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Apple says some MacBook Pros affected by faulty Nvidia chips

madmaxmedia said:
My concern is not the convenience factor (though it's there.) My concern is that my MBP GPU will fail AFTER the extra warranty period has passed.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's a real concern. And what bothers me is that anyone reselling their mbp should be declaring the problem (and how close the machine is to running out of the 2 year coverage period). But you know that not everyone will. And there will be people new to the Mac who will get burned by this.
 
Phrasikleia said:
My condolences. Would you mind telling us which model you have and when you bought it?
Click to expand...

SR MBP 2.2GHZ C2D, purchased in August 2007

Chipset Model: GeForce 8600M GT
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 128 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0407
Revision ID: 0x00a1
ROM Revision: 3175
 
Phrasikleia said:
Machines made in October of 2008 are not "on the list", so you probably have a "Rev. 2" GPU. Those are supposedly OK.
Click to expand...

Thanks man, just for reference, here is my System Profiler:

GeForce 8600M GT:

Chipset Model: GeForce 8600M GT
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0407
Revision ID: 0x00a1
ROM Revision: 3212
Displays:
Color LCD:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1440 x 900
Depth: 32-bit Color
Built-In: Yes
Core Image: Hardware Accelerated
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Display Connector:
Status: No display connected

Serial: W88400xxxxx
 
Here's a question - is there ever a case where the System Profiler reports GMAX3100 chipset and the problem isn't a dead GPU?

As I sit here typing on my wife's MB while my black-screened 2.2 SR MBP reads "Intel GMAX3100..." to me from System Profiler via Voiceover....:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

I didn't have any gfx symptoms up until this afternoon when it just blacked out completely.

One month out of warranty....:mad::mad::mad::mad:
 
ratter said:
Here's a question - is there ever a case where the System Profiler reports GMAX3100 chipset and the problem isn't a dead GPU?

As I sit here typing on my wife's MB while my black-screened 2.2 SR MBP reads "Intel GMAX3100..." to me from System Profiler via Voiceover....:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

I didn't have any gfx symptoms up until this afternoon when it just blacked out completely.

One month out of warranty....:mad::mad::mad::mad:
Click to expand...

Hey man,
did you check this article out?
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

You will probably be covered for repair. Let us know
 
imac9556 said:
Thanks man, just for reference, here is my System Profiler:

GeForce 8600M GT:

Chipset Model: GeForce 8600M GT
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0407
Revision ID: 0x00a1
ROM Revision: 3212
Displays:
Color LCD:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1440 x 900
Depth: 32-bit Color
Built-In: Yes
Core Image: Hardware Accelerated
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Display Connector:
Status: No display connected

Serial: W88400xxxxx
Click to expand...
I don't think Apple had been bothered to change any revision information on that when they released the "Rev 2" logic boards. Mine's still exactly the same before and after the "Rev 2" logic board exchange.
 
Phrasikleia said:
I don't think that's very accurate. It just told me that my computer was made at least two weeks after I bought it.

I'm pretty sure it was made before I bought it! ;)
Click to expand...

Lol!!! So your pretty sure huh..... Maybe you just got one with a Flux Capacitor in it :)
 
The Apple store has these 2 refurbs for sale;

Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
15.4-inch widescreen display
1GB memory
120GB hard drive
6x SuperDrive (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128MB of GDDR3 memory
Built-in iSight camera


Price: $1,399.00

Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
15.4-inch widescreen display
2GB memory
200GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB of GDDR3 memory
Built-in iSight Camera


Price: $1,449.00
Click to expand...

I am wondering if buying the MBP with the ATI card is worth it or safer. I normally would go for the NVIDIA, but the known issue is making me paranoid.

I would mostly use this computer for FCP.

Thanks for any insights.
 
OttawaGuy said:
I am wondering if buying the MBP with the ATI card is worth it or safer.
Click to expand...
Safer, perhaps, but I don't feel the cut on the other components is worth the meager $50 price drop. Between those two, personally I'd go with the nVidia-based one.
 
I just chatted with an Apple Store person about this. Here is what he said:


There was an issue with the graphics cards from NVIDIA.
However they have been correct since September.

Apple has automatically extended the warranty for the graphics cards on the models in question for a full two years.

The items in the clearance section are items they may of been purchased before September. So I can not say 100% that the one you would get would of been made after September.

However that is where the extension of the warranty comes in.

OK, remember the refurbished units are only available online.

Me: Are the refurbished models more likely to already have the "fixed" graphics in them?

I really would not be able to speculate on that.
Click to expand...

Just thought I would share that. Apparently it was corrected in September.
 
OttawaGuy said:
The Apple store has these 2 refurbs for sale;



I am wondering if buying the MBP with the ATI card is worth it or safer. I normally would go for the NVIDIA, but the known issue is making me paranoid.

I would mostly use this computer for FCP.

Thanks for any insights.
Click to expand...

Those prices dropped another $100 - $1299, $1349 respectively. Very good price either way.
 
Etrain said:
I just chatted with an Apple Store person about this. Here is what he said:




Just thought I would share that. Apparently it was corrected in September.
Click to expand...

Oooo. That'd be really great, as I got mine on Oct 6 and it was shipped to the store on Sept 20. I was really hoping that if I bought one that had been made as late as possible (but before the revision), that it would have the greatest chance of being reliable. And now it looks like just maybe that's possibly true. Although other sources would suggest I'm in the very same boat as everyone else.

Which is fine, actually. I figure I get the AppleCare and just enjoy my MBP classic. And if the video card fails, it fails, and I get it replaced under warrantee. And I figure if it doesn't fail too soon that it is very likely that it will only need to be replaced that one time.

Because, it's just plain worth the risk for me. I've been desperately wanting a MBP for two years now, and especially since the Penryn MBP's came out. It's exactly, EXACTLY, what I want. And now I have it. So there is a possible (or eventual) faulty component? Not the best, of course, but heck, there is probably one or more design or component flaws with the new MBP's, too.

Perfection is an illusion, folks. It's a lovely illusion for a time, maybe, but even then, it's draining. I'm always happy when I move beyond that stage of ownership/infatuation. I'm happy when I don't think about it on that level, but just find myself NOT thinking about it, and being very productive or useful with it, then realizing every now and then: damn! I really like this (fill in the blank). The best tools don't call attention to themselves unnecessarily. They just enable good work and productivity and enjoyment.

So, the fact that I know there are issues with my video card might actually help me to just get over the illusion of perfection in my ownership of my MBP classic. (HA! How's that for rationalizing? Impressive, eh?)
 
agreed, i got a matte screen less than 2 weeks ago after seeing the new ones. mega-speed isn't a priority and in fact there isn't a 'great deal' of speed bump in the new ones. I checked the chipmunk site as provided above (many thanks orpheus for that!), according to the serial no. and these specs:
Chipset Model: GeForce 8600M GT
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0407
Revision ID: 0x00a1

it was made end of september...no idea what my chances are though...
 
shiato storm said:
p.s. just forgot this line: ROM Revision: 3212
it might me me but I think this 3212 rev. might be the 'better' one?
Click to expand...

i just got my refurb yesterday and i have the same number. hopfully it will be good. i'll really be pushing the hell out of it.
 
shiato storm said:
p.s. just forgot this line: ROM Revision: 3212
it might me me but I think this 3212 rev. might be the 'better' one?
Click to expand...

I bought my MBP eight months ago and have the same ROM Revision:

GeForce 8600M GT:

Chipset Model: GeForce 8600M GT
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0407
Revision ID: 0x00a1
ROM Revision: 3212
 
shiato storm said:
p.s. just forgot this line: ROM Revision: 3212
it might me me but I think this 3212 rev. might be the 'better' one?
Click to expand...

pavelbure said:
i just got my refurb yesterday and i have the same number. hopfully it will be good. i'll really be pushing the hell out of it.
Click to expand...

Phrasikleia said:
I bought my MBP eight months ago and have the same ROM Revision:

GeForce 8600M GT:

Chipset Model: GeForce 8600M GT
Type: Display
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0407
Revision ID: 0x00a1
ROM Revision: 3212
Click to expand...
Like I said, the details under the System Profiler hasn't been changed at all when comparing the old problematic logic board and the new "Rev 2" replacement boards.

Try GPU-Z under Boot Camp.
 
AWESOME, according to the chipmonk site the macbook refurb I just got yesterday was made October 2008!!! :D:D

Memory - number of slots: Please tell us how many memory (RAM) slots this machine has.
Factory: RM (Remanufactured Model = Refurbished)code_to_number: 13Z - **********

Production year: 2008
Production week: 41 (October)
Production number: 1291 (within this week)
 
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