Q: Lion randomly crashes - black screen

When installing xcode it BSODed on me 3 times while installing.  If you have gfxCardStatus you should install that, and keep it on integrated.  Seems to hold it back longer.  When trying to reproduce the BSOD make sure it is on discrete or dynamic.

Uhm, if that's the case, then that is a reproduceable case, and I would like to keep it for the future.

Supposedly tomorrow I'll speak on the phone with some engineer, that's what the executive they assigned to my case told me some hours ago.

I'll try again installing without gfxCardStatus, if it crashes again, I'll keep it for tomorrow, or if I have to go to the Apple Store and see some genius, to have a test case.

Ok, second try installing and I got another BSOD. Looks promising

I guess I won't try installing it again until tomorrow when I'm on the phone with the engineer. I'll send the crash reports anyway. Thanks for the tip, I was worried I wouldn't have a test case to show to them.

Haha you know that once you try this in front of them, everything is going to work smoothly, until you get back home.  Opening up finder windows from other programs seems to work in creating BSODs.  Anytime in a context menu it says "Show in Finder"

Maybe take a video or screen video capture to show them it's happening.

I have the feeling that the 330Ms are defective, just like the 8600s.

Jejejeje, yes, that's true. It's been crashing 4 times of 4, trying to install the XCode. I've already taken a video capture of the process, making it crash 2 times.

Let's see tomorrow with the engineer what happens.

Thanks again for the tip.

Just got back from the Apple store after picking up the MacBook. Turned it on at the store to make sure it would pass the initial Photo Booth tests etc (this would crash my MacBook previous to the video update). They replaced the mother board with a part that just came out and is specific to this computer (661-6362).

Got it home and noticed that all of my system level settings were reset... clock, mouse, keyboard etc etc. Even the Mac App Store had to re-initialise my account. Reinstalled the ExtendedMBProFan control too as it seemed to be reset. Here's the system info from About this Mac in case anything has changed:

  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: 8 GB

  Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s

  Boot ROM Version: MBP61.0057.B0C

  SMC Version (system): 1.58f16

  Hardware UUID: 03CC0B7E-EC1A-5A5C-8498-B589FD88FA4B

  Chipset Model: Intel HD Graphics

  Type: GPU

  Bus: Built-In

  VRAM (Total): 288 MB

  Vendor: Intel (0x8086)

  Device ID: 0x0046

  Revision ID: 0x0018

  gMux Version: 1.9.21

  Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M

  Type: GPU

  Bus: PCIe

  PCIe Lane Width: x16

  VRAM (Total): 512 MB

  Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)

  Device ID: 0x0a29

  Revision ID: 0x00a2

  ROM Revision: 3560

  gMux Version: 1.9.21

Turned off the gfxswitch and things seem to be pretty good at this point. I even installed XCode from the Mac App store in the background while I was watching some video and it worked just fine. I'll keep monitoring this thread for a few days to see how others get through, but honestly I think everyone should take advantage of this warranty extension and just get the thing fixed propper.

Good luck to everyone!

Geez, I have an Acer laptop that's 7 years old too...it turns on, it gets email, it can do teenie photo stuff, it surfs the Internet...if that's all you need a computer for, then you might be better off with an IPad or other tablet computer. Just being able to to turn a computer on, does not qualify it as being seriously functional in any way...and let's not forget the viruses that got past my virus ware and forced me to clean install Windows on this Acer twice.

I have the 15" MBP, migrated over from SL to Lion...lots of BSOD and kernel panics in the beginning, but the problems cleared up for me even before the Apple fix for it. For those of you being told that your computer does not qualify for the warranty extension because of the hardware test,  you have the right to know what the hardware test is really looking for...I would also want to know what the hardware test has to find in order to qualify a computer for a fix or new motherboard,  The answers you were all given by the geniuses sound so vague and un-technical...perhaps if you knew exactly what was going on you could negotiate better service from Apple. In all of my dealings with Apple, I have always been lucky enough to have outstanding service....good luck.

Tess888 wrote:

 

In all of my dealings with Apple, I have always been lucky enough to have outstanding service....good luck.

I know what you mean, Tess888, but I don't think it is luck. I really think it is just a matter of using common sense, common courtesy, and not "demanding" service. If you are having issues, just call, kindly explain what is going on, and ask them to fix the computer. I was out of warranty, no AppleCare, and I got a free logic board replacement BEFORE the KB article was updated. I spoke with a senior representative, and opted for mail-in service. I had the computer back in three days.

On the issues ... see my posts on pages 80-100. I had my logic board replaced before the KB article and before all the discussion about making sure the part number is correct.

When I first got it repaired, the BSOD went away, but there were still strange video glitches and artifacts, especially in apps like PhotoBooth. Since the video update was released, things are noticably smoother and the machine has been running trouble-free since the day they released the update.

You offer very valuable adivice and thank you for sharing your experiences...common courtesy and common sense are never a matter of luck....

RichHolland wrote:

 

Tess888 wrote:

 

In all of my dealings with Apple, I have always been lucky enough to have outstanding service....good luck.

I know what you mean, Tess888, but I don't think it is luck. I really think it is just a matter of using common sense, common courtesy, and not "demanding" service. If you are having issues, just call, kindly explain what is going on, and ask them to fix the computer. I was out of warranty, no AppleCare, and I got a free logic board replacement BEFORE the KB article was updated. I spoke with a senior representative, and opted for mail-in service. I had the computer back in three days.

 

On the issues ... see my posts on pages 80-100. I had my logic board replaced before the KB article and before all the discussion about making sure the part number is correct.

 

When I first got it repaired, the BSOD went away, but there were still strange video glitches and artifacts, especially in apps like PhotoBooth. Since the video update was released, things are noticably smoother and the machine has been running trouble-free since the day they released the update.

Respectfully, I disagree. You seem to be suggesting that the lack of consistency in Apple's servicing this problem is somehow the fault of the consumer for not using "common courtesy" or being "demanding." On the contrary, this problem lies squarely at Apple's feet.

I appreciate that you had a great experience but it was very individualized. Others on here have had similar experiences where the service reps didn't even hesitate to offer a free repair. But many others have not. As one of those who did not, I can attest that it was not for lack of courtesy or being demanding on my part.

As the manufacturer, Apple should have the responsibility and integrity to ensure a consistent policy with regard to this issue. The fact that its own technical staff in various locations may or may not offer the free service, may or may not conduct the diagnostic, is indicative that Apple has been unclear and vague even about this within their own organization.

The unevenness in their approach is quite jarring especially for a company whose products are known to be so controlling of the user experience in order to assure easy quality management.

RichHolland wrote:

 

Tess888 wrote:

 

In all of my dealings with Apple, I have always been lucky enough to have outstanding service....good luck.

I know what you mean, Tess888, but I don't think it is luck. I really think it is just a matter of using common sense, common courtesy, and not "demanding" service. If you are having issues, just call, kindly explain what is going on, and ask them to fix the computer. I was out of warranty, no AppleCare, and I got a free logic board replacement BEFORE the KB article was updated. I spoke with a senior representative, and opted for mail-in service. I had the computer back in three days.

 

On the issues ... see my posts on pages 80-100. I had my logic board replaced before the KB article and before all the discussion about making sure the part number is correct.

 

When I first got it repaired, the BSOD went away, but there were still strange video glitches and artifacts, especially in apps like PhotoBooth. Since the video update was released, things are noticably smoother and the machine has been running trouble-free since the day they released the update.

I just want to update you on my experience. I had a long phone conversation with a genius and was told that since my Macbook pro passed their tests and that it was manufactured before April 2010, it didn't qualify for the "quality program" (i.e. warranty extension). I was debating whether or not I wanted to pay the $300-something dollars flat fee but decided to just run the gfxCardStatus indefinitely. In any case, as I was walking towards the Apple Store to get my MBP, I decided to talk to the manager.

When I arrived there, I told the greeters that I wanted to speak to the manager. He came out after a few minutes and I explained to him in the nicest and most relaxed way possible what my issue was. He excused himself and spoke with the Genius for a few minutes and when he came back, he told me that since my MBP passed their test, it didn't qualify for this specific quality program, BUT they will make their own quality program for me and that they will go ahead and send my MBP to the depot for repairs and that they will eat the costs and I will not have to pay for it!

I'm really not sure if this advise is applicable to you all because I was blessed enough to find a manager who cared enough to make an exception. I guess my advise is if the Genius says you don't qualify, then you can try speaking to the manager. And I guess if he refuses, you can try calling Apple Care and try speaking with a diffent person. In addition, you may want to let them know that while your computer didn't qualify because it passed the test, you know from the forums that Apple made an exemption and fixed other MBPs that didn't fail their tests.

It seems to me that Apple's test is not sensitive enough and it is excluding a lot of MBPs that have the problem. Hopefully Apple realizes this and becomes more inclusive in their quality program.

OK guys, don't believe the technicians. This issue is not detectable by their tests. When I went in, mine passed their tests too so I offered to play an hour of Team Fortress 2 or Borderlands to lock up the machine.

Here's the deal. All you should need is a printout of the KB article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088

Because the techs may not be familiar with this issue. Explain to them that your machine falls under the program outlined in this article because:

1. Your machine was updated with the MacBook Pro Video Update 1.0
   You can show them this by going into the System Preferences > Software Update > Installed Software tab
2. Because your machine was updated with this exclusive update only available to machines that Apple itself dictated as "affected", then your machine falls under the requirements needed for the error to exist.
3. Because the machine is still "affected" after the software update, then your machine will be serviced free of charge until two years from date of purchase as per the KB article.

It doesn't matter if the machine was built before April or that it doesn't pass some hardware test that has obviously not been updated to look for this problem... your machine is a 15" MacBook Pro version 6,2 and you have the Video Update installed. Your machine qualifies. Get out there with printout in hand and bust balls if you have to.

Sorry I tried all those lines of reasoning to no avail. Every technician (from genius bar all the way to AppleCare senior tech) pointed out this fine print in the KB article: 

"Apple will run a software diagnostic test to determine if your computer qualifies for service for this issue."

According to them, the diagnostic determined that my computer did NOT qualify for service for this issue. To them it is just that simple.

Ian Kelleigh wrote:

 

OK guys, don't believe the technicians. This issue is not detectable by their tests. When I went in, mine passed their tests too so I offered to play an hour of Team Fortress 2 or Borderlands to lock up the machine.

 

Here's the deal. All you should need is a printout of the KB article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088

Because the techs may not be familiar with this issue. Explain to them that your machine falls under the program outlined in this article because:

 

1. Your machine was updated with the MacBook Pro Video Update 1.0
   You can show them this by going into the System Preferences > Software Update > Installed Software tab
2. Because your machine was updated with this exclusive update only available to machines that Apple itself dictated as "affected", then your machine falls under the requirements needed for the error to exist.
3. Because the machine is still "affected" after the software update, then your machine will be serviced free of charge until two years from date of purchase as per the KB article.

 

It doesn't matter if the machine was built before April or that it doesn't pass some hardware test that has obviously not been updated to look for this problem... your machine is a 15" MacBook Pro version 6,2 and you have the Video Update installed. Your machine qualifies. Get out there with printout in hand and bust balls if you have to.

As nps999, my genius said that I did not qualify because my screen dims to black at log in, he could not reproduce a freeze while using the computer with the discrete graphics card (although it does happen intermittently if the discrete card is on use after a prolongued period of time), my MacBook passed the test, the genius computer does it as well, I did not installed Mac OS X 10.7.2  and or the MacBook Pro video update (although I showed him the log during the appointment), and most importantly his computer did it as well. All of this after even showing the printed support article with the complete outline.

The only thing left is that someone makes legal move on Apple (wink wink...) on this issue.

Apple has decided to ignore their customers if they do not have their beloved AppleCare extended support plan.