Q: MacBook Pro Logic Board Failure

you are lucky

my mbp lasted only 13 months

apple has money to through out of for ridiculous law suits

we customers are paying for all this nonsense

Another one bites the dust. Same exact issue. Was told by Apple its the Logic board. Have a case number will call today again and see what can be done.

I'm another 2008 MBP owner with the same situation as SO MANY OTHERS. I first notice the problem with my machine while on vacation. That was Sept 17, 2012. The issue got worse over the next few weeks and finally on Sunday Nov 3rd the issue was consistent. At  first I thought, "well maybe I'll use this as an 'excuse' to upgrade". But then I decided to see if MAYBE the issue was something that could be fixed and MAYBE I could get at least an other year or so. That's when I realized that this GPU failure was WIDE SPREAD and that Apple was repairing the problem. Happily I scheduled an appointment as soon as I could, the afternoon of Nov 8.

I took the MBP in along with the paperwork I had found online about the issue. I couldn't remember the exact date I originally bought the machine but I KNEW it was Oct/Nov of 2008 because I got it just after the "new" MBP came out that fall.

That fall I went back and forth. Should I go ahead and get the "new" MBP or get the "2008 MBP". At the end of the day I didn't want the glossy screen which, at the time, was the only option available...so I went with the "2008 MBP" which was still being sold at Best Buy.

Now, back to my visit to the Apple Store on Nov 8, 2008. The tech girl plugged in this little hard drive which had a sticker on the front that read NiVidia 8600...blah blah. She ran her test and, of course, the issue was in fact the GPU. Funny enough another Apple guy came over during the middle of the "test" and said..."HA another bad GPU!...that *****!".

The girl punch some things into her little iPhone and then said..."let me go see if the we have the part". A few minutes later she came back out and this time had a completely different tone. I knew then she didn't have good news. She said, "well it is the GPU and we do have the part...BUT...your machine was purchase on Oct 31, 2008". They knew that because I also bought Apple Care for this machine so all the information was in their system. She went on to say, "My manager won't let me do any thing...our hands are tied...I'm sorry."

A mere 8 days past the "CUT OFF" date and they still won't fix it.

HERE'S WHAT BOTHERS ME:

1) Obviously this is a large issue, effecting many machines. Big enough that Apple is willing to repair machines for free. So here's the problem I have with this. Why not let people know? I mean a lot of people with these machines also bought Applecare. Yes? They knew when I bought it. They knew my email...phone...address...etc. Everything. So why not send out a proper notice to make sure people knew about the issue AND that it had a limit attached to it. If I had known about it I would have scheduled an appointment with my local Apple Store on Sept 17th when I first noticed a problem.

2) This one really REALLY gets to me. I found that Apple issue the statement about the problem and repairs on July 2008.

!!!JULY 2008!!!! I bought mine Oct 2008.

Why not pull all those machines? Why let people continue to buy them? I'll tell you why it's a gamble and they know they will win either way. They willing took my $2000 plus my Applecare cost (which btw I never had to use) knowing full well that it had parts that would probably go bad.

Any way I'm really disappointed with Apple about this. I don't really care if they fix it or not at this point. More than any thing I'd like them to admit they failed and allow 1,000s of machines continue to be sold.

Oh well. Apple should really be ashamed. I'm a fan girl...I'll continue to be. But this really leaves a sour taste behind.

And there is the REAL problem, YOU and the many other that still buy Apple. Why would you still like a company, and BUY their product, when you Know they have worked you, and thousands of other, over in such a way.

That is just down right foolish and IMHO quit stupid.

Jennifer B. wrote:

 

 

Any way I'm really disappointed with Apple about this. I don't really care if they fix it or not at this point. More than any thing I'd like them to admit they failed and allow 1,000s of machines continue to be sold.

 

Oh well. Apple should really be ashamed. I'm a fan girl...I'll continue to be. But this really leaves a sour taste behind.

Shootist007,

I disagree. The problem is NOT that I enjoy buying and using Apple products. I do, very much. As I said I've purchased 1000's of dollars worth both personally and professionally. I've had great success with it. I would buy every single one of those products again...INCLUDING THE MBP. I did have 4 years without a problem. It served me well.

The point I was making WAS NOT that I was upset with the failure or the 'time limit / cut off date'. Rather, I'm disappointed that Apple would allow the product to continue to be sold after acknowledging the problem. AND, this is key for me, that they could not be be more proactive in letting people who had purchased the product know the issue would likely effect them. They could have certainly for people like myself that also bought Applecare for that specific product.

More than any thing that is my issue and disappointment. Not the products.

So there you go. In the future, you should be a little more careful about calling people "foolish and....stupid". It kind of makes you out to be nothing more than a web troll trying to start something.

Take care,

Jenny

I'd just like to add my voice to the choir. 2008 MBP. Faulty logic board. Brought it to the genious bar and was told I was out of the replacement window and there was nothing they could do. (short of shelling out more than the current value of the computer) I had no idea these problems were so wide spread. Completely unacceptable to have a $2000 machine that can't last 4 years. <edited by host>

Cheers,

Aaron

The 4 year time frame that Apple are using is simply one step in a multi step process to NOT deal with issue. Australian consmer law pre 2011 give items a 10 Year statutory warranty.

"Your statutory rights are not limited to a set time period – they do not just 'expire' or 'run out'. The length of time they apply for depends on what it would be reasonable to expect, given the cost and quality of the goods or services you bought."

"The goods must be of merchantable quality - they must meet a basic level of quality and performance, taking into account their price and description. They also should be free from defects that were not obvious to you at the time of purchase."

The free from defects bit is important. The Nvidia problem is by definition an "inherent defect'. And therefore any replacement of the logic board with the same is inadequate. This is what seattle rex used in his case against apple.... and won.

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

Why is Apple driving everyone away when this is an NVIDIA issue?????????????

After much persistance (my third genius appointment) my MBP, purchased May of 2010, was mysteriously covered for the NVIDIA issue and the $500 charge was waived (i.e. covered).  I'm not sure what was done differently in this appointment other than the fact that I was friendlier than usual and my rep was much more transparent about the issue.

HOWEVER, of coruse when I get a call to pick up my computer, the screen is now displaying "pink lines" and discoloration and it will be a $400 fee.  Very suspiscious.  When I inquired about how this issue could have happened, why it wasn't present at check in (or logged for that matter) and what their T&C's are on additional damage that occurs during the repair process, I was accused of accusing them of "intentionally damaging my machine."

i am at a loss for words and frankly fed up with both the product and its service.

Found this long thread while troubleshooting my 2008 MBP.  I, too, may have a "logic board problem" :-(   Have a Genius Bar appointment this afternoon.

Machine: 2008 15" MBP purchased Feb 2008 (approx 4 yrs+  8 mos old).    Snow Leopard OS + Bootcamp running Windows XP Pro.

Turned MBP off last night, would not start up again.   Black screen, no chimes.  Power button illuminates, some fan noises, that's about it.   Black screen on external display, too.

Won't boot onto Snow Leopard DVD, while pressing/holding "C" keyboard button.   In fact, the DVD is stuck inside & can't eject it. 

Reseated the 2 memory modules, no effect.

Reset PMC, by pressing/holding Power button with NO battery, no effect.

Grrrr ...

Update:

After about 5 minutes evaluation, the Apple store technician said it's "Probably the main logic board".

He added it's about a $900 part, BUT they repair it for a flat $310 charge, and a 5-7 business day repair time (has to ship out).

I'm not thrilled about an unplanned $310 expense this month, but considering the alternatives -- $900 circuit boards or needing a $2K new computer --   it's sort-of a relief.

DO NOT pay for this repair if it as described it TS2377.Forget about 4 years as being a cut off date.Apple know this problems exists & Nvidia have given many companies 10's of millions of dollars to cover repairs.

check out nvidiadefect.com

<Edited by Host>

I'l have to read more carefully thru the previous 37 pages of this thread!

Thought I saw, that Apple would only remedy the "Nvidia problem" if the computer could still boot up.

Does a non-booting, black screen somehow qualify for an extended warranty period?

Add me to the list fellas

Tried booting up my MBP 15" 4,1 this morning. Nothing. All I get is the DVD drive making a noise for a second or two and then the computer powers off. If I hold down the power button for a few seconds the latch LED blinks really fast then the MBP shuts down.

I called Apple today and they said I must take it to an Apple store so they can run the Nvidia GPU test. But since my MBP won't even bootup am I doomed? I bought this machine in Dec 2008.

I've done alot of reading on this subject today and it seems that this GPU "bug" can and has caused many logic boards to go bad. If so how does Apple know without opening the MBP and looking at the logic board what caused this problem? Does the "genius" just say that since the MBP won't boot it has nothing to do with the GPU and therefore is not covered?

thx

lenn

Hey Lenn,

If you purchased it in Dec 2008, then you should be covered. I went into the Apple store armed with a copy of portions of this post, as well as the 4-yeay extension warranty from the Apple website. Even though my machine wouldn't boot at all (just like yours), the Genius agreed that it was probably the Nvidia problem, and he noted that on the repair form.

In my case, I was past the 4-year mark, so I just gritted my teeth and paid the $310 flat repair fee. But in your case, as long as you are polite (but firm), you should be able to convince them that it is indeed the Nvidia problem, and that it should be covered.

Good luck!

-Chris

Thanks for the quick reply Chris!

I will print out a bunch of the messages on this topic along with the Apple 4-year extension of the Nvidia GPU warranty from the Apple site. Both a good idea.

I just hope I get a "Genius" that is as understanding as the one you got.

thx again!

lenn