MacBook Pro died..

[bushbaby]

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...ook_pros_affected_by_faulty_nvidia_chips.html

So Apple just lets these fail instead of issuing a recall.

What concerns me is they are not putting any warning on the machines they are selling on the refurb and clearance site.

 

[rychencop]

What does this do?

I was also told to do this by an Apple Care rep over the phone, when I called about choppy video and image loading.

The System Management Controller is an integrated circuit (computer chip) that is on the logic board of the computer. As the name implies, it is responsible for power management of the computer. It controls backlighting, hard disk spin down, sleep and wake, some charging aspects, trackpad control, and some input/output as it relates to the computer sleeping.

Over time, the settings in the System Management Controller may become unusable, which can result in operational anomalies with the computer. Examples include not turning on, not waking from sleep, not charging the battery, or not recognizing the AC Adapter, among others.

Resetting the SMC is not intended for resolution of a stall or situation in which the computer is unresponsive. An SMC reset should not be necessary except as a last resort in cases where a hardware failure of the power management system is suspected. Performing an SMC reset, resets the hardware power management functions.

For most situations, a restart is sufficient. If the computer has stopped responding, try each one of these steps, one by one. Test in between steps to see if it has worked. If one step works, don't worry about the next, as you're up and running! you should only reset the SMC if you've tried all of the steps listed here and the computer still isn't working.

1. Force Quit (Option-Command-Escape)
2. Restart (Control-Command-Power)
3. Force Shut Down (press the power button for 10 seconds)

Only perform an SMC reset on the computer if none of the above steps resolved the situation. If this is the case, see below for instructions on locating the reset button or key combination for your model of computer. If your computer is earlier than the models listed here, see "Resetting PowerBook and iBook Power Management Unit (PMU)" or "PowerBook: Resetting Power Management Unit (PMU)".
MacBook, MacBook Pro

1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Disconnect the AC Adapter and remove the computer's battery.
3. Press and hold down the power button for 5 seconds and then release the button.
4. Reconnect the battery and AC Adapter.
5. Press the Power button to restart the computer.

 

[Bwilky]

Maybe you could push them a little and try to switch it for a new mbp Never know, might work. Hopefully you get this all sorted out soon.

 

[kolax]

The idea is to sell it on eBay once I get it back.

However, I assume that since NVIDIA has rectified the problem in the 8600GT's, the replacement GPU should not be a victim of the failing problems?

 

[Bwilky]

The idea is to sell it on eBay once I get it back.

However, I assume that since NVIDIA has rectified the problem in the 8600GT's, the replacement GPU should not be a victim of the failing problems?

Are they putting another 8600 or 9600M GT?

 

[kolax]

Are they putting another 8600 or 9600M GT?

It'll be the 8600M.

They can't give me the new logic board, it won't fit my MacBook Pro.

 

[kolax]

Well, I've finally got it back!

Turns out the GPU failed and the screen failed. So both had to be replaced. Luckily the John Lewis second-year guarantee covered it.

Unfortunately, they replaced the logic board before they found out the screen needed replacing too (had they known at the time both needed replaced, I would have just been given a replacement laptop).

Total cost for the repairs was £800 for the logic board (inc. labour) and £400 for the screen (inc. labour), so £1,200!

They've extended the guarantee for another year, and if it goes faulty within that time, I get an instant replacement.

Gotta love John Lewis!