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Model A1297 / 2.66, 2.8, 2.93, or 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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Screen becomes totally black, why? (backlight still works)

Hello,

The screen of my Macbook Pro 17" (from 2007) sometimes turns totally black. This is really at random moments. Sometimes only for a second, but most of the times it lasts several hours. The backlight of the screen still works perfect, but nothing appears on the screen.

Even when I restart my MacBook, the screen maintains black. Sometimes the screen start to work properly again. But it never lasts for a long period.

I went to a shop and they said it would be the motherboard, but they couldnt say it with certainty. They said a new motherboard is around 500-800 $.

Does anyone knows what could cause this black screen?

And how I can solve it?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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It's likely a faulty LCD or inverter. While it's likely you will need to replace the LCD or inverter, it can also be the fault of a loose connection.

The first thing to do before doing anything to the laptop is to check for an image. These 2007-2008 MacBook Pros have 8600M GT GPU's that are known to fail. To do this, shine a flashlight on the display and check for a stable image that doesn't have any defects.

If there are defects, you have a motherboard problem; not an LCD or inverter problem. As far as data goes you can use a USB enclosure to retrieve it unless you used FileVault. If FileVault is used, you will need to source out a 2007-2008 machine with a good GPU or do a reflow to retrieve your data. FileVault is opt-in on many versions of MacOS, so it's very likely your drive isn't encrypted.

The first thing I recommend in cases like this is to take the computer apart and open the LCD assembly to check the cables for damage or a loose connection.

Try reconnecting the screen and see what happens. Follow this guide to access it: MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Display Inverter Replacement

If you are still having problems, the inverter may be at fault. While it's likely a bad panel, the inverter will be cheaper then a new LCD so it's worth a shot. To replace this, follow the inverter guide I linked in the previous line. Just bear in mind this system is obsolete and it's very likely finding one will be difficult without spending a lot of time to see that happen.

If you continue to have problems, the LCD is faulty. These are very hard to come by today and tend to be expensive when they do, so it may not be worth replacing it. Pull your data off with an external monitor, verify you have all of your files and either remove and destroy the drive or erase it and use the system for the remaining parts (with the exception of the motherboard, LCD, inverter, keyboard and chassis components) and use the remaining parts on other systems. However if you still want to replace the LCD, here's the guide: MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 LCD Replacement

MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Display Inverter Image

Guide

MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 Display Inverter Replacement

Difficulty:

Moderate

MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 LCD Image

Guide

MacBook Pro 17" Models A1151 A1212 A1229 and A1261 LCD Replacement

Difficulty:

Difficult

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check out the screen panel. move the screen to different angels if screen goes black and at some angels came back to normal or shows some different activity means lines or anything else. then it should be a display flex only not the screen or motherboard. is screen still black at all angels then it should be the flex or motherboard. if on a black screen situation check with the on the other display (connect to other lcd or moniter). if same then contact apple they are replacing the mother board at free of cost . check it on a apple website under the support column :

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

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I have the same Problem like bb9797, (but my Model is Mid 2008)

the LCD will go dark - the Background-Lid still lights.

when i shake the Macbook to front and back to me so the screen comes back when i close the mac to let it sleep and open it up after a second - the LCD works !

AND: the DVI-Output still works when the LCD goes black !

Maybe the flexcable is blank on a spot or something ?

I went to a Apple-Technican, and he test the device - but he says ist was not the NVIDEA-Problem.

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