Macbook Pro logic board failure due to Nvidia gpu fault, what to do?

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isosmama

92 posts

Master Geek

#104147 15-Jun-2012 22:03

Hi, my 2008 unibody 17" MBP died on me. Wouldn't start up, just stayed on blank grey screen. So I took it into my local (I live in Dunedin) accredited Apple store to see what the problem was. They ran the diagnostics and told me the logicboard needs replaced.

Apple had acknowledged that the Nvidia graphics card in that model had ended up damaging the logicboard but just my luck, mine has folded just outside the timeframe that Apple had given out replacement machines.

My question is, can I get my machine repaired? A replacement logicboard from Apple is not within my financial means (over $1000) What are my options? I love my MBP and would like to spend $100s of dollars fixing it instead of getting a new windows laptop.

Also where could I get it fixed in Dunedin instead of spending $ sending it to, say Auckland.

Thanks in advance for any awesomely helpful advice!

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1543 posts

Uber Geek

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#641660 15-Jun-2012 22:08

Yep the program ran for 4 years, I believe, it's pretty unlikely Apple will come to the party after the program has finished.
I think unfortunately there's probably no economic way to repair your machine, it would be very hard to find a second hand logic board.

Cheers,
Joseph

lorenzo

91 posts

Master Geek

#641663 15-Jun-2012 22:16

I'd check TM and eBay for a while somthing might come up - make one out of 2 perhaps ?

isosmama

92 posts

Master Geek

#641665 15-Jun-2012 22:17

Hi, thanks for the quick reply. I tried looking to see if there were any around, no you're right, rare as hen's teeth. But found a laptop repair place in Auckland that said they could repair it for $350 and that they saw it "everyday".

Need to know if they guarantee their repairs and this was just when I knew my logicboard needed replaced and not that it was specifically the Nvidia GPU fault. Can anyone repair the damage to a logicboard caused by that fault or does it really need a full replacement?

mattwnz

20180 posts

Uber Geek

#641685 15-Jun-2012 23:24

isosmama: Hi, my 2008 unibody 17" MBP died on me.? Wouldn't start up, just stayed on blank grey screen.? So I took it into my local (I live in Dunedin) accredited Apple store to see what the problem was.? They ran the diagnostics and told me the logicboard needs replaced.

Apple had acknowledged that the Nvidia graphics card in that model had ended up damaging the logicboard but just my luck, mine has folded just outside the timeframe that Apple had given out replacement machines.?

My question is, can I get my machine repaired?? A replacement logicboard from Apple is not within my financial means (over $1000)? What are my options?? I love my MBP and would like to spend $100s of dollars fixing it instead of getting a new windows laptop.

Also where could I get it fixed in Dunedin instead of spending $ sending it to, say Auckland.

Thanks in advance for any awesomely helpful advice!

You could still be covered by the CGA, if you purchased it for consumer use, and it hasn't failed due to misuse. Especially if it was expensive and it is a premium brand. If there was a known fault, I think that strengthens your case, and NZ does have quite good consumer laws, to protect against manufacturing defects, which it sounds like that is. I don't know how apple handle product recalls. However generally speaking, I don't like how some manufacturers find a known fault with a device, but they don't issue a total recall. Instead they will fix those that develop the fault within a certain period of time. Those that fall outside that period, even though it is a known manufacturing fault that may have led to the failure, miss out. I know someone with a digital camera who was caught out by this, although they did get it repaired after kicking up a stink. With cars, if there is a fault, most manufacturers do issue a full recall, for people to send it back to the service agents to fix it.

nzjwnz

40 posts

Geek

#641700 16-Jun-2012 00:30

mattsnz, it’s actually even worse than that.

Even when the failure occurred within the four-year period, Apple would not necessarily replace the logic board. There are numerous stories on the Internet of this happening, mine being one of them. My macbook pro suddenly stopped displaying anything even on an external screen, it was taken to an apple authorized repairer who deemed it to be a faulty logic board and too expensive to fix.

Since I didn’t have anything to lose I went to ebay and bought a replacement logic board for 300USD and fitted it myself, it worked for a day or two then the same thing happened. Returned to logic board to the trader who said I broke it and wouldn’t refund anything (possible but fairly sure it had the issue when it was recieved).

I thought it couldn’t be a coincidence so started trawling the internet to only then find out about the nvidia issue, phoned the apple repairer who confirmed it was the correct model but said apple would not authorize the repair without it failing the diagnostic test for that issue and since it would not boot up, they could not run the test.

Since by then I had read up on the cause of the issue being the solder joints of the gpu, I decided to put the original logic board back in and try the trick some people had used to temporarily breathe some life into it. I took the battery out, started it running, wrapped it in a towel, turned it upside down and left it running until it switched itself off for being too hot. I then let it cool right back down and the next time I turned it on, it booted up correctly. I shut it straight back down, took it back to the apple authorized repairer who ran the diagnostic, deemed it to be the nvidia issue and replaced the logic board.

I know in some way I am lucky because it was fixed but it really should not have come to that, it should just be acknowledged that it has the fault and be repaired.

I know this doesn’t really help you isosmama, I’m not really sure what to suggest, you could try contacting Apple directly, some people seemed to have had some luck with them but I think it unlikely. There is a lot of information out there about this issue, might be worth trawling through it to see if anyone has had any luck recently. Good place to start might be here http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/feedback/MacBookPro_video_failure.html

BTW I do not suggest you overheat any electrical item, it could be dangerous, just sharing my story.

adamroland

22 posts

Geek

#641763 16-Jun-2012 12:42

My suggestion is that you try call Apple and ask them nicely. Tell them how much you love their products and specify which ones you have (if you have several). They can come to the party. The program was a generic program, however it has now moved onto a case-by-case basis, therefore removing it from the public 'program' title. No harm in giving them a call and asking. 0080076667666 is their support number.

isosmama

92 posts

Master Geek

#641791 16-Jun-2012 13:53

Hi. Thanks to everyone who replied! Yes there is a lot of talk about this on the net. It's a shame that Apple has been so funny about it. Apparantly they denied the fault even existed for a while before caving and running that program. They probably always knew about it.

I might be wrong because I don't know anything about computer hardware. Somehow the logicboard gets damaged when the GPU fails because of the soldering. Perhaps beyond repair but I'm hoping maybe not.

Wow, going through the whole rigmarole of kicking up a stink using the CGA is daunting. But even if I'm not successful I would certainly learn a thing or two!

I might end up selling it for parts.

Thanks again for the new info guys

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isosmama

92 posts

Master Geek

#641796 16-Jun-2012 13:56

Thanks for that adamroland, yay more info! Yes I will definitely ask them nicely then.

Does it make any difference that I am not the first owner?

Is that a real number? 0080076667666? or is it 0800766766?

adamroland

22 posts

Geek

#641799 16-Jun-2012 14:02

Have you registered the machine to your name? Easiest way to check is go to https://supportprofile.apple.com and login with your Apple ID and see if the machine is listed there. If it is under your name, they will discuss it with you. If not, it is unlikely they will. You cal always try add the machine there if not, but this may not work if the previous owner registered it under their name.

Yes. 0080076667666 is an international free call number. Call from a landline and it's freeeee...

Hope it helps.

isosmama

92 posts

Master Geek

#641867 16-Jun-2012 17:32

Cool thanks, I will do all that. I love geekzone!

mattwnz

20180 posts

Uber Geek

#641872 16-Jun-2012 17:46

isosmama: Hi.? Thanks to everyone who replied!? Yes there is a lot of talk about this on the net. It's a shame that Apple has been so funny about it.? Apparantly they denied the fault even existed for a while before caving and running that program.? They probably always knew about it.

I might be wrong because I don't know anything about computer hardware. Somehow the logicboard gets damaged when the GPU fails because of the soldering.? Perhaps beyond repair but I'm hoping maybe not.?

Wow, going through the whole rigmarole of kicking up a stink using the CGA is daunting.? But even if I'm not successful I would certainly learn a thing or two!

I might end up selling it for parts.

Thanks again for the new info guys

The CGA is relatively straight forward, you just write a letter that gets results, templates can be downloaded from www.consumer.org.nz . You don't need to spend too much time, and it may pay off. Apple store in the US at least do tend to look after their customers, so they will want to keep you a happy customer I think, so you will buy more apple stuff in the future. I have heard of people dropping their new iphone and it smashing, and the apple store swapping it at no charge, which is excellent customter service. Just a pity we don't have any apple stores in NZ.

isosmama

92 posts

Master Geek

#641930 16-Jun-2012 20:24

Hi, I tried registering it under my Apple ID but as my MBP was a gift, I haven't got the original purchase date nor can I find it out. Can't proceed in Apple Support without it.

I don't think it should matter if I'm not the original owner, its still a manufacture fault.

What if I call Apple and they flat out refuse to help me because I didn't buy it new?

mattwnz

20180 posts

Uber Geek

#641936 16-Jun-2012 20:48

isosmama: Hi, I tried registering it under my Apple ID but as my MBP was a gift, I haven't got the original purchase date nor can I find it out. Can't proceed in Apple Support without it.

I don't think it should matter if I'm not the original owner, its still a manufacture fault.

What if I call Apple and they flat out refuse to help me because I didn't buy it new?

The CGA applies not only to the original consumer, but anyone (as long as that person meets the definition of consumer) who acquires the goods from or through the consumer.
If you can't get anywhere with apple due to their own policies, then you may have to go down the CGA route. They can't contract out of the CGA with their warranty terms. http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/legislation-policy/policy-reports-and-papers/disscussion-papers/consumer-law-reform-a-discussion-paper/3.-brief-description-of-existing-consumer-law/3.2-consumer-guarantees-act-1993

isosmama

92 posts

Master Geek

#641955 16-Jun-2012 21:48

Awesome, power to the people etc etc. Will pursue this until I have satisfaction :)

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek

#642854 18-Jun-2012 22:08

IIRC, your unibody Macbook would have come with the nVidia 9xxx generation card, which caused the company's biggest worldwide lawsuit.

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