Q: Lion randomly crashes - black screen

I had the same problem on a MacPro that was probably that old. I took it in to Apple and their tests quickly diagnosed that it had a bad graphics card. I suggest doing the same if your warrently still covers it!

I finally took my MBP to an Apple certified service center in Stockholm. I had upgraded it with 8 GB memory and an SSD, but that was no problem for them (I didn't even mention it). Today I got it back with a new logicboard and I will run some tests tonight and report the results later.

I have had this problem on my Mac Book Pro too - it sarted immediately after installing new OS. I have second moniter. Installed the gfxCardStatus and set only to integrated or discrete you CANNOT RUN A SECOND MONITER - IT DISALLOWS THIS AND AUTOMATICALLY DEFAULTS TO DYNAMIC.  When on dynamic I get the crashes especially if I run a program that forces dynamic like iphoto when it syncs with the iphone 5.  I hae not gotten a single crash with the second moniter disconnected and the gfxCrdStatus set to integrated or discrete.  So if you want to stop the crashes stay away fron dynamic.  Hopefully Apple will get around to fixing this or I may be going back to a Windows machine ( as much as I dread that idea).

Guys I 've had this problem since the mid's of 2011. My mbp (late 2010, 15", i5, 2,54 Ghz) sowed black screen whilst keyboard light was working in the beginning, then after some updates, it ended up crashing and restarting. I had no choice but to visit an authorized service center. They fixed it by changing the graphic card. Subsequently I upgraded the memory in 8 Gb. I only paid for the memory and the machine works fine since then which is about a week.

I had the black screen problem in my MacBook Pro 15´´ 2.53Ghz (Mid 2010). There is no apple store in my town so I took my computer to an authorized service center. Problem solved for free after changing logic board. Diagnosis: Problem found in video card, contemplated by apple quality program. From 2 weeks time without problems. Good Luck!

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3938355?start=0&tstart=0 may be of help to only  2009 imac users with Nivada Geforce GT 130 graphic cards having screen freeze & kernal panics in since Snow Leopard or Lion Mountain Lion upgrade.

I forgot to follow up my story. I haven't had a single black screen or kernel panic since change of logic board (free of charge). No Apple Care or warranty left.

This is the only real and proper solution. Go have your logic board changed now!

So why are Apple Genius Bar technicians uninformed about this problem?
I visited Genius Bar recently with this problem and I was adviced to format and recover my system, which of course did not help.

They are informed, just mention this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088

Glad I found this link too. Same happens to me on my iMac intel. Just started happening a reboot did fix it but now the screen doesn't respond at all. Oh Apple what is happening to you?

Hi,

My logic board has just been replaced. How can I thoroughly test it? The last times it crashed I wasn't pushing the machine, just browsing the internet. Sometimes it happened when waking it up from sleep.

Regards.

Apple keep all thier most powerful testing tools to themselves, probably becasue improperly configured they can damage hardware or even be modified to carry out shady/illegal stuff.

The best thing you can do is carry out the built in hardware test. Apple should have already given your new kit a more thorough test than this will do bet it cant hurt to check.

Follow the instructions here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

I had the same problem. Took it to the Apple Store in Kansas City. They said it was the graphics card on the logic board. They replaced the logic board. I have NOT had the problem since (2 Weeks). FYI, they said it was still under warranty and the fix was free. They took it in on a Friday night and had it back to me on Sunday. Great job! They really did a great job of taking care of my machine and minimizing the time I was without it.

Not having any more problems since my logic board was replaced...  Seems to be the way to go on this issue.

I have commented here earlier in this thread with the same problem as most of you, faulty logic board in a 2010 MacBook Pro i7. The problem started after I upgraded to Lion, no problems before that.

Had the logic board replaced x2 (free). The third time I called Apple (Sweden) and got the reply: we are not changing the logic board anymore, you will get a new computer instead, if you are pleased with that.

Got my new Retina MBP by UPS express delivery a few days later. Well I used the opportunity to upgrade my MBP i7 to Retina model 2,6 GHz with a small payment accordingly. Have had no problem after that :-), just pure pleasure.

Apple all thumbs up.