14 DAY TRIAL // After acknowledging some video issues with 15-inch Mid 2010 MacBook Pros running Lion, Apple is now stepping up its game releasing a Video Update for Snow Leopard customers. The servicing program Apple introduced in October for affected systems is still a go.
Over at the Support Downloads section of Apple.com, Mac users are encouraged to download and install a “MacBook Pro Video Update 1.0 (Snow Leopard)” which “addresses an issue where MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2010) computers may intermittently freeze or stop displaying video.”
The file size is 51.45 MB, it applies to Mac OS X 10.6.8 and supports various languages, including Deutsch, English, Français, Español, Italiano, Nederlands, Dansk, Norsk Bokmål, Polski, Português, Português Brasileiro, Pусский, Suomi, Svensk, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
Pretty simple, right? Well, only if the update works, says Apple.
Some systems are experiencing more than a software glitch, going by a technical document that describes the issue.
“Apple has determined that a small number of MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) computers may intermittently freeze or stop displaying video on the built-in display or on an external display connected to the MacBook Pro,” reads Support document TS4088. “In this situation, you may also see a restart warning message before the video is lost or the display turns black or gray. Affected computers were manufactured between April 2010 and February 2011.”
If that’s you, Apple says to install MacBook Pro Video Update 1.0 (Snow Leopard).
If the software update doesn’t fix your troubles, then there’s only one solution left - bring it in for servicing. Customers have three service options to choose from:
Apple Retail Store. Set up an appointment with a Genius. Apple Authorized Service Provider. Find one here. Apple Technical Support. Contact us for local service options.
The company says it will run a software diagnostic test to determine if the Mac needs servicing for this particular issue.
The servicing will be free of charge, and further extensions to this program will be provided if necessary. However, the company will not extend the standard warranty coverage of the affected MacBook Pro, during servicing.