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May 2008 MacBook Pro dead - Nvidia 8600 issue?

  • 27-09-2010 10:03am
    #1
    J-blk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,906 ✭✭✭


    Hi everyone,

    I've got a older MacBook Pro (bought as a refurb in May 2008) that I had given my dad and seems to have completely died over the weekend. It simply refuses to power up at all, either on battery or charger - the charger indicates that the battery is full and so does the indicator on the battery itself. I have tried all the usual Apple support options, resetting PRAM, disconnecting everything, etc but there is still no life from it.

    Now, I know this is well out of warranty but I'm still quite disappointed that the system itself has lasted just over 2 years, after been looked after very well. This is also one of the MacBook Pros affected by the well known Nvidia failures (it has an 8600M) and I am wondering if this could be the issue? Apple's support pages only mention video failure:

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

    But a quick google shows comments that the GFX card failing could also account for the system not powering up at all, which is my current problem.

    I'm going to take it into Typetec soon enough (colleague at work dealt with them on an Nvidia failure and had no real issues getting it fixed) but given that the system does not power up, they can't really diagnose the problem IMO. So, if they simply tell me that it is out of warranty and I'm out of luck, is that the end of the matter? Or would it be worth chasing up with Apple directly then (it was purchased from the IE refurbished store in the first place)? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.


Comments

  • #2
    Sad Professor
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,698 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    See what Typetec say. If it is the Nvidia issue they'll have to replace the whole logic board anyway.


  • #3
    Ham'nd'egger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,025 ✭✭✭Ham'nd'egger


    J-blk wrote: »
    Hi everyone,

    I've got a older MacBook Pro (bought as a refurb in May 2008) that I had given my dad and seems to have completely died over the weekend. It simply refuses to power up at all, either on battery or charger - the charger indicates that the battery is full and so does the indicator on the battery itself. I have tried all the usual Apple support options, resetting PRAM, disconnecting everything, etc but there is still no life from it.

    Now, I know this is well out of warranty but I'm still quite disappointed that the system itself has lasted just over 2 years, after been looked after very well. This is also one of the MacBook Pros affected by the well known Nvidia failures (it has an 8600M) and I am wondering if this could be the issue? Apple's support pages only mention video failure:

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

    But a quick google shows comments that the GFX card failing could also account for the system not powering up at all, which is my current problem.

    I'm going to take it into Typetec soon enough (colleague at work dealt with them on an Nvidia failure and had no real issues getting it fixed) but given that the system does not power up, they can't really diagnose the problem IMO. So, if they simply tell me that it is out of warranty and I'm out of luck, is that the end of the matter? Or would it be worth chasing up with Apple directly then (it was purchased from the IE refurbished store in the first place)? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

    Seeing as it's out of warranty, perhaps give Dean at Bondi Group a call first off, if only as his turn around may be quicker than Typetec and probably somewhat cheaper.


  • #4
    J-blk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,906 ✭✭✭J-blk


    Hamndegger wrote: »
    Seeing as it's out of warranty, perhaps give Dean at Bondi Group a call first off, if only as his turn around may be quicker than Typetec and probably somewhat cheaper.

    Thanks, but does it not have to be looked at by one of the "authorized" Apple repair centers to qualify for a free repair if it does turn out to be the Nvidia issue? I don't think it will be worth fixing otherwise TBH, as it would be way too costly probably (and my dad would probably be just as happy with a basic Windows laptop anyway).


  • #5
    Ham'nd'egger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,025 ✭✭✭Ham'nd'egger


    J-blk wrote: »
    Thanks, but does it not have to be looked at by one of the "authorized" Apple repair centers to qualify for a free repair if it does turn out to be the Nvidia issue? I don't think it will be worth fixing otherwise TBH, as it would be way too costly probably (and my dad would probably be just as happy with a basic Windows laptop anyway).

    It does have to be examined by an Authorized centre to effect a warranty repair, yes. But before you do anything, ring Apple first off to ascertain if it qualifies to be checked out for the Nvidia issue. Once it's covered, get a case number from Apple before you drop it off to Typetec.


  • #6
    whippet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,739 ✭✭✭whippet


    as it does not boot it more than likely isn't the NVIDA issue. With that issue the machine was working fine apart from no video output.

    It would be worth dropping it in to a repair centre and see if they can get it to boot and maybe you could be in luck and have it repaired under the NVIDA REP


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  • #7
    Elessar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,268 ✭✭✭Elessar


    Regardless for a laptop of that price you are still covered under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 and should have no problem getting it repaired under that should it not be the nVidia issue.


  • #8
    Jev/N
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,456 ✭✭✭Jev/N


    They have an extended warranty for specific Nvidia issues; I can't remember if it's two or three years though?


  • #9
    J-blk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,906 ✭✭✭J-blk


    Jev/N wrote: »
    They have an extended warranty for specific Nvidia issues; I can't remember if it's two or three years though?

    I believe it was originally three years, but recently actually got bumped to four - from the Apple support article I linked to:
    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.

    However, false alarm this time and can be chalked up to my own stupidity - the MBP is here beside me working away, without a visit to Typetec.

    What happened was this: my dad had misplaced his power adapter so I gave him a loan of my spare one. The problem is that I now have a unibody 13" and so both adapters I have are 60W and not the 85W that the MBP ships with. What I didn't realize is this: the 60W will keep the MBP from draining, but cannot properly charge it. So, my dad ended up using up the battery completely and it shut down. The problem is that the 60W adapter cannot be used to boot the MBP at all, the 85W must be used. So today I borrowed an 85W from a colleague and sure enough, it works great. Very stupid on my behalf I must admit, but in case anyone ever has such a problem, iFixit was where I found the relevant info:
    If your battery is not charged, is completely dead or is removed from your machine, please make sure you are NOT using a 60W MacBook Magsafe adapter! A MacBook Pro is shipped from the factory with a 85W adapter and needs the full 85W to boot. The 60W adapter will keep a charged battery from draining but does not have enough juice to provide full charging functionality. If your power adapter is bad, the computer will run off a battery, but it won't charge.

    http://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/MacBook_Pro_15%22_Core_2_Duo_Models_A1226_and_A1260_Troubleshooting

    Thanks to all for your replies and Elessar, thanks for pointing that out - I had seen some references to the Sale of Goods Act in other threads, but couldn't find any specifics. Good to know if needed.


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