13" MBP - graphics card problem and recreating it?

I have a 2010 13" MBP - 2.4/4GB/etc.

The last day it's started to do this weird thing - the screen dissolves quickly into multi-colored lines and is unusable unless I restart. Sometimes it comes back right away, sometimes it doesn't.

After it happened, I ran the hardware diagnostics from the install CD - and it said everything was fine. I spent hours last night trying to re-create it, but it never happened. I figured maybe it was a one time thing, but I was skeptical.

This morning it happened again, seemingly randomly. I have a Genius Bar appointment, but I'm wondering if this is something they can easily detect/test for? Especially since the CD diagnostic said everything is fine, and I don't know exactly how to recreate it. I am thinking about maybe just leaving it on, as-is, so they can see it. I've witnessed some friends having to go back multiple times in order to get a problem fixed because Geniuses couldn't re-create it. I'd like to avoid that and get this fixed ASAP.



I snapped a picture of it this morning - probably a graphics card failure, right? I'm suddenly having the worst luck with Macs.

 

Well I certainly hope that doesn't happen to mine. Good luck with your appointment, hopefully they figure out the root cause.

Do let us know what you find out.

All the best.

 

Thanks, akin. I will let you know how it goes.

 

the problem with hardware diags... they often cannot find a problem unless the problem actually happens while the diag is running.... then if its a major problem it causes the diags to not be able to even finish.

if its not some app messing up... reloading the OS would probably be the first test, but it could just be a bad part.

 

Well, I can honestly say Apple still continues to impress me with incredible customer service.

I brought the computer in as it was, without closing or restarting it, so they could see the issue immediately. The genius said it was definitely a logic board/graphics issue and would need a replacement logic board. At first he said it would be 3-5 business days to be fixed, but when he noticed it was only a few days old, he asked me if I wanted to contact the online reseller I bought it from for a replacement (tax is 10% in CA - so I bought it online) instead.

I called, but because I had a rebate in process, it would take additional time to process the replacement - likely more than the time for repair with Apple. I said okay, hung up, and told the genius I'd just like to proceed with the repair.

He was incredibly nice throughout the appointment, and so was I. These things happen, it's purely bad luck. But he seemed genuinely upset that such a new computer failed on me. Anyway, a minute later he came back and said he spoke with his manager and they were just going to give me a brand new MBP since mine was only 2 days old - even though I did not purchase it at the Apple Store. They opened a box and gave me a fresh MBP. I was in and out in 20 minutes.

I am really happy for the extra attention to detail, and the manner in which I was treated. Not just because of the replacement, but because the guy was extremely polite, understanding, and took the time to ask the extra questions.

Just another reason I will continue to buy Apple.

 

I had a very similar problem with my first MB a little over a year ago. I called it "rainbow screen of death". The Apple store Genius Bar I went to had a similar reaction to the problem. They simply gave me a new unit. They were even so good as to exchange the Hard Drives, so that I wouldn't lose any of the installed apps or data. Being the problem would exhibit itself around 5 minutes or so of boot, I was never able to get a good recent Time Machine backup.

Apple customer service has been very good to me. It's probably the reason I bought a new system (MBP) just a few weeks ago and never considered something different.

 

This level of service is precisely why I wanted to stick with Apple when I needed to replace my MBP (2007) with the 13" 2010 MBP the past couple weeks. I like being able to take my machine to the Apple Store in the event it needs repairs.

Last year Apple replaced the battery on my 2007 MBP for free even though it was out of warranty, and recently replaced the logic board on the same laptop due to the NVidia 8600GT burning out (a known defect it seems). Both times I've had great service.

 

Yes, I'm a happy camper. My new MBP seems perfect (knock on wood).

Honestly, I never expected that response. I wasn't pushy or rude, in fact the whole interaction was pleasant, even before the replacement.