Black screen after login while on battery with graphics switching enabled

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Black screen after login while on battery with graphics switching enabled

Getting a black screen after entering my password while logging into my account while on battery with graphics switching enabled. Everything is up and running, I just can't see it.

I can log into the guest account on battery

I can log into my account while plugged into power

I can log into my account on battery if graphics switching is disabled

I believe something that is starting up in my account is causing the system to switch from integrated to discrete graphics on login, and that switch isn't working correctly on battery power.

As a work around for now, I can run with graphics switching disabled, but I'd like to solve this so I get longer battery life.

MacBook Pro Retina 15"

Mountain Lion

All updates applied

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Jul 26, 2012 7:53 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 26, 2012 1:35 PM in response to IndyMichaelB

Hi!

I just received my Retina MacBook today, upgraded to Lion and now I have this problem too!

Does anyone know how to get rid of this?

Regards,

prahn

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Answer 2

Jul 27, 2012 12:14 AM in response to IndyMichaelB

I got a similar black screen after login, regularly but not always:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4140350

For me, it happens also when plugged into power.

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Answer 3

IndyMichaelB Author

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Jul 27, 2012 8:01 AM in response to erwincoumans

I have repeatedly verified it's only a problem for me on battery power, and happens 100% of the time

looks like your issue is slightly different than mine

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Answer 4

IndyMichaelB Author

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Jul 27, 2012 8:02 AM in response to Ingo Nowak

Yeah, if you reboot while away from AC power you are screwed, unless you turn off graphics switching ahead of time

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Answer 5

Itachi18

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Jul 27, 2012 11:17 PM in response to IndyMichaelB

One thing that worked for me to was to plug in and unplug an hdmi display. It seemed to force the cards back into the proper state.

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Answer 6

Jul 28, 2012 6:05 AM in response to IndyMichaelB

Hi i have the same thing whit my rMBP. Sometimes when i login my screen turns black.

Any knows what might cause this? i have to hold down my power switch and reboot 😟

Specs:

Macbook Pro Retina

Mountain Lion

All updates

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Answer 7

IndyMichaelB Author

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Jul 28, 2012 8:52 AM in response to IndyMichaelB

Apple just released an update for the retina pro, to enable power nap and fix several sleep/wake issues. I applied it and retested, still have the same issue

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Answer 8

Jul 28, 2012 9:21 AM in response to IndyMichaelB

I just had this exact same issue happen, everything was fine prior to the Mountain Lion update. This morning when I logged in, I received the black screen, power cord was plugged in.

To get away from the black screen, I disconnected the power cord and held down the power button. Once rebooted and logged in I then attached my power cord.

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Answer 9

Jul 28, 2012 10:14 AM in response to IndyMichaelB

I had the same issue and managed to reslove it.

Shut down your machine.

Power it back on while holding the 'shift' key (left or right, doesn't matter)

You will see a greay progress bar go across the screen while you boot in to 'safe boot'

Once booted, login, and go to Energy Saver and turn on 'Automatic Graphics Switching'.

Reboot back in to normal mode, and you should be able to log back in and see again.

I did this without being plugged into AC power.

Hope it helps!

Cheers!

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Answer 10

Jul 29, 2012 2:46 PM in response to IndyMichaelB

ben.lausman's suggestion worked for me. I kept my laptop plugged in the whole time though while changing the graphics switching setting and it still fixed the issue.

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Answer 11

KenOH

Level 1

4 points

Aug 3, 2012 8:05 AM in response to IndyMichaelB

I get this too. All I do is close the lid, let it go to sleep and then open the lid again and unlock it. Seems to be the switch to integrated graphics that it doesnt like on mine.

PITA but easily worked around.

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