Q: MacBook Pro Logic Board Failure

Is this what the failing graphics processor looks like with the artifacting?

http://imageshack.us/a/img802/3981/artifactsu.jpg

I have a A1260 that  displays this warped picture in different configurations and when the artifacts show up it freezes. Sometimes it happens on boot

Could well be - at least if your computer can boot the not-genius folk can run a diagnostic properly - then it all depends if you're within the 4 years ... I'm guessing probably not.  HP have extended their warranty to 6 years (or possibly more).  No such reasonable behaviour from Apple.

I just wanted to chime in here too. This is my first post. I have a MBP, purchased new in July of 2009 (does not have the offending NVIDIA chip), but I am having the same issues. It won't boot. Acts like it's in sleep mode all the time and won't wake up. I'm so unbelievably frustrated at the idea that after just 3 years of casual use, this machine would completely die. I haven't taken it to Apple yet, but I won't pay several hundreds of dollars to have the logic board replaced. This was my first Apple computer, and it will likely be my last Apple product ever (including phones and tablets). I have an HP laptop in my closet that is over 10 years old that boots right up today, yet this "premium" computer won't last more than 3 years. With the amount of other Apple users experiencing the same problem, I just feel like this has to be an issue of faulty components which Apple should make right. It just seems criminal that they charge what they do and offer so little by way of support beyond the initial warranty.

I guess what amazes me even more though are the amount of people who experience this problem, pay out of pocket for the repairs and remain loyal to Apple. I guess this is why they can continue to do business the way they do. I just couldn't think of any other company or product that could be so consistantly unreliable, yet have such a strong and loyal customer base. Maybe I'm missing the bigger picture, but I just don't get it.

well, i am with you totally, 3 years and my mac pro is dead. there has to be something we can do, we paid A LOT of money for this machine and surely it is meant to last longer than that! perhaps we should tell apple that they should acknowledge thousands and thousands of mac users going through very a similar experience, and after extensive reading i can tell you that it seems a 3 years mark, then the logic board dies.

THIS IS REALLY ANOTHER RROD IN DISGUISE. The GPU gets too hot and the solder ball joints breaks off, causing no video or startups. YES! RED RING OF DEATH. Just like the XBOX 360. I've fixed plenty of RROD on FAT XBOX 360, also running the Nvidia GPU.

My 2008 Macbook Pro w/ Nvidia 8600GT 256mb bought, on June of 2008 suddenly did not turn on last week. No chime or video. Just the fans and dvd drive starting up. I took it to 2 Apple stores. 1st one said it was past the 4 year warranty extension and 2nd one said my machine's serial is not affected. (Yeah, then why is this happening!)

Did some research. Saw the bake method on YOUTUBE but, didn't look safe. Then came across some other postings about heat gun method. So, I tried it. Covering everything else but, the Nvidia GPU, I heated the GPU for a few minutes and let it cool for 1 hour. Put it back together and here I am typing on it. Put smcFanControl and turned the fans it up to 4500rpm. Now sitting at 40 Celsius. Better loud then hot I guess.

So, if Microsoft can admit and agreed to fix all RROD XBOX 360, why can't Apple fix their own Macbook pros that's got the same issues?

Can you elaborate on the "bake method" and "heat gun method?"

At this point, I'm willing to try about anything.

bthornhill - before you try those things, I suggest you get Apple to assess it first and if they say its gonna cost, then ask to speak to a manager - firmly escalate the matter.  Sounds like your laptop was "not fit for purpose"

Good luck,

Chris

This (a reflow of the dodgy solder) only lasts 3 months on a Mac - works for PCs better - I know - I did it 3 times before I had the faulty GPU replaced with an updated one - I've already posted a link to the company I used a couple of times already - search it out if you need to go down that route.

Precisely - same with Hewlett Packard - for all that the fanboys go on about Apple service - they've done the worst of every company on this one - worse than a "toy" company for heaven's sake.  It's rificulous.

Yes, only do this if you're out of options. I would do the reflow before the oven method. Also, it doesn't take much to melt the solders. Try it on a piece of solder, you'll know what I mean. Be cafeful and good luck.

Heat gun method:

http://themainframe.ca/2010/07/03/macbook-pro-video-repair/

Bake method:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztzv2OlQJuU&feature=share&list=PL510F6BBF70CF3DF5

Fan control:

http://www.eidac.de/

I have a Mac Book Pro 2008 model, and it has intermittently, over the last year, had flickering screen issues, I finally brought it in to my Mac store and it was diagnosed with the GPU/NVDIA failure.  I am 10 days past the 4 year mark.  I was not aware of the notification from Apple about the problem despite having Apple Care.

I spent two days (two very long phone calls requiring transfers to supervisors, et al)  and stood my ground after reading all the information shared on this blog saying that I wanted Apple to pay for the repairs.  The issue was identified in July 2008, I bought mine late 2008 and felt that I should have been informed of the possible defect.

The long and short of the story is that Apple has approved the "one time" repair and I am so happy.  It took patience, persistence (ie not swearing at the agents  lol!!) but they did come through.  Yeah!

obviously apples entire staff including all their dealers are dishonest

otherwise there would not be so many posts here

I paid lots of money for my only 13 months old 2010 MBP

even the apple dealer in alabama stole $50 from me  just looking at it

after I refused to repair it with them and pay double of the usual repair cost for changing the logicboard

me and my entire family will go back to PC and run linux

we are not willing to feed this monster anymore

I'm so glad for you, but it's so tough to feel like Apple actually doing anything at all, even with all the foresight and information you had to gather and the tiers of beaurocracy you had to go through, and still to a lesser standard than its competitors ... is an especially good thing!  Their inconsistency is even worse.

Here is an update on my situation -

I finally made an appointment with the Genius Bar at my local Apple store and brought my MBP in to be looked at. The "genius" was very nice and cordial. I explained to her everything that my computer was doing, then I turned it on to show her. She noted and confirmed everything (fan works, DVD drive responds, no image on screen, etc.).

I told her everything that I have tried to do to remedy the situation and nothing worked. I also told her that I am aware of the massive problem with the graphics processors in similar models of MBPs, and that I believe that is what is wrong with mine. She said that is a "known issue" and she looked up my seriel number to see if I have affected hardware. She did not confirm or deny that I have affected hardware. After she looked that up, she said she was going to take it in the back, open it up, and see if it may be something as simple as a bad cable or connection.

She came back less than 15 minutes later with my MBP in hand. She said she opened it up and found "liquid damage" and that liquid damage is not covered under any warranty or recall. She the said she "cleaned the affected area" and removed all trace of the liquid damage. She said since she cleaned it, they could send it off for $280.00 to "fix whatever is wrong with it" but if they find evidence of the liquid damage she described, they'd reqoute me $800.00 for repair. She was not at all specific about whatever was wrong or supposedly damaged by the liquid.

I told her that is impossible. Liquid has never been near my computer, let alone spilled on it. She dismissed that and said "maybe someone else did it." She said it was a brown sticky liquid, like coffee, and it was found in the upper right corner (directly on top of the DVD drive, near the power button) and there was nothing else she could do for me short of sending it off for $280.00.

I told her no thanks and I left very upset.

I've been really troubled by this. I couldn't sleep last night. Unless someone has broken into my apartment, fixed themselves a drink, used my computer, spilled the drink, cleaned up the mess and left without a trace, I can tell you as sure as anything that there has never been a spill and there is no liquid damage, but what do I do when it is my word against theirs?

Here is what I find most suspicious about that diagnosis (aside from the obvious fact that I know there has never been a spill):

She neither confirmed or denied I have affected hardware that may be covered under the recall. She looked it up prior to taking my computer in the back, but never said anything about it.

The length of time it took her to disassemble my computer to get underneath the keyboard, find the supposed liquid damage, clean it, and reassemble my computer was less than 15 minutes. I'm no expert, but those things look complicated and it seems that it would take more time to do all of that.

The area she said was affected by the liquid damage was directly on top of the DVD drive. She acted like it was only a small area. If there was some sort of mystery liquid damage, wouldnt it have to get on the actual board to cause an issue like mine? If what she is telling me is correct, the liquid would have only been found in a small area on top of the DVD drive casing.

She was not specific about what would theoretically be repaired for $280.00. Is this a typical flat fee repair for Apple? It seems like if what she was telling me was legit, she would say "liquid damage caused X, Y & Z damage, and we can repair that for this amount." I'm very reluctant to trust that general charge without knowing exactly what was wrong and exactly what I am paying to have repaired.

If I had been thinking more clearly, I would have asked her to take my computer apart again and show me the affected area and show me what she used to clean it in order to see the residue. But I felt myself getting a bit upset and left.

I made a new Genius Bar appointment today. I am going back to speak with a manager. I am going to ask them to prove their diagnosis to me and put something in writing so I can seek a second opinion.  I'm not sure what good that may do or where to go from there, but I KNOW there has never been a spill and I can't shake this gut feeling of being taken advantage of.

Any thoughts from anyone about this?

I'm thinking these inconsistency are coming from being a celeberty or if you're a hot chick. Example, Leo Laporte dumped his iPhone in water on the air, brought it in and got it replaced for a dollar amount. Makes sense, since most of the genius are nerdy guys. So, maybe your chances are better if you have a hot chick bring in.