MacBook Pro Logic Board Failure

Hi tjk,

That's correct. The rebuttal I heard from AppleCare? Just because accidental damage can be repaired doesn't mean that a problem won't show up "a couple of months" later. Yep, I'm serious. They refuse to acknowledge anything beyond the great likelihood that a screen repair in early March is completely linked to a failed logic board in late December.

The Apple Care rep. manage told me "The Golden Rule is if a Mac has received accidental damage before, AppleCare doesn't cover any other damage."

So I asked then why would someone pay for AppleCare if this was the case, and he replied, "In case something was a defect."

I said, "What about a logic board defect?" He said that would count, but not for me because there's an obvious crack in the bottom case. which means I dropped it at one point, which means accidental damage.

I said this crack was there before (it's about a millimeter long); it wasn't fixed by Apple Repair (even though it's noted in the March report being cracked).

He said it didn't matter. I asked what exactly are the tests that determine whether it's accidental damage or a effect. He was unspecific, and said I'd have to speak to Apple repairs. I asked for the number, he didn't give it to me.

Any advice?

Audrey Sykes wrote:
I said, "What about a logic board defect?" He said that would count, but not for me because there's an obvious crack in the bottom case. which means I dropped it at one point, which means accidental damage.

In the end, it doesn't matter what I agree/disagree with, but given this situation (the crack in the case which was caused by accidental damage and not repaired), the "right/just" answer is now, at minimum, a gray area in my eyes. I know, that's not what you want to hear, and neither would I, but that's an objective assessment from my perspective.

I said this crack was there before (it's about a millimeter long); it wasn't fixed by Apple Repair (even though it's noted in the March report being cracked).

Meaning you weren't charged for it. I think if the LB and case had been replaced, this would be a different story.

Any advice?

Sorry, but I suspect about all you can do is plead your case to AppleCare/an Apple employee as much as you're willing to and hope someone sees a different way to look at it.

Message was edited by: tjk

I had this problem too, just today.

I woke the computer up from sleep, and all I saw was a black screen; caps lock wouldn't work, so I just assumed that I shorted it out due to an electric shock by accident. I turned the laptop off and tried to start it again. I could hear the optical drive start, and then immediately afterwards the computer turned off again. I tried this several times, it still didn't work. I reset the PRAM and whatever else, still not working. Came on here to see that it wasn't just me having these problems... And, of course, I was frustrated, since college applications are due Friday, and all of the necessary information was on the Macbook Pro.

Since there really was nothing to lose, since I wouldn't have the time (nor the money) to send the Macbook Pro off to find out what is wrong, I just hit the back of the laptop case a few times just in case there were just some loose wires or something. After I hit the upper left of the back of the laptop (with up being the opening side of the laptop, and the back being the part not attached to the screen), the laptop started working again.

I'm not sure I'd suggest this for everyone, especially if you're afraid to break it, but if you have nothing to lose, it worked for me.

Regards.

Hi

I have a similar problem with my MBP purchased in Oct 2007 (I live in New Zealand). However, I think it is the Nvidia graphics card (GeForce 8600M GT with all the issues) as when I power on the laptop I get the chime, can hear the hard drive working but nothing on the screen.

This happened to me on 31 Dec and it is also a couple of months out of the applecare warranty period. Hopefully if it is the graphics card then as it is within 4 years from purchase it should be repaired at no cost according to the apple KB article # TS2377.

Can anyone tell me if replacing the graphics card also involves replacing the logic board and if so would the logic board also be covered under the free repairs?

Cheers

Helldog wrote:
Can anyone tell me if replacing the graphics card also involves replacing the logic board and if so would the logic board also be covered under the free repairs?

Yes and yes.

Hello All - just an update on my particular situation since it may help some of you as well.

I did repeatedly zap the P-Ram and did after the third or fourth attempt get a startup sound. I was then able to boot under target disk mode and get an updated backup copy (I had a running backup on a time capsule but a fresh backup is always best).

I took the computer in to the Apple store and the Genius agreed this was consistent with NVIDIA failure - the computer is now getting the full logic board replacement that requires (about $900 of repair) with no charge as per Apple's commitment. I was very impressed by the professionalism of the Apple employees and really had no problems resolving this issue there.

I hope this helps some of you out there with this issue - keep working at it!

Thanks. I'll be taking it into the local repair shop tomorrow to look at it. Will report back.

Cheers
Helen

Hi Robert,

Robert Stone wrote:
I did repeatedly zap the P-Ram

One "process" continually holding the PRAM combination or one attempt, shut down, repeat, etc.?

and did after the third or fourth attempt get a startup sound.

Would you mind clarifying? It booted? Display worked?

I was then able to boot under target disk mode

By holding t key down right after PRAM reset/s? Shutting down and booting again?

Thanks

Helldog wrote:
Thanks. I'll be taking it into the local repair shop tomorrow to look at it. Will report back.

Please do. Did you see Robert's post just prior to yours? He apparently got his MBP to boot into FireWire Target Disk Mode in order to make a backup . . . .

Helen

Well, I guess that at least partially explains the alias. I won't ask about the rest. 😉

Message was edited by: tjk

Just tried resetting the pram but didn't work. I'm definitely getting the start up chime but there is just a black screen. Will see what happens tomorrow.

Cheers
H

Robert Stone wrote:
I did repeatedly zap the P-Ram

One "process" continually holding the PRAM combination or one attempt, shut down, repeat, etc.?

There were several "hard reset" type shut downs with I think it was 2 intermingled PRAM resets. There was never anything on the screen though I could see the backlight come on. The "sleep light" on the latch glowed steadily. Then once after a restart I let it sit several minutes and noticed the keyboard backlight came on. I think I then did the PRAM reset again - and got a startup sound. Then I let it sit for a bit until the keyboard backlight came on and shut it back down. That's when I again tried the target disc mode boot and it worked. I made a backup copy of the HD as a fresh copy.

and did after the third or fourth attempt get a startup sound.

Would you mind clarifying? It booted? Display worked?

See above - no, the display NEVER came back on though the backlight is on.

I was then able to boot under target disk mode

By holding t key down right after PRAM reset/s? Shutting down and booting again?

This was a separate restart attempt - not right after the PRAM reset / not during the same boot attempt.

Thanks

I hope this helps - good luck!

Thanks for clarifying that Robert.

Hello!

If you are getting a startup chime it may well be the same issue I had - if you have another Mac try booting in target disc mode - just turn off your MBP and then connect it to the other computer with Firewire, then start it up holding the "T" key down. Normally, a symbol appears on the screen to let you know it worked but in this case (if it works) your only indication may be the appearance of the MBP's hard drive on your other computer's desktop. If that works, all signs point to NVIDIA failure and you will likely be covered! Run a backup if you have the disc space and then disconnect like you would from any hard drive by "ejecting" it first. Good luck!

-Bob

Thanks Bob. I had already dropped my MBP off for servicing so I can't try this option. Unfortunately as it is still a public holiday here the technicians weren't working so it will be sometime on Wednesday before I find out exactly what the situation is.

Will keep you all posted on the outcome.

Cheers
H