MacBook Air Won't Turn On

[rainbowcat]

Yesterday I got a black screen when I opened it. Charged the battery for 12 hours and it was fine. Today I have a black screen again, and nothing works. I've plugged in the charger, and it's green, so it's fully charged. The laptop is only a little over a year old, running Mavericks. All suggestions greatly appreciated!

 

[pigoo3]

Try an SMC Reset:

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

- Nick

 

[rainbowcat]

Try an SMC Reset:

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

- Nick

Thanks Nick, but I can't do anything - the thing is completely dead. I've tried com-opt R P too - nothing. The screen is completely black, track pad unresponsive, mouse unresponsive, no chimes - nothin'.

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks Nick, but I can't do anything - the thing is completely dead. I've tried com-opt R P too - nothing. The screen is completely black, track pad unresponsive, mouse unresponsive, no chimes - nothin'.

Ok…sorry about that. I didn't realize it was completely dead.

So in post #1 you mentioned that you "Charged the battery for 12 hours and it was fine." When you say "fine"…what does that mean (operationally speaking)?

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

Oh dear, it sounds like another 2013 MacBook Air Black Screen of Death strikes again.

Best to call your local Apple support place for their advice.

Black screen mystery hits MacBook Airs - 23ABC News

And various web searches like:
https://www.google.ca/search?client...&oe=UTF-8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=Oyz-U4GeHpHn-QO8o4CwAg
or
https://www.google.ca/search?client...TF-8&oe=UTF-8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=dS3-U4uiI5WHoQS7Yw

Maybe they'll cover any fix or repair even if the basic one year AppleCare has expired. They should for such a wide spread problem.

 

[rainbowcat]

Ok…sorry about that. I didn't realize it was completely dead.

So in post #1 you mentioned that you "Charged the battery for 12 hours and it was fine." When you say "fine"…what does that mean (operationally speaking)?

- Nick

No apology necessary when you are generous enough to help! "Fine" meant everything worked, and I backed it up (again) just in case. I was able to use everything properly, and then I put it to sleep. Seems it died in its sleep. It is a 2013 Air, so I guess I've got the problem mentioned below. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't something I could fix, b/c the nearest Apple store to me is 1 1/2 hours away.
Thanks for trying.

 

[rainbowcat]

Oh dear, it sounds like another 2013 MacBook Air Black Screen of Death strikes again.

Best to call your local Apple support place for their advice.

Black screen mystery hits MacBook Airs - 23ABC News

And various web searches like:
https://www.google.ca/search?client...&oe=UTF-8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=Oyz-U4GeHpHn-QO8o4CwAg
or
https://www.google.ca/search?client...TF-8&oe=UTF-8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=dS3-U4uiI5WHoQS7Yw

Maybe they'll cover any fix or repair even if the basic one year AppleCare has expired. They should for such a wide spread problem.

It's a 2013 Air, so I guess it has the mystery black screen of death. Thank you for links, and we're off to the Genius Bar.

 

[pigoo3]

It's a 2013 Air, so I guess it has the mystery black screen of death. Thank you for links, and we're off to the Genius Bar.

I know you mentioned that the nearest Apple Store was 1.5 hours away. But heading there may be the best thing to do. Look at it on the positive side. Make a day of it…plan some other activities…have a good time!

Good luck at the store…please let us know how things turn out.

- Nick

 

[rainbowcat]

I know you mentioned that the nearest Apple Store was 1.5 hours away. But heading there may be the best thing to do. Look at it on the positive side. Make a day of it…plan some other activities…have a good time!

Good luck at the store…please let us know how things turn out.

- Nick

Thanks Nick. We'll go out for lunch, and probably dinner too - depending on how long it takes to fix this. I don't mind the visit - just the cost.... Will let you know what happens.

 

[pm-r]

I'm sorry to have been the bearer of possible bad news with my 2013 MacBook Air Black Screen of Death post, but it seems to fit your description.

But before you make the long trip, you could try just shutting down your MBAir and leave it off for several hours. It may just "recover" on it's own.

If was easier with a MBAir, I'd also suggest removing its battery, but it seems that Apple doesn't like you doing that.

Anyway, good luck.

 

[rainbowcat]

I'm sorry to have been the bearer of possible bad news with my 2013 MacBook Air Black Screen of Death post, but it seems to fit your description.

But before you make the long trip, you could try just shutting down your MBAir and leave it off for several hours. It may just "recover" on it's own.

If was easier with a MBAir, I'd also suggest removing its battery, but it seems that Apple doesn't like you doing that.

Anyway, good luck.

I can't shut it down - it shut itself down, quite dead, and won't do anything. You're right that messing about with the battery makes Apple very unhappy. Thanks for trying!

 

[pm-r]

OK, I'm sorry and didn't realize that it was actually that dead.

 

[rainbowcat]

OK, I'm sorry and didn't realize that it was actually that dead.

I appreciate your input! I just hope it's not really dead, and Apple doesn't put an RIP sticker on it and tell me I need a new one!

 

[pm-r]

Just a long shot here, but maybe worth a try for this I just came across at:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5227365?start=15&tstart=0

"To anyone having this problem that the macbook air 2013 won't start or even give lifesigns exept for the magsafe charger LED!

I tried reseting SMC.

Keep the lid a little open (thats what i did) and keep it in a firm grip to make sure you hold it.

THEN SHAKE IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT!
Then press the start button.
Done.

This will set of the SMS (sudden motion sensor), and in doing so, this solved my problem.

Now everything works like a charm!"

Followed by several typical comments like:
"Holy crap! My computer was doing this, I completely thought your post was a joke. And it actually worked! Thank you! I was completely freaking out."

Who knows...??? Just maybe!!

 

[pigoo3]

I don't mind the visit - just the cost....

- Maybe if this "black screen of death" is a common issue with 2013 MacBook Air's.
- Maybe since you are just out of warranty.
- Maybe with a lot of sweet-talking and smiling on your part!
- And maybe with some flexibility from the Apple folks...

They will take care of everything for free...or fix it for a reasonable amount!

Fingers crossed!

- Nick

p.s. Of course you could also try "pm-r's" shake test before going as well!

 

[Rod]

Very interesting thread this. I had a daughter of a friend of mine call around about a week ago with same model MBA and exactly the same problem as rainbowcat. After trying fruitlessly to start this thing up for about 10 mins I received a phone call and needing to reach for the phone I slapped down the MBA on the couch, not hard mind you just a bit of a slap onto a cushion and as I grabbed the phone I saw out of the corner of my eye the login screen come on the MBA. So pm-r looks like you have found a mechanical solution to a technical problem. Like rainbowcat her AppleCare had run out 2 months befor but I advised her to take it to her local Apple Service Centre, explain the issue and see if they would extend her warrenty just in case. It's working fine now but this is obviously a widespread problem and may happen again anytime.

 

[rainbowcat]

Very interesting thread this. I had a daughter of a friend of mine call around about a week ago with same model MBA and exactly the same problem as rainbowcat. After trying fruitlessly to start this thing up for about 10 mins I received a phone call and needing to reach for the phone I slapped down the MBA on the couch, not hard mind you just a bit of a slap onto a cushion and as I grabbed the phone I saw out of the corner of my eye the login screen come on the MBA. So pm-r looks like you have found a mechanical solution to a technical problem. Like rainbowcat her AppleCare had run out 2 months befor but I advised her to take it to her local Apple Service Centre, explain the issue and see if they would extend her warrenty just in case. It's working fine now but this is obviously a widespread problem and may happen again anytime.

Just tried it; no luck. The laptop is completely unresponsive - keyboard lights weren't even on last night. I work in educational tech integration, and I'm SO worried that I'll be presenting at a workshop and this will randomly happen again. Hoping the Genius Bar has an ingenious solution and a guarantee....

 

[rainbowcat]

Final word from Apple - logic board is dead. They sent the laptop off to Texas to be repaired for $280.

Many thanks to everyone for being so helpful.

 

[pigoo3]

Well…it's good to know the actual source of the issue. And with a bad logic board…that would explain why nothing we tried got it going.

$280 for a logic board replacement/repair is not as bad as it could be. I've many times seen prices of $400, $500, and more quoted. Of course different logic boards may have different prices.

Hopefully Apple is going to ship the computer to your home (if that's what you want)…so you don't have to make another long trip.

Thanks for the update,

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

Thanks for the feedback rainbowcat and a bit of a bummer about the kaput logic board and I guess that's what their diagnostics test showed.

I'm sorry the Super Shake bit didn't work, but it might have been a bit unnerving if it had but wondering when it might go goofy again - and no doubt right in the middle of one of your presentations!!!

Did they indicate any hint of some AppleCare extension to cover the repairs? At least it's no too bad.