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Unibody 17" MacBook Pro 9600M broken gfx card?

C

Crighten

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 3, 2009
8
0
Has anyone had any issues with the 9600m card. I have been getting blue lines that go away with a reset. They have been takling about this on the Apple Support site Discussions. When I called Apple they want me to send it in for repair. They will not replace since they shipped in on the 19th (over 14 days ago).

These are pics from the Apple Support site Discussions and show the exact problem I have been having.
 

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There was another member on this forum that is having similar issues. Some say it's a firmware problem that can be fixed if a firmware update is released. At this point, it's really up to you if you want to go back to the Apple Store and have them replace the unit for you.
 
If you got the stock model, then it would be well worth trading it in for a new one. Hopefully an Apple store near you will have some out back and just swap it straight for you, minimising any down time without a Mac.

You can try to chance it out and see what happens... Though I don't get a good feeling about the whole situation.
 
It was not stock. I am trying to get them to send a new one. I do not like the idea of having my brand new MacBook taken apart. This is my first mac so I am not sure how good they are at repairs. Every time I sent my HP for repairs it came back with more problems than it had when i sent it in.
 
Crighten said:
It was not stock. I am trying to get them to send a new one. I do not like the idea of having my brand new MacBook taken apart. This is my first mac so I am not sure how good they are at repairs. Every time I sent my HP for repairs it came back with more problems than it had when i sent it in.
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What upgrades did you have? lets try to establish a common thing all these malfunctioning 17" Macbook Pro's have. It clearly isn't the 9600 card because not many 15" MBP's have this issue.
 
It's your choice whether they send you a new one or fx the old one if it's before the end of the 14 day return policy (which is started when you received it, not when they sent it).
 
It seems very specific to the 17" MBP, meaning it might well be a common manufacturing defect with the 17" models. Whether it's the logic board or link to the display, or the display itself - all three are unique over the 15" MBP's.

I tend to agree that it isn't the graphic chipset, though I could be wildly wrong.
 
Just got of the phone with Apple and they are going to replace my macbook. They said they have had several reports of this and have an engineering capture out to try to get some of the macbooks with the problem to their engineering dept to try and figure out what the problem is.
 
I would definitely get an exchange on that while you're in the 14 day period. Even after they will have to at least repair it, but will most likely replace it.
 
Nikos said:
I would definitely get an exchange on that while you're in the 14 day period. Even after they will have to at least repair it, but will most likely replace it.
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I was going to purchase the new 17" MBP as i have finally saved up funds to buy it. But, with all these graphic problems with it, I think im going to hold off until they come up with a fix. Would be really pissed if i bought one, had all these problems and then returned it for a new one before 14 days. Then 14 days passes and then its replacement time.
 
Next Tuesday said:
I was going to purchase the new 17" MBP as i have finally saved up funds to buy it. But, with all these graphic problems with it, I think im going to hold off until they come up with a fix. Would be really pissed if i bought one, had all these problems and then returned it for a new one before 14 days. Then 14 days passes and then its replacement time.
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only a few have problems, and those people who have problems write about it on this forum, mines fine, so dont get put off buying one :) mines much better than my 15" ever was.
 
Next Tuesday said:
I agree. You would think after the 1st round of bad stuff from nvidia, they would go with ATI.
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Sadly they cant go with ATI, because its owned by AMD and Apple has a contract with Intel who make their processors not to buy AMD components, its been a long standing thing, since the G4 and G5 days.
 
What are you talking about? Rev A and B MBPs came with ATI graphics. As did iMacs and even now Mac Pros. Also, FYI those came after the PowerPC days.
 
taphil said:
What are you talking about? Rev A and B MBPs came with ATI graphics. As do iMacs and Mac Pros. Also, FYI those came after the PowerPC days.
Click to expand...

I didn't know that, i read an article ages ago saying they were restricted in what they could buy from AMD because of they way they developed the G range of processors. Perhaps the Nvidia problems are whats causing them to offer an ATI in the new Mac Pro, because Apple simply dont trust Nvidia anymore. Pretty embarrassing for Nvidia really.
 
kastenbrust said:
I didn't know that, i read an article ages ago saying they were restricted in what they could buy from AMD because of they way they developed the G range of processors. Perhaps the Nvidia problems are whats causing them to offer an ATI in the new Mac Pro, because Apple simply dont trust Nvidia anymore. Pretty embarrassing for Nvidia really.
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Well, u would think that apple would use ATI for the 17" at least as it was delayed to supposedly fix something.. Nvidia needs to really fix their issues or be dropped. Thats the only thing that everyone is complaining about. The graphic card.
 
Next Tuesday said:
Well, u would think that apple would use ATI for the 17" at least as it was delayed to supposedly fix something.. Nvidia needs to really fix their issues or be dropped. Thats the only thing that everyone is complaining about. The graphic card.
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It could be a cooling issue which would be Apples fault. If its the graphics cards, why aren't the 15" Macbook Pro's experiencing these problems, both the 17" and 15" use very similar internal architecture.

Apple used new fans on the 17", infact a completely new breed of fans, which are supposed to be better, magnetic fans, i bet thats the problem.
 
kastenbrust said:
It could be a cooling issue which would be Apples fault. If its the graphics cards, why aren't the 15" Macbook Pro's experiencing these problems, both the 17" and 15" use very similar internal architecture.

Apple used new fans on the 17", infact a completely new breed of fans, which are supposed to be better, magnetic fans, i bet thats the problem.
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I use a cooling pad but still had the problem. It seems to happen when CPU usage is high even when not doing anything that would strain the GPU.
 
I am starting to see the exact same problem right now.... not as severe (which is bad because the guys at Apple Store will be like... hmmm.. I can't see the problem, so no repair yet).

What do you guys suggest I do.

My machine was so perfect until a round of COD4.
 
kastenbrust said:
Apple used new fans on the 17", infact a completely new breed of fans, which are supposed to be better, magnetic fans, i bet thats the problem.
Click to expand...

The entire unibody line should be using the new fans. I'm not sure why the 15" aren't. My Unibody MacBook is using "Maglev" fans also. I took it apart to verify. It is made by the same company as my 17" Maglev fans.
 
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