MacBook Pro - Screen stays black, but normal sounds are heard.

[ed629]

This is regarding a MacBook Pro, a few days ago the lid was closed then opened the next morning, the screen stayed black. It had done this a few times before, but either waiting for it, or pulling out the battery and unplugging the cord then restarting fixed it.

Now, it goes to black screen, 1/2 the time it will sound normal starting up, start up sounds, fans heard, hard drive spinning, then the volume keys will make the normal noise, other times it will not do anything.

Tried to reset the SMC and the PRAM, not doing anything. Did connect it to a monitor and nothing happening there either. I think it may be the video card, but checking online I did find that Apple says there is a problem with the video card, however the build date is one machines from 2007-2008, this one has a build date in 2006.

If it is covered by the replacement for the Nvidia video card, is it 2 years or 4 years for it?

 

[Small White Car]

You're not officially covered by the warranty any more, but make an appointment at an Apple store anyway and be nice to them.

I've had luck with them sometimes fixing things for free even if it's not technically covered. It depends on what the problem is.

But if they say "we'll charge $x to fix it" then say thanks, leave, and then google yourself some local 3rd party repair places. You can probably get a better price somewhere else in that case. Laptops are always tough because you're at the mercy of the pros. You can't just open it up like you can with a tower.

 

[ed629]

^ Thanks... I had a feeling it wouldn't be, but couldn't hurt to try. So I'm guessing it was two years on the video card.

 

[Sparky]

You're holding it wrong.