Q: Lion randomly crashes - black screen

My last post was a littebit too optimistic. Three days ago I got a black screen when waking from sleep and yesterday it happened again. So for me the graphics update didn't work.

I'm gonna call my service provider. Sigh.  

My previous MBP had the same problem and was fixed within extended warranty. Now it all happens again...

That's a good point. If you were able to install the video update then you have update logs. If you can't reproduce the BSOD on the fly, then showing them the update log is enough proof that your machine qualifies. That update only shows up for people with 15" MacBook Pros version 6,2 (the only machine that is covered by that extended warranty).

Where is the update log?

I know the panic logs is in /Library/Log/DiagnosticReports/ or something like that. 

Look for the Software Update panel in the System Preferences. There is a tab for Installed Software.

Well, they are gonna take it in tomorrow for a test and replace the motherboard. It's going to take them 10 working days.

If the test turns out negative, I gotta pay €85 working fee.

Man, Appleservice in Europe totally *****.

Alright ... by looking at your message I"m affraid of upgrading.

Plus, I get grey screen on external monitor on SL ... see picture.

My computer MacBook Pro6.2 i7 - mid-2010

Here's my update: after calling the repair center, they indicated that my computer has been repaired--it needed a replacement logic board (no surprise there) but that since it had passed Apple's diagnostic for TS-4088, I did not qualify for the extended service so I had to pay for the repair (which I had pre-authorized in the event this was the case).

I'll be picking it up later today or tomorrow. Needless to say I am very disappointed in Apple. Apparently, they have computers whose logic boards require replacement conveniently after the warranty has expired.

Next time I know to buy an Apple Care Warranty, if I even go down this road again, because clearly if you don't pony up that tax, Apple couldn't give a **** about you.

Hey guys I think I found a way to reproduce the BSOD even after the new update.

I tried it three times in a row and it always worked.. so maybe you wanna try it too:

- Dowload XCode from the AppStore (if you don't have it already installed)

- Start a new Project or open up the TextEdit Example (/Developer/Examples/TextEdit)

- Select a .m or .h file in the outliner.

- Click into the editor window and do a three finger swipe up and a three finger swipe downwards..

- Stare at a black screen...

Notes:

-When I tried it for the third time I had to do the swiping a bit more often to make it crash.. but it crased after the fourth swipe I think.

- Normally XCode should switch to the corresponding .h or .m file after the gesture. I have already mission controll on that gesture so maybe it has something to do with this..

nps999 wrote:

 

Needless to say I am very disappointed in Apple. Apparently, they have computers whose logic boards require replacement conveniently after the warranty has expired.

 

Completely agree... I am not saying that Apple does this, but which computer manufacturer would like to sell a computer that lasts more than 3 years? If a computer lasted this long it would mean low hardware sales, which for a company like Apple is not good as they make more of their profit on hardware sales.

Message was edited by: vea1083

well I wouldn't mind a computer that works fine for up to 5 years. but this generation 15" mbp had a far shorter run!

dammit, my mom bought an ibm laptop 7 years ago for like 500$ and it still works 100% to this day!

this is very important, to all macbook pro 6,2 (mid 2010 15" laptops who should be covered by TS4088), how many of you did apple say your mbp didn't qualify for TS4088 and are experiencing BSOD's? I'm reluctant to take my laptop for replacement just yet having been reading this thread about apple not covering some machines? :/

I was told I did not qualify, but I think that is crap and will go see them again.  Of course this time I am not only going to bring the article (which I did last time), I am going to make them sit down, look at the update log, look at the panic logs, and hopefully reproduce the error for them.  If they want me to pay, I am not sure if I will go through with it.

I too was told I did not qualify. The computer was sent off for repair, and the said over the phone they needed to replace the logic board ("and some other parts"), but that I would have to pay for the repair since my computer did not qualify. .

I have no idea what it takes for the computer to qualify. I have very little confidence in Apple's handling of this situation.

kspes wrote:

 

well I wouldn't mind a computer that works fine for up to 5 years.

Well for a company like Apple is not good, they need to make money off hardware sales...

kspes wrote:

 

But this generation 15" mbp had a far shorter run!

 

I my case the black screen issue momentarly at log in and then the screen goes back on, but I have experienced multiple unrecoverable freezes when using the nVidia 330m GPU (usually turned on by photobooth or other open CL application). Unfortunately, those freezes are intermittent and the genius could not reproduce them during the genius bar appointment.

kspes wrote:

 

dammit, my mom bought an ibm laptop 7 years ago for like 500$ and it still works 100% to this day!

Same here... my dad bought a Toshiba Satellite M45 laptop and is still running strong. My parents also have a Dell Dimension 8250 bought in 2003 and 256mb of RAM (yes.. megabytes) and still manages to do almost anything word processing, minor video editing, music collection (iTunes) and web surfing.

I have to say that Dell's tech support department was good, and as far as the Toshiba tech support goes... I can't say my dad or I never had to call them about problems.

I was going to try your method, but I had a BSOD trying to install XCode

Anyway, let's see if I can install and try again, and see if that's a reproduceable case.