Defective NVIDIA 8600 GT - MacBook Pro 2.2 GHz

Just got my refund from Apple after I spoke to them regarding the NVIDIA 8600 GT issue that has recently plagued my notebook. (It originally wouldn't boot, no chime - nothing. So the Apple Store charged me $310.00 for the flat rate repair job. Got the notebook a few days later and found the phrase "Replaced - Graphics Processor Issue on MLB". Called them back, they opened up an investigation and issued my refund a week later.)

Anyhow, a few days after the repair, I noticed that my MacBook's fans started making a grinding sound. Granted, it was before the video card failure (and I had hoped they would fix it) but the noise seems to be more apparent after I got it back. Seems like the issue had manifested to both fans. Plus, my video card seems to be running hotter than usual. I'm getting 74° C just by browsing the web. I did some research and I guess this is somewhat normal for the video card, but it doesn't seem real encouraging. I also notice a faint smell coming from the ventilation gap on the back of the computer. I don't want to say it's the smell of burning plastic, but it's somewhere around that range. Not sure how to describe it.

At this point, I'm really not sure what to do. I'm hoping Apple will repair these issues, but I'm not counting on it. Any advice?

 

No way they could fix it. The 8600m gt is flawed, no matter what you do. you could try to sell it as spares on ebay and get a new one when released. An update is expected very soon.

 

I just got mine back for the same gpu issue. Runs great now, although a little warm on the bottom - however that's normal for the aluminum chassis. They should have replaced the entire logic board, not just soldered on new gpu chips.

When does your notebook run out of warranty? I would say crack that baby open and take a look at the fans for obstructions/defections. It's a fairly simple procedure.

 

Normally, the board is replaced when replacing the 8600m gt(these come as a whole unit). I dont uinderstand how they could've replaced the gpu only. Also all macbook pros with the 8600m gt have had their warranties extended to 3 years, that is , the same as apple care owners.

 

After some negotiations, they've agreed to repair it for free.

 

It's possible, search youtube for BGA reballing.

But they never do it, they do as you said, replace the whole board.

 

and people want more Nvidia in their laptops instead of ATi.

lol.

 

like wat ppl have been saying on the forums, those 8600 are ticking time bombs, regardless on whether they replaced it with a revised board or not, those chips gonna implode sooner or later

 

I have the nVidia 8600 in my 17 inch MBP but have never had GPU heat issues - probably because I don't do anything video-intensive other than video encoding which apparently doesn't use the video card. My kids both lost their GPUs but they do gaming - Apple fixed their laptops free of charge.

 

Really? That is awesome.
Is that in print somewhere?

 

Warranty only extends to failing Nvidia GPU's only, if any other component fails your SOL.

 

It is not awesome, Nvidia paid OEMs a sum of money to cover the repairs whether it was enough I don't know but rightfully all honest service centres should fix it FOC.

 

Its not awesome that if the NV component fails a year after the 1 year factory warranty is up, it is fixed free of charge?
Don't know about you but if my graphics chip dies after my warranty is out d/t to this, I want it fixed, and since its three years out, awesome.

 

I have a feeling they're simply putting a band-aid over the problem until it arises again. Their last repair work to my notebook didn't inspire a bunch of confidence.

 

Google "nvidia G84-G86 fault" and you'll tons of hits. 8600GT is the G86 core, and is defective. Head over to lenovo section of this forum and search "NVS quadro 140m" which is G86 core. Lots of people have those fail in their T/R61's