nvidia 8600m failure

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Level 1

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nvidia 8600m failure

I bought my MacBook Pro 17 in July 2007 and this month (March, 2012) experienced my first hardware failure: the video card prevents the machine from booting (I can still access the hard drive via my IMac.) Took it to the local "Genius", who confirmed the failure and said it would cost $350 to replace the logic board.

Two questions: Does this machine (model A1229) have one of the known defective Nvidia chips?

If so, even though it's almost five years old, does Apple have a responsibility to repair it free?

As a longtime Apple customer, my answer to question two would be "Yes". One expects this well-made, expensive machine to last longer (I had better luck with VAIOs), and if a part (in this case soldered to the logic board) proves defective, one expects longterm commitment to repairs. I realize that the MacBook has aged and would not demand service for an HD, power supply or other variety of hardware failure. This seems to be a special case.

Other customers seem to have received a mixed response on this issue. This is just an update. I hope that this laptop, which has serviced me well, will not become just a paperweight, or I have to salvage its parts. But I'm not optimistic.

Earl

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Mar 19, 2012 12:50 PM

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Answer 1

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Mar 19, 2012 1:17 PM in response to earnett

The problem is the NVIDIA GEFORCE 8600M video card.

The bad Nvidia cards were in MacBook Pros produced from May 2007 to September 2008.

The warranty was extended to 4 years beyond the purchase date.

I had one I purchased in March 2008 which failed in January and was replaced under the warranty. Since yours was purchased in July 2007 I doubt you will receive any benefit. Sorry.

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Answer 2

Mar 19, 2012 1:17 PM in response to dalstott

dalstott wrote:

The bad Nvidia cards were in MacBook Pros produced from May 2007 to September 2008.

Since yours was purchased in July 2007 I doubt you will receive any benefit. Sorry.

But July 2007 falls within that date range.

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Answer 3

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Mar 19, 2012 1:22 PM in response to dalstott

I found the official Apple statement here:

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

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Answer 4

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Mar 19, 2012 1:23 PM in response to shldr2thewheel

I think it expired in July 2011 if my fingers are still counting correctly. 🙂

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Answer 5

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Mar 19, 2012 1:24 PM in response to shldr2thewheel

Warranty was only extended to 4 years from date of purchase...the OP is outside of that 4 year range, thus as dalstottsays, the OP will not receice any warranty support.

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Answer 6

earnett Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 19, 2012 1:52 PM in response to earnett

Thanks for your responses. This situation just a test of how committed Apple is to replacing parts that proved to be defective, even after an extended warranty period. It only applies to a limited run of machines, and I raised the question since Apple seems to be wondering what to do with their excess cash.

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Answer 7

w31p

Level 1

9 points

Apr 20, 2012 11:08 AM in response to earnett

Same thing just happened to me. Today...

Applecare said "no" but I could take my chances at the genius bar.

It's too bad. I have a windows laptop from 10 years ago that still functions fine. I'm disspointed that apple wouldn't have recalled the whole batch of laptops with knowledge of a failed nVidia chip.

I understand warranties, but with obvious malfunctions because of know faulty components I thought apple would be more accomodating.

To apple..

We, your customers that maintain and use our computers for 4+ years are responsible people who value the machines we use and the equipment we purchase. We chose to spend extra dollars at the time of purchase to buy the best hardware and software that money can buy with the expectation that the value we receive from using the equipment will stretch well into the future. For many of us well into the future is far beyond 4 years. I hope you will honor your statement from article TS2377...

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

...I do not see any current evidence of this, since I missed out on the opportunity by 20 days.

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