[Ted L. Nancy]

After selecting install and restart in Software Update, my MBP's screen never came on. The computer looks and sounds like it turns on (I hear the chime, hear the hard drive spinning, and see the light on the screen latch button). (Even the keyboard backlight seems to work properly.) This problem persists if I force the computer off and then turn it back on.

I've tried resetting the PRAM, resetting the SMC, and adjusting the brightness while the computer is "on." The screen won't even turn on if I try to boot from the Leopard install disc.

[Cold Warrior]

Do you have an external monitor you can hook it up to? How long have you let it sit there after pressing the power on button?

[idykenano]

If you don't have an external monitor, try telling it to detect displays (F6 I believe).

[Ted L. Nancy]

I just phoned AppleCare, and they are sending me a box (arriving Tuesday). I'm out of town at the moment, but I'll be back home tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon. So before sending in my computer, I'll try the troubleshooting steps recommended above. Thanks for the help.

As an aside, can somebody give me some insight into recovering Time Machine backups on Time Capsule? If I send in my computer and Apple erases the HD, which they've done to me before, I'm anxious about relying solely on my latest (2 weeks ago since I'm out of town) TM backup. I also have a mirrored copy of my HD, but how do I recover from the TM backup if I decide to go that route first? Any reliability issues? Anything of which I should be aware?

One last question: Some family members I am visiting have informed me that they've heard of problems that occur when using the Software Update application, as opposed to downloading and installing updates manually. Is there any truth to this?

[idykenano]

I update about 30 macs (g3 imacs, g4 emacs, g4 and intel minis, and macbooks) about 5 times a year for the last 2-3 years using software update and have never had a problem. That said, anytime you mess with the operating system at all, you get a little closer, you know? I can't attest to software update vs manual because I've only every used software update, but I've also never had a problem...

[Ted L. Nancy]

I suppose this explains it all:

MacNN | Santa Rosa MacBook Pros experience video failures

This update is a few weeks late, but I did get Apple to repair everything under AppleCare. I guess now, according to the links in that article, I'm supposed to sit and wait to see if it happens again...