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So are all MBP owners with the 8600m GT cards screwed?
- Thread starter jjahshik32
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Thank you so much !!!
Let me know if it does work for you! I'd be interested to know if it helped you!
I'm gonna try this sometimes next week when I can get some free time. I will absolutely let you know.
My System Profiler was reporting that my PCIe lane width was between x1 and x8 (it would change randomly whenever I rebooted) and so, even though I didn't notice any graphical difficulties, I brought it in to the Apple store today to have a hardware diagnostic test run. They booted off of their external hard drive and a garbled screen came up, but I suppose that's normal, since the Apple Genius didn't seem fazed by it. After about five or so minutes, the system rebooted, which the Genius didn't seem pleased by. He restarted from the drive again, we waited another five minutes, and it was the same thing over again.
He asked if I was running Lion, and when I said that I was, he said it was his fault and that they'd have to run the test differently. He wired my system to an ethernet cable, and tried doing a network boot. After about three minutes, the system still wasn't taking it. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but the ability to run a hardware diagnostic through the internet with Lion is limited to the unibody Macbook Pros, isn't it? Or at least, the ones that shipped with Lion?)
He gave up, but knew about the four year coverage and knew about the high failure rates. He offered that they could replace the chipset for me at no cost, and that I could do it at any time up until that four year period expires (which is in a few months for me). Since I need my computer for the immediate future, he put me into their system so that I can drop my computer off whenever and they won't mess around with the hardware diagnostic again. Estimates are 1-3 days for repairs.
The Genius also remarked that the higher failure rates are limited to the first revision of this chipset, but I know from some of the horror experiences here that getting it replaced doesn't put you into the clear. It seems the 8600M GT has problems beyond the initial manufacturing fault. Either way, I'll take the repair and hope that I get another year out of it, at least - maybe with an entirely new chipset I can get another three. If this one has lasted me for close to four years problem-free, it's always possible.
He asked if I was running Lion, and when I said that I was, he said it was his fault and that they'd have to run the test differently. He wired my system to an ethernet cable, and tried doing a network boot. After about three minutes, the system still wasn't taking it. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but the ability to run a hardware diagnostic through the internet with Lion is limited to the unibody Macbook Pros, isn't it? Or at least, the ones that shipped with Lion?)
He gave up, but knew about the four year coverage and knew about the high failure rates. He offered that they could replace the chipset for me at no cost, and that I could do it at any time up until that four year period expires (which is in a few months for me). Since I need my computer for the immediate future, he put me into their system so that I can drop my computer off whenever and they won't mess around with the hardware diagnostic again. Estimates are 1-3 days for repairs.
The Genius also remarked that the higher failure rates are limited to the first revision of this chipset, but I know from some of the horror experiences here that getting it replaced doesn't put you into the clear. It seems the 8600M GT has problems beyond the initial manufacturing fault. Either way, I'll take the repair and hope that I get another year out of it, at least - maybe with an entirely new chipset I can get another three. If this one has lasted me for close to four years problem-free, it's always possible.
I just took mine 2 days ago. I was not entirely sure it was this issue because it was experiencing the screen problems, but it still worked fine on an external monitor. I figured it was the nvidia problem or the display data cable, the latter of which I could fix myself. Anyway, the guy ran the test and it passed. He offered the $310 fix (not exactly sure what that fix is) and I told him no thanks. He went to finish up the report and I was ready to take it home and start ripping it apart to fix the display data cable, but when he came back he said he would be able to get it covered. I said great and that was that. I gues we will see in a few days what becomes from it.
Just an update, After 3 months of everyday use, the VC has gone out last week. I just re-baked my Logic board and all is well.
I will be doing this process until this logic board will not survive another baking session. While I was taking everything apart, I threw in my 64GB SSD since it was sitting on my desk for the past 6 months.
I will be doing this process until this logic board will not survive another baking session. While I was taking everything apart, I threw in my 64GB SSD since it was sitting on my desk for the past 6 months.
Great news! I have been terrified because mine has been acting up.
And I was afraid that I had already played the baking card.
Nice to know it is useful a second time. Even though I'm not looking forward to actually doing it.
I just wish apple would hurry up and update the imac (yeah I'm going back to desktop)
Oh and by the way, I no longer turn it off, because I'm afraid that it won't turn back on lol
There was a class action lawsuit, actually. It wasn't against Apple, but nVidia. nVidia was forced to pay out for it. It's for that reason that Apple agreed to extend support coverage over graphics card failures for computers with the nVidia 8600M GT to four years, regardless of whether you had purchased Applecare or not. My understanding is that nVidia covers the cost of the repairs.
http://nvidiasettlement.com/
I think that in the end, Apple provides more and better coverage than what Nvidia agreed to do. As far as I understand, Nvidia had to set aside a few hundred million dollars to cover these issues.
I think at this point Apple will not extend it beyond 4 years, which is probably acceptable. What I still find surprising is that they could not fix the issue, and that the replacement logic boards are still affected by this problem. But then, laptop internals are complicated :/
PS: I just checked that old 2007 MBP I have at work... still running, even the battery still holds some charge.
I heard back from the apple store today about mine. They said that they replaced the logic board and the problem was still present. This means that the issue is probably with the display data cable as I expected. They said they would have to send it to a service center to have it fixed. At first they quoted $288 for the fix. The guy then put me on hold and when he came back he said they would fix it for free! He said that the lead tech determined that the issue with the display cable may have been caused by the video card so they would cover it. The macbook gods must be looking out for me
I have the same problem with my Macbook Pro. After 4.5 years it would power up but nothing on the screen. I saw that Apple will replace the logic board free of charge if the problem occurs within 4 years after purchase. Approximately 2 years after purchase i got my logic board replaced at an APR. Does Apple keep track of the repairs by serial number? Normally Apple won't acknowledge my problem because it occurred after the 4 years, but logic board died on me just after 2,5 years now. Do you think i might have a chance of getting my macbook repaired without any charge?
Thanks guys I wasnt following it that close since i didnt have that machine. It sounds interesting. and expensive for nvidia.
I heard back from the apple store today about mine. They said that they replaced the logic board and the problem was still present. This means that the issue is probably with the display data cable as I expected. They said they would have to send it to a service center to have it fixed. At first they quoted $288 for the fix. The guy then put me on hold and when he came back he said they would fix it for free! He said that the lead tech determined that the issue with the display cable may have been caused by the video card so they would cover it. The macbook gods must be looking out for me
You are so lucky! When I took mine in it passed the test and they said there is absolutely nothing NO ONE can do if it passes that test.
You can ask, but the relevant date is the purchase date of your mac, not the age of the logic board. You are outside of the 4 years, the only hope is to find a really nice genius that offers to replace it for free, or at least for the flat rate repair.
Thinking of Baking
Hello all,
I found this thread through this blog post, http://russell.heistuman.com/2010/04/27/cooking-the-books-or-baking-my-macbook-pro-logic-board/ and russell's follow-up posts. I asked some questions there, but seems more people actively following here, so I'm re-posting my experience and questions here. I apologize in advance, I've read all of Russell's posts and comments, but I can only use a borrowed PC until I fix my mac and haven't had a chance to go back and read all 123 pages of comments on this thread.
More questions. What sizes of torx screw-drivers am I going to need to take this apart if/when I decide to bake it? Should I try to contact Applecare? I'm pretty sure my 3-years is up, but 4 year since purchase is not. I'm about 3000 miles from nearest AppleStore, so not really an option right now. Would have to call them with Skype, or try contacting online support via apple website.
Thanks for your help. Any suggestions appreciated.
Michael
Further questions regarding Apple Support:
I've tried contacting Apple online, but keep getting stymied by the fact that my Applecare ran out 2 months ago. Their suggestions for contact in regards to Article: TS2377 (MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues - AKA nVidia graphics card issue) all involve going to an Apple Store or service center, or calling, neither of which is an easy option for me right now. Does anyone know of a way to make contact with Apple online, in regards to this issue? Or am I just going to have to keep trying to call via Skype and my limited internet?
Hello all,
I found this thread through this blog post, http://russell.heistuman.com/2010/04/27/cooking-the-books-or-baking-my-macbook-pro-logic-board/ and russell's follow-up posts. I asked some questions there, but seems more people actively following here, so I'm re-posting my experience and questions here. I apologize in advance, I've read all of Russell's posts and comments, but I can only use a borrowed PC until I fix my mac and haven't had a chance to go back and read all 123 pages of comments on this thread.
More questions. What sizes of torx screw-drivers am I going to need to take this apart if/when I decide to bake it? Should I try to contact Applecare? I'm pretty sure my 3-years is up, but 4 year since purchase is not. I'm about 3000 miles from nearest AppleStore, so not really an option right now. Would have to call them with Skype, or try contacting online support via apple website.
Thanks for your help. Any suggestions appreciated.
Michael
Further questions regarding Apple Support:
I've tried contacting Apple online, but keep getting stymied by the fact that my Applecare ran out 2 months ago. Their suggestions for contact in regards to Article: TS2377 (MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues - AKA nVidia graphics card issue) all involve going to an Apple Store or service center, or calling, neither of which is an easy option for me right now. Does anyone know of a way to make contact with Apple online, in regards to this issue? Or am I just going to have to keep trying to call via Skype and my limited internet?
Last edited:
one more question
Hmmm... appears this thread was active right up until the night my mac died. No one since. Oh well, can't hurt to try again.
I've figured out all my other questions. Talked to applecare for an hour. Nothing they can do unless I can ship my macbook up to an applestore or aasp, then, if they can get it to start and confirm the problem is related to the nvidia problem, it might still be covered. No chance of that soon, so I was going to bake it tonight.
Everything is apart, logic board removed, trying to make sure I have everything off that might burn or melt. One last item I'm not sure about. There is an odd-shaped thin black wafer, attached askew to the back of some chips, on the underside of the logic board near the RAM slots. Don't know what it is, how or if I should remove it. I'll try to attach a photo and hope someone can help me out here.
Thanks.
Hmmm... appears this thread was active right up until the night my mac died. No one since. Oh well, can't hurt to try again.
I've figured out all my other questions. Talked to applecare for an hour. Nothing they can do unless I can ship my macbook up to an applestore or aasp, then, if they can get it to start and confirm the problem is related to the nvidia problem, it might still be covered. No chance of that soon, so I was going to bake it tonight.
Everything is apart, logic board removed, trying to make sure I have everything off that might burn or melt. One last item I'm not sure about. There is an odd-shaped thin black wafer, attached askew to the back of some chips, on the underside of the logic board near the RAM slots. Don't know what it is, how or if I should remove it. I'll try to attach a photo and hope someone can help me out here.
Thanks.
This seems to be part of the logic board, so don't try to remove it.
Good luck with the baking!
Good luck with the baking!
I've personally got the 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro (2007) and the Nvidia chip died as per this discussion thread. I took it into the local Apple reseller last week and they ordered a new logic board and replaced it at no cost. Simple as that.
So Apple will still fix this issue pro-bono!
So Apple will still fix this issue pro-bono!
thank you thundersteele.
KeeFX, Apple told me they would cover mine too, IF it was determined the nVidia card was the cause. But I'm a couple 1000 miles from an apple store and it'll cost a couple hundred, and a few weeks, to get it up there, just to find out.
I'm going ahead with the bake. If it works, I'll have my computer back for now and be pretty sure it's the gpu problem and take it in to a store later when I can. If not, I'll consider mailing it up to the states.
KeeFX, Apple told me they would cover mine too, IF it was determined the nVidia card was the cause. But I'm a couple 1000 miles from an apple store and it'll cost a couple hundred, and a few weeks, to get it up there, just to find out.
I'm going ahead with the bake. If it works, I'll have my computer back for now and be pretty sure it's the gpu problem and take it in to a store later when I can. If not, I'll consider mailing it up to the states.
Just to report back that I received my Macbook Pro back from Apple, and the PCIe lane width is being reported as x16, as it should. While there was no data loss, I had a few weird settings changed (language/regional settings, some touchpad settings), Time Machine regards this computer as a different system now, and the computer also counts as a new authorization on my iTunes account. Other than that, things seem to be smooth. I can't really tell a difference in system performance.
I'm slightly worried that my board is some kind of refurb, instead of being new. The ports (Firewire, USB, etc.) are a part of the board, right? I looked them over when I received my system back, and they looked somewhat dusty - much more so than how they were when I handed the system over to Apple. Maybe they're just my usual old ports and/or the Apple store working area is dusty?
Either way, their bill indicates that the repair would have been over $500, but it was free of charge (I guess we can sort of thank nVidia for that...). Repairs were completed within about 24 hours. Hopefully this replacement will last me for another year or two (if not longer).
I'm slightly worried that my board is some kind of refurb, instead of being new. The ports (Firewire, USB, etc.) are a part of the board, right? I looked them over when I received my system back, and they looked somewhat dusty - much more so than how they were when I handed the system over to Apple. Maybe they're just my usual old ports and/or the Apple store working area is dusty?
Either way, their bill indicates that the repair would have been over $500, but it was free of charge (I guess we can sort of thank nVidia for that...). Repairs were completed within about 24 hours. Hopefully this replacement will last me for another year or two (if not longer).
Remove that thing! It will melt!!! Also look for two rubber thingies covered in metal on the top border of the logic board. Those melted on mine, I missed them.
Sorry for missing your post. I hope I can still help. Did you do it?
My early MacBook Pro (purchased Sept 08) never had a problem with its display, until today at about 2pm. The screen froze, slowly went dead, and only way to turn it off was pull the battery. Trying to boot up, the apple logo on the screen was distorted and pixelated, freezing after a minute or so. I brought it down to the local Apple Store at 5:30, made an appointment for 5:45. The Genius did a quick check, verified it was the logic board. A quick check of stock showed they had the part, and I left my MacBook for repair. I asked how long the repair would take, thinking it would be there for a few days, and he told me to come back at 8pm. Sure enough I went back at 8:00 and it was ready to go. The warranty on the nvida is 4 years from the purchase date. It would have cost me $526.50. Thank you, Apple!