MacBook (March 2009) screen blacks out

Hi,
I have a white MacBook (March, 2009) running Leopard, and currently
the screen keeps blacking out, even while the unit is fully connected to
power, and the battery is fully recharged overnight. I don't even have
time to go into Settings. I have tried closing the MacBook, and then
opening it after a while, within 2 seconds, the MacBook screen blacks
out.
I have done a hard shut down and restart, but still have the same problem.
I've even inserted the Leopard installation CD, but still it keeps happening.
I am really worried that I will have to take it for a repair. But is there any
other solution?
Thanks, Sandeep.

I tried the battery remove and reinstall procedure, and it didn't work the first time, maybe because I didn't give the battery enough rest.
I've done it a second time, and will try again in 2 or 3 hours, to see if it works.
If not, I will have to take into the service centre.
Thanks, Sandeep.

Similar Messages

IMac late 2009, screen blacks out running Yosemite 10.10.2

My iMac's screen blacks out for no apparent reason, and the computer is still running normally. But I can't see it.
I thought temperatures were to blame, resetted fans with Macs fan control to speeds, where everything is nice and cool, the problem persists.
The screen might black out, for no apparent reason while working, or when idle. Trying to restart manually, it might black out while in the login screen, or even the apple logo. Or it might even restart normally and work for 8 hours. I have been trying to leave login items out, even Macs fan control an iStats, and the problem remains.
If I clear PRAM while rebooting, I might get a new lease of working life, but not persistently.
The problem started around two months AFTER I installed yosemite and with no new programs installed at the time.
Please Help.

And an Etrecheck
Problem description:
iMac screen blacks out in yosemite
EtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)
Report generated 1April, 2015 at 15:20:46 GMT+3
Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck
Click the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.
Hardware Information: ℹ️
    iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) (Technical Specifications)
    iMac - model: iMac10,1
    1 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core
    8 GB RAM Upgradeable
        BANK 0/DIMM0
            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
        BANK 1/DIMM0
            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
        BANK 0/DIMM1
            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
        BANK 1/DIMM1
            2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
    Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
    Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Video Information: ℹ️
    ATI Radeon HD 4850 - VRAM: 512 MB
        iMac 2560 x 1440
System Software: ℹ️
    OS X 10.10.2 (14C1514) - Time since boot: 1:12:55
Disk Information: ℹ️
    Hitachi HDE721010SLA330 disk0 : (1 TB)
        EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
        Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.21 GB (554.08 GB free)
        Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
    OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H
USB Information: ℹ️
    Logitech USB Receiver
    Apple Inc. Built-in iSight
    Generic USB Storage
    Apple Internal Memory Card Reader
    Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600
    Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
    Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub
        Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Gatekeeper: ℹ️
    Anywhere
Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
        /Library/Application Support/Avast/components/fileshield/unsigned
    [loaded]    com.avast.AvastFileShield (2.1.0 - SDK 10.10) [Click for support]
        /Library/Application Support/Avast/components/proxy/unsigned
    [loaded]    com.avast.PacketForwarder (2.0 - SDK 10.10) [Click for support]
        /Library/Extensions
    [loaded]    com.driver.LogJoystick (2.0 - SDK 10.9) [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.logitech.driver.LogiGamingMouseFilter (1 - SDK 10.8) [Click for support]
        /Users/[redacted]/Library/Services/ToastIt.service/Contents/MacOS
    [not loaded]    com.roxio.TDIXController (2.0) [Click for support]
Startup Items: ℹ️
    TuxeraNTFSUnmountHelper: Path: /Library/StartupItems/TuxeraNTFSUnmountHelper
    Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite
Launch Agents: ℹ️
    [not loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.avast.update-agent.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.avast.userinit.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusagent.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusnotifications.plist [Click for support]
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.avast.init.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.avast.uninstall.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.avast.update.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.bjango.istatmenusdaemon.plist [Click for support]
    [running]    com.bombich.ccchelper.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.torch.update.agent.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    net.freemacsoft.LiteIcon.LIHelperTool.plist [Click for support]
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
    [loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.avast.home.userinit.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]
    [failed]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.autostart.plist [Click for support]
    [loaded]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.backupstart.plist [Click for support]
    [failed]    com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.notify.plist [Click for support]
User Login Items: ℹ️
    Macs Fan Control    Application (/Applications/Macs Fan Control.app)
    Dropbox    Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)
    Logitech Gaming Software    Application Hidden (/Applications/Logitech/Logitech Gaming Software.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
    FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 17.0.0.134 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
    Flash Player: Version: 17.0.0.134 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10
    Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 4.6.1f1 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30514.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]
    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 15.0.0 - SDK 10.10 Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
    RealPlayer Plugin: Version: Unknown [Click for support]
    Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Click for support]
Safari Extensions: ℹ️
    AllMyTube
    GMail Counter
    SPOI Options
    Ultimate Status Bar
    SuperDrag
    Stop/Reload Button
    AdBlock
    YoutubeWide
    Magic Scroll
    ZoomBySite
    AllPagesZoom
    ClickToFlash
Audio Plug-ins: ℹ️
    DVCPROHDAudio: Version: 1.3.2
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
    Flash Player [Click for support]
    Perian [Click for support]
    Tuxera NTFS [Click for support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
    Time Machine not configured!
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
         9%    mds
         5%    WindowServer
         3%    storedownloadd
         3%    MacsFanControl
         2%    com.avast.proxy
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
    438 MB    softwareupdated
    292 MB    Safari
    163 MB    com.avast.daemon
    160 MB    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent
    112 MB    iStatMenusDaemon
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
    3.28 GB    Free RAM
    3.84 GB    Active RAM
    624 MB    Inactive RAM
    739 MB    Wired RAM
    2.52 GB    Page-ins
    53 MB    Page-outs
Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
    Apr 1, 2015, 02:05:41 PM    Self test - passed
    Apr 1, 2015, 11:51:03 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.AmbientDisplayAgent_2015-04-01-115103 _[redacted].crash
    Mar 31, 2015, 04:43:57 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ntfs-3g_2015-03-31-164357_[redacted].crash
    Mar 31, 2015, 04:39:52 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ntfs-3g_2015-03-31-163952_[redacted].crash
    Mar 31, 2015, 12:38:13 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/ntfs-3g_2015-03-31-123813_[redacted].crash
    Mar 31, 2015, 04:16:25 AM    /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/garcon_2015-03-31-041625_[reda cted].crash
    Mar 31, 2015, 03:06:27 AM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.AmbientDisplayAgent_2015-03-31-030627 _[redacted].crash

Macbook pro screen blacks out

I just bought my first Mac. I have noticed since I received it a couple weeks ago, that the screen blacks out occasionally. I am pretty sure this mostly happens when I am in Safari. Any ideas why? This will happen with my ipad 1 every once in a while too. It will black out and revery back to the home screen.

You should take it into the store as it certainly could be a hardware problem. In my case, however, i didn't notice it when I was on Lion, noticed it on ML, and then haven't seen this problem again since downgrading to Lion.
Since your problem is intermittent, it might be hard to produce at the store. So, you might want to try to capture it on video before you go to the store so you have something you can show them.

Screens black out when starting program

I don't know where to ask this since it is more related to CS4 in general. I mostly use InDesign, but the two moderators on that forum are trolls. I hope it's better here.
All screens black out for few seconds while starting or closing the following in Adobe CS4:
InDesign, Fireworks, Bridge, Device Central, Media Encoder
This does npot happen with other programs I've found or other programs in the CS4 suite.
Don’t know if this is a software issue or a graphics issue. Everything still works, but it's very annoying.
System
i7 processor
Win7 64 bit
Quadro NVS 450 graphics card
Three NEC EA190M monitors
8Gb memory

Black screens are a well known Windows 7 problem.
http://www.ghacks.net/2009/12/01/windows-7-black-screen-of-death-fix/

My ipod screen blacked out and wont let me see anything but it will play music

my ipod screen blacked out and wont let me see anything but it will play music. how can i fix it or cani get a new one?

- A reset. Nothing is lost
Reset iPod touch: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Restore from backup
- Restore to factory settings/new iPod
If you still have the problem that indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
If not under warranty, Apple will exchange your iPod for a refurbished one for this price:
Apple - Support - iPod - Repair pricing
A third-party place might be less expensive. Here is one. Google for more.
iPhone Repair, Service & Parts: iPod Touch, iPad, MacBook Pro Screens

14" iBook screen blacks out

This is the third time it's done it today and the 5th time ever. My AppleCare ran out the middle of March, so I guess they are right on in determining when it's time to get a new computer.
When it blacks out, it just goes immediately, no flickering, no warning whatsoever. I can still see the desktop underneath the black and I can still move the cursor. I don't know anything what the insides are like, but the apple light on the top of the case goes out when the screen blacks out.
When I closed the top and opened it again, it brought the screen back up right away. But this last time, it took a few closing and openings to get it to come back up, making me think it's going to get worse.
Last week was the first time it ever went black. I initially thought it was falling in to sleep mode and held down the power key to get it to reboot. I'm pretty sure sleep has nothing to do with it, but I set my display to not go to sleep at all today to find out. It's blacked out twice since.
I don't use a screen saver, it's happened on battery and power adapter. Other people have mentioned the fan not running, I can't remember ever hearing my fan run or else it's just so quiet I can't tell the difference between it and the hard drive.
My iBook is a late 2004 model 14" 1.33 and, I just upgraded to Tiger (coincidence?) There have been no other problems to speak of other than the keyboard losing letters, battery needing to be replaced and the usual airport glitches. It hasn't been dropped or spilled on. Any suggestions on how to fix this and what I might be looking at when/if taking apart the screen?

It sounds like you might have a bad inverter cable, especially since it is affected by the position of the display. I think this is just a mechanical failure of the cable caused by many openings and closings of the display.
You might check out the troubleshooting section of the ifixit site and read about the inverter cable and see if it sounds like what is happening to you. I gather it is a real job to replace it. Ifixit and Powerbookmedic would be two good resources:
http://www.ifixit.com/
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/
Since the job is considered very difficult, I'm not sure there are any instructions on how to do this on these sites. But there is another manual that might be helpful:
http://node123.cit.geneseo.edu/~stratton/ServiceManuals/
This is just the index. You will have to find the one for your iBook. Powerbookmedic also has a good manual.
It may also be possible to repair the cable, but I don't know. Spudnuty is the real expert here, and hopefully he will see this and be able to offer you more specific advice.
Good luck!

Screen blacks out after a few seconds and won't return to normal state.

I have the 30 gig ipod photo that i got about a year and a half ago. Whenever I look at the screen to access music or anything, the screen blacks out like there's a screensaver or something and won't return back to normal. Even after I reset it, it stays normal for a few seconds and then blacks out again. The backlighting still works so it's just a bright black screen and I have function of the click wheel because it clicks everytime I move up or down. I already tried restoring it so I am all out of options. Anyone PLEASE HELP!!! Thanks
Steve

This happens rarely but consistently! I't seems to happen about 5% of the time waking from sleep. It MAY be more prone to happen if I had been moving with it in my bag, but it can happen at any waking time after any duration of sleep.

Ver 10.0.1. Entire screen blacks out for a few seconds when scrolling.

I recently updated to Reader X 10.0.1. Now when I scroll through a large document my entire screen blacks out for a few seconds. So far it has recovered. I get an error message saying that the NVidia nView driver (ver. 135.50) has stopped responding. I am running Windows 7 Pro on an HP Laptop, feeding to a large Samsung monitor. Never happened prior to this update. Any fixes/ideas?

You are still under warranty. Call Apple Care. Make sure you get a case number as all repairs have an additional 90 days of warranty.
#1 - You have 14 days from the date of purchase to return your computer with no questions asked.
#2 - You have 90 days of FREE phone tech support.
#3 - You have the standard one year Apple warranty.
#4 - If you've purchased an AppleCare Protection Plan, your warranty last for 3 years. You can obtain AppleCare anytime up to the first year of the purchase of your computer.
Take FULL advantage of your warranty. Posting on a message board should be done as a last resort and if you are out of warranty or Apple Care has expired.

Screen blacks out for a few seconds occassionally

Sometimes my screen blacks out for a few seconds, then comes back on again. I have an original Titanium powerbook. Is this a warning signal of worse to come? I know I should replace the computer soon, but it's working just fine for now. I just don't want it to die before I've moved on to a new machine.

Hi Julie,
Obviously no one can predict with certainty what the future will bring, but if I were in your shoes, I would certainly think there was worse to come.
Many things could be causing this, but it sounds like a short circuit or bad connection, possibly with the display cables running through the hinges, or where they connect to the logic board. It could also be a sign of the display dying, though they usually just get dimmer and dimmer or simply die.
Does the "blinking" correspond to any movement of the PB?

Random laptop screen Black out / Turn off .

Hi,
first of all my laptop is : HP Pavilion dv6-6160se Entertainment Notebook
to the problem now
A few days ago my laptops screen started out of a sudden shutting down/turning black( no lights at all ). This was happening while using the laptop at random. The screen had no lights, and if i use a flashlight on it there is nothing. like its turned off completelly.
Before this happens. Ths behavior varies. Sometimes it flickers from my desktop to a black screen then back on and some times not. Most of the times screen changed to a radom color (green mostly) then becomes black/shuts down.
NOTE: The laptop keeps runing, i can hear the videos playing so it probably isnt a gpu chip or gpu issue , music and games.
I searched the web for all kind of reasons that this could happen and tried some of the fixes .
Here are everything i tried and all or the details i could accumulate in past coupe of days:
1. If the screen flickers , blacks out and then turns back on i get a message that gpu drivers have stopped working and recovered ( on both amd and intel ).
2. If the screen blacks out, on rare ocasions if you close the laptop lid and let the laptop go to sleep , when waking up screen works again ( noticable due to screen moving)
3. I tried installing 4 different drivers all with clear install. ( didn't work)
4. I tried to to recover system with restore point. ( didn't work)
5. I tried to lower the screen brightness. ( didn't work)
6. tried this trick:
Turn off laptop
Remove battery
Hold the power buttong for 30-45 seconds
Plug-in the charger ( dont put the battery in )
Turn on laptop and see if it works.
Very Noticable details:
7. Since on of the rare fixes requires to move the lid i tried shaking the screen a bit or pushing it slightly to different directions. This actually does the trick and turns the screen back on ( i am right now typing this after using this "trick"
So, with this one as a hint there are a couple of stuff i have in mind but i am not sure and need help since i am not a technician.
a) There is a loose LCD cable and when i type a little vibration moves it and ends up in a black screen.
b) I read that if you use a flashlight and you cant see your desktop it means its a bad inverter.
c) Can the inverter have a lose cabe instead of the lcd ?
That's all the feedback i could give you that i can recall now.
Currecntly the screen looks ok ( maybe its the certain angle it has after i moved it so i would aprecciate a fast reply before it goes black again
EDIT: Tried to play a game for a few mins and i got the black screen again. Closed the lid so the laptop goes in sleep mode then opened it and it worked. Just for the records.
EDIT#2: Just tried to play a game again. got the blackscreen, shaked the screen a bit and it worked but for the 1st time i get the message " Application has been blocked from accessing graphics hardware" , Can it be that its the GPU after all or maybe drivers?
EDIT#3: Tried to play a game again and it seem to trigger the issue . ( i am currently running the laptop with only the intel drivers installed)
thanks in advance
Sincerely,
Ntas
P.S. Please feel free to ask me any question if you need more information, i am not a laptop expert but i know more than the average person
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hi @Ntas
I have read through your post and it seems there are a couple of possibilities, and I noted that you have already tried several of the things I would normally suggest.
I will however post some of those links anyway for you to review, it is always possible there may be something in one of them that may have been missed or may inspire an idea of the cause. Since you mentioned that sometimes just moving the screen will cause the problem or make it disappear, that does seem like either a loose connection or maybe something like pressure on a part of the display causing the issue. Of course that last part may just mean the display is on its last legs, but hopefully not.
First I will give you a link to the service manual, to help you check the connections. Just be careful to read the sections on precautions, to protect yourself and to prevent any other damage.This manual is also useful in that it lists all the compatible parts, so if the display is defective you could use this guide to help order a compatible replacement if you choose to do so. HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook PC - Maintenance and Service Guide
Here are some other sources, that may be helpful to you.
Resolving Problems with Notebook Displays (Windows 7 and Windows 8)
Diagnosing a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) for Damage
Also for your convenience here is the drivers page for your notebook.
HP Pavilion dv6-6160se Entertainment Notebook PC Drivers
I hope this all helps.
Malygris1
I work on behalf of HP
Please click Accept as Solution if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click Kudos Thumbs Up on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!

HT1212 my iphone 5's screen blacks out every now and then. the phone is turned on but the screen is black and i can receive calls. what is wrong with my phone

my iphone 5's screen blacks out every now and then. the phone is turned on but the screen is black and i can receive calls. what is wrong with my phone?

I have to believe this has something to do with iOS 7 issues. I have taken my screen blacked out 5s twice to the Genius Bar and the found a bunch of system apps had crashed. So if this is the case, is iOS7 the problem?

I dropped my ipad and the screen blacked out and could not be turned on even after pressing the sleep and home button

I dropped my ipad and the screen blacked out and could not be turned on even after pressing the sleep and home button.
I tried connecting the device to my computer and itunes said that it could not identify my device.

What to Do When Your iPad Won't Turn On
http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad_Troubleshooting/ss/What-To-Do-When-Your-Ipad-Wo-No t-Turn-On.htm
iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3281
iPad Frozen? How to Force Quit an App, Reset or Restart Your iPad
http://ipadacademy.com/2010/11/ipad-frozen-how-to-force-quit-an-app-reset-or-res tart-your-ipad
iPad: Basic troubleshooting
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3274
 Cheers, Tom

Screen blacking out?

I am curious to know if anyone else has had an issue with their screen blacking out while using the number keys during a call? This has happened four times to me, and I called Verizon, but thought maybe I had put my finger on the on/off switch by accident. However, this happened Saturday again, and I was SURE I did not touch that area of the phone. Please let me know if this has happened to you so we can document this issue with Verizon/HTC.

I am having the same issue. It blacks out or the screen flashes like it is "waking up" but doesnt fully wake up. It has happened on and off over the past two weeks. I thought it was due to a message coming through or a call but that's not the case. I will have to bring it in to see if it should be replaced. I am also experiencing ALOT of dropped calls. I have reset the phone but the issue happens as soon as I try to make the call again..... It driving me nuts.

G580- Screen blacks out when power supply is not plugged in to the laptop

My laptop is just 3 months old and I am already having problems with it.
The laptop screen blacks out when i remove the power supply from it.
When plugged in , it starts workin again.
Whats the point of a laptop if i am not able to use it without plugging in??
I don kno what the probelm is. Can anyone help here pls...
Cheers
Vaish

Hi Vaish,
I’d like to help you with this issue as we can try to increase the Brightness of the screen from the power options while plugged in,
And then please if still the same we can try to uninstall the Lenovo Energy management and reinstall it back:
Lenovo Energy Management for Microsoft Windows 8
Lenovo Energy Management for Microsoft Windows 7
Hope the information helps. Let us know.
Regards
Soha
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Windows XP mouse halted and screen blacked out!

When I boot up with boot camp and dragging some windows size (like IE or Excel). The mouse pointer halted and after a few seconds the screen blacked out just like the machines is turned off. However, I discovered that the system is still running. I can perform the shut down action by input from the keyboard.
The problem does not exist when I start windows xp through VMware Fusion.
Did anyone encounter the same problem??
I just bought the iMac a few days.

Thanks for your reply, I have a wireless mouse/keyboard & called manufacturer to test both & they told me to plug the wired ones in & they did not work & the laptop has no plug for wired ones because those have rounded ends, laptop has wrong size/shape usb ports, so there is no way to test them on laptop, so now I'm hoping you or someone has an idea of what to do next, thank you for your ideas.
Teddy2014 wrote:
had the same issue, un plugged mouse, reconnected in another port and it worked. Bought another mouse, all is well

MacBook (March 2009) screen blacks out

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