MacBook display going dark...anyone else?

[tsk]

In the past day, my MacBook has been behaving oddly. At random times, the screen will go totally dim instantly and without warning (it's as if I set the display to full dim). The display is still on sorta. I can barely make out all the windows I had open, just like if you dim it all the way, but it's unusable like that. I can then close the lid, wait a sec and open it back up.

Anyone else seen this? I would note that I updated the firmware about 2 days back IIRC.

 

[mad jew]

Does it ever happen as you're using the machine or do you think it's related to the automatically dimming settings in the Energy Saver pane of System Preferences?

 

[MacBoobsPro]

As Mad Jew has said it maybe the auto energy saver kicking in to dim the display to save power. Its a bit like a screensaver but for your battery

Off topic i know but what does IIRC mean?

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

It's a known issue, and Apple are probably working on a better solution:

Intel-based Macs: Built-in display dims before sleep

Issue or symptom

The screen may dim before sleep on an Intel-based Mac's built-in display, even if the Energy Saver setting "Automatically reduce the brightness of the display before display sleep" is disabled. This setting may no longer be in effect after restarting the computer.

Products affected

• Intel-based Mac with built-in display (MacBook, MacBook Pro)

Solution

As a workaround, to temporarily stop the display from dimming before display sleep:

• Put the computer to sleep and wake it

or

• Enable the Energy Saver preferences setting "Automatically reduce the brightness of the display before display sleep," then disable it again.

Note: The issue will return each time the computer is restarted.
This document will be updated as more information becomes available.

[Link]

 

[Tinlad]

Off topic i know but what does IIRC mean?

If I Remember/Recall Correctly, IIRC.

 

[tsk]

Does it ever happen as you're using the machine or do you think it's related to the automatically dimming settings in the Energy Saver pane of System Preferences?

Yeah, it's not that. It goes off while I'm using it. Just did it 2 times in the last 5 minutes. I'm typing away, then bam... dim. It's very annoying.

 

[skunk]

It sounds like what happened to my iBook: that was caused by damage to the video cable where it passed through the hinge. As far as I'm aware, this is not a known issue with MacBooks. I'd take it in for repair immediately.

 

[quigleybc]

sheesh

so many issues with the rev A MB

makes me wary to get one...