MacBook Pro: Black Screen of Death

[redcloak]

Hey all,

I have a MacBook Pro (Version 10.6.8) and sometimes the screen goes black. When this happens, I'm forced to restart my computer. On one occasion, some months ago, just before a gig, I had to restart my computer about five times before I could access the home screen, dock, etc. As far as I can tell, it happens when I'm running or about to run a program/application. Why does this happen and how can I fix it? Should I be looking for a new computer?

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide regarding this issue.

[Percy]

I am really no expert on computers but i can tell you that i have a Macbook pro and as far as using Traktor and controlers hooked up to it goes its only crashed once in 3 years. When it did im pretty sure it was a power spike that caused it. Try a really good surge protector. You must be a nervous wreck if it crashes that often Im sure somebody can help more but its not normal to crash that often.

[hola amigos]

Go pay and have someone look at it.

[BuRdTuRd]

Go pay and have someone look at it.

This. Or maybe try a Mac related forum for some additional info before you decide to take it somewhere?

[beatkind]

i had the same problem with my old macbook pro...the graphics card had to be changed by apple service because there was some defective contacts

[redcloak]

i had the same problem with my old macbook pro...the graphics card had to be changed by apple service because there was some defective contacts

How much was it to change the graphics card? I read on a forum that the GPU (I don't know if this is the same thing as a graphics card?) cannot be changed: https://discussions.apple.com/thread...art=0&tstart=0. Is this true? If so, it seems I'm in trouble.

Thanks for your input, everyone.

[M.Beijer]

My macbook which im writing on now, almost 2 years old.

(bought it around the same time as i bought kontrol s4 to have a tight, strong setup. However my macbook crashed alot, especially when using traktor or multitasking. It went so far that i sold my S4 and picked up cdjs instead.
After that i returned it for service and they changed the "logic board" which i think is like the mother board on a pc.
Since then it has been the workhorse i expected it to be, real stable, perhaps 1-2 crashes in last 1,5 years.
Used it with kontrol s2 + traktor for a while without hassle however atm i dont use it for djing.

[The Mighty FV]

Hey all,

I have a MacBook Pro (Version 10.6.8) and sometimes the screen goes black. When this happens, I'm forced to restart my computer. On one occasion, some months ago, just before a gig, I had to restart my computer about five times before I could access the home screen, dock, etc. As far as I can tell, it happens when I'm running or about to run a program/application. Why does this happen and how can I fix it? Should I be looking for a new computer?

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide regarding this issue.

Some months ago? And you haven't thought to take it to a professional and get it fixed? Don't be an idiot...it's worth the cash to get your set-up running smooth man.

[DJ Sunshine]

How much was it to change the graphics card? I read on a forum that the GPU (I don't know if this is the same thing as a graphics card?) cannot be changed: https://discussions.apple.com/thread...art=0&tstart=0. Is this true? If so, it seems I'm in trouble.

Thanks for your input, everyone.

This sounds like a graphics (GPU) issue as someone mentioned above. Whether it is possible to change out or not ultimately depends on multiple factors, namely what year/model the MBP and whether you have a dedicated graphics unit, or whether it is running off the processor. If you go under your computer specs and you see something along the lines of "NVIDIA GT-number-number-something," it means it has dedicated graphics, and there's a chance it can be replaced, albeit incredibly small (I doubt that Apple will look at it if it's not under AppleCare). If you don't see anything like that, you're probably running graphics off the processor, and this means you more than likely have bigger problems.

Either way, get it looked at, as it is likely to only get worse.

[hola amigos]

Some months ago? And you haven't thought to take it to a professional and get it fixed? Don't be an idiot...it's worth the cash to get your set-up running smooth man.

Exactly. The odds of you being able to repair your own computer is slim to zero.
Just make a few phone calls. Try the nearest apple store.