Uh oh... my MBP screen is going to go bust!

r3nu4l

Ok, I've a three year old 17" MBP (regular screen, not glossy) and I've noticed recently that when I move the screen forward or back it starts to flicker and the colours go...weird. The picture itself doesn't blur or go completely, nor does the screen flicker, the colours just go weird.

Sometimes I'm not even moving the screen it just goes strange and I have to readjust the screen to restore normal colours.

Two questions:

Does this mean the connectors between the MBP motherboard and the screen are wearing and about to collapse or is it graphic chip related (can't see how it would be the latter...)

Is this fixable?

Halp, I can haz fix??

cornbb

Agree that it doesn't sound like a graphics chip issue if its only happening when you move the display.

I've had a MBP display replaced under AppleCare so I know its doable. I wouldn't like to think what it would cost for a machine out of warranty though

r3nu4l

cornbb wrote: »

I wouldn't like to think what it would cost for a machine out of warranty though

I may be about to find out! :eek:

Kinetic^

I'd check the cable first tbh.

scotty_irish

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=macbook+pro+17+screen&_frs=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m359

have bought screens off ebay before and they have been fine. easy to replace yourself too. look up a youtube tutorial for whatever model yours is.

Groinshot

cornbb wrote: »

Agree that it doesn't sound like a graphics chip issue if its only happening when you move the display.

I've had a MBP display replaced under AppleCare so I know its doable. I wouldn't like to think what it would cost for a machine out of warranty though

circa 8-900 quid, depending on the model.
know from working in a repair shop...

sarkozy

There's two possibilities: one is a loose connection, the other is that you need to replace your inverter chip. I've had both problems, the former caused by getting the latter fixed.

Incidentally, anyone know the cheapest way to repair a faulty video card in a 4 or 5 year old MPB? It appears mine is on the fritz and I'm deciding whether to just buy a new one or wait for a new rev of the MPB 15".

scotty_irish

faulty graphics on an older macbook pro model is a recognised fault and repaired out of warranty. a friend had it done not so long ago. check your model.

sarkozy

scotty_irish wrote: »

faulty graphics on an older macbook pro model is a recognised fault and repaired out of warranty. a friend had it done not so long ago. check your model.

Really? Where would I find that out? My repair place said it was not quite the model to be repaired gratis.

Groinshot

sarkozy wrote: »

There's two possibilities: one is a loose connection, the other is that you need to replace your inverter chip. I've had both problems, the former caused by getting the latter fixed.

Incidentally, anyone know the cheapest way to repair a faulty video card in a 4 or 5 year old MPB? It appears mine is on the fritz and I'm deciding whether to just buy a new one or wait for a new rev of the MPB 15".

If you're willing to attempt it yourself.
http://www.addictivetips.com/hardware/fix-your-graphics-card-by-baking-in-oven/

Simililar concept for a laptop, but make sure there's no plastic!
Only worth it when there's nowhere else to go.

Greentree_uk

sarkozy wrote: »

Really? Where would I find that out? My repair place said it was not quite the model to be repaired gratis.

what model of MBP is it? what speed is it

r3nu4l

Okay, a couple of things.

Firstly, I'm getting the MBP checked by a woman that works with my wife. She's their Mac repair guru and an authorised Apple repair specialist. Woo-hoo!


Secondly, if it's the graphic chip then I can get it repaired for free by Apple anyway, even if I go direct

From here

Symptoms

In July 2008, NVIDIA publicly acknowledged a higher than normal failure rate for some of their graphics processors due to a packaging defect. At that same time, NVIDIA assured Apple that Mac computers with these graphics processors were not affected. However, after an Apple-led investigation, Apple has determined that some MacBook Pro computers with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor may be affected. 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.

What to look for:

Distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen
No video on the computer screen (or external display) even though the computer is on

Specific products affected:

MacBook Pro 15-inch and 17-inch models with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processors
MacBook Pro (17-Inch, 2.4GHz)
MacBook Pro (15-Inch, 2.4/2.2GHz)
MacBook Pro (Early 2008)
These computers were manufactured between approximately May 2007 and September 2008

Mine is the model in bold and my symptoms are 'distorted picture'.

Now that may NOT be the problem I have here but if it is then it's a free repair, even outside warranty, so long as it's under 4 years old

sarkozy

Yeah ... I have an ATi Radeon X1600 video card. Different story. Mac hasn't issued a recall/out of warranty repair about this one.

sarkozy

Yeah ... I have an ATi Radeon X1600 video card. Different story. Mac hasn't issued a recall/out of warranty repair about this one.

Greentree_uk

yeah, shame. unfortunately GPU's fail alot. I've seen many of those x1600's in MBP's and imacs fail and nothing apple will do about it. I've even replaced many under warranty for them to fail again later.

DominoDub

I had alot of the same issues as the OP untill it went dead, In the end my NVIDIA GPU / Full Logic Board was replaced for free under the above recall by compu b 3 weeks ago ..on a early 2008 Macbook Pro. Thank god as it saved me €800 and I now have a nearly like new machine after 3 years

r3nu4l

DominoDub wrote: »

I had alot of the same issues as the OP untill it went dead, In the end my NVIDIA GPU / Full Logic Board was replaced for free under the above recall by compu b 3 weeks ago ..on a early 2008 Macbook Pro. Thank god as it saved me €800 and I now have a nearly like new machine after 3 years

Yup, my machine was bought in Feb 2008 in the Apple store on 5th avenue, NY. Only started acting up this year and I was worried about it being a model bought in the US but residing in the UK. Looks like I'll be okay though

DominoDub

Yeah I was freaked out a bit when I lost acces to the screen but , so lucky to be still within the 4years , got mine in Hawaii during a world trip and it was an Irish guy working in the Apple store , cool Job the Apple store was 5mins walk to the beach !

sarkozy

My dodgy graphics card is the ATi Radeon X1600 and I don't think that's covered by any recall. Looks like ... a new MBP for me ... unless anyone has cheaper repair options? (I had been under the impression from the beginning that the graphics cards weren't integrated into the MBP logic board like in MBs.

Groinshot

sarkozy wrote: »

My dodgy graphics card is the ATi Radeon X1600 and I don't think that's covered by any recall. Looks like ... a new MBP for me ... unless anyone has cheaper repair options? (I had been under the impression from the beginning that the graphics cards weren't integrated into the MBP logic board like in MBs.

as I said above
if you're not going to try anything else,
http://www.addictivetips.com/hardware/fix-your-graphics-card-by-baking-in-oven/

sarkozy

Groinshot wrote: »

as I said above
if you're not going to try anything else,
http://www.addictivetips.com/hardware/fix-your-graphics-card-by-baking-in-oven/

Not in a million years.

Groinshot

sarkozy wrote: »

Not in a million years.

And why not?

sarkozy

Would YOU?