I am having the same very frustring experience with my macbook pro from early 2008. Long story short I am both just outside the 4 year window by about a month (even though the problem occured within the 4 year period it was briefly fixed by a non-authrozied techinican by "baking" the card) and now the computer does not boot so Apple is not going to be able to run the diagonostics test by inserting a UBS.

Any advice on how I should proceed?

This seems to be pretty common now, My mac is now just a 50 50 guess if its going to power up or not, sometimes it will, sometimes it gets stuck on the Timer just before the desktop opens, I dont know if it is Nvid related or is it the Logic board, I find it a disgrace that apple seem to be fixing some but not others, Is there a way to get the board replaced by someone else cheaper?

Thanks

Gordie.

This seems to be pretty common now, My mac is now just a 50 50 guess if its going to power up or not, sometimes it will, sometimes it gets stuck on the Timer just before the desktop opens, I dont know if it is Nvid related or is it the Logic board, I find it a disgrace that apple seem to be fixing some but not others, Is there a way to get the board replaced by someone else cheaper?

Thanks

Gordie.

Selena,

I wanted to let you know that my daughter's computer was fixed at 4 years and 8 months.  I took it to a Mac Authority--expecting them to tell me that the computer was out of warranty.  What I wanted from them was a diagnosis so that I could take up my case with Apple.  However, Apple fixed my daughter's computer in days! What a pleasant surprise.

Obviously this wont' happen for everyone, but I wanted to let you know that it did for me.   thebhoydave1888 's information was very helpful for me--read back over his posts if you haven't. 

Hope you are successful!

csproblemmalware wrote:

 

and now the computer does not boot so Apple is not going to be able to run the diagonostics test by inserting a UBS.

 

Any advice on how I should proceed?

I think the fact that the computer won't boot is a big problem.  When I first took my daugther's computer in it didn't boot---and they said if it didn't there was nothing they could do.  Fortunately for me it was just that the battery was dead. 

I am sorry--I know it is very frustrating!   

Hi, can i ask you, what was the diagnosis given to you by apple?

Hi,

I don't have the paperwork in front of me, but this was definitely the problem and what Apple repaired.  I don't know if that is helpful to you or not!

ah its all helpfull i guess but that link didnt work for me, So i'm thinking the best thing to do it get a diagnosis, then i would like to go back and quote similer problems from others and ask for mine to be repaired also.

If its the Logic board/Nvidia problem of course.

Sorry! Don't know why the link didn't work. 

I think your plan is exactly right.  Go get a diagnosis and then take it to Apple and see what you can do to get it fixed.  Again, thebhoydave1888's information was very helpful to me (though I ended up not needing anything but the encouragement to try.

This is the page to which I was trying to link:

MacBook Pro: Distorted video or no video issues

Symptoms

In July 2008, NVIDIA publicly acknowledged a higher than normal failure rate for some of their graphics processors due to a packaging defect. At that same time, NVIDIA assured Apple that Mac computers with these graphics processors were not affected. However, after an Apple-led investigation, Apple has determined that some MacBook Pro computers with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor may be affected. If the NVIDIA graphics processor in your MacBook Pro has failed, or fails within four years of the original date of purchase, a repair will be done free of charge, even if your MacBook Pro is out of warranty.

What to look for:

• Distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen
• No video on the computer screen (or external display) even though the computer is on

Specific products affected:

• MacBook Pro 15-inch and 17-inch models with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processors
  
  • MacBook Pro (17-Inch, 2.4GHz)
  • MacBook Pro (15-Inch, 2.4/2.2GHz)
  • MacBook Pro (Early 2008)
• These computers were manufactured between approximately May 2007 and September 2008

Resolution

If your MacBook Pro is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above, please take it to an Apple Retail Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) for evaluation, or call your nearest Apple Contact Center. Before visiting the Genius Bar at the Apple Retail Store, please make a reservation (available in some  countries only).

Apple is issuing refunds to customers who may have paid for repairs related to this issue. Please contact Apple for details on the refund process.

Note: If your MacBook Pro is not experiencing any of these symptoms, you do not need to contact Apple.

Apple will continue to evaluate the repair data and will provide further repair extensions as needed.

ok thanks for that, so basically you have that problem but you are 8 months passed what apple see as the extended period.

hmmmm

Yes.

Thanks for that dmd25. Like others on this forum my MBP from 2008 has suddenly developed problems - flashing screen, freezing, not waking from sleep, freezing after startup chime, and, more disturbingly, the kernel panic message. I spent most of yesterday on the phone to Apple technicians, but this morning, same old, same old. Finally managed to boot up from a disk, and am erasing the hard drive as I type this.

Spoke to a genius at Totally Mac in Hamilton New Zealand this morning. He will look at it next week for me. He suggested that it was the problem we are talking about on this forum, and that if it is, Apple will pay for its repair. Fingers crossed. The genius was so quick to identify this problem that I can only assume it is a very common one. I wish the Apple techs yesterday might have suggested this so that I didn't spend my whole day trying to get the **** MBP to work.

It's disappointing that such an expensive computer can fail like this.

btw, the genius said that Apple will fix MBPs if the serial number falls in a certain range - an admission of liability. Does anyone know what this range is?

You might want to try out this site:  Apple Serial Number Info.   (I have not used the site---have just read about it)

I tried to find the range of serial numbers---that would be quite interesting! I had no success, though.  I think the problem is very well known to Apple--it doesn't surprise me that the Apple employee knew of it. 

Keep us posted! I wish you success. 

Shoot--the link doesn't work!

Here is the address:  http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

FINALLY, A SUCCESS STORY.

My original post was on 04/15/12

Since then, I have been successful in having this issue solved (with a lot of persistence).

My laptop originally failed in March 2012 (display wouldn't turn on but I could hear the machine running), ~10 after my 90 day warranty of replacing my hard drive/logic board for the first time due to failure. I did not ask for the logic board replacement but they insisted it was covered. When my laptop wouldn't start up, I set up an appointment and brought it in to the genius bar. I was denied and told to "think about buying a newer model".

Devastated and angered, I decided to do some research on the issue and found this forum and some articles based on the NVIDIA issue. 

After I read up on the info and did some major research, I called the customer service line (in June), in which they insisted I pay for the support service since I was out of apple care. I denied and asked for higher management and kept getting forwarded. Eventually I got to a technical support member (without paying) and they said they couldn't do anything but the best thing to do would be to bring it into a retail store with a genius bar (WHICH I ALREADY DID!)

I then set up another appointment, but this time I knew exactly what to say to the genius.

I got to my appointment and received the same genius who denied me about 3 months prior. She remembered me and I was immediately worried that the repair wouldn't go through. She asked me what was wrong, they pulled my file up. I pretty much told her my "sob story" and she took into account that I didn't have a laptop for 3 months, which is a LONG time for a student. She said it was out of warranty, BUT I BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE RELATED TO THE SYMPTOMS OF A FAILING NVIDIA CHIP. Immediately after bringing this up, she sympathized with me this time and questioned "why they didnt fix it last time even though it was out of warranty for just a few days". She talked to her manager for about 5 minutes and concluded with the issue being taken care of on their dime. I picked it up a few days later and it was done.

Here is my work authorization for reference to anyone else:

Problem Description/Diagnosis

Component: System video/sound
Issue: MacBook Pro NVIDIA Issue
Issue: Customer Reports machine will not power on at all. Main logic board was replaced somewhat recently as well as hard drive.
Steps to Reproduce: Reset SMC. Issue persists. No sign of life whatsoever. MagSafe accepts power adapter and LED lights up but nothing else.
Proposed Resolution: Send to depot for new logic board or new topcase (power button could possibly be causing this issue). Penny out repair per D----.
Cosmetic Condition: Light scuffing on clamshell. Normal wear on bottom case (slight rubbing spots on bottom case). Dent above sd craft slot.
Known Liquid Damage: No
Check-in Required: YesEstimated Turn Around Time: We'll call you in 3 - 5 days
Mac OS Version: 10.6.8
Hard Drive Size: 200
Memory Size: 2
iLife Version: Unknown

Repair Estimate

TAKE AWAYS:

- RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!

- Insist on the issue being the NVIDIA chip if symptoms apply

- Do not take NO for an answer

Good luck everyone, and don't give up.