NIVIDA PROBLEM

shayp83

Hi lads how are we, I dont know much about computers but i do when its dead on me!, i bought my 12.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor 15" mbp late feb 08 as a refurbished mac from the mac store, anyway i turned it on yesterday and i got this bloody blank screen, everything is working perfect i can hear the drive, fans and other components working, so it has to be this nivida problem, i investigated and so far the only place i know that can fix it for a fee of 50euro so streamline up in cork, they said if its the nivida chip i wount have to pay anything,but if its not it will cost me a fortune, what i want to know is how can i find out for my self if its this nivida chip,and im living in waterford does anyone know if there is a place to get my mac fixed in waterford or closer to me, sorry for any of the bull**** words and crap typing but any help would be much appreciated thanks lads

Sad Professor

Are you sure it's the graphics card? Symptoms would also be consistent with failed or loose RAM. Have you installed any RAM recently? Might be worth removing one chip at a time and testing.

Trust us, It's the nvidia problem. Go to apples support site well they give list of symptoms

alexlyons

Run the Apple Hardware test (instructions linked also)

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

To do this, put in your Mac OS install disc (Disc 1 I think it is in your case). Restart the computer. when it turns off, hold down the D key before the grey screen appears. It can take a minute for the test window to show up. Select your language and then hit test to run a standard test.
Normally the non-extended test will bring up nothing, but run it anyway, then run the extended one.

If nothing comes up in the extended test it doesn't mean there's nothing wrong or it's not the Nvidia card, it just means the test didn't find it.

I don't believe it would be the ram, Mac's beep at you on startup if ram is loose or nonexistent.

shayp83

cheers guys, i didnt add anything to the mac prof, i would be to frightened to even take out the battery incase i brake it haha,fingers crossed its the nivida and i wount have to fork out the big bucks, i doubt there is a place near waterford i reckon my best bet is the shop in cork thanks anyway

shayp83

alexlyons wrote: »

Run the Apple Hardware test (instructions linked also)

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

To do this, put in your Mac OS install disc (Disc 1 I think it is in your case). Restart the computer. when it turns off, hold down the D key before the grey screen appears. It can take a minute for the test window to show up. Select your language and then hit test to run a standard test.
Normally the non-extended test will bring up nothing, but run it anyway, then run the extended one.

If nothing comes up in the extended test it doesn't mean there's nothing wrong or it's not the Nvidia card, it just means the test didn't find it.

I don't believe it would be the ram, Mac's beep at you on startup if ram is loose or nonexistent.

ah nice one im gona try that when i get home thanks

Sad Professor

If the screen isn't turning on at all then the hardware test is unlikely to work.

Maybe it is the graphics card but RAM can cause all manner of problems as well. I once experienced a black screen at start up due to a failed RAM chip. There was no beeping either.

But if you've been getting scrambled/distorted video then it's definitely the gfx.

alexlyons

Sad Professor wrote: »

If the screen isn't turning on at all then the hardware test is unlikely to work.

Maybe it is the graphics card but RAM can cause all manner of problems as well. I once experienced a black screen at start up due to a failed RAM chip. There was no beeping either.

But if you've been getting scrambled/distorted video then it's definitely the gfx.

Ah, guilty.. Mis-read the post and didn't notice the lack of visuals.

Jev/N

Plug in an external screen or TV to be sure although it does sound like the graphics - AFAIK only the 8600m GT is covered though?

Elessar

Should be covered by the extended warranty, if it isnt then you'd still have a good case under the sale of goods act to get it repaired.

whippet

it does sound like the NVIDIA REP issue, any Apple Service Provider should be able to get it sorted in a couple of days with no cost.

I think some of the ASP's will look for an assesment fee which is returned should the problem be a warranty problem (which the NVIDIA problem is).

This fee would be to cover their costs should the problem not be the NVIDIA issue.

shayp83

just letting ya know i got my mac fixed it was the nividia issue,didn cost me a thing, god i missed it!!!

whippet

who sorted it out for you in the windup ?

shayp83

stream solutions in cork sorted it out bud, they were spot on i would recommend them.