Apple Extends NVIDIA MacBook Pro Warranty to 3 Years

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/01/apple-extends-nvidia-macbook-pro-warranty-to-3-years/)

In October, Apple revealed (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/10/some-macbook-pros-affected-by-nvidia-gpu-failures/) that some NVIDIA-based graphics cards in MacBook Pros had been affected by a manufacturing defect announced in July. Apple stated that they would repair affected MacBook Pros within two years of the original purchase date free of charge.

Apple has since extended this repair policy for three years. At that same time, NVIDIA assured Apple that Mac computers with these graphics processors were not affected. However, after an Apple-led investigation, Apple has determined that some MacBook Pro computers with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor may be affected. If the NVIDIA graphics processor in your MacBook Pro has failed, or fails within three years of the original date of purchase, a repair will be done free of charge, even if your MacBook Pro is out of warranty.The reason for the extension is not detailed. Affected MacBook Pros may developed the following symptoms:

- Distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen
- No video on the computer screen (or external display) even though the computer is on

Possibly affected models include:

- MacBook Pro (17-Inch, 2.4GHz)
- MacBook Pro (15-Inch, 2.4/2.2GHz)
- MacBook Pro (Early 2008)


Article Link: Apple Extends NVIDIA MacBook Pro Warranty to 3 Years (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/01/apple-extends-nvidia-macbook-pro-warranty-to-3-years/)

[zunairryk]

old news

[MacManiac76]

At least they are owning up to the problem. Even though apparently these systems stated aren't supposed to be affected by the defect, they are offering an extended warranty in good faith.

[craigverse]

Does the problem look like this?

http://www.craigverse.com/Host/help.jpg

My 17incher started doing that about 9 months ago. :[

[five04]

Does the problem look like this?

My 17incher started doing that about 9 months ago. :[

No. The issue with the NVIDIA chips is garbled video or no video at all. Your problem is most likely caused by a faulty LCD or LCD cable connected to the logic board.

[vipergts2207]

Does the problem look like this?

My 17incher started doing that about 9 months ago. :[

It wouldn't hurt to go to an Apple store and see.

[Stridder44]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the SMC 1.3 firmware update the released only days ago.

[kymac]

good thing i spent 250 on applecare! and now its free to everyone ):

[CmdrLaForge]

good thing i spent 250 on applecare! and now its free to everyone ):

Same here and I just bought it 1 week ago. :mad:

I am wondering how big the problem really is and if I should sell my Macbook Pro before the 3 years are up and get new one ?

[yudilks]

Same here and I just bought it 1 week ago. :mad:

I am wondering how big the problem really is and if I should sell my Macbook Pro before the 3 years are up and get new one ?

There is a major difference here. AppleCare covers all defects on your computer like LCD, HD, CDROM, logicboard. This extended warranty from
Apple only covers the NVIDIA related issue.

[goodcow]

There is a major difference here. AppleCare covers all defects on your computer like LCD, HD, CDROM, logicboard. This extended warranty from
Apple only covers the NVIDIA related issue.

The NVIDIA card is a part of the logic board. If your logic board suddenly died and the machine stopped booting, they would probably just swap it out regardless, thinking it was an NVIDIA problem.

[davidknackebrod]

Will this extended warranty cover the whole world?

[hajime]

There is a major difference here. AppleCare covers all defects on your computer like LCD, HD, CDROM, logicboard. This extended warranty from
Apple only covers the NVIDIA related issue.

I have had my LCD screen and battery replaced using AppleCare. You need it!

[ph0rk]

does the no video thing go away on a reboot? I've been having that for several months now with my MBP 2.4

[SeanMcg]

No. The issue with the NVIDIA chips is garbled video or no video at all. Your problem is most likely caused by a faulty LCD or LCD cable connected to the logic board.

I have seen this same issue affect dozens of Dell laptops. The display seen on that 17" is not inconsistent with what I've seen on the Dells. The OS doesn't matter here.

The only solution is to swap out the motherboard. However, I found out from one of the repair techs that Dell and/or nVidia aren't keeping careful track of the bad chips. (nVidia had no way to track the chips, which is why this is so hit or miss.) A bad chip can't be determined until something goes wrong anyway and will often pass diagnostics. Sometimes bad chips find their way right back into "repaired" machines. I hope Apple does a better job in this department.

Considering that this only covers you if you have a bad chip, AppleCare is still a wise choice. I think Apple is banking on getting money (or a settlement in kind of some sort) out of the class-action suit against nVidia, so this doesn't hurt them much and is good customer service.

[SeanMcg]

does the no video thing go away on a reboot? I've been having that for several months now with my MBP 2.4

One of the problems with this issue is that until the chip is gone beyond help, the problems can come and go. It is a real PITA.

[martinmartin]

My MBP from around June 2007 had no video a few weeks back. Took it to the apple store and they sent it off for repair. The work order indicated that they replaced the whole logic board...so I'm curious if it was my video card that failed or if it was something else.

I also paid for AppleCare, but it was worth it in my case as they replaced the LCD Screen due to some bad pixels, as well as the Optical drive as it wouldn't burn dual layer DVDs...

I see the computer still has the 8600M - are the new units not as prone to failure as the old ones? If they are still faulty, I wonder why they're still being used.

[tersono]

My Sept 2007 17" hi-res MBP just started failing in the last few days. What a bummer - especially as I only put a new battery in it last month and it's my primary computer.

No I don't have Applecare - this is the first Mac I've owned in 22 years that has failed within 4 years of manufacture (and I've had quite a few - at one point I owned 7 Macs of one sort or another).

It's intermittent right now - only happens when the machine gets pretty hot, but it's obviously on the way out. Planning to give Apple a call later in the week - hopefully they'll sort it for me *fingers crossed*. Given the possibility of getting another duff one, I think the next move will be to sell it on and buy another Mac.

[SeanMcg]

...
I see the computer still has the 8600M - are the new units not as prone to failure as the old ones? If they are still faulty, I wonder why they're still being used.

As I understand it, the entire chip run was not faulty, but nVidia has no way of identifying the ones that are. That's one of the reasons they initially told Apple that Apple wasn't affected.

The motherboards were produced en masse with the GPUs they got. Since the GPU's aren't removable, I am assuming that producing a whole set of replacement boards is cost-prohibitive.

One of the measures they took to prevent chip failure was to down-clock it via firmware. The heat produced at high speeds was ruining the chips. I'd be willing to bet that the replacement board has updated firmware.

[guzhogi]

This, or at least something to do w/ the graphics card, happened to my 2.4 GHaz 17 incher 3 times. Each time, I took it into my local Apple Store & they fixed it for free. The last time it was in the shop, a guy from the Apple store called me one day and said that while they fixed the graphics problem, they found other "issues" and gave me a free upgrade to a Penryn 2.5 GHz 17 incher. While I wasn't able to use my laptop while it was in the shop, at least I got a free upgrade. :D

[Dreamer2go]

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=709251

this is my issue
I think it's caused by the 8600M GT!

[JavaWizKid]

OMG I just bought Apple Care 2 days ago!!!

[Louis Abate]

That is great news for all the owners out their with affected machines. I had mine fail about a month ago. Started it up and had no video on primary or secondary displays. Brought it into an apple store and they fixed it the same day! Thought I had a logic board fail and was not happy about dropping $400 bucks to fix an out of warranty machine.

[stereoscott]

Last week after my MBP was running hot and fans were on full speed, I shut the lid the set it aside; the next morning the video was dead. I took it into the Apple store, they ran a diagnostic test to check for the specific NVIDIA issue, and it of course failed so they had to replace the logic board. This was over memorial day weekend; I took it in Friday at 2pm, and I had my computer back in my hands by Wednesday 9am (even though Monday was a holiday). Not too bad. All my data was in tact.

I'm wondering now that I have the new logic board, if I should still install this SMC update or just ignore it. I'd obviously like to prevent any future failures (I wonder if the new logic board actually fixes the design flaw, or if it just gives me another year or two before it fails, too?), but don't want to fix anything that's not broken.

You would think the SMC update actually helps the reliability of the NVIDIA cards, rather than encourages them to fail to "weed" out the bad ones, right?

[JavaWizKid]

I think Apple MUST have a good batch now because the SMC update lets the notebook get hotter without the fans speeding up and causing the GPU stress. Why would they do that when companies such as Dell are speeding up the fans earlier rather than later? They MUST have a good batch!! MUST!!!

[kockgunner]

Same here and I just bought it 1 week ago. :mad:

I am wondering how big the problem really is and if I should sell my Macbook Pro before the 3 years are up and get new one ?

Me too! Oh well, I got it for a good price over eBay (my first time using it) and it will cover other unforseen issues. I was thinking this extension may have something to do with the recent SMC update too.

[CmdrLaForge]

There is a major difference here. AppleCare covers all defects on your computer like LCD, HD, CDROM, logicboard. This extended warranty from
Apple only covers the NVIDIA related issue.

Of course I know that. I bought Apple Care because of this issue.

[Marvin1379]

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=515067

it details this whole issue.

Also, AppleCare covers more than just the logic board and GPU. It covers the battery, harddrive, etc, etc.... Sure, when i had to bring in my mid-2007 MBP 2.4 SR i was thrilled i had applecare bc they changed out the logic board for this issue as well as a new battery for having horrible battery life.

AppleCare pays for itself if u have to bring in your computer once!!

[parapup]

Also, AppleCare covers more than just the logic board and GPU. It covers the battery, harddrive, etc, etc....


Really the battery too? I've had two different Apple representatives tell me that battery is not covered under the AppleCare if older than a year.

[JavaWizKid]

That's a bit harsh to refuse the replacement of the battery since you paid EXTRA for their so called "support".

[maclover201]

I have an affected MBP that I have owned for over a year and a half and have had no problems yet. I'll just wait and see though.

[hajime]

I see the computer still has the 8600M - are the new units not as prone to failure as the old ones?

They replaced a new motherboard for me but I still have video problems sometimes. I asked them the manufacture date of the new board but the guy at the service center said he does not know...

[kugino]

i have one of these MBPs, though i've yet to be hit with the video issue. nice to know that it will be repaired beyond the two-year timeframe, though with my applecare i already had that assurance.

[starfruit4463]

Even though i'm glad I purchased AppleCare, I bought my 15"MBP in Early 2008 and just yesterday the screen stopped displaying and I took it in to my local applestore and was told the Graphic's Card had crapped out which im sure is a result of this issue since I had that vid card. Glad it happened now rather than later.... too bad that it happened at all though, because if they notice anything wrong with my HD i'm going to be screwed out of a lot of purchased music/video. Time to purchase an external HD! Haha.

[JFreak]

Does anyone know if this is international or US only?

Does anyone know if one of the symptoms is stuttering video on external display? Tried to edit video using a 20" ACD but the performance was unacceptable. This was a while ago, using Tiger/FCS1...

[CmdrLaForge]

Does anyone know if this is international or US only?

Does anyone know if one of the symptoms is stuttering video on external display? Tried to edit video using a 20" ACD but the performance was unacceptable. This was a while ago, using Tiger/FCS1...

Should be international.

[M0bile]

Does the problem look like this?

http://www.craigverse.com/Host/help.jpg

My 17incher started doing that about 9 months ago. :[

My ATI Radeon X1600 (Mid-2006) started doing that about 9 months ago as well! I wish they'd replace the X1600s for free too. I'm out of warranty and without Apple Care so I've never taken it to an Apple store, but it's about to die completely so I'm going to have to soon.

[theheadguy]

At least they are owning up to the problem. Even though apparently these systems stated aren't supposed to be affected by the defect, they are offering an extended warranty in good faith.
If there truly is no defect, then the warranty is just for show?

[cg0def]

good thing i spent 250 on applecare! and now its free to everyone ):

well actually the apple care that you bough covers your whole computer while this cover only defective GPU. There are quite a few other things that can go wrong and if I were you I wouldn't feel too bad about getting the extra protection. BTW you could have saved a bit of cash going through ebay but that's besides the point.

[gpzjock]

Sent the GF's son to Oriel College Oxford with a MBP 2.4 gHz 15", got Apple Care at the time of purchase not being able to support or even see the laptop half the time. The fans never got up to speed despite the nVidia 8600 GT overheating when stressed for long periods. Eventually, after screen blackouts and freezes the whole thing failed half way through the 2nd year of his course.
Marched into Bluewater Apple Store, presented them with a dead laptop, 20 mins later they had replaced the main logicboard and everything on it.
Receipt for the job: £622, charged me nothing and smiled.
Now I have installed SMC FanControl software and the little bastard sounds like a wind tunnel when required to chill the board. Turns out the default maximum speed of the fans is 2500 rpm less than they can actually go.
I'll take noisy over melted every time. :D

[plaidhippo]

My 15" MBP's screen went black so I took it in. I guess they have a test for it now. The test runs in a terminal window, with plenty of text rolling by at a rapid rate.... unless something goes wrong... Needless to say, I got a new motherboard after this showed up on my computer....

I thought it was funny and had to have a picture. :)

Hope none of you see it, but it's nice to know Apple will take care of it if you do!

[HerbyGunther]

This is great! I have a MacBook Pro with this problem. Screen completely black. It's been a few months after the 2 years period, so I'm happy it can still be fixed.

How much do you think my 15" MBP from 2007 is worth?

[Zero-One]

Greetings everyone,

I just signed up to report that mine failed as well on Wed (the 3rd) of this month.

My 15" Santa Rosa MBP 2,4 GHz (June 07) found the SMC-update reported on this site a few days ago [1.3] and I don't know if installing it is what led to my laptop's GPU failure or not but I guess I won't find out either.

Please note that other laptop brand release similar few months ago and strange time coincidence - Apple release MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.3 on May 28, 2009 and next day they extended warranty policy to three years for all Macs with failing NVIDIA chips.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=708083 features posts of people saying that they found the fans not kicking in until a much higher temperature is reached - some speculate Apple's trying to kill off the faulty 8600Ms so they can replace them while they have more in stock to avoid having to replace the laptop entirely - I wonder if that's what up. Mine's sitting at the local Apple store for repair right now.

Other than OSX I've ran XP/Vista/Windows 7 and Linux Ubuntu on it before without any problems. I've rarely used the thing for games - primarily video editing projects while hooked up to a bigger screen.

I'm covered by AppleCare until the end of 2010 (didn't know that Apple would provide free repair for the GPUs back when I first read about that issue) so it's hard to decide if I want to be trying to sell it and buy a different one or if I should just trust the AppleCare and hope that if I find myself going in a 2nd and a 3rd time for the same issue they'd just replace the machine with one that doesn't have a 8600M GPU.

[hajime]

I thought it was funny and had to have a picture. :)


After the motherboard of my MBP 17" was replaced last fall, I have similar problem as the one shown in the photo several times. Is there a name for this problem? I want to find out what is happening with the replacement board.

[erickg]

This all seems rather relevant now that my NVIDIA card on my 2.2GHz MBP paid the piper the day before yesterday! No visible signs before hand, the card had been working flawlessly. Then, for no reason whatsoever, waking the computer up from sleep the screen was just black. Hard reset, black. Reset PRAM, SMC, etc. Black, black, black.

Went to a local shop to fix it and the logic board they received from Apple was faulty so will have to wait almost another week to get a working laptop. Of course, I do have Applecare, so this extension is a bit of a non-issue. How many times do you have to take your MBP in for repair in the UK to have it replaced? I think this is the third time for major issues.

Edit: And I assume the new card has an updated NVIDIA chip without this issue, correct? :) Would hate to have to worry about this crap happening again...

[macteo]

After four days from the announcements of the warranty extension the screen of my MBP 17" 2.4 GB 8600GT gone black.
Now it's in assistance, hopefully it will be back tomorrow.

[docallag]

Closed the lid on my 17" MBPro the other night and when I opened it the next day it just stayed black. Hopefully its the same problem. Weird that they're all going now ...

I changed the hard drive last year - does anyone think this will invalidate the warranty (if this is the same problem)?

[Scepticalscribe]

i have one of these MBPs, though i've yet to be hit with the video issue. nice to know that it will be repaired beyond the two-year timeframe, though with my applecare i already had that assurance.

Which is more or less exactly my position, too. Still, despite having Applecare, it is nice to have the reassurance that the potential but persistent problem - so long unacknowledged - will be addressed by Apple.

Cheers and good luck

[sumanjoshi]

question


I just encountered this problem with my macbook pro yesterday... and I wanted to know, if I need applecare for this or does the 3 year warranty for this issue apply to everyone who is having this problem with their macbook?


Question 2

Can I take my macbook pro to a place like Bestbuy or Future Shop where they sell macs and get it repaired for free?
Or even to Carbon Computing?

I am in Canada btw


I need to get it fixed ASAP as I need it for work!



Thanks:apple:

[dvdhsu]

question


I just encountered this problem with my macbook pro yesterday... and I wanted to know, if I need applecare for this or does the 3 year warranty for this issue apply to everyone who is having this problem with their macbook?


Question 2

Can I take my macbook pro to a place like Bestbuy or Future Shop where they sell macs and get it repaired for free?
Or even to Carbon Computing?

I am in Canada btw


I need to get it fixed ASAP as I need it for work!



Thanks:apple:

No. You have to take it into an Apple Store, or call them up and ask them to mail you a box for free. Then, they ship you a box, you pack the MacBook Pro up, and ship it back. They ship it back to you fixed.
Of course, they pay all the shipping costs.

[sumanjoshi]

No. You have to take it into an Apple Store, or call them up and ask them to mail you a box for free. Then, they ship you a box, you pack the MacBook Pro up, and ship it back. They ship it back to you fixed.
Of course, they pay all the shipping costs.

but I read somewhere that you may take it to an apple service provider
and the apple store in the university close to me is an appler service provider so is carbon computing.


where did u read that it was only apple stores?

[dvdhsu]

but I read somewhere that you may take it to an apple service provider
and the apple store in the university close to me is an appler service provider so is carbon computing.


where did u read that it was only apple stores?

To tell you the truth, I'm not totally sure about how it is in Canada, or places where there are no Apple Stores. I live in Palo Alto, California, where Steve Jobs lives, and there are 2 Apple stores in our city alone, so I'm not positive about Apple Service Providers. I know the University will not repair it for you. However, I'm pretty sure Carbon Computing will. Whether they will do it for free is the question.

[sumanjoshi]

To tell you the truth, I'm not totally sure about how it is in Canada, or places where there are no Apple Stores. I live in Palo Alto, California, where Steve Jobs lives, and there are 2 Apple stores in our city alone, so I'm not positive about Apple Service Providers. I know the University will not repair it for you. However, I'm pretty sure Carbon Computing will. Whether they will do it for free is the question.

Hmm. I will call up carbon computing tomorrow, if they don't do it for free I will call apple and see wht the dealio is.


thanks for your help :D

[frjonah]

I bought a 15" MBP back in Mar. 09... 2.4GHz, NVidia 9600 GPU. Is this problem only with the 8600s?

The only problem I've had so far is a garbled screen after trying to upgrade to 4gb 3rd party RAM (Patriot). It seems to be working fine now with 3gb (1 1gb apple factory stick + 1 2gb Patriot stick).

Thanks in advance.
:apple: = :)

[sumanjoshi]

I bought a 15" MBP back in Mar. 09... 2.4GHz, NVidia 9600 GPU. Is this problem only with the 8600s?

The only problem I've had so far is a garbled screen after trying to upgrade to 4gb 3rd party RAM (Patriot). It seems to be working fine now with 3gb (1 1gb apple factory stick + 1 2gb Patriot stick).

Thanks in advance.
:apple: = :)

Hmm, I'm thinking its probably just a RAM issue. I don't think '09 MBPs were affected.

[netwalker]

One of the problems with this issue is that until the chip is gone beyond help, the problems can come and go. It is a real PITA.

Yes, that's how it went. For weeks the I had problems with scrambled video. Sometimes several time a day, sometimes just a couple of times per week. So first I blamed various software products, did clean installs, changed the HD and swapped memory. Often I thought I found the cause, but it kept coming back and got worse. The final situation now is, that the computer crashes with kernel panic when booting. Can't boot from external DVD either to run diagnostics.

Problems started shortly after the computer ran hot during video encoding. I am convinced that it is the NVIDIA problem, and since they extended the warranty I took it to the service point today. Hope it is being accepted under warranty.

[organicpixels]

does this apply to refurbished units bought from Apple's online store?

[Vulcan]

does this apply to refurbished units bought from Apple's online store?

Yep.

[organicpixels]

Yep.
whheewww ;) thx

[BittenApple]

To tell you the truth, I'm not totally sure about how it is in Canada, or places where there are no Apple Stores. I live in Palo Alto, California, where Steve Jobs lives, and there are 2 Apple stores in our city alone, so I'm not positive about Apple Service Providers. I know the University will not repair it for you. However, I'm pretty sure Carbon Computing will. Whether they will do it for free is the question.

As long as your University or mac repair shop is Apple Certified then you can get it repaired for free.

[Scott6666]

Really the battery too? I've had two different Apple representatives tell me that battery is not covered under the AppleCare if older than a year.

I just had a battery replaced for free under Applecare this week on a machine I bought in March, 2008. I also had bought a spare battery later. That battery had to be in the 1 year timeframe to be replaced.

Health was less than 50%. Don't know if you need to be real bad to be replaced.

[Macmel]

Yes, that's how it went. For weeks the I had problems with scrambled video. Sometimes several time a day, sometimes just a couple of times per week. So first I blamed various software products, did clean installs, changed the HD and swapped memory. Often I thought I found the cause, but it kept coming back and got worse. The final situation now is, that the computer crashes with kernel panic when booting. Can't boot from external DVD either to run diagnostics.

Problems started shortly after the computer ran hot during video encoding. I am convinced that it is the NVIDIA problem, and since they extended the warranty I took it to the service point today. Hope it is being accepted under warranty.

Well, I'm not sure it is the Nvidia problem. For everybody with this issue the problem ends up with a black screen. The computer will start and load Mac OS (according to the sounds, etc) and it can be accesed, but no video signal comes out of it. No kernel panic, no nothing else, just a black screen both in the primary display and in a secondary display (TV, monitor, etc) that you may connect. It's just the inability to produce video signal what is observed. Nothing else. Your case seems significantly different, but I'm no expert.

[netwalker]

Well, I'm not sure it is the Nvidia problem. For everybody with this issue the problem ends up with a black screen.

I've seen reports from people who experiences the same as I did. Starting with graphic problems and ending up with a more or less dead motherboard. Anyhow, I got my almost 3 year old MacBook Pro back yesterday with a new motherboard and didn't have to pay anything. :-)

[qualitycontrol]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/01/apple-extends-nvidia-macbook-pro-warranty-to-3-years/)

In October, Apple revealed (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/10/some-macbook-pros-affected-by-nvidia-gpu-failures/) that some NVIDIA-based graphics cards in MacBook Pros had been affected by a manufacturing defect announced in July. Apple stated that they would repair affected MacBook Pros within two years of the original purchase date free of charge.

Apple has since extended this repair policy for three years. The reason for the extension is not detailed. Affected MacBook Pros may developed the following symptoms:

- Distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen
- No video on the computer screen (or external display) even though the computer is on

Possibly affected models include:

- MacBook Pro (17-Inch, 2.4GHz)
- MacBook Pro (15-Inch, 2.4/2.2GHz)
- MacBook Pro (Early 2008)


Article Link: Apple Extends NVIDIA MacBook Pro Warranty to 3 Years (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/01/apple-extends-nvidia-macbook-pro-warranty-to-3-years/)

Over a month ago I updated from 10.5.5 to 10.5.7. Upon rebooting as part of the update, the screen failed to work!

I was mortified that my Mac no longer worked, was it the update? After researching the symptom, "black screen of death, keyboard works" I discovered that Apple had extended a warranty on the 8600M Nvidia card, the same as in my machine.
I took it to a Genius and inquired about the warranty.
However, the Genius told me that there was likely a hidden condition within my machine that may have been brought out by the update, causing the symptom to occur suddenly. This stuck in my mind because I was encouraged to update by this on Apple's site:
"The 10.5.7 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Leopard version 10.5 to 10.5.6, and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your Mac."

According to the Genius who was looking at my laptop, the 8600M Nvidia chip of my MacBook Pro which falls into the time frame of affected chips does not however fall into the specific range Nvidia is covering. Next he contradicted himself by first telling me the logic board needed to be replaced, and that the Nvidia card was fine... and then after asking why i can take screenshots of working software if the logic board failed, he said it may be the GPU. Without opening and inspecting the hardware he quoted a price to replace the logic board at only $330... if i understand correctly others have spent $1000 plus and $300 is a standard service fee. Still, if it is defective, and there is no way of predicting which chips are most affected, and my laptop is exhibiting the exact symptoms analogous with affected chips, I fail to see why I was denied coverage under the extended warranty for a free repair, as many others have received.
BEWARE ALL FUTURE MAC CUSTOMERS... APPLE DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS AND A MAC GENIUS WILL WORK HARD TO DENY ANY WARRANTY YOU DESERVE.

[packgrad2000]

BEWARE ALL FUTURE MAC CUSTOMERS... APPLE DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS AND A MAC GENIUS WILL WORK HARD TO DENY ANY WARRANTY YOU DESERVE.

The fact that Apple has extended the warranty to 3 years proves that Apple DOES indeed stand behind their products. However, I agree that your Genius didn't know what he was talking about, which is fairly common. Take it to another Apple store or another Genius and I'll bet you get a different answer.

[parapup]

I just had a battery replaced for free under Applecare this week on a machine I bought in March, 2008. I also had bought a spare battery later. That battery had to be in the 1 year timeframe to be replaced.

Health was less than 50%. Don't know if you need to be real bad to be replaced.

Depends on the mood of the "Genius" really - I took the same machine in question to a different store and the guy there replaced both the battery and power adapter after testing the battery with some software - no questions whatsoever.

[KingYaba]

Better yet, print out Apple's statement and bring it to your local Genius. Make sure the web address is visible.

[good1]

Hmm. I will call up carbon computing tomorrow, if they don't do it for free I will call apple (http://www.iphonetech.com.cn/) and see wht the dealio is.


thanks for your help

[CAPT2102]

My 8/2007 Santa Rosa Core 2 Duo, Model A1226 (fine print on bottom of laptop) MacBook Pro just suffered the GPU failure. Apple replace the logic board and Graphics Card, and also the 630-7933 LEFT SIDE IN / OUT BOARD. I am told that this board is a single unit that includes all of the left side inputs.

In my case, the first thing I noticed was that the display all of a sudden started to display small portions of other, previously opened windows, all over the screen. The computer then froze, and the screen became a pink and white vertical checkerboard, followed immediately by a top to bottom wipe of the screen that turned the pink into dark green and then the DREADED KERNEL PANIC NOTICE, "You must power down computer....."

When I tried to re-boot, it immediately came up in the pink and white mode, with the Apple logo & spinning progress wheel, but then Kernel Panic again. Could not boot in safe mode. The one time I did get into the safe mode, I had the same end result, but it just took longer to get there.

I called Apple on Saturday, a shipping box arrived Monday, I shipped Monday PM @ FedEx store, and the repaired unit arrived back at home at 10AM Wednesday. I had a full backup, but none of the data on the laptop had been affected.

Hope this helps

[juanm]

Hi, just to mention my problem:

I've got a 2.2Ghz Core 2 Duo with the 128MB Nvidia 8600M. A couple of days ago, while I was using Sketchup, it started acting up: small pink and scrambled squares around the screen, and, after a few seconds, it would completely freeze up. Then, After turning it off the hard way, it would have a Kernel Panic upon rebooting. Then, the next time I tried to boot it up, it would work fine. It happened twice at home (using Sketchup and Firefox) and then a third time while I was at the shop, in front of the tech guy, while idle. Always the same thing: scrambling, freezing, reboot, kernel panic, reboot, fine.

Now the laptop is at the shop, apparently the tech guy had to run some test out of an external FW hard drive to check if the NVidia was part of the affected series

This is an artist rendition ;) of what the problem looked like for me. Did yours look like this?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3754740793_b3cc2f6c42_o.jpg

[CmdrLaForge]

Main is dead too.

I brought it to an Apple Shop and they exchanged the logic board. But they did scratch the unit. I am not happy about this, told them that I am not happy and they kept the unit to see what they can do.

[MacLover4491]

Dont need to worry. Apple will take care of everyone. =)

[Illan]

my 2.4 17" high rez died on wenesday, i took it to an apple service provider in Puerto Rico. my simtoms where a blank screen,but the OS booted and you could hear the OS deault sound when you pressed something.

[Shasterball]

old news

Yes, but the word still needed to get out!

[juanm]

Hi, just to mention my problem:

I've got a 2.2Ghz Core 2 Duo with the 128MB Nvidia 8600M. A couple of days ago, while I was using Sketchup, it started acting up: small pink and scrambled squares around the screen, and, after a few seconds, it would completely freeze up. Then, After turning it off the hard way, it would have a Kernel Panic upon rebooting. Then, the next time I tried to boot it up, it would work fine. It happened twice at home (using Sketchup and Firefox) and then a third time while I was at the shop, in front of the tech guy, while idle. Always the same thing: scrambling, freezing, reboot, kernel panic, reboot, fine.

Now the laptop is at the shop, apparently the tech guy had to run some test out of an external FW hard drive to check if the NVidia was part of the affected series

This is an artist rendition ;) of what the problem looked like for me. Did yours look like this?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3754740793_b3cc2f6c42_o.jpg

So, little follow-up, if anyone is interested:

It turns out it wasn't the graphics card (or at least the test they performed was negative) but the Logic board which was faulty.
Here in Spain (I guess it's the same for the rest of Europe) there's, by law, a two year warranty. I bought my Mac on August 1st, 2007, and took it for the repair on July 30th!! The logic board has been replaced, and I'm writing this on my newly repaired Mac.

Had the problem occured three days later, I'd have been in for a 900€ repair!

:D

[cbair3]

Just last week I had my video chip fail for the second time on my MBP 15 inch. (The first time was about 4 months after I bought it, now it was just short of two years - about 18 months after the first failure.)

I took it to the local Apple store and although they quoted 7-9 day turnaround they shipped it back to my house in 3 days, which was nice. My concern is that I have yet another 8600M chip. I'm worried that I'm doomed to more failures and downtime. Also, I had hoped that this computer would have a life beyond 3 years - either for my use, a hand-me-down, or for resale.

According to this article (don't know how well founded it is) they are all bad:

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1028703/nvidia-g84-g86-bad

I appreciate the quick repair turnaround, but it would seem better if Apple were to swap the boards for a slightly newer one with a good video chip. Or, perhaps they should offer owners of these Macs a trade in program based on typical resale values. I think this issue will lower the resale value, and I wouldn't feel right selling it to someone who doesn't know about the problem.

Has anyone approached Apple about either an improved board remedy or some sort of trade-in offer? From the sound of things, Apple should try to make their customers happy and stick the bill to Nvidia (although that last part is Apple's issue to deal with.)

If not, are there enough people out there concerned about this that we should send a letter or something en masse?

- CB

:apple:

[Whorehay]

I've gone through 3 logic board replacements in the past 2 years. All dealing with video card crapping out. If I have to go through one more, I may just ask for a replacement. A month of downtime in the past 2 years is too much, especially when it's known that even the newer ones are faulty.

Just last week I had my video chip fail for the second time on my MBP 15 inch. (The first time was about 4 months after I bought it, now it was just short of two years - about 18 months after the first failure.)

I took it to the local Apple store and although they quoted 7-9 day turnaround they shipped it back to my house in 3 days, which was nice. My concern is that I have yet another 8600M chip. I'm worried that I'm doomed to more failures and downtime. Also, I had hoped that this computer would have a life beyond 3 years - either for my use, a hand-me-down, or for resale.

According to this article (don't know how well founded it is) they are all bad:

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1028703/nvidia-g84-g86-bad

I appreciate the quick repair turnaround, but it would seem better if Apple were to swap the boards for a slightly newer one with a good video chip. Or, perhaps they should offer owners of these Macs a trade in program based on typical resale values. I think this issue will lower the resale value, and I wouldn't feel right selling it to someone who doesn't know about the problem.

Has anyone approached Apple about either an improved board remedy or some sort of trade-in offer? From the sound of things, Apple should try to make their customers happy and stick the bill to Nvidia (although that last part is Apple's issue to deal with.)

If not, are there enough people out there concerned about this that we should send a letter or something en masse?

- CB

:apple:

[helenkan]

Just last week I had my video chip fail for the second time on my MBP 15 inch. (The first time was about 4 months after I bought it, now it was just short of two years - about 18 months after the first failure http://privateniche.info/image/34/b/happy.gif

I took it to the local Apple store and although they quoted 7-9 day turnaround they shipped it back to my house in 3 days, which was nice. My concern is that I have yet another 8600M chip. I'm worried that I'm doomed to more failures and downtime. Also, I had hoped that this computer would have a life beyond 3 years - either for my use, a hand-me-down, or for resale.

According to this article (don't know how well founded it is) they are all bad:

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1028703/nvidia-g84-g86-bad

I appreciate the quick repair turnaround, but it would seem better if Apple were to swap the boards for a slightly newer one with a good video chip. Or, perhaps they should offer owners of these Macs a trade in program based on typical resale values. I think this issue will lower the resale value, and I wouldn't feel right selling it to someone who doesn't know about the problem.

Has anyone approached Apple about either an improved board remedy or some sort of trade-in offer? From the sound of things, Apple should try to make their customers happy and stick the bill to Nvidia (although that last part is Apple's issue to deal with.)

If not, are there enough people out there concerned about this that we should send a letter or something en masse?

- CB

:apple:

Looks like more of a miss system than hit. I was close to investing into it too a few years ago, glad I didnt'.

[synthetase]

Nvidia is actually tracking the repairs on these chips. There is a diagnostic that is run on systems that are booting properly. If your system is exhibiting signs, even if it is intermittent, it's a good idea to take it to a store to have it tested.

If the system fails the diagnostic, a verification code has to be entered for it to be covered under the repair extension.

Sometimes, if it's unknown what the issue is, it can be sent to the repair center where they can better determine the issue.

The repair extension will not cover your system if it is badly damaged physically however. So keep that in mind. Neither will AppleCare for that matter.

A lot of the systems with this issue have likely already been repaired.

SMC updates don't have much to do with it.