Black screen at startup

simdrum · Post by **simdrum** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 7:41 am

Is anybody having a problem with the monitor not lighting up at startup? I have a 23" cinema display, the power light is on and i hear the computer drive churing as if it was starting, but no display. I have to usually restart a few times and unplug all my MOTU gear, then i'm good to go-- any ideas?

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 6:03 am

Dang, simdrum, my monitor's always black before I boot.
Afterwards? Now that's something.

You unplug your MOTU gear then you're good to go?
Crikey!

Crazy. I sure hope someone helps you out here.

midiw · Post by **midiw** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 6:24 am

simdrum wrote:Is anybody having a problem with the monitor not lighting up at startup? I have a 23" cinema display, the power light is on and i hear the computer drive churing as if it was starting, but no display. I have to usually restart a few times and unplug all my MOTU gear, then i'm good to go-- any ideas?

Have you tried running the COMBO installer for you system. Sometimes that corrects some missing pieces.

Just visit apple's software download site and look for the COMBO version for your computer/os.

No doubt you should also do permissions repair before AND after the combo installation.

simdrum · Post by **simdrum** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 7:04 am

What is combo? I can't seem to loctae it on the apple site-- is that the full name?

midiw · Post by **midiw** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 7:29 am

simdrum wrote:What is combo? I can't seem to loctae it on the apple site-- is that the full name?

Musicians! geeezzzz ( just kidding my friend )

Since you have not disclosed what flavour etc your mac is take a look here

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/index1.html

to find the COMBO version you need.

But pay attention: if it's a IntelMac you have then get that version

and if it's a Power Mac then get that version.

If I remember correctly it should not install if you have the wrong version however pay attention as to which version.

And do the repair permissions before and after running the installer.

simdrum · Post by **simdrum** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:10 am

midiw wrote:
simdrum wrote:What is combo? I can't seem to loctae it on the apple site-- is that the full name?

Musicians! geeezzzz ( just kidding my friend )

Since you have not disclosed what flavour etc your mac is take a look here

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/index1.html

to find the COMBO version you need.

But pay attention: if it's a IntelMac you have then get that version

and if it's a Power Mac then get that version.

If I remember correctly it should not install if you have the wrong version however pay attention as to which version.

And do the repair permissions before and after running the installer.

Sorry, i didn't know you meant the combo update-- i keep up with all the software updates -- i will try the combo update though, thanks-- i've already done a permission repair (many times)...

midiw · Post by **midiw** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:49 am

You scared me man when there was no response to me suggestion. I thought that you must have really gone black. Please note that it was just a suggestion to run the combo although u won't harm anything if you do: it may solve your problem it may not solve your problem most of the time it really elps me to just run the combo. Sometimes it's that optimization near the end of the install that snaps the system back into shape.

I also recommend that you invest in a commercial utility such as TechToolPro 4.5 and DiskWarrior version 4. Believe me although they cost a few bucks they will save the day for you.

simdrum · Post by **simdrum** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:42 am

OK, I ran the combo installer and still having problems-- i ordered a copy of disk warrior, so lets just hope that clears it up---i also repaired permissions, zapped the pram.......weird...

midiw · Post by **midiw** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:02 am

simdrum wrote:OK,

weird...

Is it too late to call apple warranty?

There appears to be some contact problem since you

.... usually restart a few times and unplug all my MOTU gear,

.

Have you tried, before you power up, unplug all your MOTU gear to find out if it could possibly be the motu gear that may be shorting out the display ?

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:56 am

simdrum wrote:OK, I ran the combo installer and still having problems-- i ordered a copy of disk warrior, so lets just hope that clears it up---i also repaired permissions, zapped the pram.......weird...

Have you started up in safe mode? (Start up holding down the shift key - just like the no extensions thing in OS 9). If you have a conflict in one of your start-up items that is causing the problem, you can troubleshoot your startup items that way (eliminate and add one by one until the problem returns).

simdrum · Post by **simdrum** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:13 pm

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:
simdrum wrote:OK, I ran the combo installer and still having problems-- i ordered a copy of disk warrior, so lets just hope that clears it up---i also repaired permissions, zapped the pram.......weird...
Have you started up in safe mode? (Start up holding down the shift key - just like the no extensions thing in OS 9). If you have a conflict in one of your start-up items that is causing the problem, you can troubleshoot your startup items that way (eliminate and add one by one until the problem returns).

No good on the safe mode boot (is that what they call it on a mac?? Isn't that a PC term?) I re-installed tiger today, did all the software updates and I'm now hoping for the best...

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:19 pm

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393

simdrum · Post by **simdrum** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:33 am

My work around is now turning the computer on once, then unplugging it for 30 seconds......after that the monitor works.......weird, right?

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:41 am

simdrum wrote:My work around is now turning the computer on once, then unplugging it for 30 seconds......after that the monitor works.......weird, right?

You don't mention what computer you are using. Have you checked what time it is?

This is not as flippant as it might sound. If you internal battery is dead or dying, you might have a black screen at startup. Also, depending on what model Mac you are running, you might have a logic board issue. there are a few extended warranty offers from Apple out there, which is why the model is important.

By unplugging the computer, you might be kick starting the PMU (power management unit) and able to get passed the dead/dying battery issue.

Have you tried a different monitor???

simdrum · Post by **simdrum** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:35 am

Its a dual 2-gig G5, with a 23 apple cimema display. Is there another to check to see if it's the battery, or should I just replace it and see? Where do you get the pram batteries?

MOTUnation.com

Black screen at startup

Black screen at startup

Re: Black screen at startup

Still no deal-

Re: Still no deal-