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

[A.W.E.S.O.M.-0]

One NICE thing about apple though, is that the warranty is INTERNATIONAL so regardless of where the item is purchased, it can be covered in region.

Ow you're absolutely right, when it comes to service I have yet to encounter a company that is so lenient and helpful towards consumers as Apple. My last few posts were perhaps a bit ironic in tone, but that was pointed more towards the whole industry then towards apple.

Because of the service Apple has given me over the years I'm 300% sure that my next laptop will be a MBP again despite all the issues I had with my SR. The overall experience is just too good!

 

[creative78]

Got my laptop back. Working great, might just be my eyes playing tricks on me after using an old pc laptop for a few days, but the video output on the screen seems much better than before.

(One slight nit-pick, my laptop was very clean when I sent it in, was sent back with dirty finger prints all over it).

 

[Nanotech]

Just registered just to put my two cents into this issue. I have a mbp 2.4 GHz (Early 2008) model and I just got my logic board replaced yesterday. It is my first mac and I must say I've lost quite a bit of confidence in apple. At first I was thinking that Apple was what you could call a "premium product" and that their products are better designed and have better parts.

I've had numerous albeit smaller repairs in the past year or so (Had battery replaced, fans replaced, AC adapter replaced) and this was the first "major" problems. Kind of disheartened to see that the logic board can fail at any time without any warning at all (all I did was I put the lid down for the computer to sleep, and when I came back the sleep light wasn't on, when I pressed the power button I hear the superdrive revving up but nothing else).

On the somewhat more positive side I am relieved that I got the computer back after three days (I admit that it is a quick repair compared to other manufacturers) though it was in the exam period so it was a tense three days... I hope it's really not the gpu problem next time. Well, applecare expires in may next year, this (pricey) computer better not fail on me soon after that. It's sad to see that a lot of other people who don't have applecare have perfectly functioning computers while I look at this macbook pro and its repair history.

And also a question, do they just replace the logic board if your GPU fails? Was the problem with this model that the logic board is more prone to failure?

Edit: I've also noticed that after the repair the fans usually go faster. Before they would stay at 2000 rpm or so. Now they're roughly at 2230 and I've seen it go to 6000 rpm for whatever reason. I'm not sure whether it's the new logic board or 10.6.3 though...

 

[iLog.Genius]

And also a question, do they just replace the logic board if your GPU fails? Was the problem with this model that the logic board is more prone to failure?

Basically anything that's not LCD/LED display, HDD or RAM related is generally a logic board repair since everything is soldered onto the logic board.

 

[kdum8]

Just registered just to put my two cents into this issue. I have a mbp 2.4 GHz (Early 2008) model and I just got my logic board replaced yesterday. It is my first mac and I must say I've lost quite a bit of confidence in apple. At first I was thinking that Apple was what you could call a "premium product" and that their products are better designed and have better parts.

I've had numerous albeit smaller repairs in the past year or so (Had battery replaced, fans replaced, AC adapter replaced) and this was the first "major" problems. Kind of disheartened to see that the logic board can fail at any time without any warning at all (all I did was I put the lid down for the computer to sleep, and when I came back the sleep light wasn't on, when I pressed the power button I hear the superdrive revving up but nothing else).

On the somewhat more positive side I am relieved that I got the computer back after three days (I admit that it is a quick repair compared to other manufacturers) though it was in the exam period so it was a tense three days... I hope it's really not the gpu problem next time. Well, applecare expires in may next year, this (pricey) computer better not fail on me soon after that. It's sad to see that a lot of other people who don't have applecare have perfectly functioning computers while I look at this macbook pro and its repair history.

And also a question, do they just replace the logic board if your GPU fails? Was the problem with this model that the logic board is more prone to failure?

Edit: I've also noticed that after the repair the fans usually go faster. Before they would stay at 2000 rpm or so. Now they're roughly at 2230 and I've seen it go to 6000 rpm for whatever reason. I'm not sure whether it's the new logic board or 10.6.3 though...

2007/2008 SR Macbook Pros have had a lot of problems. I don't think it is indicative of all mac products, which are generally reliable. The latest MBPs seem to have had far fewer issues than the 4.1 models with the 8000 series chips. Still, not much fun if you bought one of those models... at least Apple's customer service is generally quite good when something does go wrong.

 

[Fry-man22]

My MBP (8600m with 2.6 C2D) froze a couple times in the last couple of days and I took it to the repair center at lunch. They said it failed the GPU diagnostic and for me to call Apple, they've replaced my logic board twice and this was going to be my fourth board (third repair).

I told Apple that I've been patient as they tried to resolve the issue with parts and at this point I felt it was fair to solve the problem with a new computer.

They agreed. Glad it happened today, since the MBPs were just refreshed I now have a 15" UMBP with an i7 2.66, 4GB RAM, 500GB 7200, and the high res matte display (had to give them $150 for that, boo hoo ) on the way to me as a replacement.

It takes a lot of patience but if you stick with it Apple seems to come through - at least for the folks with Applecare...

I could not be happier and I'm super excited. I essentially just got a three year upgrade for $150 - of course I paid quite a bit in frustration.

Good luck to everyone else but I'm proud to say I'm no longer a member of the "8600m GT ruined my Mac club".

 

[panzer06]

My MBP (8600m with 2.6 C2D) froze a couple times in the last couple of days and I took it to the repair center at lunch. They said it failed the GPU diagnostic and for me to call Apple, they've replaced my logic board twice and this was going to be my fourth board (third repair).

I told Apple that I've been patient as they tried to resolve the issue with parts and at this point I felt it was fair to solve the problem with a new computer.

They agreed. Glad it happened today, since the MBPs were just refreshed I now have a 15" UMBP with an i7 2.66, 4GB RAM, 500GB 7200, and the high res matte display (had to give them $150 for that, boo hoo ) on the way to me as a replacement.

It takes a lot of patience but if you stick with it Apple seems to come through - at least for the folks with Applecare...

I could not be happier and I'm super excited. I essentially just got a three year upgrade for $150 - of course I paid quite a bit in frustration.

Good luck to everyone else but I'm proud to say I'm no longer a member of the "8600m GT ruined my Mac club".

I sold mine before it could die more than once. Perhaps I should have kept it until it died 3 or more times to get a new one

Cheers,

 

[kdum8]

My MBP (8600m with 2.6 C2D) froze a couple times in the last couple of days and I took it to the repair center at lunch. They said it failed the GPU diagnostic and for me to call Apple, they've replaced my logic board twice and this was going to be my fourth board (third repair).

I told Apple that I've been patient as they tried to resolve the issue with parts and at this point I felt it was fair to solve the problem with a new computer.

They agreed. Glad it happened today, since the MBPs were just refreshed I now have a 15" UMBP with an i7 2.66, 4GB RAM, 500GB 7200, and the high res matte display (had to give them $150 for that, boo hoo ) on the way to me as a replacement.

It takes a lot of patience but if you stick with it Apple seems to come through - at least for the folks with Applecare...

I could not be happier and I'm super excited. I essentially just got a three year upgrade for $150 - of course I paid quite a bit in frustration.

Good luck to everyone else but I'm proud to say I'm no longer a member of the "8600m GT ruined my Mac club".

Nice! Congratulations... Brand new MBP with an i5 processor. Lucky you. Also "lucky" that all your repairs occurred within the three year window.

Must be a good feeling to be out of the 8600 club. Don't forget us folks...

 

[noodle654]

My MBP (8600m with 2.6 C2D) froze a couple times in the last couple of days and I took it to the repair center at lunch. They said it failed the GPU diagnostic and for me to call Apple, they've replaced my logic board twice and this was going to be my fourth board (third repair).

I told Apple that I've been patient as they tried to resolve the issue with parts and at this point I felt it was fair to solve the problem with a new computer.

They agreed. Glad it happened today, since the MBPs were just refreshed I now have a 15" UMBP with an i7 2.66, 4GB RAM, 500GB 7200, and the high res matte display (had to give them $150 for that, boo hoo ) on the way to me as a replacement.

It takes a lot of patience but if you stick with it Apple seems to come through - at least for the folks with Applecare...

I could not be happier and I'm super excited. I essentially just got a three year upgrade for $150 - of course I paid quite a bit in frustration.

Good luck to everyone else but I'm proud to say I'm no longer a member of the "8600m GT ruined my Mac club".

Damn dude, you are quite lucky! My warranty ends (AppleCare) in November. I have had 1 repair so far for the 8600GT...I kinda hope I have a few more just to get a new machine...

 

[kdum8]

Damn dude, you are quite lucky! My warranty ends (AppleCare) in November. I have had 1 repair so far for the 8600GT...I kinda hope I have a few more just to get a new machine...

Yeah but two more repairs before November? Not likely even with the blasted 8600 chip..

Your options are sell or pray to the Apple God for long life and prosperity frankly..

 

[Maccleduff]

Well it finally happened, my 33 month old MBP finally gave up the ghost. Turned it on this morning and blank screen , everything else seemed to be working tho. Using firewire , i used another mac to boot target disk mode and backup my files that way.
Now in for repair...

 

[kdum8]

Well it finally happened, my 33 month old MBP finally gave up the ghost. Turned it on this morning and blank screen , everything else seemed to be working tho. Using firewire , i used another mac to boot target disk mode and backup my files that way.
Now in for repair...

Sorry to hear that, very unfortunate. Your mac lasted a lot longer than most people's, but eventually they all seem to give out. You are three months inside of the period for free repairs on the gpu. Let's hope you get a free replacement. Post back whatever happens to keep everyone else abreast of the situation.

 

[ChristWolves]

Sorry to hear that, very unfortunate. Your mac lasted a lot longer than most people's, but eventually they all seem to give out. You are three months inside of the period for free repairs on the gpu. Let's hope you get a free replacement. Post back whatever happens to keep everyone else abreast of the situation.

Hey, I have got the same MBP as you, with the 512MB VRAM nVidia 8600mGT, but they are gonna replace it with a base model of the current 15". I will have to try my luck tomorrow to change for a 17" due to my ExpressCard requirement.

 

[jbrenn]

Hey, I have got the same MBP as you, with the 512MB VRAM nVidia 8600mGT, but they are gonna replace it with a base model of the current 15". I will have to try my luck tomorrow to change for a 17" due to my ExpressCard requirement.

you should at least get the top end 15. The base only have 256 VRAM yours has 512.

 

[kdum8]

Hey, I have got the same MBP as you, with the 512MB VRAM nVidia 8600mGT, but they are gonna replace it with a base model of the current 15". I will have to try my luck tomorrow to change for a 17" due to my ExpressCard requirement.

So we do. The exact same model. How did you get Apple to change yours though? Did you have three GPU failures? I am curious as to Apple's policy on this in the UK...

 

[ChristWolves]

So we do. The exact same model. How did you get Apple to change yours though? Did you have three GPU failures? I am curious as to Apple's policy on this in the UK...

Yea, my hard drive was damaged three days after Apple replace a new one for me, so the lady in Apple Store automatically offered me a new MBP. So, this makes it the third hard drive for my ex-MBP...

you should at least get the top end 15. The base only have 256 VRAM yours has 512.

You have the same thinking as I do, but the lady in the Apple Store does not agree with me. She told me that the current model is already very much faster than my current model (which is somewhat true) and she demands me to pay more if I insisted on getting a higher end model or just simply repair my ex-MBP hard drive and go on with it.

 

[style]

(MBP SR 2.4GHz)

Does it really take 4 major failing parts to become eligible for a replacement? I have had 3 repairs so far, logic board, fan and battery.

Now after running apple hardware tests i got an error code 4SNS/1/40000000: TGOD, I have identified that it is related to the GPU temp sensor so that must be another major failing part.

There is more, the DVD-RW won't burn discs and strange black "spots" were found on the edge of screen (theyre not dead pixels because the edges are blurry), also the battery is on 200 cycles but I have only 38% of original capacity left when fully charged

To sum up, part failures are as follow:
Repair level 2 (Major failure?)
-1st Logic board (replaced)
-Fan (replaced)

Other failing parts:
-1st battery (replaced)
-2nd battery (current)
-2nd Logic board (current)
-DVD-RW (current)
-Screen (current)

I am worried because AppleCare is running out in august and my mbp only have 3 major failures, which is 1 short for a replacement. Would the number of minor failures be enough for me to ask for a replacement?

thanks in advance.

 

[MikhailT]

(MBP SR 2.4GHz)

Does it really take 4 major failing parts to become eligible for a replacement? I have had 3 repairs so far, logic board, fan and battery.

Now after running apple hardware tests i got an error code 4SNS/1/40000000: TGOD, I have identified that it is related to the GPU temp sensor so that must be another major failing part.

There is more, the DVD-RW won't burn discs and strange black "spots" were found on the edge of screen (theyre not dead pixels because the edges are blurry), also the battery is on 200 cycles but I have only 38% of original capacity left when fully charged

To sum up, part failures are as follow:
Repair level 2 (Major failure?)
-1st Logic board (replaced)
-Fan (replaced)

Other failing parts:
-1st battery (replaced)
-2nd battery (current)
-2nd Logic board (current)
-DVD-RW (current)
-Screen (current)

I am worried because AppleCare is running out in august and my mbp only have 3 major failures, which is 1 short for a replacement. Would the number of minor failures be enough for me to ask for a replacement?

thanks in advance.

You can always ask. It doesn't hurt. The failures has to be same part and something that's not directly user replaceable, it can't just be three different failures that includes simple fixes like batteries, rams, hard drives and fans.

 

[Jwalker9]

(MBP SR 2.4GHz)

Does it really take 4 major failing parts to become eligible for a replacement? I have had 3 repairs so far, logic board, fan and battery.

Now after running apple hardware tests i got an error code 4SNS/1/40000000: TGOD, I have identified that it is related to the GPU temp sensor so that must be another major failing part.

There is more, the DVD-RW won't burn discs and strange black "spots" were found on the edge of screen (theyre not dead pixels because the edges are blurry), also the battery is on 200 cycles but I have only 38% of original capacity left when fully charged

To sum up, part failures are as follow:
Repair level 2 (Major failure?)
-1st Logic board (replaced)
-Fan (replaced)

Other failing parts:
-1st battery (replaced)
-2nd battery (current)
-2nd Logic board (current)
-DVD-RW (current)
-Screen (current)

I am worried because AppleCare is running out in august and my mbp only have 3 major failures, which is 1 short for a replacement. Would the number of minor failures be enough for me to ask for a replacement?

thanks in advance.

i dont think you are quite there yet, but its worth calling and checking.

 

[cluthz]

My MBP (8600m with 2.6 C2D) froze a couple times in the last couple of days and I took it to the repair center at lunch. They said it failed the GPU diagnostic and for me to call Apple, they've replaced my logic board twice and this was going to be my fourth board (third repair).

I told Apple that I've been patient as they tried to resolve the issue with parts and at this point I felt it was fair to solve the problem with a new computer.

They agreed. Glad it happened today, since the MBPs were just refreshed I now have a 15" UMBP with an i7 2.66, 4GB RAM, 500GB 7200, and the high res matte display (had to give them $150 for that, boo hoo ) on the way to me as a replacement.

It takes a lot of patience but if you stick with it Apple seems to come through - at least for the folks with Applecare...

I could not be happier and I'm super excited. I essentially just got a three year upgrade for $150 - of course I paid quite a bit in frustration.

Good luck to everyone else but I'm proud to say I'm no longer a member of the "8600m GT ruined my Mac club".

I got my 2.2GHz replaced too, with a 2.4GHz i5!!
I already had two dead logic boards and one screen with spots before they replaced it.
I'm kinda glad to not have that ticking bomb tho, but to be honest those MBPs were powerhouses compared to what you get today, if you look at what was available on the market.

In 3 years the low end 15 inch went from:
2.2Ghz C2D -> 2.4Ghz i5 (i estimate around 20-30% real world difference)
8600m GT -> 330M GT (around 30% here too)

Resolution is the same on the base models, although you have an option to upgrade now. The old had expresscard, new has SD card reader, an obvious downgrade. The old one also had both FW400 and 800 (I really miss having both, but it's not the end of the world)

 

[style]

Thanks, I shall go try my luck soon
fingers crossed :x

 

[ChristWolves]

Bad luck. I only got the base model 15" (from my top-end Early-2008 MBP) and gotta pay £300 to get the 17" with ExpessCard slot.

Anyway, I'm satisfied with Apple's warranty service nevertheless.

 

[MikhailT]

Bad luck. I only got the base model 15" (from my top-end Early-2008 MBP) and gotta pay £300 to get the 17" with ExpessCard slot.

Anyway, I'm satisfied with Apple's warranty service nevertheless.

Bad luck? Considering the difference between both models, you got off lucky and you should be very happy. Very few companies will upgrade you to the latest brand new models. They often give you refurb last gen models instead.

 

[segaton]

my lady's macbook pro crapped out two days ago (purchased sept '07). Giving the kernel panic message, did the boot disc diagnostic test and it came up with video controller error. Few months prior she would get blank screens after coming back from sleep mode and pink / blue screens. WEird stuff. Thought nothing of it until it crapped out. So I looked around the net for answers and ended up here.

15" mbp 2.4ghz with the 8600m gt. She only uses it for browsing and word processing, never played games on it. typically it'd hover around 70-80c when browsing with firefox. She always has about 20 tabs open. Anyway, genius bar decided to cover it when I brought it in for diagnostics.

I asked the genius if it's the same logic board being replaced as I didn't want to have to deal with this later down the line, he assured me it's a new revision of the logic board because the part number is different. Can anybody verify this? I can't find it anywhere on the internet.

 

[dmarch]

I just purchased a 15" i7 with hi res matte screen to replace my 2.4 SR. I've had no issues with it, but plan to sell it on the Bay before Apple Care expires in September.