Help with flickering MBP display problem (with video)

[brunning]

2007 MBP 3,1
2.4GHz
4GB RAM

No problems for 3 years. I just got a new iMac, so I got this MBP cleaned up to sell. I wiped the disk, reinstalled 10.6 and all updates, everything worked totally fine for a few days.

I put it in the drawer.

2 weeks pass, I have an interested buyer, I pull it out to get it charged up, and the screen is now flickering like CRAZY.

I've rebooted a bunch, reset PRAM, etc.

Doesn't look like a backlight issue (you can see the menu bar moving around when it flickers). Broken graphics card? Ideas?

Video on YouTube

 

[nwcs]

I had that model and that was what I saw when the graphic card began to die on it. Apple had extended the warranty and I got the logic board replaced for free. So I would go to Apple and see what you can work out with them.

 

[brunning]

Thanks.

The rub is that the AppleCare expired about a week ago.

 

[snaky69]

Thanks.

The rub is that the AppleCare expired about a week ago.

Doesn't matter, apple is doing a kind of recall and extended the warranty on all laptops affected(so long as the trouble is the 8600gt graphics card, that is) to either 3 or 4 years, call them with your serial number, you'll most likely get a free logic board replacement and be on your merry way.

 

[scaredpoet]

Doesn't matter, apple is doing a kind of recall and extended the warranty on all laptops affected(so long as the trouble is the 8600gt graphics card, that is)

It depends on how old the MBP is. Only the newer discrete MBPs had the 8600gt, while earlier models had an ATI GPU.

 

[brunning]

So I just checked and I do have the 8600GT graphics card in my MBP.

Off to the Genius Bar tomorrow to have a talk.

 

[brunning]

Update for those interested:

Apple tested the 8600 card and determined it was not faulty.

The problem was a dying/dead display (plugged into an external monitor, the video was fine).

Though Applecare had expired, they still covered the repair! (One of those "let me speak to my manager and see what we can do" moments, go Apple!)

 

[Pillar]

Update for those interested:

Apple tested the 8600 card and determined it was not faulty.

The problem was a dying/dead display (plugged into an external monitor, the video was fine).

Though Applecare had expired, they still covered the repair! (One of those "let me speak to my manager and see what we can do" moments, go Apple!)

wow, that's great!

Good to hear that Apple took care of you