So are all MBP owners with the 8600m GT cards screwed?

[rc.square24]

MBP 2.2Ghz Santa Rosa 15"

This week all of a sudden my screen started acting weird, when it happens the best i could describe is it looks like a fine mesh is placed over the screen. If I restart my computer it is okay. I noticed that it happens when it is under heavier load (parallels) as I've tried quitting parallels and wait a couple of minutes and the problem goes away a while after the fans slow down. **Actually it happened again as I type with just safari running and fans idle speed.

Here are some pictures I took with my iPhone. First two is when the problem exists and the last two is when the screen is acting up (top), compared to the same shot when the screen is normal (bottom).

Problem present

Problem present

Problem present

Normal screen for comparison

The problem is not really reproducible but rather random. Anyone experience this? I might bring it in for checkup regardless.

Thanks

**It happened again after I posted but this time with a yellow tint

 

[TehFalcon]

MBP 2.2Ghz Santa Rosa 15"

This week all of a sudden my screen started acting weird, when it happens the best i could describe is it looks like a fine mesh is placed over the screen. If I restart my computer it is okay. I noticed that it happens when it is under heavier load (parallels) as I've tried quitting parallels and wait a couple of minutes and the problem goes away a while after the fans slow down. **Actually it happened again as I type with just safari running and fans idle speed.

Here are some pictures I took with my iPhone. First two is when the problem exists and the last two is when the screen is acting up (top), compared to the same shot when the screen is normal (bottom).

Image
Image

Image
Image

The problem is not really reproducible but rather random. Anyone experience this? I might bring it in for checkup regardless.

Thanks

Get her in for a checkup.

 

[dr.george]

Had the same problem and took it to my local Apple service hoping that it was the video card (which has extended warranty) but they told me it was the screen and it had to be replaced... just took my mbp back home and suddenly it was working again.

Can it be the screen ? or its definitly de 8600 card?

 

[Ledgem]

I wen't to the Apple Store after I had this dreaded problem with my computer and the tech told me the warranty on the 8600m GT was extended to 5 years even if you did not buy Applecare. They acknowledge the problem and take care of it. Go Apple !

That is a relief.

 

[AnonMac50]

I wen't to the Apple Store after I had this dreaded problem with my computer and the tech told me the warranty on the 8600m GT was extended to 5 years even if you did not buy Applecare. They acknowledge the problem and take care of it. Go Apple !

That's good. You're sure 5 years? Apple's page still says 4.

 

[jbrenn]

That's good. You're sure 5 years? Apple's page still says 4.

its 4 years went to applestore at north park With a 4+ year old mbp apple said $310.

 

[kaioshade]

It is definitely 4 years. If you fuss enough, a CS code may be granted, but 4 years is definitely the cutoff.

 

[Icarus73]

MBP 2.2Ghz Santa Rosa 15"

This week all of a sudden my screen started acting weird, when it happens the best i could describe is it looks like a fine mesh is placed over the screen. If I restart my computer it is okay. I noticed that it happens when it is under heavier load (parallels) as I've tried quitting parallels and wait a couple of minutes and the problem goes away a while after the fans slow down. **Actually it happened again as I type with just safari running and fans idle speed.

Here are some pictures I took with my iPhone. First two is when the problem exists and the last two is when the screen is acting up (top), compared to the same shot when the screen is normal (bottom).

Problem present
Image
Problem present
Image

Problem present
Image
Normal screen for comparison
Image

The problem is not really reproducible but rather random. Anyone experience this? I might bring it in for checkup regardless.

Thanks

**It happened again after I posted but this time with a yellow tint
Image
Image

same thing happened to me. the apple genius SWORE it was the LCD, not the nvida graphics issue because it displayed on an external display just fine.

 

[oxfordguy]

Is this the NVIDIA problem?

Hi - my early-2008 2.5Ghz Macbook Pro (which has NVIDIA 8600M GT graphics with 512Mb VRAM) has recently started refusing to turn on (much more detail in this thread)

Basically when the power button is depressed the white front led goes on briefly and the discs sound like they're about to spin up, then the machine goes dead (within about half a second).

If the RAM modules are removed the machine starts up (sort-of, the screen still doesn't come on) and the machine repeats 3 long beeps (i.e. "no good RAM banks").

The machine is 3 years 6 months old (i.e. 6 months out of extended Apple Care...)

I took it in to a local authorised Apple repair guy and he said:

"I have investigated your machine and found that the problem lies within
the main system logic board and in particular the memory slots. When the
ram modules are removed the machine stays powered on and emits the usual
beeps.

I have tried known good memory but this gives the same shutting off
scenario."

He has suggested the only thing he can do is the replace the logic board, at around £500 ($790) - which is about the same as buying this model used on eBay would cost!

Others in my original post about this have suggested that, despite what the repair guy says, it may still actually be a problem with the NVIDIA chip and therefore might either be repairable more cheaply than replacing the logic baord (e.g. reballing) or ought to have the logic board replaced by Apple free of charge (as its less than 4 years old).

I'm not sure myself that it is the NVIDIA problem, as was getting none of these symptons, the laptop simply doesn't turn on with RAM installed.:

• No display (but turns on)
• 3 Beeps - 1 long and 2 short, screen remains black
• Vertical and horizontal stripes appear on the screen
• Screen is divided into multiple parts
• White/Grey screen, sometimes with lines & Overheating

So what do you think - could this still be the NVIDIA problem, or is it likely that the RAM slots are just fried? Thanks

 

[thundersteele]

Hi - my early-2008 2.5Ghz Macbook Pro (which has NVIDIA 8600M GT graphics with 512Mb VRAM) has recently started refusing to turn on (much more detail in this thread)

Basically when the power button is depressed the white front led goes on briefly and the discs sound like they're about to spin up, then the machine goes dead (within about half a second). Machine was 3.5 years old, and I only ever had the 1 year warranty.

If the RAM modules are removed the machine starts up (sort-of, the screen still doesn't come on) and the machine repeats 3 long beeps (i.e. "no good RAM banks").

I had the same problem on a 2008 Macbook Pro with the 8600GT, a few month ago. It wouldn't turn on, or only as you described above. I didn't try turning it on without memory in the banks. It ended up being due to the faulty graphics card, and Apple repaired it for free.

Here is how it went in detail:

Took it to the genius bar in an Apple store. They tried to connect their diagnosis tool, but since it only turned on for 1-2 seconds before shutting off again, the tool wouldn't give any useful diagnosis.

I was told that it's most likely the logic board, and replacing it would cost around $700-900. I was offered a reduced flat rate repair for something like $300, the reason being that I had no previous warranty issues with my macbook. I agreed to this repair.

A week later I went to pick it up, and they told me that I didn't have to pay for the repair since the problem turned out to be the graphics chip (which is part of the logic board). At that point the salesperson got a bit confused, since one bill said it was warranty, and one said it was free, so she called someone from tech support who finally confirmed that it was a free warranty repair.


Bottom line:
- I would try an Apple store, if you get the $300 repair offer it's a very good deal.
- If you have it repaired, inquire as to what the reason for the failure was... not all people working at the apple store know about the graphics card issue, and it can save you quite a bit of money.


Finally, while I appreciate that apple is offering free repairs for this particular issue, they did never make an attempt to fix it. If I understand it correctly the replacement logic board still has the same faulty graphics chip. Imagine a car manufacturer would not fix your brake but instead tell you to just keep driving and that they will fix your car in case you have a crash...

 

[oxfordguy]

Bottom line:
- I would try an Apple store, if you get the $300 repair offer it's a very good deal.
- If you have it repaired, inquire as to what the reason for the failure was... not all people working at the apple store know about the graphics card issue, and it can save you quite a bit of money.

Okay, thanks for the information, sounds like its still possible that its a graphics chip issue (or maybe not an issue directly related to the RAM slots anyway). I guess I should try to take it to an Apple store, but it will be a bit of a hassle to get to one - I'm based in Oxford (UK) and the nearest Apple stores are Reading or London, which means a train or bus journey (I don't own a car), though it would be possible to go there and back in a day.

Would the best approach be to try to book a "Genuis Bar" appointment at an Apple Store or could I just turn up with my MBP?

 

[oxfordguy]

I had the same problem on a 2008 Macbook Pro with the 8600GT, a few month ago. It wouldn't turn on, or only as you described above. I didn't try turning it on without memory in the banks. It ended up being due to the faulty graphics card, and Apple repaired it for free.

BTW I enquired again with the local authorised Apple repair guy whether it might still actually be the NVIDIA chip issue (and therefore potentially be repaired for free out of warranty by Apple) and he said:

"The nvidia test can't run with the machine as it is and as the machine is out of warranty apple will not cover it without the diagnostic code it generates.

I have tried known good memory and this has the same effect."

If I take it to an Apple Store Genius Bar, aren't they likely to say the same thing?

I guess another option instead of replacing the logic board would be to try getting the GPU and possibly Northbridge chips reballed, but if the NVIDIA GPU itself is faulty (as opposed to the solder failing), then this isn't going to fix the issue and could just be a waste of time and money...

 

[Risasi]

same thing happened to me. the apple genius SWORE it was the LCD, not the nvida graphics issue because it displayed on an external display just fine.

This the exact same same problem I have with my Dell XPS M1530 that also contains the 8600m GT. I actually got the motherboard replaced about a month out from my two year warranty expiring. Vertical green line (which I think was actually caused by LCD interface cable, but they replaced everything) Six weeks later this problem manifested on the new board they put in, which was a refurb. I've since then replaced the LCD display, all wires. Basically everything but the board, because it's the one part that's too expensive.

Anyway, I call bull$#!+...it's this stupid GPU somehow. I'm not happy with vendors who are now arguing it's not a bad video processor, but I understand why they are. There was only a few million bucks to pass around and I'm sure it's long gone. So I'm guessing by now Dell, Apple, etc are all paying for this out of pocket.

It's Nvidia who I hold most responsible. Instead of fessing up to this problem like they should have people had to go through a 2 year class action, meanwhile Nvidia continued to pump out the same flawed chips. All of those chipsets from that era were time bombs just waiting to blow up. And that is why I bought a Mac with an Intel chipset and have my own personal boycott against Nvidia.

 

[thundersteele]

BTW I enquired again with the local authorised Apple repair guy whether it might still actually be the NVIDIA chip issue (and therefore potentially be repaired for free out of warranty by Apple) and he said:



If I take it to an Apple Store Genius Bar, aren't they likely to say the same thing?
[...]

Yes, this could happen. As I explained above, I only found out afterwards that the repair was for free. Since the laptop wouldn't boot up they could not detect the problem without taking it apart.
The other thing to consider is that apple has some interest in keeping you as a long term customer, while your local repair guy has nothing to gain from offering you a flat rate repair that might cost him more than you pay.
You could try calling your nearest apple store, maybe they can offer some sort of advice... maybe they can offer the flat rate repair on the phone, provided they have a similar policy in the UK.

Good luck

 

[amagnet]

MBP 15" 2GHZ INtel Core i7. Maybe it's my cable from the screen at the hinge, sometimes mine is all green where it should be black. ( or sometimes the white login box is green) moving the lid will fix it , it comes back randomly. Just happened now, I took a photo and video clip to show the Apple genius' Still under warranty so I hope they get in there and fix this "intermittent" issue!

 

[TakezoKensei]

My 2008 2.5 Ghz MBP has failed. I was experiencing the standard symptoms, no chime, black screen, sleep mode light on. It wouldn't post so my ASP first denied any warranty claims. I did the warm up trick and managed to get it to post and boot up properly. When I took it in to Apple again they said my MBP didn't qualify since the only eligible MBP's are the 2.2 and 2.4's.

I was really hoping Apple would step up once I got the laptop to post so they could run their little software test. I really had no other choice so I decided to have them put in a new logic board on my dime for $310.

 

[AnonMac50]

My 2008 2.5 Ghz MBP has failed. I was experiencing the standard symptoms, no chime, black screen, sleep mode light on. It wouldn't post so my ASP first denied any warranty claims. I did the warm up trick and managed to get it to post and boot up properly. When I took it in to Apple again they said my MBP didn't qualify since the only eligible MBP's are the 2.2 and 2.4's.

I was really hoping Apple would step up once I got the laptop to post so they could run their little software test. I really had no other choice so I decided to have them put in a new logic board on my dime for $310.

Ouch. That's too bad.

I think the 2.5 GHz should be covered, at least, according to this: MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues.

It says:

Specific products affected:

MacBook Pro 15-inch and 17-inch models with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processors
MacBook Pro (17-Inch, 2.4GHz)
MacBook Pro (15-Inch, 2.4/2.2GHz)
MacBook Pro (Early 2008)
These computers were manufactured between approximately May 2007 and September 2008

Find out how you can get a refund:

Apple is issuing refunds to customers who may have paid for repairs related to this issue. Please contact Apple for details on the refund process.

Hope this helps.

AnonMac50

 

[thundersteele]

There are some models that do not qualify for the free repair. This is determined by the serial number.

The 2.5 GHz should be covered, since mine was. But again, if it comes from a line of GPUs that Apple and/or Nvidia claim are not affected by this issue, then there is no coverage. I would still contact apple afterwards, to make sure.

Note that a $310 repair is still much cheaper than a $800+ logic board replacement.

 

[AnonMac50]

MBP 15" 2GHZ INtel Core i7. Maybe it's my cable from the screen at the hinge, sometimes mine is all green where it should be black. ( or sometimes the white login box is green) moving the lid will fix it , it comes back randomly. Just happened now, I took a photo and video clip to show the Apple genius' Still under warranty so I hope they get in there and fix this "intermittent" issue!

I read about unibody MacBook Pro's having this problem. I don't think you're alone.

There are some models that do not qualify for the free repair. This is determined by the serial number.

The 2.5 GHz should be covered, since mine was. But again, if it comes from a line of GPUs that Apple and/or Nvidia claim are not affected by this issue, then there is no coverage. I would still contact apple afterwards, to make sure.

Note that a $310 repair is still much cheaper than a $800+ logic board replacement.

True. I'm surprised they don't include the Late 2008 17" MBP and the 2.6 GHz CTO late 2007 MBP in the list.

 

[TakezoKensei]

Ouch. That's too bad.

I think the 2.5 GHz should be covered, at least, according to this: MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues.

It says:


Find out how you can get a refund:

Hope this helps.

AnonMac50

Mine is definitely an early 2008 model so I just think the "genius" doesn't know what he's talking about. He said only the 2.2 and 2.4 ghz models qualify but apple's website clearly states early 2008 models are affected and doesn't mention only certain serial numbers of those models qualify. I was able to get my MBP back from apple before they shipped it out. I'm going to try another apple store once I get this thing to post again.

 

[thundersteele]

Mine is definitely an early 2008 model so I just think the "genius" doesn't know what he's talking about. He said only the 2.2 and 2.4 ghz models qualify but apple's website clearly states early 2008 models are affected and doesn't mention only certain serial numbers of those models qualify. I was able to get my MBP back from apple before they shipped it out. I'm going to try another apple store once I get this thing to post again.

Why don't you call apple's support first?

 

[oxfordguy]

Mine is definitely an early 2008 model so I just think the "genius" doesn't know what he's talking about. He said only the 2.2 and 2.4 ghz models qualify but apple's website clearly states early 2008 models are affected and doesn't mention only certain serial numbers of those models qualify. I was able to get my MBP back from apple before they shipped it out. I'm going to try another apple store once I get this thing to post again.

My early-2008 2.5Ghz MBP had the logic board replaced free of charge by an Apple Store (Covent Garden, London) out of warranty recently due to a suspected NVIDIA GPU problem, so its certainly possible!

 

[Ledgem]

My system is still going strong, thankfully...

I'm surprised that Apple still has stock on hand to make these replacements. Doubly so considering that one of Apple's major tenets is to avoid having excess stock sitting around...

 

[TakezoKensei]

Success!

I was able to get my MBP to boot up again so the Apple tech was able to run his sw test. My problem at the last Apple store was when the tech was running the test, the screen displayed a green/black grid pattern and the tech said, "Oh the test doesn't work because you have an ineligible model for repair." Then he did a force shut down by holding down the power button and told me I was SOL. He was suppose to keep waiting.

Today, the same screen came up and the tech told me that's normal, then we waited 60 seconds and the computer booted up with the Apple logo, OS X started and a test program started running tests with several polygons all over the screen in order to stress the GPU i assume. The test failed as it should on these defective models and gave a code.

I know I probably shouldn't be surprised at how some of the techs can be so incompetent, it almost cost me $310. I'm glad I decided to get my MBP before they shipped it out for repair and got them to test it again.

 

[Mojo1]

You would be doing other MBP owners a favor if you contacted the other Apple Store manager and let him/her know about how the tech botched the hardware test.

It turned out OK for you but some people may not think of going to another store.