Q: MBP Logic board failure or GPU failure? Apparently it's simple to test...
I have a 2008 Macbook Pro 15" (2.2Ghz) with NVidia 8600M GT graphics chip. Last month it failed, no longer booting up. The fans start, the LED light comes on, but the keyboard, hard drive and screen fail to come on. After reading article TS2377 I was convinced that the symptoms described match those on my MBP, so I took it to the nearest Apple store. The 'genius' at the 'genius bar' (cringe) took it away then came back and told me that the problem was with the logic board, not the GPU. They diagnosed this by removing the RAM and seeing if the RAM failure beeps sounded. Seeing as there was no sound they diagnosed that the logic board was the source of failure because the RAM test comes before the GPU test in the boot sequence. This test is so simple surely it should be posted under article TS2377???
I must say that I'm completely unconvinced by the diagnosis, but who can argue with a 'genius'? I'd really appreciate it if someone on here could give me a second opinion? Even if they turn out to be right I think I might take out the logic board to see if there's evidence that the GPU has fried the logic board...
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Posted on Apr 14, 2012 4:36 AM