Boot to Black Screen (VFD002)

Approximately a year ago, the situation resolved itself. During the Apple Diagnose Test, the notebook suddenly came to life. No apparent cause. And just when I had already given approval to the store to replace the motherboard. It was lucky...

More than a year has gone by and today the same problem has happened. After search Google again for the notorious VFD002 problem, I found this my last year's post. Coincidences ...

I followed what user 'MustafaPicasso' recommended ... and it did work !!!

"Once you power up your macbook immediately shut the lid and wait for it to boot up, it should work fine. But once you open your macbook lid it will stop working."

The problem, therefore, was not the graphical card nor the motherboard. At best it was the 7£ "A1502 LCD Screen Display Flex Ribbon Cable" (on eBay), or the LCD screen at worst.

Well, it was simpler: in an Apple Authorized Service Provider I asked to open the lower case and check the display cable connector in its socket on the logic board - pull it straight out of its socket, blow with compressed air and reattach firmly.

Solved!

The computer is like new!

And to think that I was almost to spend 650 €... twice!

How many have done it unnecessarily...

I hope this report can be useful to someone!

Thanks for the suggestion but... I got my Mac tested in an Apple-owned store. The evaluation was free and the report was hard: -"new logic board, 650€".

In the end, I don't have a display problem at all! It seems to be a bad contact issue. 0€

This is the subject: the (dis)ability to diagnose a problem at authorised stores.

How many owners have been wrongly led to spend money on repairs. I've almost been to it twice...

It's just my story...

Thanks, I’m aware that the repair program covers 15’’ and 17’’ models only, at least at the moment. But the synths are quite the same as there is “no video on the computer screen (or external display) even though the computer is on”. And that this was caused by the same circumstances (deterioration of the electronic components caused by heat).

Thanks, but my laptop only works in safe mode and therefore has limitations.

When you pull down the lid you are forcing HDMI graphic output to the external monitor. You can also do this by pressing CMD + f1 to toggle between monitors (without touching the lid).

I choose the “Pro” line of Apple’s laptops expecting reliability and durability especially it’s graphics capabilities. Unfortunately I'm pretty disappointed:

* in the second year of using the Trackpad panel had problems, although it has been repaired under warranty.

* But now, in its third year of use, the graphics card stopped working (error code VFD002).

With this malfunctioning the OS crashes as it is unable to carry on the hardware accelerations of the integrated graphic card (Intel’s GPU). I only see a black screen and a high-end laptop completely useless (bare in mind it’s a “Pro” high-end model).

My laptop is now out of warranty period as it has more than 2 years old. The local Apple Authorized Service diagnosed the problem as related to the graphics-intensive and processor-intensive operations I need to do in my teaching activities. That leads to the deterioration of the electronic components due to the high temperatures achieved. The verdict is the substitution of the logic board which costs round 550 euros, almost a third of its initial value!

I could notice that there are many many threads in Apple’s Support Communities complaining about graphic card issues affecting different MacBook Pro units and also affecting Mac Pro’s line. This led Apple to take action by means of “Repair Extension Program for Video Issues” covering both models:

* http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

* https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6848249?start=45&tstart=0

I hope there is no discrimination between customers.

I’m an unhappy and frustrated customer as I paid for a premium product and therefore expected a high performance, high-end graphical abilities and durability for many years. I paid a price above competitors models believing in this premisses. However this graphic defect resulted in premature failure that in any way can be directly related to costumer disability as it failed to operate properly due to a graphic processor defect.

It is known by Apple that Macbook Pro models have defective issues related to graphic chipsets since even since 2008. And Apple obviously knew of the defect.

Therefore I expect that my laptop cold be included in the “Repair Extension Program for Video Issues” and that Apple allows the replacement of defective components (logic board) in the local Apple Authorized Service.

The "options in the Repair Process" is far from being "documented" as no email is given to have the possibility to support my case. Yes, I can schedule a call, which I did, or go to an authorized center, which I also did.

The answers I got are very formal and sticky to the routine:

* "sorry, the laptop is not under warranty";

* "sorry, the extension program does not cover your model";

The solution? Pay 550 euros, almost a third of the original price in a model named as "Pro" with 2,5 years old. For a problem that was not originated by me but due to a lack of quality in the manufacturing process.

The symptoms are very similar to those originated the "Extension Program" for the 15’’ and 17’’ models: it's not a problem of the graphic chip, it's a manufacturing problem (solder) that causes a progressive deterioration of the electronic components due to the heat that is not properly dissipated. And, buying a "new" (mostly certain refurbished) logic board will not avoid further malfunctions as it hasn't different construction process.

By the contrary, I think complaining about it on this site will accomplish something! Remember that the "Extension Program" is a consequence of the massive complaining’s of users that can still be found on this forum, precisely! At least, is useful to guide other people making them believe that they are not alone in this problem. Unfortunately...