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MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010): Intermittent black screen or loss of video

Hi,

After upgrading from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion I've had what I thought was the known error described here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088 - random kernel panics caused by the Nvidia graphics card. Since every detail on that page seemed correct, I took my Mac to an Apple reseller where I explained the error. They tested it and after a few days they said it was not the error I was referring to (they didn't know what it was either).

So my question is, are there any similar errors where the symptom is like this one? I'm 100% sure that the problem is related to the graphics card. For instance I've been running the gfxCardStatus for a long while using only the Intel graphics with no kernel panics at all.

Also, the 3 year service warranty expired shortly after I got it back, so it would be a shame if I happened to have another known error than the one I linked to. :/

I'll add more details if needed.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1)

Posted on Jun 30, 2013 9:26 AM

19 replies

Dec 9, 2013 10:11 AM in response to MellonCollie-

I spoke to their support people today, who tried to suggest it was my fault for not taking it in when the problem first occurred. I asked what the outcome would have been if I'd brought it in then - just after the warranty had expired but before Apple had acknowledged the fault - and they admitted they would have charged me to repair it.

I'm talking to them again tomorrow - will be interesting to see how they deal with this issue. I'm sure I'm not the only customer affected.

But yes, what sort of company sells premium products which are not fit for purpose, then demands its customers pick up the (hefty) repair bill? Not one I can afford an ongoing relationship with...

Dec 10, 2013 5:44 AM in response to Skeletope1

Another phone call from an Apple technical support 'senior adviser' who advised me that unless I procured an original receipt for the machine (bought from Comet, which has since gone bust) it would be 'illegal under consumer law' for Apple to fix the fault it was built with. I'm no lawyer but I've never heard of any consumer legistation which prohibits a manufacturer from repairing a product which was faulty when it left the factory. He's gone away to 'look into how he can help'. I politely suggested the best way Apple could help was to fix the machine free of charge with good grace and stop trying to ******* me. I'm awaiting his return call with interest...

Apr 11, 2014 2:08 PM in response to Skeletope1

Hi, any luck so far? I am having the same problem, I found out about the problem around 6 months ago but only recently brought my macbook to an Apple store, where they diagnosed that was the problem by running a video test but told me it had passed the three year warranty for this fix, and that the fix would cost 480 euros. They told me I had to contact Apple by phone, which I did and am now awaiting an answer. Anyway, I think is it really dumb that even after admitting that the problem was due to a faulty batch of macbooks, and therefore not the buyers fault, Apple are still trying to get people to pay for the repair.

Best of luck!!!

Apr 16, 2014 12:12 PM in response to Maxmezzomo

As for me, I was very lucky and got it fixed. They replaced the entire logic board, I guess it's the only solution to this kind of issue (see my story in the post above).

Just keep on fighting! There's not much else to do.

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010): Intermittent black screen or loss of video