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So are all MBP owners with the 8600m GT cards screwed?
- Thread starter jjahshik32
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I sometimes wish Apple would replace my 8600M GT with a 9600M GT for free. *sigh* Not everything happens, right?
I've just had my first flickering screen event on my latest NVIDIA card, my 4th one. It was installed last week. I'm on my way to the Apple Store now and I'm insisting on a new computer at this point. I've lost all confidence in the reliability of my computer, and in their ability to fix this problem. I don't need this - my masters thesis is due in less than a week! And I'm moving across the country in less than 2!!
Just got back from the Apple Store. My computer actually passed the graphics test, but all the NVIDIA error messages in the console were convincing, as well as a video i took of my screen flickering, not to mention the repair history. I'll be getting a CRU (customer replacement unit i think) in a few weeks.
Don't despair!
My MBP didn't wake up one recent morning, just a whimpering chime and nothing else.
Took it to the Apple Store. They have a tester that can confirm the chip problem, but only if the unit chimes. If the problem is confirmed, they would fix it on site in a day!
Mine of course decided not too... The Genius was about to dismiss me, but the nearby supervisor heard the conversation and stepped in.
He had me sign a repair order for a diagnosis, a $300 charge. This, he assured me, would not be charged and the unit would be sent out to a some sort of repair hub and would come back fixed for free. He said this would take more time, but that it would for sure come back working and that he recommended this approach.
And that is what happened. Fed Ex dropped it off, I turned it on and it works fine.
So, if this chip problem seems to be your issue, just make sure you persevere with the Genius you talk to, and talk to the supervisor if you have to. They do not all know all of these repair options. It may even be necessary to go to another Apple Store or even go to an authorized independent dealer.
My MBP didn't wake up one recent morning, just a whimpering chime and nothing else.
Took it to the Apple Store. They have a tester that can confirm the chip problem, but only if the unit chimes. If the problem is confirmed, they would fix it on site in a day!
Mine of course decided not too... The Genius was about to dismiss me, but the nearby supervisor heard the conversation and stepped in.
He had me sign a repair order for a diagnosis, a $300 charge. This, he assured me, would not be charged and the unit would be sent out to a some sort of repair hub and would come back fixed for free. He said this would take more time, but that it would for sure come back working and that he recommended this approach.
And that is what happened. Fed Ex dropped it off, I turned it on and it works fine.
So, if this chip problem seems to be your issue, just make sure you persevere with the Genius you talk to, and talk to the supervisor if you have to. They do not all know all of these repair options. It may even be necessary to go to another Apple Store or even go to an authorized independent dealer.
A few weeks - that seems a little bit prolonged. Did they say why it would take so long?
it's not so bad, i get to keep my computer in the mean time. I've just gotta make sure to be diligent about saving my work and running time machine a lot in the mean time. If they're sucking it up and replacing my almost 4-year old computer with a brand new one, I didn't feel the need to complain about another few weeks.
Didn't say you should complain... was hoping the reason is because supplies are very limited (which could indicate imminent refresh).
actually i got the feeling that a delay like this was typical for CRU's. It's not as simple as just taking one out of the store, I guess they need to order one specifically? Or maybe it has something to do with the getting approval for the replacement, maybe it has to get approved by NVIDIA or something - would they be footing the bill for this possibly?
As far as updates, a guy I know working at that store suggested he's heard rumors of imminent updates, but he's probably just reading macrumors.com
As far as updates, a guy I know working at that store suggested he's heard rumors of imminent updates, but he's probably just reading macrumors.com
actually i got the feeling that a delay like this was typical for CRU's. It's not as simple as just taking one out of the store, I guess they need to order one specifically? Or maybe it has something to do with the getting approval for the replacement, maybe it has to get approved by NVIDIA or something - would they be footing the bill for this possibly?
As far as updates, a guy I know working at that store suggested he's heard rumors of imminent updates, but he's probably just reading macrumors.com
my experiences it was about a week. called applecare 8/17 replacement arrived 8/24 and the replacement was a cto. The other time was also about a week.
Run using your battery not power connector
Run using your battery not power connector so that the machine runs cooler. This would help prevent the 8600GT nvidia issue.
I have had my 15 inch MBP since late 2008. I would always use the battery till about a few months back.
I had to replace my battery - It did its 300 cycles duty & died. Since then I was using a lot more connected to the power connector/charger. I noticed that the MBP would run a lot lot hotter. sometimes unbearable to touch.
Guess what...about a couple months ago....I got the nvidia display flickering issue.
I took to apple store once....they ran nvidia diagnostic test...but it passed.
ok so I took back home...then the display stayed in the bad flickered state. So I went back to the apple store & I showed the genius the flickered display.
It got sent to a repair location & they put a new logic board ( I had applecare).
Now I am using it with battery. Its cheaper to replace the battery than to replace with a new laptop. My applecare runs out in a few months.
Lets see when the ipad2 gets announced...maybe I will get the ipad2 so that I can use the MBP even lesser than I do now.
Run using your battery not power connector so that the machine runs cooler. This would help prevent the 8600GT nvidia issue.
I have had my 15 inch MBP since late 2008. I would always use the battery till about a few months back.
I had to replace my battery - It did its 300 cycles duty & died. Since then I was using a lot more connected to the power connector/charger. I noticed that the MBP would run a lot lot hotter. sometimes unbearable to touch.
Guess what...about a couple months ago....I got the nvidia display flickering issue.
I took to apple store once....they ran nvidia diagnostic test...but it passed.
ok so I took back home...then the display stayed in the bad flickered state. So I went back to the apple store & I showed the genius the flickered display.
It got sent to a repair location & they put a new logic board ( I had applecare).
Now I am using it with battery. Its cheaper to replace the battery than to replace with a new laptop. My applecare runs out in a few months.
Lets see when the ipad2 gets announced...maybe I will get the ipad2 so that I can use the MBP even lesser than I do now.
Running on battery so everything downclocks should not be necessary. I doubt most people will find this to be an acceptable solution. Folks really expect to be able to use the full power and capability of a machine they spent so much money on.
Cheers,
Cheers,
Hi, Im new here and just wanted to say that baking my MBP worked.
I followed this...
http://russell.heistuman.com/2010/04/27/cooking-the-books-or-baking-my-macbook-pro-logic-board/
And now have my mac running ok.
Would be nice to know if any of you did it and how long it been working.
Thanks!
I followed this...
http://russell.heistuman.com/2010/04/27/cooking-the-books-or-baking-my-macbook-pro-logic-board/
And now have my mac running ok.
Would be nice to know if any of you did it and how long it been working.
Thanks!
I had 2 fail today at work both 2.2 2gb 128vram. Called apple they original said the computers are out of warranty. Then i told him about the extended warranty. 5 minutes later they are shipping boxes. The nearest apple store is 100 miles. One shows no video but chimes the other shows pcie x1-4.
I just read that guys blog about his multiple experiences baking his MBP. That's crazy.
Well, count me in the failed 8600m GT camp. It's a late 2008 2.4 GHz. I turned on my MBP yesterday and the screen had a horizontal line in the middle and it was flickering. Then the image on the bottom half off the screen started "jumping" up and down. After about 10 minutes it went away. Automatically I knew the graphics card was starting to go. I made an appointment with the Genius Bar and within 30 seconds of running the test he confirmed that the graphics card failed the test. Hopefully the issue goes away and doesn't come back once they replace the logic board.
That sucks to hear. I so worried about my MBP since it is a early 2008 model, 2.5 GHz, with the 8600M GT 512MB. I don't have the money to replace it and the warranty is up. I bought mine and found out a month later that the 8600M GT where bad in the computers. I do a lot of video editing and conversions. I capture 1080p video with three HD GoPro Heros. I sit at my chair every time worrying about when it is getting close to THAT time.
Even if you're out of warranty, the repair for the 8600m GT will be covered, so you don't have to worry too much about that. Do you have any indication the card is not working properly?
You could always schedule a Genius Bar appointment and have them run the diagnostic on it.
You could always schedule a Genius Bar appointment and have them run the diagnostic on it.
That sucks to hear. I so worried about my MBP since it is a early 2008 model, 2.5 GHz, with the 8600M GT 512MB. I don't have the money to replace it and the warranty is up. I bought mine and found out a month later that the 8600M GT where bad in the computers. I do a lot of video editing and conversions. I capture 1080p video with three HD GoPro Heros. I sit at my chair every time worrying about when it is getting close to THAT time.
keep an eye on PCIe Lane Width It should be x16 if that changes the card is starting to fail. Watching that might prevent you from suddenly not having a picture and not being able to get your files.
Hi all !
I have an issue with my MacBook Pro late 2007 2,4GHz and the 256MB 8600M GT.
Last week, a random morning, my mac did boot but nothing appeared on the screen.
Then I tried with an external display, but it didn't worked better ...
I took control via screen sharing and saw everything works except for the graphic card.
And in system profiler, it says it has a GMA X3100.
So, I called Apple who told me to come in an Apple Reseller (there is no apple store in belgium ..) with the mac and that everything was covered by them.
A few days later, the reseller told me it was repaired and that I could come pick it up.
When I arrived, they told me it's not the graphic card but the logic board that is defect, and that if I want my mac to be repaired I must pay 1000, or pay 75 to get my mac back (unrepaired ...).
Here are my questions !
How can they now if this is the logic board or the graphic card that is defect ?
I know they execute some tests that return codes, but how can they see the codes if the screen is not working ?!
With all I have read over the net, it always says that with those symptoms, it is the 8600 that is dead and that Apple must replace it for free.
What can you tell me that should help me convincing them it is the 8600 that is defect ?!
Thanks in advance !
I have an issue with my MacBook Pro late 2007 2,4GHz and the 256MB 8600M GT.
Last week, a random morning, my mac did boot but nothing appeared on the screen.
Then I tried with an external display, but it didn't worked better ...
I took control via screen sharing and saw everything works except for the graphic card.
And in system profiler, it says it has a GMA X3100.
So, I called Apple who told me to come in an Apple Reseller (there is no apple store in belgium ..) with the mac and that everything was covered by them.
A few days later, the reseller told me it was repaired and that I could come pick it up.
When I arrived, they told me it's not the graphic card but the logic board that is defect, and that if I want my mac to be repaired I must pay 1000, or pay 75 to get my mac back (unrepaired ...).
Here are my questions !
How can they now if this is the logic board or the graphic card that is defect ?
I know they execute some tests that return codes, but how can they see the codes if the screen is not working ?!
With all I have read over the net, it always says that with those symptoms, it is the 8600 that is dead and that Apple must replace it for free.
What can you tell me that should help me convincing them it is the 8600 that is defect ?!
Thanks in advance !
The symptoms you've described sound exactly like what is listed in the KB apple released saying all machines are covered for 4 years from the date of purchase http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2377 . Also, the System Profiler wouldn't say GMA X3100 for a system with a functional nvidia graphics chip. I'd bring a copy of the kb article with you and tell them you should be covered. If you passed the test they run ask them to try again to see if your card fails. Also, the kernel.log in the console app might show video card errors (search for nvda). I'd ask them to check that as well.
First, thank you for you answer.
The thing is, I don't know if they have ran the test !
How could they have possibly ran it if they can't see anything ?
I have looked at the kernel log searching for nvda.
I see a lot of lines like these :
NVDANV50HAL loaded and registered
But those lines stopped appearing since the graphic card is dead ... I suppose it is linked ? can you confirm it ?
Again, how could they confirm me that it is the logic board or the graphic card that is defect if they can't run the test with no display to see the results ?!
Again, thanks for your answer
First, thank you for you answer.
The thing is, I don't know if they have ran the test !
How could they have possibly ran it if they can't see anything ?
I have looked at the kernel log searching for nvda.
I see a lot of lines like these :
NVDANV50HAL loaded and registered
But those lines stopped appearing since the graphic card is dead ... I suppose it is linked ? can you confirm it ?
Again, how could they confirm me that it is the logic board or the graphic card that is defect if they can't run the test with no display to see the results ?!
Again, thanks for your answer
If you hear the chime sound when you boot up, they should be able to run their tests (they connect an external drive to your system and run the tests on it). What you've described in the logs sounds suspect, but I'm not an expert. I'd bring in the article and tell them the symptoms you have are the same. Sometimes just being persistent and talking to another person helps. If you still have trouble, I'd contact apple and tell them all signs point to a graphics card failure, but the repair shop won't authorize the repair.
Ok. Thanks.
This is what I did, I contacted Apple.
They told me they will see with the reseller and keep me informed.
Again, a big thank !
Wow, you mean I get to waste a lot of time and energy solving the problem of being stuck with a defective GPU because Apple chose not to fix the problem?
Joy.
Please remember that every one of these GPUs is defective. It's a known defect. It should have been dealt with, not by forcing buyers to jump through flaming hoops of perseverance, not with games, but with a wholesale recall, as Intel did with its SATA bug.
And if the machine has been dropped? Macbook Pro cases are very slick on the bottom and easily slide off things like couches.