Black Screen - Can't Backup Harddrive

[sfogg14]

I've tried every trick in the book. My black screen is impenetrable, my keyboard is toast, and the disc in my drive won't come out.

When I say I've tried every trick- I mean it. I've been trying for two weeks to get this thing to turn on. I went to the Apple store, the Nvidia card test failed- meaning I have to pay 300 something dollars to get the hardware replaced.

So, I need to back up my computer. Problem is, the keyboard is fried and holding down T during start up doesn't have an effect. I plugged in a USB keyboard and held down T on that with no progress (It worked on the host Mac I have plugged into my comatose Macbook). The USB ports work on my Macbook Pro, because my phone can still charge from them when powered on.

15" Macbook Pro (late 2008)
connected to a 2010 Macbook Pro via Firewire.

anyone else have this issue?

 

[ezramoore]

anyone else have this issue?

You are having more than one issue.

The USB ports work on my Macbook Pro, because my phone can still charge from them when powered on.

This just means you are getting a regulated 5v, it does NOT mean that USB is working.

If you're just trying to get the data off the hard drive, I would buy an external enclosure, take the hard drive out of the dead MacBook Pro and put it in there.

 

[thundersteele]

Take the MBP apart, take out the hard disc, put it in an external enclosure (about $10 at most electronics stores), and back up your data to the other MBP, or to another external disc.


Also, which graphics card do you have? If it's the nvidia 8600 chipset, apple should replace the logic board for free: http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2377

 

[sfogg14]

Take the MBP apart, take out the hard disc, put it in an external enclosure (about $10 at most electronics stores), and back up your data to the other MBP, or to another external disc.


Also, which graphics card do you have? If it's the nvidia 8600 chipset, apple should replace the logic board for free: http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2377

taking out the hard disc seems like the way to go, i already went to the store, i have that chipset but because they couldn't retrieve the right code, the problem can't be pinned on the nvidia. lame, i know. i'm gonna have them test it again next time i go in. 300 some-odd dollars is a bit much for me right now.

thanks!

 

[thundersteele]

taking out the hard disc seems like the way to go, i already went to the store, i have that chipset but because they couldn't retrieve the right code, the problem can't be pinned on the nvidia. lame, i know. i'm gonna have them test it again next time i go in. 300 some-odd dollars is a bit much for me right now.

thanks!

When my 2008 MBP died, I agreed to have them repair it for $300 something. At that point they couldn't really tell what the problem was, just that it's probably the logic board. When I got it back they said it was for free, since the problem was due to the faulty Nvidia chip.

Make sure to ask them when you get it back, before paying. The apple "specialist" that gave me back my laptop was confused and tried to charge me the $300 although the return receipt said "warranty service, $0."

 

[sfogg14]

When my 2008 MBP died, I agreed to have them repair it for $300 something. At that point they couldn't really tell what the problem was, just that it's probably the logic board. When I got it back they said it was for free, since the problem was due to the faulty Nvidia chip.

Make sure to ask them when you get it back, before paying. The apple "specialist" that gave me back my laptop was confused and tried to charge me the $300 although the return receipt said "warranty service, $0."

this is really comforting news, i have no doubt in my mind that nvidia is the cause behind this, so i've got my fingers crossed it comes back with my money being refunded.

thanks for the prompt and helpful replies, all of you are awesome people.