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

My 15" 2.4GHz MBP experienced the 8600 problem this weekend, right in the middle of my deadline at work, but twice now it's managed to suddenly work again after several hours of not.

So ever since last night, I've left it on and not let it sleep, 'cause i just can't take any chances of losing a working computer until I can afford a new one. I would take it to the Mac store and ask for them to fix it, but it's very obvious that I've opened it up and switched out the hard drive a while back.

Will they still do it, or deny me since I opened it at one point?
 
CoryBoyUSA said:
My 15" 2.4GHz MBP experienced the 8600 problem this weekend, right in the middle of my deadline at work, but twice now it's managed to suddenly work again after several hours of not.

So ever since last night, I've left it on and not let it sleep, 'cause i just can't take any chances of losing a working computer until I can afford a new one. I would take it to the Mac store and ask for them to fix it, but it's very obvious that I've opened it up and switched out the hard drive a while back.

Will they still do it, or deny me since I opened it at one point?
Click to expand...

What do you mean by "very obvious"--that the HD is simply different than stock, or there are a bunch of scrapes, chips in the board and stripped screws?

Really, it shouldn't matter. If the genius is familiar with the issue, then s/he should be able to identify it as a candidate for a covered repair. But isn't the HD a user serviceable item?
 
brad.c said:
What do you mean by "very obvious"--that the HD is simply different than stock, or there are a bunch of scrapes, chips in the board and stripped screws?
Click to expand...

In the MBP I have, the HD is not user-replaceable, so I had to find instructions online to open the thing up and swap it out. In doing so, I did a lot of prying and so forth that resulted in (if I remember correctly) one connector on the case inside being broken or bent, and a less-than-perfect job being put back together. So in other words, it's obvious to even a layman that it's been opened by someone who doesn't work for Apple. :)
 
CoryBoyUSA said:
In the MBP I have, the HD is not user-replaceable, so I had to find instructions online to open the thing up and swap it out. In doing so, I did a lot of prying and so forth that resulted in (if I remember correctly) one connector on the case inside being broken or bent, and a less-than-perfect job being put back together. So in other words, it's obvious to even a layman that it's been opened by someone who doesn't work for Apple. :)
Click to expand...

Um well all HD's, no matter what your mode is, are user serviceable.
 
UniPro said:
Um well all HD's, no matter what your mode is, are user serviceable.
Click to expand...

Well let me rephrase, 'cause obviously it's doable. BUT, I just meant that in Apple's eyes, they don't expect you to unscrew the whole computer and dig in yourself to replace things or else they would have had a hatch on the bottom like on the Macbooks. I've always read that doing this myself, since I'm not an Apple-certified person, voided the warranty and stuff, hence my concern that they would deny my request to fix the Nvidia problem.
 
CoryBoyUSA said:
My 15" 2.4GHz MBP experienced the 8600 problem this weekend, right in the middle of my deadline at work, but twice now it's managed to suddenly work again after several hours of not.

So ever since last night, I've left it on and not let it sleep, 'cause i just can't take any chances of losing a working computer until I can afford a new one. I would take it to the Mac store and ask for them to fix it, but it's very obvious that I've opened it up and switched out the hard drive a while back.

Will they still do it, or deny me since I opened it at one point?
Click to expand...

Is it still under warranty? I'd suggest finding a good Apple reseller with Apple certified repair service, and talk to the technician, or the service dept. They'll be familiar with the gpu problem, and should be able to advise you pretty well. Chances are, if you didn't cause the gpu failure, they'll ignore your handiwork and be able to replace the motherboard under warranty. Just find someone with common sense who is friendly. Going direct to Apple would likely lead to a denial of warranty because it would be too easy for them to say you could have caused some damage which lead to the failure... :rolleyes:

Good luck. Hope it works out for you.
 
CoryBoyUSA said:
Well let me rephrase, 'cause obviously it's doable. BUT, I just meant that in Apple's eyes, they don't expect you to unscrew the whole computer and dig in yourself to replace things or else they would have had a hatch on the bottom like on the Macbooks. I've always read that doing this myself, since I'm not an Apple-certified person, voided the warranty and stuff, hence my concern that they would deny my request to fix the Nvidia problem.
Click to expand...

My 11/07 MBP display went kablooie last week. No Applecare, No warranty.
I've replaced my hard drive myself. Read up on the nVidia issue and went to the Apple store. Guy punched in a few things into the computer, took it and told me it was covered and they'll repair/replace the logic board no charge.

Best of luck

S
 
CoryBoyUSA said:
My 15" 2.4GHz MBP experienced the 8600 problem this weekend, right in the middle of my deadline at work, but twice now it's managed to suddenly work again after several hours of not.

So ever since last night, I've left it on and not let it sleep, 'cause i just can't take any chances of losing a working computer until I can afford a new one. I would take it to the Mac store and ask for them to fix it, but it's very obvious that I've opened it up and switched out the hard drive a while back.

Will they still do it, or deny me since I opened it at one point?
Click to expand...
They can not deny you warranty of the GPU because the HD was swapped. It is illegal to do so and there are laws in place to protect the consumer from this.
 
So, I took my MBP down to one of our three Apple stores here in Vegas today, and the Genius ran the Nvidia test on it (using some little hard-drive with two cables connected to my computer) and said mine did not qualify as it was not an "across the board" problem. So he said it would cost $299 and they'd replace the boards and whatever they found to be wrong (even the hard drive, he said), but it would be 7-10 days round trip to the service center and back. But he also suggested I try one of our other stores in town to hopefully get it done sooner since the others aren't closing for remodeling like his is. I guess that's what I'll end up doing then. My boss said she'll pay for it, so I might as well. It's just frustrating.

FOLLOWUP: Soon after posting this, I got a call from the Genius who said he wanted to help me out (I guess I made a good sad face) and so he talked to his manager, and they are agreeing to fix it for free. Woohoo :)
 
Failure rates in %?

Hi guys!


I am/was looking to get a pre-unibody MBP, but now after hearing about all these failures I am scared.


Did anyone actually make a poll or something and find out just how many are failing? From reading this forum, it sounds like 80+% failure. But what about those who are running fine and are not complaining?

:confused:
 
Mr.Bullitt said:
Hi guys!


I am/was looking to get a pre-unibody MBP, but now after hearing about all these failures I am scared.


Did anyone actually make a poll or something and find out just how many are failing? From reading this forum, it sounds like 80+% failure. But what about those who are running fine and are not complaining?

:confused:
Click to expand...

Hey i have a MBP from the summer of 08. My does not seem to have any problems with its video card. But when this popped up it made me wonder do i need to go to the apple store and get them to take a look at my mac for precautionary action? Iv never had any problem with my video. The only weird thing that ever happened to mine was like every other light on the bottom of my mac went out causing this weird look on the screen but that has only happened 2 times and it was back in the winter
 
EX1127 said:
...do i need to go to the apple store and get them to take a look at my mac for precautionary action? Iv never had any problem with my video.
Click to expand...
No! If your machine is fine, it is fine. There is no way to tell which machines will fail and which will not... the GPU test will only say there is a problem when there is a problem, ie, blank screen with machine on or totally garbled screen. The test can not pick out which GPU's are destined to fail in the future. Don't waste your time and Apple's time and remember that Apple has extended the warranty for the GPU for and additional year. I have had 2GPU's fail on me now and my 2 years is up in 2 weeks.
 
Mr.Bullitt said:
Hi guys!


I am/was looking to get a pre-unibody MBP, but now after hearing about all these failures I am scared.


Did anyone actually make a poll or something and find out just how many are failing? From reading this forum, it sounds like 80+% failure. But what about those who are running fine and are not complaining?

:confused:
Click to expand...

If you don't want to take the chance, the Macbook Pro with the ATI cards in them are a generation older, but don't have this issue.
 
My Santa Rose 2,4 GHz and 256 mHz 8600M GT June 2007 MacBook Pro went dead about 3 weeks ago. Just got it back, the 8600M GT was the problem. They replaced the logicboard with the exact same setup.

Anyone know how to check the revision date on the graphic card?
 
CoryBoyUSA said:
In the MBP I have, the HD is not user-replaceable, so I had to find instructions online to open the thing up and swap it out. In doing so, I did a lot of prying and so forth that resulted in (if I remember correctly) one connector on the case inside being broken or bent, and a less-than-perfect job being put back together. So in other words, it's obvious to even a layman that it's been opened by someone who doesn't work for Apple. :)
Click to expand...
Really? You ****ed up your notebook like a gorilla, to save what? $50? You should have taken it to an apple authorized service place and paid someone competent to install your hard drive. In addition to having the job done correctly, you would also not have these worries about making warranty claims.

Apple can indeed deny your warranty claim if they believe you may have damaged something while mucking about inside your machine.
 
thejadedmonkey said:
If you don't want to take the chance, the Macbook Pro with the ATI cards in them are a generation older, but don't have this issue.
Click to expand...
x2 I have a 2.33 MBP with the ATI card. I'm not upgrading again until Apple either switches back to ATI (like so many other notebook vendors have), or moves to a chipset other than the 8600/9600.
 
Wotan31 said:
x2 I have a 2.33 MBP with the ATI card. I'm not upgrading again until Apple either switches back to ATI (like so many other notebook vendors have), or moves to a chipset other than the 8600/9600.
Click to expand...

x3 - happy with my MBP2,2 with ATI x1650 vs my wife's MBP4,1 with 8600M GT which has been to repair 3 times now and ready for the 4th. Would NOT buy another thing from Apple until they get off the Nvidia crap - Nvidia GPU was one thing, but now NVidia GPU and a whole new Nvidia chipset is just damn too - no words for it really.

Give me Mobility Radeon 3850 on an Intel chipset and I will think of it. I wish my MBP2,2 lasts long enough - I too upgraded the HDD in it myself (from paltry 120Gb to 7200 RPM 320Gb) but managed not to screw up a thing.
 
nikhsub1 said:
No! If your machine is fine, it is fine. There is no way to tell which machines will fail and which will not... the GPU test will only say there is a problem when there is a problem, ie, blank screen with machine on or totally garbled screen. The test can not pick out which GPU's are destined to fail in the future. Don't waste your time and Apple's time and remember that Apple has extended the warranty for the GPU for and additional year. I have had 2GPU's fail on me now and my 2 years is up in 2 weeks.
Click to expand...

I know but i dont my warranty going out which i think it already has if my gpu has a chance of crashing
 
Wotan31 said:
x2 I have a 2.33 MBP with the ATI card. I'm not upgrading again until Apple either switches back to ATI (like so many other notebook vendors have), or moves to a chipset other than the 8600/9600.
Click to expand...

There are also issues with the 9600gt???????:confused::confused::eek:
 
blank screen!!

2 years with no problems, until earlier today. mbp powers up fine but no video?! another victim?! taking it to the apple store tomorrow.:mad:
 
Is it possible for a 8600 to pass the test but still be faulty? My MBP constantly kernel panics on boot right before displaying login window and if it turns on will start flashing the screen. The rare times I've been ablet o reboot it to get a crash log, it points to the nvidia driver as the problem. This is a new install of 10.5 on a summer 2007 MBP.
 
I don't know what to think of this. It's nice that apple adds another year but it also suggests that probably they expect the failure rate of those graphic cards to go even higher :(
 
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