Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

ernesto_a10 · Mar 15, 2009, 01:23 PM

Hi, i was hoping if some of you guys could tell me a possible solution for my issue; here is the thing, the display of my MacBook Pro 2.4ghz Santa Rosa doesn't turn on, it makes the startup chime and even the keyboard lits, and if i press the shotcut for iTunes it starts playing, but the problem is that my display doesn't turn on. Can someone help me please.?
Thanks...

Spheric Harlot · Mar 15, 2009, 03:02 PM

F2 for brightness?

fisherKing · Mar 15, 2009, 03:26 PM

possibilities:
zap the pram? (cmmnd-option-P-R on restart; hold it until you hear THREE chimes).

the cable to the display is loose, or damaged.

the backlight is out?

Spheric Harlot's suggestion? (always a good place to start...)

ernesto_a10 · Mar 15, 2009, 03:40 PM

noup... none of those worked, i think maybe it could be that the cable to the display is loose or damaged as you just said fisherking.

Simon · Mar 15, 2009, 03:44 PM

If it's not the brightness, you should run Apple Hardware Test. It could be the Nvidia GPU issue. If it is, Apple will fix your MBP for free. To check boot from the install DVD and hold d to run AHT. See if it reports any problems. Obviously you'll need some kind of external display to see the results.

Spheric Harlot · Mar 15, 2009, 03:46 PM

Does AHT work with an external display?

I don't think so.

Simon · Mar 15, 2009, 03:48 PM

Have you tried it or are you guessing?

Spheric Harlot · Mar 15, 2009, 03:50 PM

Nope. But I'm pretty sure it won't work.

Googling finds at least one person who couldn't get it to work with an external monitor, and I found an Apple Support document that states that AHT does not check external peripherals "such as Firewire or USB devices" (no direct mention of monitors), and all instructions for use of AHT say to disconnect everything except a keyboard, and to have the mouse connected through the keyboard, rather than directly. Presumably, AHT, being machine-specific, knows to check only for internals and can access a single USB port.

ernesto_a10 · Mar 15, 2009, 03:50 PM

i already tried it, the thing is that i can't use the AHT because i don't have an external display.

Simon · Mar 15, 2009, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot

Nope. But I'm pretty sure it won't work.

So you're guessing. I'll try it out myself tomorrow.

ernesto_a10 · Mar 15, 2009, 03:54 PM

indeed, he is.

Spheric Harlot · Mar 15, 2009, 04:05 PM

Oh. That was the question?

Of course I'm guessing. That's what "I don't think so" means.

ernesto_a10 · Mar 15, 2009, 04:18 PM

So, pretty much i am screwed.?

B Gallagher · Mar 15, 2009, 06:37 PM

Have you tried it on an external display? Find a friend who has one. Plug it into one at work/uni, whatever.

Can you see things on the display very dimly, or is it completely black?

ernesto_a10 · Mar 15, 2009, 09:16 PM

it's indeed completely black

and about the display i don't know where i'd find one, but i'll look for it.

Simon · Mar 16, 2009, 03:53 AM

OK, I've tried it out. AHT works just fine with an external display. At least in clamshell mode.

I used a 2.4 GHz MBP (same generation as the OP's) and AHT 3A124. AHT runs just like it would on the internal display.

Ernesto, if you absolutely cannot find an external display you could try an Apple dealer or AASP. I'm sure they'll let you use one of their display screens to try it out. If something pops up, you'll already be at the right place to have it fixed. It's probably the Nvidia GPU issue. Apple will fix it (IOW replace the MLB) for free even if you're out of warranty.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

ernesto_a10 · Mar 16, 2009, 09:42 AM

well first of all, thanks Simon

i´ll see where i can find the display, i´ll let you guys know if the AHT worked and if my laptop survived or not.

Spheric Harlot · Mar 16, 2009, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Simon

OK, I've tried it out. AHT works just fine with an external display. At least in clamshell mode.

Excellent. Good to know.

fisherKing · Mar 16, 2009, 11:04 AM

ernesto...try shining a flashlight thru the apple in the back; can you seen anything on the screen? (old tech trick)...

ernesto_a10 · Mar 16, 2009, 12:53 PM

i just tried it fisherKing, and nothing

i just saw the white colored light.

ChrisF · Mar 16, 2009, 12:55 PM

Given that you have a computer with a known graphics hardware problem which is demonstrating symptoms of that problem, save yourself the effort and contact Apple.

ernesto_a10 · Mar 16, 2009, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisF

Given that you have a computer with a known graphics hardware problem which is demonstrating symptoms of that problem, save yourself the effort and contact Apple.

probably that's what i should do.

ernesto_a10 · Mar 21, 2009, 08:36 AM

ok... since i don't have any apple displays, i connected the MBP to some different displays and all of them didn't recieved any signal from the MBP :S

Simon · Mar 22, 2009, 02:28 AM

You don't need an Apple display to test external video output. Pretty much anything with DVI is good enough.

Your MBP seems to be busted. Have you tried AHT? What error code did you get? You'll have to bring it in and have it fixed. But if it's related to the Nvidia issue Apple will do that for free.

ernesto_a10 · Mar 22, 2009, 10:14 AM

i can't even try to do the AHT, my MBP display doesn't react T.T

ChrisF · Mar 22, 2009, 10:19 AM

I'm not sure where you're located, but if you're in the US, odds are that you'd already have the logic board replaced and the computer returned to you by now.

ernesto_a10 · Mar 22, 2009, 10:27 AM

hehe well actually i'm not in the US right now, but i will be next week, i should take my MBP to an Apple Store then,
Oh, also, my MBP already lost it's warranty, does the Apple still covers my little issue.?

ChrisF · Mar 22, 2009, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by ernesto_a10

hehe well actually i'm not in the US right now, but i will be next week, i should take my MBP to an Apple Store then,
Oh, also, my MBP already lost it's warranty, does the Apple still covers my little issue.?

Yes, scroll up, the link about your problem is listed above in Simon's post. I'd at least try an Apple Store, but I'm not sure what the turnaround would be on your problem.

ernesto_a10 · Mar 22, 2009, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisF

Yes, scroll up, the link about your problem is listed above in Simon's post. I'd at least try an Apple Store, but I'm not sure what the turnaround would be on your problem.

Oh come on help me cheer up

i'm pretty bumped down already because of my laptop x.x