MacBook Pro Logic Board Failure

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.

Another one bites the dust, I won't add to the tails of wo as I know if you're reading this.... Mine was in perfect condition, never dropped, and yet....

A1278 Macbook pro 13.3 Early 2012 i5 logic board failure? Approx 1.5yrs old

1) Macbook failed with no battery life showing and no power going in when magsafe plugged in

2) Friend took in for me & they said it was a logic board failure and presented the £400+ bill

3) I went in and they conceded to have a better look at it - gave it back working a day later!?

4) Took it home and it's dead again

This is wasting so much of my time now that I'm going to have a look myself.

Here's the other tail of warning:

They would have honoured the 1979 bill of sales act if it were not for the fact that my reseller (HugoSales) turned out to be a tax dodger from Florida. So to follow this through ebay in small claims would be a nightmare/non-starter.

Drn, my MBP from 07 (yep :-)) was working well till this week.

I'll enclose a picture to show what is happening and if anyone has any idea how to fix (as Apple support was very friendly, but that was about it as for a solution), please let me know.

I hate being told by a support person that "it is a 5 years old computer, so you can expect this"!!!

I don't want to buy a new machine right now ... so if someone has an idea, let me know :-)

Anybody here knows whether this problem that I'm facing is due to a Logic Board problem?

I have a Macbook Pro early 2011.

ANY ADVICE, please??

I have been having this same problem, and it started a couple of days ago out of nowhere.

My Macbook Pro 15" (purchased Sept. 2011 in the US) was connected to my external monitor at home and it suddenly crashed.

After restarting it, I had all kinds of screen problems...

red lines on the screen, split screen, blue screen on startup..

I reinstalled from scratch but that didn't solve it.

Now, when I turn it on it takes a while to startup and the screen flickers, the red lines appear and if I, eventually, get to login, the smallest stuff I do will trigger all the screen problems and it eventually locks and needs to be restarted by holding the power button.

Besides that, a couple of months ago my battery simply died.

It started losing power out of the blue as well and after 5 days it wouldn't hold any charge at all and simply would say on the System Report that I had no battery on my Macbook Pro.

I'm seriously disappointed at APPLE because this Macbook Pro is not even 2 years old...

And I need it to work!!! I'm a PhD Student... so I don't have enough money to just go and get a new one, as I have been suggested...

And it seems that there is no cheap way out of it...

Any suggestions?

Macbook Pro 15 "2011 Sono riuscito Finalmente*** la prova Hardware

Nessun PROBLEMA RILEVATO.ne ero sicuro sembra NON CI SIA Nessun Problema hardware

Riporterò Ora il mio Mac al negozio Apple Store per Sentire Cosa mi DICONO per la sostituzione della scheda logica CHE MI AVEVANO PROPOSTO

Message was edited by: totomac

rachael85 wrote:

ok so my MBP (bought oct 2007) died on the weekend. i took it into my local apple store tonight and the "genius" told my my logic board had died. my symptoms arent exactly the same as the nvidia because mine is just completely dead (the light blinks once and thats it, no sound, no fan, no power, nothing). he told me it would cost $2154.90 to fix it!!! i am going to go back in and tell him that i know there is a known problem with my mbp model and this just isnt good enough. i didn't pay $3000 for a laptop for it to die in 3.5yrs....

Assuming your machine falls completely within the guidelines of the Nvidia program, I cannot thing of a reason why the genius would deny you repair under the repair extension unless they're either uninformed of it, or want to make you buy a computer. I would print a copy of the web page and take it with you, along with your original sales receipt (if you still have it) and speak to a manager.

"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."

-- Source: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

As an anecdote, I had a similar problem with the genius bar and my wife's white Macbook (2007) with cracking plastics. We were denied repair through the genius bar twice at the same store who had done the original plastics repair for cracking. The 2nd time we took it in for this, the "genius" had the audacity to accuse my wife (in front of me) of putting it in a book bag and throwing it around. She's a college mathematics professor, it goes in her laptop bag, she knows how to take care of it--he apparently got into some sort of trouble because when we left, he came out to apologize for his behavior.

Finally we contacted Apple directly, they took care of everything, and reported what happened at the genius bar. After the third time it was sent in for cracking, Apple went ahead and replaced the Macbook for us with a new unibody model--it's been a little over a year now and no issues with the machine (knock on wood), cracking or otherwise. It's been a real trooper. Apple customer service and their escalations people specifically told us in plain english that unless it was damage "we" caused to the machine, it was covered under our warranty....period. Unfortunately, retail is retail and I'm guessing the genius bars are going to be better depending on the size of store, economics of the area, etc. However, I've consistently and without fail have had better service from their genius bar whenever I've had to deal with a female genius versus a male one. Therefore, my guess is that on top of lack of information or naivete, [adolescent male] laziness also plays a part too.

Good luck!

Hi Rachel,

Ah, ok. Makes sense now. 🙂 I admit I would have been shocked by that price tag as well. Parts only seem to go up in price when computers reach a certain age (especially batteries).

If the Mac is 100% dead as a doornail--no hard drive or anything turning on--then I can see how they would have trouble fitting it under the repair extension program. My 'guess' is the symptoms have to match on paper what the machine is doing when they send it to their depot.

One example I remember well is the iBook G3 repair extension. The symptoms had to match the program otherwise no dice. On the other hand, a friend of ours had one of the iBook G3s that had to go in repeatedly for logic board failures under that program. I think after the 3rd or 4th time, Apple opted to replace it for him with a G4 model which he had for years without a problem. Apple's repair extensions are a fussy thing--they can be incredibly generous (in this case, 4 years!) yet be highly specific (no video, only).

In the meantime and if you haven't already done so, try to reset the PMU (Power Management Unit) and see if there is any change in the symptoms or behavior: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Best of luck, be sure to post back with your results. 😎

Hi Rachel,

I'm glad to hear that your issue is resolved.

"RAM creep" is not an industry-side term that I am aware of but from your description I gather what they are referring to. The RAM in your computer is part of a small wafer of silicon that slids into a small slot. If you open your computer, you'll see two of these wafers with chips all over them. The "creep" that I theorize they are talking about is the small gold "leads" get shifted from the heat fluctuations within the computer over a long period of time. By taking the RAM out and putting it back in simply re-aligns the leads on the RAM wafers with the socket on the logic board.

I've never had an issue with it or heard of anyone having this issue but the theory is sound so I wouldn't worry. However, had the RAM chip not made contact with the leads would only disallow it from being recognized or the machine from booting, wouldn't necessarily affect video performance.

You might want to try running the Apple Hardware Test (AHT) disc that came with your computer as an extended test, and turn on looping.

Here's a link that explains how to use AHT. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

The AHT will run an electrical test on the RAM and components of the Mac, and will poll an error message if a problem is found. I'd guess they ran this test or Apple Service Diagnostic (ASD) after re-assembling the Mac. You may want to run AHT on extended test several times to let the Mac heat up and see if it does replicate the issue you were having before you sent it in. 😉

I'm glad to hear they took good care of you, post back if you have any questions.

John

".....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......"

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2377

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2377

On this page near the bottom, it clearly states that they will issue a refund for repairs that have already been done, once they review the repair information....

This means that a software test is NOT necessarily critical...and it is not a warranty...it is a special case that Apple opened up specifically for this problem....

AND, the 4 year window is rapidly coming to a close!!!!

Hello All,

I would like to add my voice and experiences in support of the many cries for help and reasonable or just service from Apple expressed in this thread:

In Sept 2008 I purchased a MacBook Pro 15-inch A1260, SNo: W88341YVYK0, cost £1730. It has only ever had very light use and hardly even left the house, but a few days ago it started having sleep/startup problems and then died completely: as in when trying to start it up:-

Fans run, no chimes, white latch light ≈ 0.2 secs then fades /flashes, no keyboard input or backlights, tried PRAM reset - no change, tried SMC controller reset - no change, tried run as Target Disk - no chance, completely unresponsive & useless ever since failure.... pretty dead huh?

This Mac is fitted with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor , subject of a $200 million lawsuit between Nvidia and Apple and acknowledged by Apple to be faulty and thus subject of the 4 year replacement program listed here <http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377>

Unfortunately, since the video chip is soldered to the logic board then often the logic board is also damaged by failure , details here

<http://www.mobilemag.com/2011/04/12/confirmed-apple-policy-fails-to-determine-el igibility-of-macbook-pro-nvidia-gpu-problems/>

Tech reports from service outfits that HAVE dismantled the machine and found that the heat transfer /solder material from the video chip has melted and shorted out the motherboard - well, Duh, it is soldered to it and you can’t easily change one without the other.

AN AASP rold me “Although there is a Warranty Extension Program running to cover the replacement logic board under warranty, the unit needs to be less than 4 years old to qualify (which it is) and needs to FAIL the NVIDIA Graphics Test.”

However, if, as in very many cases, the machine can not be started the test can not be run. So Apple reckon they can then wash their hands and say “ no, its not the faulty video chip, so give us the money for a new logic board unless you’re still covered by service care or warranty in some way”

? Hang on: in the last few days I’ve seen literally hundreds, maybe even a thousand, posts from very unhappy customers with identical problems: there appears to be a ≈ 3 year threshold of these major failures now reaching epicemic proportions!

SO, hoping it helps:

my diagnosis – video chip has failed and taken out logic board:

my problem - how to get it repaired by Apple ?

As a struggling solo business I am left with an £1800 paperweight after 3 years of very light use: hardly seems fair, does it?

I shall be writing to the Apple dealer I bought it from, as in the UK we have legislation regarding goods being “ fit for purpose “ when sold. Of course thats a big struggle and I might not win even if I am in the right, so I would prefer that Apple admitted there was a problem and simply agreed to replace logic boards with faulty Nvidia 8600 Grafix chips soldered to them.

I have turned dozens of people on to Apple computers since I started using them in 1983: but if this kind of blind corporate theft is really what Apple have come to then it is sadly time to re-evaluate that enthusiasm and loyalty.

I’m sure Mr. Jobs would be Spinning Steve if he was around to read this!

I hope this helps: God knows we need it when struggling with one of the world’s richest Companies

These attached links provide further relevant info:

<http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/feedback/MacBookPro_video_failure.html>

<http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1095332>

<http://macbookprofail.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/macbook-pro-nvidia-chip-failure-a pple-owes-me-a-logic-board/>

<http://gigaom.com/apple/is-apple-blind-to-nvidia-related-macbook-pro-failures/#c omments>

I posted my recent issues over on another board for this same problem (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1995151)

Anybody having any luck getting Apple to help them with the 8600 NVIDIA failure after this 4 year window is up?

Regarding this thread
I WISH TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS POSTED HELPFUL ADVICE & INFO HERE!

There have, rightly, been many cries for help and reasonable or just service from Apple expressed in this thread:

My story was that in Sept 2008 I purchased a MacBook Pro 15-inch A1260,
cost £1730. It only ever had very light use and hardly even left the house, but recently died completely.

This Mac was fitted with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor , subject of a $200 million lawsuit between Nvidia and Apple and acknowledged by Apple to be faulty and subject of the ongoing 4 year replacement program listed here < http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377>

The video chip IS directly soldered to the logic board, so often the logic board is also damaged by failure , details here
<http://www.mobilemag.com/2011/04/12/confirmed-apple-policy-fails-to-determine-el igibility-of-macbook-pro-nvidia-gpu-problems/>


Apple service said “Although there is a Warranty Extension Program running to cover the replacement logic board under warranty, the unit needs to be less than 4 years old to qualify (which it is) and needs to FAIL the NVIDIA Graphics Test.”

However, in many cases, the machine can not be started so the test can not be run or return a result. Apple then say “ no test result, so its not the faulty video chip, and you have to buy a new logic board unless you’re still covered by service care or warranty in some way”

This appears to be Apple telling us that their software test of the GPU is reliable, even if (again, in many cases), the logic board is so damaged that the external drive the test is running from can not acces the GPU because of the thermal damage already caused to the logic board!

I took the matter up with Apple UK. It was a major struggle, involving first taking the Macbook to an AASP for an abortive test before several days of negotiating my way by phone through Apple Care techs at differing levels before finally being allowed to speak with an “Apple Customer Relations Officer” even though the senior Tech assured me that it would NOT affect the " no free repair" outcome.

HOWEVER, after some reasonable conversations over a period of a week or so with a businesslike but ultimately sympathetic Customer Relations Officer, it WAS AGREED THAT MY COMPUTER WOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE. This duly and swiftly happened and I got my Macbook back as new from the AASP, with an £800+ bill paid FOC by Apple.

I did point out that when I started using Apple Macs they had B/W screens and 8MB HD's: also that I had turned hundreds of peole on to Macs in the last 30 years and I couldn't do that any more if they were this unreliable: I expect a premium product like a Mac to not only look great and work better than anything similar, but to last at least 8 years without any major ( or even minor ) faults. After all, a colleague of mine still runs a substantial business from the 2nd hand eMac, now running OS 10+, that I sold her in the 90's.

And I can hardly imagine Dell, Lenovo, et al turning round and giving me a free major repair on a well out of warranty laptop: so, on balance, YES, APPLE ARE OUT OF ORDER, because the fault is widespread, well known and documented, and the test is inappropriate for the circumstances of many of the faults caused by the known to be flawed chip: but, hey, I GOT MY MACBOOK BACK FIXD FOC so I'll give then credit where it's due for that. Hope this helps some of you get yours fixed too