Screen Display On and Off -- Very Strange

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user2011 Author

Level 1

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Screen Display On and Off -- Very Strange

Hello,

I'm using a Macbook Pro which was purchased in 2008.

A few weeks ago, my laptop screen blacked out while I was using the Internet. I knew that my laptop was running because the audio was playing but the screen basically blacked out. Apple ran a test and said it's a logic board failure and the graphic card is still working fine. I've been using my laptop via an external monitor but my laptop screen started working all of a sudden just a few minutes ago. ... But it blacked out for a minute or two and started working again. Maybe it's only a matter of time before it blacks out but why is this happening? Any ideas?

It's very strange.

Thank you.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 8, 2011 4:53 PM

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Answer 1

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Aug 8, 2011 5:03 PM in response to user2011

Hi u,

I don't know if this applies to your MBP or not, but if so, grab a screen shot of the PCIe Lane Width if it's less than x16.

You may have the NVIDIA issue. First, go to System Profiler > Hardware > Graphics/Displays and see if you have the GeForce 8600M GT GPU. This is the GPU covered under the free repair program. While there, also look at PCIe Lane Width. If it says anything other than x16, the GPU has issues. If you have the 8600 GPU, bring the MBP to an Apple Store or AASP for free testing.If Apple's free test confirms the issue, repair is free. Read all aboutit here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

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Answer 2

user2011 Author

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Aug 8, 2011 5:25 PM in response to tjk

Hey,

Yes, mine is the GeForce 8600M GT GPU.

When I brought my laptop to Apple the first time, they said it's a logic board failure and takes over a thousand dollars to replace it, therefore I might as well get a new laptop. So I went home and came across the article which you cited, and showed it to Apple. At first, they accepted it for repair but upon evaluation, they said that the issue with my Macbook Pro display is not the same as the issue in the article (the faulty component by NVIDIA isn't the cause of my laptop's display failure), so they can't repair it for free. Is it really true or do they just want the money?

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Answer 3

user2011 Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 8, 2011 5:20 PM in response to tjk

Sorry, what's PCle Lane Width?

It says says PCle Lane Width: x8

Thank you.

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Answer 4

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Aug 10, 2011 9:30 PM in response to user2011

user2011 wrote:

Hey,

Yes, mine is the GeForce 8600M GT GPU.

When I brought my laptop to Apple the first time, they said it's a logic board failure and takes over a thousand dollars to replace it, therefore I might as well get a new laptop. So I went home and came across the article which you cited, and showed it to Apple. At first, they accepted it for repair but upon evaluation, they said that the issue with my Macbook Pro display is not the same as the issue in the article (the faulty component by NVIDIA isn't the cause of my laptop's display failure), so they can't repair it for free. Is it really true or do they just want the money?

I have no way of answering that.

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Answer 5

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Aug 10, 2011 9:32 PM in response to user2011

user2011 wrote:

Sorry, what's PCle Lane Width?

It says says PCle Lane Width: x8

Thank you.

It's supposed to say x16. If it doesn't that indicates an issue with the GPU. Take a screen shot of it and/or show it to them on the MBP itself.

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