: Lion randomly crashes - black screen

 

Besides, great that apple does the LB replacements. But it really ****** me off, that this issue is still not known at EVERY apple store EVERYWHERE. I don't want to make a genius appointment (how weird is that...) nor demonstrate anything that should be commonly known by now (at least to apple employees). The last thing i'd like to do is perform a fresh install just to proof that the bug is still there...

Very true.

I have the same problem with black screens randomely, except that I'm running Snow Leopard version 10.6.8 with a Macbook Pro 13", early 2011. It was working perfectly before I did the firmware upgrade EFI 2.2. I didn't download and installed the EFI 2.2 firmware upgrade "manually", it was giving as a choice when the usual software update program told me that a software update was ready to be downloaded and installed. After that I have had problems with BSOD many times a day. Sometimes I can work at the computer for a few hours before BSOD, sometimes only a few minutes before it hangs again.

Macbook Pro 13", early 2011, only have a built in graphic card (Intel HD 3000) so that differs from some others in this thread.

I have replaced the original HD to a SSD (Intel X25-M G2 80GB) and everything worked just fine until I updated the firmware to EFI 2.2. I will try to put pack the original HD again and see if that will change things. If not, and no one have any other solutions, I will contact Apple to have my MBP repaired or exchanged.

I have also tried to reinstall Snow Leopard, reset PRAM and SMC, but no luck yet.

Gave apple a ring (Australia), they got me to do some tests, luckily with Lion comes 90 days free telephone support. He got me to do a few tests and crap was happening that I'd never seen i.e. instead of the usual black screen or artifacts that I was having my screen was flashing random colours.

They got me to do a hardware test and before it loaded the screen went black =/ he pretty much said it's a hardware problem - most likely induced by the upgraded firmware, have to hand it in to Mac1 tomorrow for some diagnostics for about 3 days *sigh*

Note: he said he's been doing some research on the matter and more people than none have it  so this is the  first situation where someone from apple has recognised the problem as widespread - they're going to try flash the firmware, downgrade the firmware, and a combination of random stuff to try and fix it - replacing the logic board will most likely NOT help for most people

Again: Black Screen while emptying my Mail trash.

I had around a week no BSOD (but I used Photoshop, Photo Booth). And then I get this fu***** BSOD, when I emtying my trash in Mail. Sorry, but THIS isn't a logic board issue.

Update - hot off the press!

Just got call from Apple store where I had dropped off my MBP for diagnosis 2 days ago.  I was told by the rep that there appears to be a hardware problem, but they cannot tell for sure which part it is and would like to ship it off to the "depot" for additional diagnostics and repair.  The cost to me would be $300+ dollars.  I pointed out the symptoms of my problem match exactly what is being discussed in this thread and requested that the repair be covered under warranty.  He replied that he couldn't make that decision and would take it up with the store manager who will call me back to discuss. 

Stay tuned . . .

I have a question to all of you who are having bsods- do you have bootcamp installed?

BSOD's first with Lion upgraded from Snow Leopard (no bootcamp), then BSOD"s again with 100% clean install Lion from USB

Mozart wrote:

 

I have a question to all of you who are having bsods- do you have bootcamp installed?

Yes I get BSODs within Boot Camp after I installed Lion. In Snow Leopard I did not.

I don't have or use bootcamp.

If anyone wants an update on my case it has been in the apple store since Sep. 8th with multiple logic boards failing to resolve the issue, with the repair/pickup date pushed back about 3 times. I have been in contact with a great apple executive representative though who said that the apple store where my laptop is being repaired at is being sent a "special part" to deal specifically with this issue. It is not another logic board replacement as far as I know but a mystery part for the time being until I pickup the computer hopefully by the end of this week.

It seems apple engineers are definetly aware of this issue but the apple store repair techs need specific instruction or parts from higher up to fix.

I really hope this new part fixes the issue, as I said before it has been in the store for almost 2 weeks physically and crashing for 2months+.

Mozart wrote:

 

I have a question to all of you who are having bsods- do you have bootcamp installed?

I have never used Bootcamp.

It's nothing to do with bootcamp. My issue (as most people posting here) was with a completely default spec mac, with a clean Lion install.

Put simply, if you have a mid-2010 and get a kernal panic when selecing the second effects tab back and forth in PhotoBooth, then you have a hardware defect. Get the logic board replaced and the issue will go away, I promise! How can I put this any clearer? Yes, a few people got unluky and had a replacement that was also faulty, but people only post of forums when things so wrong typically, so the bad repairs are biased.

A few people on this thead have different issues, but if the above happens for you, you need a replacement boad. Don't wait for the software patches - anything other than a hardware replacement is simply a workaround for a faultly logic board. Don't wait too long, else you'll struggle to reproduce the issue in the manner desribed above once 10.7.2 is out. The issue will still be lingering though...

You MUST demonstrate the kernal panic in front of a 'genius'. They have clean-install external drivs that can be used for such purposes, but you have to ask them, and you must put your foot down! Show any weakness, and you'll be going around in circles performing test upon test. Apple are buying time IMHO.

This does not affect all mid-2010 macs - I suspect there was a bad batch of NVIDIA gpu's. We are a very small portion of users affected, but there may be a few thousand of us. Many are completely unaffected.

The 'Pro' in the name means that you should be treated like one. With a little persuasion, I had the logic board replaced in a single day - dropped off at luchtime, fixed by 7pm.

i was getting the bsod with lion(not sl) and it STOPPED after i noticed that my monitor refresh rate was changed during the lion upgrade. I have a 2010 mac mini with the nvida 330m, I hope this helps some people

C'mon Apple.... Surely you guys can help us!

Apple Reigns Supreme in Customer Satisfaction Again

http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_reigns_supreme_customer_satisfaction_a gain

so further to my post yesterday, new logic board is on order and should be here early next week. Fingers crossed it might work for more than 4 days...