How do you perform a power on self test on a MacBook Pro?

Question

How do you perform a power on self test on a MacBook Pro?

My screen is currently black. The keypad is lit up and the regular chime rings when restarted, but there is no display. Earlier around 2:00 I performed a power on self test. Iended it and then reatarted the computer again and after two minutes the display was back to normal. It is 5 hours later and the same black screen is occuring. I cannot find the page with insructions on how to perform the power on self test. A simple link to direct me would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Posted on Apr 2, 2016 6:58 PM

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Answer 1

theratter

Level 4

3,961 points

Apr 2, 2016 7:16 PM in response to MegLovesApple

By restarting the computer. If you hear the chime, then the self-test was passed. There is no separate such test. Perhaps you have in mind Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM. However, I suggest you try this instead. It is for El Capitan because you did not indicate what version you are running.

This will reinstall OS X without erasing your drive. Please be sure you backed up.

Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the Utility Menu appears.
Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
Select the indented (usually, Macintosh HD) volume entry from the the side list.
Click on the First Aid tab in the toolbar. Wait until the Done button activates, then click on it.
Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

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Answer 2

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Apr 3, 2016 5:10 AM in response to MegLovesApple

When the display is black, connect the MBP to a monitor. If the monitor duplicates the MBP display, there is a problem with the GPU. If the monitor shows a good image, the display or the display connection is suspect. In either case, an appointment at an Apple store genius bar for a definitive diagnosis is the best option. The evaluation will be FREE.

Ciao.

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