Black Screen of Death + partial access to computer

Got one part figured out - I was able to ssh into my black screened Mac. Once there, I typed

cd /Library/Preferences

echo

-n enabled > com.apple.ScreenSharing.launchd

Everything on the computer is working great. Now to figure out why my screen is black.

I've tried all those suggestions several times. Right after I post this, I'm off to the Apple Store, so they can fix a problem they caused.

Took it to the very crowded Apple Store. Waited a half hour past my appointment, and the kid there took my info and immediatly told me I could have the main board replaced for $460.

No Joy.

I'm going to figure this one out. I know that board is not toast.

Ohh, this one is OLD! 2007 with the 90 day Apple Care.

I just tried using the various OS X install disks I have, to see if any of them will come up with the screen enabled.

I'd like to try experimenting with a new main board, but with the holidays just around the corner, money for an experment is tight.

Great News!!

While reading the thread:

MacBook Pro Blank Screen (Built - in & External)

I was messing around with my dead screen computer. I had lost the ability to SSH into it, so I'd enabled Voice Over to see if I could get back to at least an SSH. I've also lost Screen Sharing while trying Clemson42's suggestions. So, that was bad.

But I'd noticed that when I put the computer up last night I had only closed the lid and it didn't go to sleep. It stayed up all night! The computer is running at a higher temperature than normal. Voice Over gave me enough feedback to know that the network connection didn't take, so a reboot to safe mode resulted in black screen and no voice over or network.

A reboot with no special keypresses resulted in a LIT SCREEN, with an APPLE!

I'm stuck here. It won't load the OS, but this indicates to me that I may have a bad solder joint. (Heat related) I also have a fully stocked electronics lab upstairs. If I can get the OS to come up, I'll open the laptop up and check out the solder joints of the graphics chip. I sure hope this is the problem...

Running log:

Computer cooled down and sure enough, back to black screen. I'm going to post info gleaned from ssh system_profile, more for myself as a reference later than for any followers of this thread.

Model Name: MacBook Pro

Model Identifier: MacBookPro2,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.33 GHz

Number Of Processors: 1

Total Number Of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 4 MB

Memory: 1 GB

Bus Speed: 667 MHz

Boot ROM Version: MBP21.00A5.B08

SMC Version (system): 1.14f5

Serial Number (system): W87050Q---- (edited out for privacy)

Hardware UUID: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-0017F2C6---- (edited out for privacy)

Sudden Motion Sensor:

State: Enabled

System Software Overview:

System Version: Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549)

Kernel Version: Darwin 10.8.0

Boot Volume: Macintosh HD

Boot Mode: Normal

Computer Name: 17 inch

User Name: (edited out for privacy)

Secure Virtual Memory: Enabled

64-bit Kernel and Extensions: No

Time since boot: 1:17

Graphics/Displays:

Intel GMA 950:

Chipset Model: GMA 950

Type: GPU

Bus: Built-In

VRAM (Total): 64 MB of Shared System Memory

Vendor: Intel (0x8086)

Device ID: 0x27a2

Revision ID: 0x0003

Displays:

Display Connector:

Display Connector:

So I don't have the NVidia chip everyone is having issues with. I'm letting the computer heat up again and will restart it after it's good and warm. If it shows a display I'll be opening it up and inspecting all exposed leads for micro fissures. I sure hope there's not a lot of BGA on the board.

Understood. But curiosity is getting the better of me. I've got several (better) Macs in the house, so I don't really NEED this one operational. I'm also the guy that's overclocked everything in his house. It's no waste of my time. I may also take the time to fix the sporadic audio jack and my hinge clutches while I'm in there.

I finally worked up the nerve to repair the mainboard. Since evidence supported an intermittent contact on one of the balls of the BGA connection on the graphics chip, I reflowed the area near the GPU. All with tools fairly easy to get hold of.

From the local hardware store - a heat gun. This is like a hair dryer on steroids. Cost is around $25.00USD.

A little harder to get hold of but VERY important - Dewalt Infrared Thermometer Cost $141.00USD

A modified (with Duct Tape - Oh, Duct Tape, what CAN'T you do?) Dremel Workstation (A lightweight press) Cost $40.00USD

I had all these things on hand prior to deciding to try the repair. They've come in handy on many projects, so I don't think I can count this as cost of repair. The tools have already paid for themselves. First, I removed the board from the Macbook Pro case, measured the height of the GPU and built a test platform. Next, I set the test platform on the base of the Dremel Workstation and experimented with the consistancy of temperature from the heat gun on the surface of what would be the GPU. It turns out I had very precise control of temperature with respect to distance of the heat gun from the target.

Once I had enough confidence that I could control the temperature, I used a stopwatch, monitored the temperature of the GPU, and stuck it in the hot air. When the GPU reached 140C, I kept it there for 20 seconds. Reassembled the computer, and PRESTO! It's working like a champ again.

The hard part was building up the courage to give this a try.

Dale, I see you have LOTS and LOTS of points. I've helped get Parallels talking to custom USB peripherals, I've rebuilt my Macbook, I showed how to repair an essentially garbage computer using tools found in most handyman houses, and I don't have a single point. I'm to the point where I could probably build a Mac starting at the chip level, and not one point.