I know this is a common problem, but a search revealed that there are multiple variations, causes, and solutions, so I'm posting my variation: I have an early 2008 MBP, 15", 2.4 GHz, 4 GB of RAM, an upgraded 320 GB 7200 RPM WD Scorpio hard drive, and running the latest version of Lion. I also have a powered USB hub with various devices connected. I usually keep my MBP in closed-clamshell mode, connected to an external Samsung monitor via the DVI connector. For a long time, I experienced the sporadic problem where either 1) clicking the mouse or keyboard wouldn't wake my MBP or monitor from sleep, or 2) it would wake my MBP and monitor from sleep, but whatever had last been on screen would be frozen there. Moving the mouse would start erasing the screen with gray, pixellated blocks. Sometimes the solution was to open my MBP and quickly press the power button, which would bring up the login screen. At other times, I'd have to do a hard reset.
One day last December, a hard reset wouldn't power my MBP on; the power light would flash for a couple seconds, and then the computer would immediately shut down. I took it to the Genius Bar. They diagnosed it as a faulty logic board, which they replaced for $320. I asked about the known graphics-adapter issue, and they said they tested it, and it was fine.
Well, here it is, three months later, and the wake-from-sleep problems are starting again. My AppleCare protection ran out two weeks ago. I have no idea whether the wake-from-sleep issues were related to the logic board failure, but they'd been going on for a over a year before the logic board completely failed. The problem is annoying, but I can live with it if there's no fix. Is there a fix, though? Is the problem with the logic board or graphics adapter? Could an external USB device be causing it?
My bigger concern is whether it's on its way to another logic board failure. The computer is starting to show its age, running a bit slowly on apps such as Aperture and Logic, but it's still usable for what I do, and I'd rather not spend money on a new computer now if I don't have to. I've been contemplating putting in either a 750 GB drive (my 320 is almost full) or a 128GB SSD and off-loading my media to an external drive. Either option would speed up this computer and give it another couple years of useful life. However, I don't want to put more money into it if it's likely to fail again in the near future - in which case, it makes more sense to bite the bullet and buy a new computer when the Ivy Bridge models come out. Has anyone been in a similar situation with the 2008 MBP, where you replaced the logic board or graphic adapter, and it failed again?
One day last December, a hard reset wouldn't power my MBP on; the power light would flash for a couple seconds, and then the computer would immediately shut down. I took it to the Genius Bar. They diagnosed it as a faulty logic board, which they replaced for $320. I asked about the known graphics-adapter issue, and they said they tested it, and it was fine.
Well, here it is, three months later, and the wake-from-sleep problems are starting again. My AppleCare protection ran out two weeks ago. I have no idea whether the wake-from-sleep issues were related to the logic board failure, but they'd been going on for a over a year before the logic board completely failed. The problem is annoying, but I can live with it if there's no fix. Is there a fix, though? Is the problem with the logic board or graphics adapter? Could an external USB device be causing it?
My bigger concern is whether it's on its way to another logic board failure. The computer is starting to show its age, running a bit slowly on apps such as Aperture and Logic, but it's still usable for what I do, and I'd rather not spend money on a new computer now if I don't have to. I've been contemplating putting in either a 750 GB drive (my 320 is almost full) or a 128GB SSD and off-loading my media to an external drive. Either option would speed up this computer and give it another couple years of useful life. However, I don't want to put more money into it if it's likely to fail again in the near future - in which case, it makes more sense to bite the bullet and buy a new computer when the Ivy Bridge models come out. Has anyone been in a similar situation with the 2008 MBP, where you replaced the logic board or graphic adapter, and it failed again?