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4th GPU Failure :-(

88Keys

88Keys

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 10, 2007
175
113
My SR Macbook Pro has had 3 repairs all due because of a faulty GPU, the first was because of vertical lines, the 2nd and 3rd were a failure to display anything at all, and now this time it causes graphical fragments and freezes the display forcing me to restart.

The third time I sent it off to be repaired the applecare specialist assured me that if I experienced any GPU problems again that it would be replaced. It has been 6 months since that, do you think apple would still honor that or just patch me up?
 
Demand a replacement. Four repairs are inexcusable, and I don't think any genii or support specialist will disagree with that.
 
As Eddy said, I would request a replacement. Apple knows they had an issue with the nVidia Chips and unlike Dell and HP, have done nothing about it on a large scale. They will replace individual laptops, but not a massive number at once.

Request a replacement over the phone first with AppleCare and hopefully get a case number that you can go to an Apple Store with and get a nice new Unibody replacement.
 
rw3 said:
As Eddy said, I would request a replacement. Apple knows they had an issue with the nVidia Chips and unlike Dell and HP, have done nothing about it on a large scale. They will replace individual laptops, but not a massive number at once.

Request a replacement over the phone first with AppleCare and hopefully get a case number that you can go to an Apple Store with and get a nice new Unibody replacement.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much what just happened today. I called straight to customer relations and told the nice lady my issue, she saw all the repairs I had and pretty much agreed it needs to be replaced hands down no fuss. Since the issue crops up at random during heavy use of the GPU, I'm not sure how to replicate it if the genius asks me to.

This is my first time having anything replaced by apple, do I need to bring the box and everything that was included from purchase 2 years ago or just bring the macbook pro and adapter in?

Thanks
 
88Keys said:
This is my first time having anything replaced by apple, do I need to bring the box and everything that was included from purchase 2 years ago or just bring the macbook pro and adapter in?
Click to expand...

You could get away with only bringing in the laptop and charger as they likely don't expect users to hold on to anything else. Might as well bring in the install DVDs that came with the MBP as they are specific to that model.

Keep the box and sell it on fleabay. People who are trying to sell their MBPs like to include original boxes, but have thrown their boxes away.
 
geoffreak said:
You could get away with only bringing in the laptop and charger as they likely don't expect users to hold on to anything else. Might as well bring in the install DVDs that came with the MBP as they are specific to that model.

Keep the box and sell it on fleabay. People who are trying to sell their MBPs like to include original boxes, but have thrown their boxes away.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, will do. May just keep the box since I do with all my macs!
 
shambo said:
+1. These things don't just break.

I blame user error.
Click to expand...

Seriously what on earth could I possibly be doing to bring upon consistent GPU issues? I doubt you can name anything plausible.

Within the first week of purchase I had the vertical line issue, I couldn't exchange because non were in stock so I opted for the repair. The 2nd two failures were the widely known issue of no video from internal or external display. This time I'm getting confetti fragments and screen freezes.

So again, name any user error to bring upon failure of a GPU. I'll wait...
 
RiCEADDiCTBOY said:
any component can fail. but, for four gpus in a row to "fail" is suspect in my book. not accusing the user - but, it sounds like something is to blame other than the gpu...
Click to expand...

The 8600m GT, unfortunately have had massive problems.
Apple have extended warranty for those GPUs just because they are prone to fail. I have only had mine fail once at me and got the logicboard replaced, no questions asked, free of charge.
 
RiCEADDiCTBOY said:
any component can fail. but, for four gpus in a row to "fail" is suspect in my book. not accusing the user - but, it sounds like something is to blame other than the gpu...
Click to expand...

To be fair you're right it could necessarily not be all GPU issues even though they seem to have a nasty track record. The logic board has been replaced 3 times and the effects I've noticed have all been video related.
 
cluthz said:
The 8600m GT, unfortunately have had massive problems.
Apple have extended warranty for those GPUs just because they are prone to fail. I have only had mine fail once at me and got the logicboard replaced, no
questions asked, free of charge.
Click to expand...

I understand and I know of the inherent issue. I've owned one with a 8600 and a laptop with a 8800GT and never any issues. I know the problem exists but, to receive four GPU replacements is speculative at best. The manufacturing process was reportedly altered to correct the problem. Even so...not all the G92 gpus fail. Mine haven't. I am but one person, but a statisitc nonetheless that the gpu can survive...

88Keys said:
To be fair you're right it could necessarily not be all GPU issues even though they seem to have a nasty track record. The logic board has been replaced 3 times and the effects I've noticed have all been video related.
Click to expand...

Have you asked for a laptop replacement? I mean if Apple is repairing it that much - they are better off replacing it for you. It could be faulty wiring (perhaps a loose connection) from logic board to monitor, the logic board etc etc etc.

If it was me I would seek an alternative option from Apple. I can only guess how annoyed you are with this ordeal. I hope it gets resolved soon rather than later. Best of wishes.
 
88Keys said:
My SR Macbook Pro has had 3 repairs all due because of a faulty GPU, the first was because of vertical lines, the 2nd and 3rd were a failure to display anything at all, and now this time it causes graphical fragments and freezes the display forcing me to restart.

The third time I sent it off to be repaired the applecare specialist assured me that if I experienced any GPU problems again that it would be replaced. It has been 6 months since that, do you think apple would still honor that or just patch me up?
Click to expand...

They might have, if you'd kept quiet about the problems you have with your Apple product. But now that you've posted on MacRumors, chances are small, I guess :D

Just kidding. Call support and insist (politely but firmly) that you want a replacement. Some states and countries even have a lemon law (requiring a replacement after three or four unsuccessful repair attempts), so depending on where you live, you might be entitled to a replacement.
 
RiCEADDiCTBOY said:
I understand and I know of the inherent issue. I've owned one with a 8600 and a laptop with a 8800GT and never any issues. I know the problem exists but, to receive four GPU replacements is speculative at best. The manufacturing process was reportedly altered to correct the problem. Even so...not all the G92 gpus fail. Mine haven't. I am but one person, but a statisitc nonetheless that the gpu can survive...



Have you asked for a laptop replacement? I mean if Apple is repairing it that much - they are better off replacing it for you. It could be faulty wiring (perhaps a loose connection) from logic board to monitor, the logic board etc etc etc.

If it was me I would seek an alternative option from Apple. I can only guess how annoyed you are with this ordeal. I hope it gets resolved soon rather than later. Best of wishes.
Click to expand...

Yes, they're replacing it tomorrow. I called customer relations and the lady I spoke with ran my serial number and pretty agreed it needs to be replaces no fuss involved. So I'll be doing that first thing tomorrow morning.
 
weg said:
They might have, if you'd kept quiet about the problems you have with your Apple product. But now that you've posted on MacRumors, chances are small, I guess :D

Just kidding. Call support and insist (politely but firmly) that you want a replacement. Some states and countries even have a lemon law (requiring a replacement after three or four unsuccessful repair attempts), so depending on where you live, you might be entitled to a replacement.
Click to expand...

Haha, I guess it would be the ultimate irony if apple bound me by rope and gag me with an apple.
 
88Keys said:
Yes, they're replacing it tomorrow. I called customer relations and the lady I spoke with ran my serial number and pretty agreed it needs to be replaces no fuss involved. So I'll be doing that first thing tomorrow morning.
Click to expand...

Try not break this one, eh? :rolleyes:
 
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