Mac desktops forum: Mac Pro goes to a black screen when idle and won't restart

I have since yesterday exactly the same problem. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks for the advice about tests. I checked also first the memory but it was ok. Then I checked my harddrive with Diskwarrior and rebuild the directory. Since then the Mac seems to work again. The last 2 days no black screen.
Uwe

Thanks for the suggestions. After two weeks of the the "black screen" problem, my computer suddenly started to work properly. I will keep the suggestions though in case it starts again. I appreciate your help.

Just checking to see if your black screen problem was ever resolved. I had a Mac Pro (Feb 2008) go through the same problem last summer and eventually had the logic board, video card, and finally the hard drive replaced before the problem was"went away." It's been 9 months and I just started having the same problems two weeks ago. I've tried all of the suggestions posted on the Apple discussion boards and still can't get the computer to boot up.

Wrong system. This thread was about Mac Pros, the big beast desktop systems, not MacBook Pros which are laptops. The MBPs have an extended repair program active relating to the defective nVidia graphics chips. There are some rather specific guidelines to that program in order to qualify, like you have to have purchased the system less than 4 years ago and the AASP has to be able to get a diagnostic code off a special diagnostic program to name a couple of the big ones. Not everyone is going to qualify.

Since this thread was about Mac Pros, there are two repair programs for the initial two Mac Pro models relating to their graphics cards as well. One is for the 7300GT and the other is for the 2600XT, so if you have a Mac Pro with one of those video cards, and you have graphical issues, then you may be able to get it fixed for free.

Both are Apple programs, so presumably they're worldwide, but I'm on the other side o' the pond from you, and then the opposite coast to boot, so can't say for certain. Just ring a nearby Apple store or even the main UK support line and have them look it up for you.

Had my late 2010 Mac Pro all unwired ready to take for service after a day troubleshooting blackscreen with no luck. Set up my old Mac Pro G5 and the two Apple cinema displays blacked out. Not the Mac? Yep. Turns out I notice both displays are plugged into an old old battery backup power supply. I plug them in directly and the problem is solved. It was the 110V power to the displays not the Mac. Allah Akbar! One clue was iTunes continued to play even after the screens went out. Got me thinking it was display card. Never realized the displays must be sensitive to proper voltage from the outlets they plug to.