Q: Mid-2013 Macbook Air screen goes black?

gtownblast, what are you doing with your Macbook (Browsing, email, anything high performance/video/photo editing)? And what browser were you using? And I assume you're on 10.8.4 Build 12E3067?

Macbook air connected to thunderbolt display (older version using magsafe adapter)

I run a software company, ceo, so I do a lot of email, word, web, presentations (keynote, powerpoint)

only high performance stuff (which isn't much) is illustrator and imovie... but I'm not running the processor much.

most of the issues I have had were related to using the MBA connected to a VGA projector with the thunderbolt VGA adapter. (on battery)

I also have had issues on the thunderbolt display (obviously powered)

Hardware Overview:

  Model Name:          MacBook Air

  Model Identifier:          MacBookAir6,2

  Processor Name:          Intel Core i7

  Processor Speed:          1.7 GHz

  Number of Processors:          1

  Total Number of Cores:          2

  L2 Cache (per Core):          256 KB

  L3 Cache:          4 MB

  Memory:          8 GB

  Boot ROM Version:          MBA61.0099.B00

  SMC Version (system):          2.13f5

  Serial Number (system):          C02KR1DVFLCG

  Hardware UUID:          B1DC1DF6-3DBD-588D-ACEA-342B0E81F88B

System Software Overview:

  System Version:          OS X 10.8.4 (12E3067)

  Kernel Version:          Darwin 12.4.1

  Boot Volume:          Macintosh HD

  Boot Mode:          Normal

  Secure Virtual Memory:          Enabled

  Time since boot:          1 day16 minutes

Using Chrome: Version 28.0.1500.95

Also here is my process list

only thing on here that is not "normal" and affects shutdown/sleep is an (really awesome) app called Jettison, which auto ejects drives on sleep, to avoid the popup when disconnecting my time machine backup warning every time I unplug from my monitor (which as the time machine USB drive attached.

I don't think any specific app or process is causing this, as I witnessed this symptom almost right out of basic setup of a new machine. It was after several wake/sleep routine...

Btw, my external monitor with DVI is not waking up sometimes, I have to reconnect after sleep. Is this what is bugging you?

The problem we're experiencing is that the Macbook will sporadically put itself to sleep, even during use.

I wouldn't know anything about the DVI issue. From skimming other threads this Macbook may have some Thunderbolt port issues but I don't any specifics.

Its just happened again. Here is the system log. I cant  make out much of this guess someone could find something in common.

I am starting to observe that it has something to do with Safari being open and computer running on battery.

 

Aug  2 11:56:15 macair com.apple.launchd[1] (com.apple.softwareupdatecheck.periodic): Throttling respawn: Will start in 9 seconds

Aug  2 11:58:49 macair WindowServer[82]: Created shield window 0x80 for display 0x04273c00

Aug  2 11:58:49 macair WindowServer[82]: device_generate_desktop_screenshot: authw 0x0(0), shield 0x0(0)

Aug  2 11:58:49 macair WindowServer[82]: device_generate_lock_screen_screenshot: authw 0x0(0), shield 0x0(0)

Aug  2 12:01:18 macair WindowServer[82]: handle_will_sleep_auth_and_shield_windows: no lock state data

Aug  2 12:01:18 macair WindowServer[82]: Created shield window 0x81 for display 0x003f003d

Aug  2 12:01:18 macair WindowServer[82]: handle_will_sleep_auth_and_shield_windows: no lock state data

Aug  2 12:01:18 macair WindowServer[82]: MPAccessSurfaceForDisplayDevice: Set up page flip mode on display 0x04273c00 device: 0x10493a110  isBackBuffered: 1 numComp: 3 numDisp: 3

Aug  2 12:01:19 macair WindowServer[82]: Created shield window 0x82 for display 0x003f003e

Aug  2 12:01:19 macair WindowServer[82]: handle_will_sleep_auth_and_shield_windows: no lock state data

Aug  2 12:01:19 macair kernel[0]: PM notification timeout (pid 146, Google Chrome)

Aug  2 12:01:19 macair kernel[0]: PM notification timeout (pid 240, Google Chrome He)

Aug  2 12:01:19 macair kernel[0]: PM notification timeout (pid 244, Google Chrome He)

Aug  2 12:01:19 macair kernel[0]: PM notification timeout (pid 246, Google Chrome He)

Aug  2 12:01:19 macair kernel[0]: PM notification timeout (pid 248, Google Chrome He)

Aug  2 12:01:19 macair kernel[0]: PM notification timeout (pid 247, Google Chrome He)

Aug  2 12:01:19 macair WindowServer[82]: Created shield window 0x83 for display 0x04273c00

Aug  2 12:01:19 macair WindowServer[82]: device_generate_desktop_screenshot: authw 0x0(0), shield 0x0(0)

Aug  2 12:01:19 macair WindowServer[82]: device_generate_lock_screen_screenshot: authw 0x0(0), shield 0x0(0)

Aug  2 12:01:23 macair kernel[0]: AirPort_Brcm43xx::powerChange: System Sleep

Aug  2 12:01:25 macair kernel[0]: en0: BSSID changed to 80:a1:d7:28:4f:a2

Aug  2 12:01:25 macair kernel[0]: wlEvent: en0 en0 Link DOWN virtIf = 0

Aug  2 12:01:25 macair kernel[0]: AirPort: Link Down on en0. Reason 8 (Disassociated because station leaving).

Aug  2 12:01:25 macair kernel[0]: en0::IO80211Interface::postMessage bssid changed

Aug  2 12:01:25 macair kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 11 unplug = 0

Aug  2 12:01:25 macair kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 12 unplug = 0

Aug  2 12:01:25 macair kernel[0]: Wake reason: EHC1

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: AirPort_Brcm43xx::powerChange: System Wake - Full Wake/ Dark Wake / Maintenance wake

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: Previous Sleep Cause: 5

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: The USB device HubDevice (Port 1 of Hub at 0x1d000000) may have caused a wake by issuing a remote wakeup (2)

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 11 unplug = 0

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: IOThunderboltSwitch(0x0)::listenerCallback - Thunderbolt HPD packet for route = 0x0 port = 12 unplug = 0

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: The USB device HubDevice (Port 8 of Hub at 0x1d100000) may have caused a wake by issuing a remote wakeup (3)

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: TBT W (2): 0x0100 [x]

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: The USB device Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad (Port 2 of Hub at 0x1d180000) may have caused a wake by issuing a remote wakeup (3)

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: HID tickle 171 ms

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: AppleUSBMultitouchDriver::checkStatus - received Status Packet, Payload 2: device was reinitialized

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair hidd[62]: MultitouchHID: device bootloaded

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: AppleUSBMultitouchDriver::handleReport() - restoring correct operating mode

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair kernel[0]: AppleUSBMultitouchDriver::_deviceSetReport - DeviceRequest for reportID 0xac returned with result 0xe000404f - retrying

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair configd[19]: network changed: v4(en0-:192.168.1.4) DNS- Proxy- SMB-

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair awacsd[72]: InnerStore GetWakeInfoForZone: zero address for 1275066441.members.btmm.icloud.com.

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair awacsd[72]: KV HTTP 0

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair WindowServer[82]: handle_will_sleep_auth_and_shield_windows: no action for lock state 1

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair WindowServer[82]: Created shield window 0x84 for display 0x003f003d

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair WindowServer[82]: handle_will_sleep_auth_and_shield_windows: no action for lock state 1

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair WindowServer[82]: Created shield window 0x85 for display 0x003f003e

Aug  2 12:01:32 macair WindowServer[82]: handle_will_sleep_auth_and_shield_windows: no action for lock state 1

Aug  2 12:01:33 macair kernel[0]: MacAuthEvent en0   Auth result for: 80:a1:d7:28:4f:a2  MAC AUTH succeeded

Aug  2 12:01:33 macair kernel[0]: wlEvent: en0 en0 Link UP virtIf = 0

Aug  2 12:01:33 macair kernel[0]: AirPort: Link Up on en0

Aug  2 12:01:33 macair kernel[0]: en0: BSSID changed to 80:a1:d7:28:4f:a2

Aug  2 12:01:33 macair kernel[0]: en0::IO80211Interface::postMessage bssid changed

Aug  2 12:01:33 macair configd[19]: network changed: v4(en0+:192.168.1.4) DNS+ Proxy+ SMB+

Aug  2 12:01:33 macair awacsd[72]: InnerStore GetWakeInfoForZone: zero address for 1275066441.members.btmm.icloud.com.

Aug  2 12:01:33 macair UserEventAgent[13]: Captive: en0: Not probing 'Airtel_602' (protected network)

Aug  2 12:01:33 macair configd[19]: network changed: v4(en0!:192.168.1.4) DNS Proxy SMB

Aug  2 12:01:33 macair airportd[4726]: _doAutoJoin: Already associated to “Airtel_602”. Bailing on auto-join.

Aug  2 12:01:33 --- last message repeated 1 time ---

Aug  2 12:01:33 macair kernel[0]: en0: BSSID changed to 80:a1:d7:28:4f:a2

Aug  2 12:01:43 macair mDNSResponder[54]: ERROR: socket closed prematurely tcpInfo->nread = 0

Aug  2 12:01:48 --- last message repeated 2 times ---

Aug  2 12:01:48 macair Cinch[219]: Error getting parent from element, bailing

Aug  2 12:02:45 macair login[4761]: in pam_sm_acct_mgmt(): OpenDirectory - Membership cache TTL set to 1800.

Aug  2 12:02:45 macair login[4761]: in od_record_check_pwpolicy(): retval: 0

Aug  2 12:02:45 macair login[4761]: in od_record_attribute_create_cfstring(): returned 2 attributes for dsAttrTypeStandard:AuthenticationAuthority

Aug  2 12:02:45 macair login[4761]: USER_PROCESS: 4761 ttys000

Aug  2 12:02:52 macair coreaudiod[156]: Disabled automatic stack shots because audio IO is active

Aug  2 12:02:53 macair coreaudiod[156]: Enabled automatic stack shots because audio IO is inactive

Aug  2 12:02:55 macair coreaudiod[156]: Disabled automatic stack shots because audio IO is active

Aug  2 12:02:55 macair coreaudiod[156]: Enabled automatic stack shots because audio IO is inactive

Aug  2 12:03:26 macair com.apple.quicklook.satellite[4744]: [QL] No sandbox token for thumbnail request file://localhost/Library/Logs/stackshot-syms.log, it will probably fail

Aug  2 12:03:26 macair com.apple.quicklook.satellite[4744]: [QL] No sandbox token for thumbnail request file://localhost/Library/Logs/stackshot.log, it will probably fail

Aug  2 12:03:27 macair com.apple.quicklook.satellite[4744]: [QL] No sandbox token for thumbnail request file://localhost/Library/Logs/stackshot-syms.log, it will probably fail

Aug  2 12:03:27 macair com.apple.quicklook.satellite[4744]: [QL] No sandbox token for thumbnail request file://localhost/Library/Logs/stackshot.log, it will probably fail

Aug  2 12:03:55 macair com.apple.SecurityServer[17]: Killing auth hosts

Aug  2 12:03:55 macair com.apple.SecurityServer[17]: Session 100010 destroyed

calguy2123, did you have the 'Put hard disks to sleep when possible' option enabled or disabled when it happened?

One thing it has in common with the log I posted the other day is "macair kernel[0]: Previous Sleep Cause: 5"

According to http://hintsforums.macworld.com/showthread.php?t=95016, this points to a flat battery. Hmm...

My latest failing case has 'put hard disk to sleep' disabled. Have tried toggling this option. Either way the problem occurs. I suspect the problem is either the voltage of the battery is either being misread or there is a fundamental problem with the power circuitry (inc. battery). I have not experienced this problem when connected to the mains. Has anyone else?

The issue was just reproduced regardless of having turned off 'Put hard disks to sleep when possible'  

I bought the new MacBook Air 13" (8GB, 512GB, 1.7GHz) five days ago. On the second day of use both USB ports stopped working and I had the unit replaced at the Apple Store. The replacement machine has functional USB ports, but now I am experiencing the dreaded Black Screen syndrome every time I move the computer – extremely annoying. I hope this is not symptomatic of slipping quality control at Apple.

Mr Lima, is your Macbook Air the most current model, from June or July 2013? The 2nd change that fixed your Macbook Air appears to be an Ivy Bridge motherboard. If this is the repair needed to prevent a mid-2013 Haswell Macbook Air from experiencing screen blackouts, this is quite worrisome. It's possible I'm misinterpreting the "IVB" in the description of the new logic board. Perhaps it's still a Haswell motherboard. And if you bought your MBA before June 2013, then it was already an Ivy Bridge model.

I do hope I have misunderstood.

Is there any reason not to take it back? It's broken and it wasn't cheap was it?

Why do you consider accepting a defective, very expensive computer?

This MBA generation is not giving Apple a lot of goodwill.

I actually think Linc Davis is totally correct, his answer is not at all appalling. If your machine is defective, malfunctioning or whatever within the warranty period you should return it. It makes no sense to me that you only claim your warranty if a lot of other people have the same issue, your machine might be the only one affected but it is still broken.

Totally agree. If there's no word from Apple this week I'll be taking it back for a refund.