MacBook Pro (Early 2008) graphics problems and q's

I bought a new MacBook Pro (Early 2008) 2.4 model just after the Late 2008 refresh came out, and I'm really enjoying it, especially after the 4gb RAM upgrade. I did have some questions though, as I think mine might be defective with the 8600GT card:

1) Does anyone else have missing textures/tearing textures/slowdown in 3D only? This happens on OSX but especially in Bootcamp. I also get this weird locking/audio-stuttering/unusable mouse thing that last about 15-20 seconds every 15-20 minutes unless I crank up the fan speeds, and even then...Should I go to a Genius Bar? How long does the repair usually take, and will I have to reproduce the problems for them? The closest Apple Store is faaaar away unfortunately...

2) Does anyone else have half-their backlight go dead occasionally when unplugging/replugging the Magsafe connector?

3) Does upgrading the hard drive void the warranty?

Thanks!

 

i had my laptop frozen needing force restart when resizing a movie in quicktime, the cursor does skips a few time before it jammed completely.

now you basically have 3 option.
1) call apple

2) take the laptop to the apple store and let them investigate.

3) do nothing and wait till the laptop go kaput. then if its under warranty, surely apple will repair or replace it.

i suggest you do number 1 then 2.

do you have applecare?
if not then your warranty is extended for another year.... i think.... do ask apple about the warranty extension caused by nvidia defect.

is this 15 or 17 one? is this LED backlit? i have heard about this problem with 15" LED one, seems common, if it only happen for a few seconds then it goes ok again then i wouldnt worry about it. if not... i would complain.

ever since you're opening the laptop; yes. especially if you damage anything, the macbook pro inner is like a booby trapped enclosure, lots of little fragile things that can make your wallet go booM!