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User profile for user: nigel17
nigel17 Author
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multiple logic board repairs MacBook Pro 15" 2007 - board number 5

I have had the strangest experience with my Macbook Pro 15", which dates from 2007.

Had the symptoms of a faulty logic board - flickering screen which needs restarting, and a frozen clock. Only way to deal with this is to restart. This is a sure sign of logic board or video card on the fail, but the whole unit needs to be replaced, expensive.
Fortunately i found out about the NVIDIA recall scheme and the original was part of the faulty batch. Thus, although out of apple care they still replaced it for free.

I have now had the board replaced 4 times, yes FOUR times. Exact same symptoms. Just picked it up today and the Tech Tool test shows a video card fail. So it will now need board number FIVE.

How on earth is this possible? I thought this was an exceptional thing to happen but each consecutive board failed, or else - they fitted faulty or reconditioned boards. Apple S.P. claim that the boards were new.

Once would seem unfortunate, twice careless, but five times?!

Anyone have a clue about this? Anyone can top 5 times?

thanks

MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Jan 21, 2011 2:48 AM

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User profile for user: DaddyPaycheck
DaddyPaycheck
User level: Level 6
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Posted on Jan 21, 2011 3:27 AM

Do you know whether or not the serial number to your machine changed each time a board was replaced?

I am presuming that a few of those may have not been actual board swaps.
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User profile for user: nigel17
nigel17 Author
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Jan 21, 2011 5:24 AM in response to DaddyPaycheck

thanks for the reply @Daddypaycheck

the serial number on the case and the serial number on the 'About my mac' on the screen is the same.

However, on each occasion after a repair the iTunes authorisation had to be redone, and Time Machine wanted to back up the computer all over again, so I presume some elements of it (the computer) were new.

They told me that on one visit they 'reset' the motherboard which did not prevent the problem from reoccuring.

On this occasion, as soon as I received computer from them, and before leaving the centre, I ran the TechTool test and the Video RAM failed. They then plugged in a cable and did another test, which came up with a stripy screen saying 'Test Failed' that they then took a picture of with a digital camera and told me the computer needed to be taken in again.

I have created a case with Apple and they are referring it to a Senior Advisor who may be able to confirm the hypothesis that it is a faulty set of logic boards. I'm keen to know if they are trying to offload the faulty NVIDIA boards from earlier, or using reconditioned ones. I just don't know how this can happen so often.

Rather strange though?
Would they do a 1:1 exchange or exchange the computer? This is becoming unacceptable and they clearly can't fix the problem.
Will keep the thread updated with the news.
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User profile for user: DaddyPaycheck
DaddyPaycheck
User level: Level 6
16,037 points

Jan 21, 2011 5:29 AM in response to nigel17

Generally after three failed attempts at repair Apple will replace the machine. I know that they do this in the U.S. because most states have a 3 strike lemon law that would pretty much force them to do it anyway.

I do not know what will happen in your case but you have done the proper thing by opening up a case and letting them track it. Make sure to insist how much you love Apple and how losing the use of your machine is causing you problems User uploaded file
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User profile for user: edus78
edus78
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Jan 25, 2011 4:21 AM in response to nigel17

Hi Nigel17, similar problem but different symptom with me.

Recently having my Macbook Pro 15" got Nvidia graphic error & got replaced logic board.
Took the MBP on last Friday January 21st.
First impression seems OK since the display look correct.

Anyhow after sometime discover that my machine is freeze & none can be done unless push the power button for 10 seconds.
After restarting seems OK but randomly the machine is freezing.

The final was on last Sunday January 23rd, the machine won't start after freezing & only 3 beep sound heard.
Thought there must be something wrong with the memory, try re-seat the memory & change the configuration but nothing happened.
Put conclusion that my memory module must be damaged.

On Monday took back to the service center, the technician try to use their memory module & the problem persist.
Finally left the machine for further testing.
Seems that it should be the logic board problem again.

From the first logic board replacement, got information that the supply of the logic board was from Singapore.
And my broken logic board was sent to Spore as well.
Maybe Apple simply make a repair on the broken logic board & after the repair put it on stock for another cases of logic board problem.
Therefore actually there's no new logic board produced for the replacement.

Wondering what it would be if the logic board going error again in the future & the problem was not due to Nvidia graphic error.

Thanks
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User profile for user: nigel17
nigel17 Author
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Jan 26, 2011 5:41 AM in response to edus78

Thank you for the reply. Very interesting.

I got my machine back today from Sapura, the Singapore provider.
They explained that the current issue is happening with board number 3, and not number 5.
The previous two repair boards when they did the appropriate test (that only they can do) issued a fail code message and thus they got authorisation for new boards.

But what i also found out, and what I didn't know (maybe I'm just uninformed), is that these boards are OLD and REFURBISHED. they are NOT new!!!!

So am basically being given a second hand part that has been touched up. Little wonder it fails, and little wonder it has only 90 days warranty. They are replacing with a board that presumably dates from 2007. So it is not going to last another three days.

If it fails 91 days after the installation date, then it's not covered and they would charge $1000 for another OLD board. So in other words, no point as I would be wasting my money and would be, to coin Arthur Miller, in a 'race with the junkyard'.

So to answer your issue, you need to get them to do that test. If the board passes the test, then you're stuck. And you'll probably have to get a new computer.

And what's more - you can recycle your old computer with them (for free) which they will likely end up refurbishing and using the spare parts into someone else's machine.

Good luck!
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User profile for user: rachelnsw
rachelnsw
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Mar 12, 2012 2:21 AM in response to nigel17

My computer is a 15" MBP early 2011 model. Each time I have a problem, they replace a part. Then a NEW problem arises.


Problem 1: really poor battery performance and fluctuations in the "time left"

Apple's response: system resets- problem persists, change battery- problem persists, change logic board-problem persists, return to the store again- "this is just the way the battery is"


Problem 2: wifi stops working all together.

Apple's response: system reset, replace wifi card, get computer back 5 days later (this is my work computer so I am unable to work properly during this time).


Problem 3: Wifi stops working again. Ethernet connection doesn't work.

Apple's response: change logic board (logic board number 3, now).


Problem 4: horizontal lines on screen. frozen computer. inactive. warning telling me to turn computer off and on. Over and OVER again.

Apple's response: we shall see tonight 😟


I am doing a PhD and I need to write an annual report this week to continue my funding. The amount of time this has wasted is ludicrous. All my backups are on time machine(and thus mac formatted) and there are no other computers here at work that are apple. Thus my time machine backup is not recognised by other available work computers. L

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User profile for user: rachelnsw
rachelnsw
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Mar 12, 2012 6:54 PM in response to Shootist007

Switching to windows OS? I don't know if I can do it. I certainly don't want to give Apple more money though. Very sad. I used to be so happy with Apple products- "They just work". Just not true. I can understand a few problems, or maybe even more than a few problems. What I cannot understand is the failure of Apple (who is obsessed with their public image) to do the right thing by their loyal customers by replacing seriously faulty and expensive tech. I must have spent $50 on parking by now. And the amount of time I've lost at work is inexcusable. When I arrived at the store this morning I checked what changes they had made to my computer. THey had replaced my 8 GB RAM with 4 GB RAM. So I had to wait another 45 mins at Apple resulting in me being late to work again by 30 minutes.

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User profile for user: faisal.alfadhel
faisal.alfadhel
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May 10, 2012 9:18 AM in response to nigel17

i have similar problems like all you guys with my MacBook Pro 17 inch September 2009 Laptop

- whole Laptop gets stuck. flickering sound, stuck at start screen, distorted screen, multi colour spots accross screen, black horizontal banding, flickering screen, increasing sound tone(this is scary as laptop vibrates with this sound; sounds of something expanding in the unit), sleep randomly, shuts down randomly, screen is pixilated. charge input seems it doesn't detect Megsafe and the on button is stuck. Over heating.


Its still under warranty.


Apple decided first just to change the heat sink, bpard, megasafe, top housing. With all the list of problems i reported, they, at later stage decided to change to logic board.


Its been to the store twice already at one time about 2 nights, and this is the 2nd attempt of repiar expected to remain for 5 days to carry out testing ... etc.


I had this problem since I first brought the laptop, but I originally had the tendancy to believe its because of the software I had on it and it wasn't as intensed and regular as it is now. I am thinking that this 17 macbook pro is a manufacturing defect and should all be changed from the look of it. My Research work is lagging behind because of this and I am back to using windows, which I am not use to doing; besides, it doesn't have all the softwares I require.


Note: most of the problems i encountered were in the first 10 minutes of opening the laptop, which is why I am doubting over heating has any influence on the faults. Also, they happen while I am using light programmes. i.e office and microsoft project - I haven't even started using MatLab, SPSS, or Simulink on it, not even Pro Engineer.


I spoke to apple care over the phone and they promised that if this happens again, I will have all the right to request for a replacement laptop.


I am wondering, when they will have to replace my laptop - should I expect the same make or model of my 2009 MacBook pro - consdering we are in 2012 - shouldn't I be given the latest 2012 MacBook Pro with the i7 processor rather than the Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8 ?

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multiple logic board repairs MacBook Pro 15" 2007 - board number 5

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