MBP Logic board failure

One thing to note: Had the same problem w/my MBP 2006 and brought it to the Genius Bar. They concurred the cause of the problem as previously stated on this topic. Genius told me that ANY MODEL MAC, OLDER THAN 5 YEARS of model production is considered by Apple to fall under the category called a LEGACY MODEL, and Apple's terms for this category PROHIBIT them from handling any issues with these "over the hill SKU'S", less even "look under the hood" to verify the problem, and will not provide Apple manufactured parts to obtain and bring to another facility (see below).

Issues with hese models, anytjing older than 5 years, must then be addressed by a third party repair or re-seller facility,

On the other hand, a company like SAAB Auto, which went bankrupt and no longer avaialble in the U.S., must, by law able to provide and be made avaialable, OM parts which are stocked in U.S. warehouses for at no less than ten years.

Keep your eye on the calendar. Apple Authorized servicability will no longer be available for your model 5 years after initial date of manufacture.

Told to me directly from the tech at my local Genius Bar.

I don't feel as though my statement was trying to bash apple. I glad that there was an official statement regarding this manufacturing issue. I would have liked to have had a chance to take advantage of it at a time when apple would have helped me. Now, I'm stuck with a computer with a known manufacturing problem admitted to by Apple and NVIDIA, because its a few months over a "limit". What bothers me is it is still a model that has been affected by the acknowledged graphics card problem, that hasn't changed. This is not a mere issue of "car maintenance". If the same issue had happened with an automobile, I would have received a Recall letter that would have allowed me to take action. In the case of my computer, I was not provided with that option. Instead... I had to google search for this particular issue to find a webpage after the symptoms had started popping up. I would hope that the company would try and help considering the money that had been spent on a product of theirs, to keep customer loyalty and overall satisfaction with their product line. This computer issue was no fault of my own doing, the computer was in fact in good working condition aside from this graphic issue. I had just recently purchased a new battery and upgraded RAM on the computer figuring it would continue to last me for a while. I'm a little tired of having to argue what should be a pretty easy and simple solution to help and retain a customer, and not be shrugged off like I felt I was.

Your case and mine are virtually identical mwc1979.

• My 15" MBP 2.2. Ghz was purchased on 21 January 2008.
• Last week I got the black screen of death
• I had bought a replacement Apple battery and upgraded the RAM this January.
• Like you I had to google what turns out to be a known issue because, while not hiding it exactly, Apple hadn't actively contacted all people with a Mac who might be affected
• The shop where I bought it and the Apple Store both confirmed it was the Nvidia issue.
• Neither the Apple Store nor the help line would make an exception to the arbitrary 4 year rule (already extended from an arbitrary 3 year rule) despite the fact that a casual google reveals the colossal number of people affected

It is now in the Apple Store having the logic board being replaced for £381 - the shop where I bought it wanted £453 but it seems Apple don't have to pay the VAT on their own parts. In the UK you actually are covered by your statutory rights under The Sale Of Goods And Services Act 1979 for up to six years after purchase for electrical goods but you have to take it up with the store where you bought it, not the manufacturers. I have a very good relationship with the store where I bought it so I am currently weighing up this course of action. Incidentally, the Apple Store where my MBP is being replaced contacted me at the end of last week to ask me if there 'was a line down my screen before I brought it in?' The answer was 'No.' And then a day later to tell me that they'd broken some sort of lead to do with the battery, which they then had to order in. I can't say I'm filled with confidence that after they've replaced this and then put in a second logic board my problems will be over.

I notice Apple didn't have any trouble contacting anyone who'd bought a first gen. Nano because there was a miniscule chance that the battery might be a fire risk. It should have been so easy - Apple contact all customers potentially affected - alert them to the problem and offer to replace the part for free for at least six years. No need for an expensive recall, customers happy, more Macs sold. As it is - very disgruntled customers, goodwill withdrawn, and lots of negative publicity. If I pay a premium price for a product I expect premium hardware and premium customer service if it fails. It might ultimately be Nvidia's fault but Apple will pay the price in customer satisfaction and publicity - it's not like they don't have the power, influence and money to lean on Nvidia anyway.

******** MACBOOK PRO REPAIR IS EASY WHEN YOU KNOW HOW (AND ITS OUT OF WARRANTY) *******

Kauffilms/Monkeyboxing. fyi my MacBook Pro 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo (which I bought from Birmingham Apple Store early Jan 2008) failed early Jan 2012. Appl Store Genius kindly did a diagnostic check (don't know how rigorous they are) for free and then kindly pointed out I would have to pay £380 inc VAT for a new Logic Board. I didn't wait to ask if the £380 included labour. Spent 2 months thinking about it and researching my options. Finally I stumbled upon a FANTASTIC WEB SITE which explained how I must BAKE THE LOGIC BOARD. Also found another FANTASTIC WEB SITE which showed videos of how to REMOVE LOGIC BOARD. I was past Apple warrenty so nothing to loose.... I followed the instructions on the web sites, and now MY MACBOOK PRO IS WORKING AGAIN (cost was aprox £20 for a screw driver and ARCTIC SILVER THERMAL PASTE). The whole process took me several hours because I'm a "beginner" and have never done any electronic repair before.

I hope/expect my baked logic board to last several months. I will then re-bake 2 or 3 times before giving up and replacing the logic board (£380 is cheaper than £1500 for a new 15 inch MacBook Pro)

QUESTION 1: When I finally need to, I would want to buy a fully legitimate logic board from Apple (definitely not from ebay). The Apple Genius also told me the “up to 5 years” rule, but it was “up to five years from purchase date", not manufacture date,. Is this your understanding also?

QUESTION 2: Have you any experience of the “up to 6 year rule” (The Sale Of Goods And Services Act 1979) mentioned by Monkeyboxing 2nd April 2012). Do AppleStores comply with the rule in the UK?

Regards, Prometheus20120407

PS. Incidentally the early death of my MacBook Pro (yes, 4 years old is too young to die) has renewed its life. After REBAKING THE LOGIC BOARD and APPLYING ARCTIC SILVER, I have upgraded as follows:

Add more RAM (Done)

Clean Optical Drive lens - to fix "broken" superdrive (Done)

Clean Fan/Vents (Done)

Install CoolBook (Done)

Run CPUTests (In Progress)

Install Fan Control (Done)

Install Airport Extreme (Done)

Replace NetGear Modem Router with Vigor 120 Modem (In Progress/Failed)

Applying FanLube - to stop "mosquito noise" when fans run above 2000rpm (Pending)

Upgrade HD to Seagate Momentus 7200 320GB or Crucial SSD 256GB (Pending)

Transfer iTunes from external to internal drive (Pending)

Upgrade to Snow Leopard or Lion (Pending)

Install Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter - to stream wirelessly to my old wirebased speakers (Pending)

Install new Battery ? (Pending)

My 2008 MacBook pro now runs faster, cooler and quieter (hopefully quieter still after applying FanLube) than it has for a few years.

******** MACBOOK PRO REPAIR IS EASY WHEN YOU KNOW HOW (AND ITS OUT OF WARRANTY) *******

** MACBOOK PRO REPAIR IS EASY WHEN YOU KNOW HOW (AND ITS OUT OF WARRANTY) **

Monkeyboxing/Kauffilms. fyi my MacBook Pro 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo (which I bought from Birmingham Apple Store early Jan 2008) failed early Jan 2012. Appl Store Genius kindly did a diagnostic check (don't know how rigorous they are) for free and then kindly pointed out I would have to pay £380 inc VAT for a new Logic Board. I didn't wait to ask if the £380 included labour. Spent 2 months thinking about it and researching my options. Finally I stumbled upon a FANTASTIC WEB SITE which explained how I must BAKE THE LOGIC BOARD. Also found another FANTASTIC WEB SITE which showed videos of how to REMOVE LOGIC BOARD. I was past Apple warrenty so nothing to loose.... I followed the instructions on the web sites, and now MY MACBOOK PRO IS WORKING AGAIN (cost was aprox £20 for a screw driver and ARCTIC SILVER THERMAL PASTE). The whole process took me several hours because I'm a "beginner" and have never done any electronic repair before.

I hope/expect my baked logic board to last several months. I will then re-bake 2 or 3 times before giving up and replacing the logic board (£380 is cheaper than £1500 for a new 15 inch MacBook Pro)

QUESTION 1: When I finally need to, I would want to buy a fully legitimate logic board from Apple (definitely not from ebay). The Apple Genius also told me the “up to 5 years” rule, but it was “up to five years from purchase date", not manufacture date,. Is this your understanding also?

QUESTION 2: Have you any experience of the “up to 6 year rule” (The Sale Of Goods And Services Act 1979) mentioned by Monkeyboxing 2nd April 2012). Do AppleStores comply with the rule in the UK?

Regards, Prometheus20120407

PS. Incidentally the early death of my MacBook Pro (yes, 4 years old is too young to die) has renewed its life. After REBAKING THE LOGIC BOARD and APPLYING ARCTIC SILVER, I have upgraded as follows:

Add more RAM (Done)

Clean Optical Drive lens - to fix "broken" superdrive (Done)

Clean Fan/Vents (Done)

Install CoolBook (Done)

Run CPUTests (In Progress)

Install Fan Control (Done)

Install Airport Extreme (Done)

Replace NetGear Modem Router with Vigor 120 Modem (In Progress/Failed)

Applying FanLube - to stop "mosquito noise" when fans run above 2000rpm (Pending)

Upgrade HD to Seagate Momentus 7200 320GB or Crucial SSD 256GB (Pending)

Transfer iTunes from external to internal drive (Pending)

Upgrade to Snow Leopard or Lion (Pending)

Install Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter - to stream wirelessly to my old wirebased speakers (Pending)

Install new Battery ? (Pending)

My 2008 MacBook pro now runs faster, cooler and quieter (hopefully quieter still after applying FanLube) than it has for a few years.

** MACBOOK PRO REPAIR IS EASY WHEN YOU KNOW HOW (AND ITS OUT OF WARRANTY) **

I would like the guy in Montreal's info please!

Thank you,

Jason

Hi all,

Same problem here with a late 2008 MBP 2.6GHz (4,1) built in Jully 2008 (according to : http://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php ) and purchased online at Swiss Apple Store in January 2009.

I noted the first symptoms a few weeks ago when fans started blowing abnormally hard, then some "psychedelic" lines started appearing on screen, those lines appeared/disapeared once or twice a day during the first days, then more and more often.

A couple of weeks later the screen suddenly went black, rebooted the MBP that worked fine for another couple of hours or so.

Then, again black screen, had to force reboot the MBP and it did chime and reboot but with a solid black screen...

Immediately tried another reboot but the MBP refused to boot, no more chime, solid led, nothing more...

Called Apple, explained the situation, they sent me to an Apple service center for a "diagnostic"...

There the tech guy told me that they couldn't confirm the Nvidia 8600M GT video was responsible because the MBP wasn't booting : motherboard dead ! (probably "toasted" by the faulty Nvidia 8600M GT as explained here : http://gigaom.com/apple/is-apple-blind-to-nvidia-related-macbook-pro-failures/?g o_commented=1 !)

Called Apple support, explained the whole thing several times to as many people, finally they escalated the issue to an "higher level" but so far they refuse to repair the machine.

Will now get in touch with the customer care in Cork (Ireland) and/or Apple Shop in Geneva (Switzerland).

I'm obviously VERY upset 😠

Will let you guys know how things work out with customer care and Apple Shop in Geneva.

PS : I'm a Mac only guy since 1986.

I have been a Windows user and in the IT business for more than a couple of decades (getting old *****) and in January 2011 I decided to give Apple a try (since I like(d) my iPhone) and purchased a refurbished mid-2010 13" Macbook Pro from the apple.com website. About a week ago (3 months outside of the AppleCare warranty) I suddenly started getting the message that my USB ports were drawing too much power and were being shut down. The iSight camera stopped working too. I took it into the Apple Store expecting a resonably priced repair and was shocked when they told me it would require a logic board replacement at $500! Meanwhile my 5 year old Dell continues on like a champ.

This is completely ridiculous. I expect more from an overpriced machine and feel like I've been bamboozled by a company that is supposedly so great. No more apple products for me and I am now on a personal mission to keep friends, family, co-workers, and end users off of apple products. Fool me once....

Thank god windows 8 tablets are coming this fall and the Lumia 900 just arrived.

How did it go ? I'm having the same problem, they refuse to repair the machine because, as it doesn't boot, they can't say it's the nvidia :|

Dropped off my mid-2010 MBP for service yesterday and referenced http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4088. Hopefully it gets fixed free of charge...I've only got a couple months before it hits 2 years since the purchase date.

Hi,

I posted couple of weeks ago regarding my MBP mid 2010 model. With my machine, there were small windows of opportunity when the machine was bootable, but only for say 5-10mins and it would have a kernel panic. THe
"Geniuses" could not tell me what was wrong but just the Logic Board had to be replaced. They did diagnostics MRI, VST (for video/graphics card) and everything was fine. I am a student and did not have the money to pay for a new one, however the manager was kind enough to give me a 50% discount, which worked out to 200GBP. That's still a lot of money for me. My issues with Apple are

1) THe system... Not having trained hardware techinicians who can detect the exact problem, but instead having to replace the whole logic board. Further, for a premium product it lasted 1.5 years.

2) 1 year warranty is not enough. Apparently in the EU any electrical product is automatically under warranty for 2 years.

Cheers,

This is an update to my rave review about Apple fixing my computer affected by the NVIDIA GPU issue and how happy I was to be an Apple customer. Apple has now made me an unhappy customer over the same issue.

Yes, Apple replaced my 15-inch Macbook Pro's logic board because of the bad GPU. Then before I left the store with the repaired computer I replaced the hard drive because I asked to have it tested and it showed it was failing. The next day I'm back in the store because the computer is running so slow and a genius makes a few adjustments. Within two days after Apple replacing the logic board, I have the dreaded geometric design pages, distorted videos and other problems associated with the NVIDIA GPU issue again on my computer. I wait a few days and take it back to an Apple store in Austin. Yes, the genius tells me one week after my logic board was replaced due to the NVIDIA issue, replaced logic boards' GPUs are failing, and it's not uncommon. The bad GPU has been supposedly fixed on the boards, he tells me, but for whatever reason the GPU continues to fail on replaced logic boards. I had read on this thread the night before I took my computer in that many users said they had the NVIDIA bad GPU and had had their logic boards replaced multiple times, as many as 3-4 times, to address the GPU issue and the GPUs on the new boards just kept on failing. So it was no surprise when the genius confirmed the GPUs continued failure. He tested my computer and said yes it was a GPU issue and the logic board would have to be replaced, and it would be replaced free under its 90-day warranty.

The genius was nice and understanding of my concerns. I asked for a warranty longer than the typical 90-warranty on the new logic board that was being put in because obviously there's still a failure issue going on with the GPU. He had the manager meet with me who said no to the extended warranty for the logic board to cover GPU issues. I then asked for a replacement computer because it's clear that Apple has not provided a fix for the NVIDIA issue if the GPUs are continuing to fail on the replaced logic boards. He said no to that. The manager was nice but seemed to have no basic knowledge of the NVIDIA issue and believed Apple was replacing only the GPU, not the logic board, and was unaware that Apple had acknowledged there was a problem with the GPU. But he was nice. I drove 300 miles, making 6 visits to an Austin Apple store in 1 1/2 weeks because my computer kept failing. I'm wondering when my GPU is going to fail again. I know I'm better off than many on this thread because at least I got my logic board replaced, but I'm concerned the fix may be short-lived since I'm on my second replacement in a week's time.

NVIDIA has said it's anticipating up to $200 million it has to pay out to Apple and other computer companies to cover repairs of the defective GPU. Apple says it's going to fix computers within a 4-year window of purchase to fix the problem. But then the logic board replacements that are supposed to fix the problem may fail, either within the 90-day warranty on the new boards or after that warranty expires. So clearly Apple has not fixed the problem associated with these faulty computers. Apple should consider extending the warranty longer on the replaced logic boards because the boards are failing or replace the affected computers, which contained a defective component when Apple sold them to customers, or offer a better solution than it now has for the GPU problem.

I doubt most Macbook Pro owners think their computers should be obsolete and thrown away at the 4-year marker, as Apple seems to suggest the computers are.

Those with the NVIDIA GPU issue and a horror story to tell, and there seems to be plenty of such stories, should think of contacting the news media and trade press to try to get some coverage on this story. I'm baffled why so little has been reported about it when so many computers are affected and so many customers are upset at how Apple has handled this. It's also likely true there are many with these computers affected by the bad GPU who don't know the problems they had with their computers were caused by a known defect and didn't ask Apple to fix them. If I had not found these threads, I would have been one of them and would have simply thought I had a bum computer and moved on to buy a new computer.

When my Macbook Pro fails, though I love the computer, I expect I likely won't buy another Apple computer because of my concerns now about product reliability and Apple backing its products.

Unbelievable!!! Today, one day after getting my second replaced logic board to fix the bad NVISTA GPU, I again have the dreaded geometric designs and bad video on my computer. I'll take it back to the Apple store. But this will be THREE replaced logic boards in less than two weeks!! I am so distressed. Either the store I'm going to has a bad batch of boards or there's a bigger problem with these logic boards. I really don't have any confidence now in getting this fixed.

Now I understand whey the GPUs keep failing on Apple's replacement logic boards for the NVIDIA GPU issue and why a genius said the replacement boards keep failing. I'm on going on my third replacement logic board from Apple in just 2 weeks.

According to Seattle Rex who won the lawsuit againt Apple, Apple representatives said in court that when the GPU fails in these affected computers the replacement logic boards used to repair them contains the same bad GPU.

"The judge accepted these explanations, and when he asked Apple what it would cost to replace my logic board if I paid in cash, I interjected and explained to the judge that if Apple replaced only the logic board, it would simply be another logic board with a defective GPU, therefore, such a solution would not be acceptable.

The judge responded by asking Apple if my machine could be fitted with a different GPU, and when they replied “No, that machine will only accept an 8600M GT”, the judge declared my make & model of MacBook Pro to be defective and unrepairable by any means."

http://www.seattlerex.com/seattle-rex-vs-apple-the-verdict-is-in/

We're not stupid. Enough said.

I just wanted to post this info regarding 2008 Macbook Pro. There was a small claims court hearing in April 2012 in the Seattle,King County courts between a Macbook Pro and Apple, and defective Nvidia 8600M GT GPU.

In the case, the Macbook Pro owner ended up suing Apple because with in several years the SAME GPU / logic board over and over again, eventually ending up with the Macbook actullay dying. Apple refused to replace the Mac, after the request of the owner.

Apple sent two legal representatives for the court case. There was mediation suggested by the judge which failed. Apple was refusing to replace the broken Macbook.

After hearing the plantiff explained to the judge that the faulty GPU/logic board was just being replaced with more of the same GPU's (8600M) (and only if it "passed" Genuis Bar 's "test" - which is faulty unto itself) the judge speciofcally asked the two Apple representativesthey replied “No, that machine will only accept an 8600M GT""

. The King county judge declare thatmake and model of the Macbook pro ( in this case either the 15 ' or the 17' models) t " to be defective and unrepairable by any means."

The Planitff was awarded a cash amount. The amount I was awarded is enough to replace the computer, which means that I should once again have a 17″ laptop.

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/04/19/blogger-victorious-over-apple-in-small-claim s-case-on-nvidia-gpu-failures/