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Apple fixes Macbook Pro black screen woes


Apple Inc. has issued a fix for a problem with its 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops involving intermittent black screens or loss of video. In an article describing the fix —dubbed MacBook Pro Video Update 1.0— Apple said the problem affects "a small number" of MacBook Pro computers. "(The problem) may intermittently freeze or stop displaying video on the built-in display or on an external display connected to the MacBook Pro. In this situation, you may also see a restart warning message before the video is lost or the display turns black or gray. Affected computers were manufactured between April 2010 and February 2011," it said. But it said those with computers with Mac OS X Lion (10.7) should upgrade to version 10.7.2 first, then install MacBook Pro Video Update 1.0. If the symptoms persist after installing the update, select one of the service options below. Owners of computers with OS X Snow Leopard (10.6) should contact their Apple Retail Store for local service options. "Apple will run a software diagnostic test to determine if your computer qualifies for service for this issue," it said. On the other hand, Apple said it will service affected 15-inch MacBook Pro computers free of charge until two years from date of purchase. It will also provide further extensions to this program as needed. A separate article on tech site CNET said the fix is a 70-MB update that includes new graphics drivers for all of Apple's supported GPUs, in addition to a new version of the OpenCL framework. "It appears the OpenCL technology may have been conflicting with GPU switching behaviors, resulting in the hangs and crashes that have been plaguing these MacBook Pro models when running under Lion. The update should correct the bugs in this framework and graphics drivers, and result in systems working properly again," it said. — TJD, GMA News

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