Macbook Pro Screen Issues

[arrow_runner]

I had a macbook pro come in with a cracked screen (15.4 LED). You could see that the spinning wheel would run for a little bit and then freeze on the screen. I booted up with a Linux CD and found that the screen would freeze if put into high resolution. (I'm pretty sure I've seen this with cracked screens before.)

Anyhow, I got the okay to replace the LCD and I put it back together and it worked perfectly.

The customer picked it up and apparently after a few hours of use he saw some artifacts on the screen and then it froze.(Same thing that happened before, he said) Now it's doing the same thing as before. (Stopping at the spinning wheel.) I'm pretty sure that the OS is loading fine, just the screen isn't updating.

I'm beginning to think that's it's a possible GPU issue, but I'm not sure. I'd like to get the system to boot into 'low resolution mode', but aside from booting into the command prompt, that's not working.

'Safe mode' also freezes btw.

Edit: Also should mention that the HD passed a SMART test.

 

[phaZed]

You should be able to take the broken LCD out of the loop pretty easily by using an external monitor. I can't say that I have ever seen an LCD's controller stop working, and freeze the screen.. independent of the computer.

I would bet there is some other hardware failure going on. Hard drive, Memory, GPU, etc.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

I'll bet it's the NVidia symptoms. Here is the details with affected models.

 

[arrow_runner]

404ed link AMT, but I think you're right. I just called apple and they said I need the original owner's info. Not sure that's gonna be possible with this one...

I'm gonna test it with a copper shim and see if that makes it any better.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

404ed link AMT, but I think you're right. I just called apple and they said I need the original owner's info. Not sure that's gonna be possible with this one...

I'm gonna test it with a copper shim and see if that makes it any better.

I fixed the link, sorry about that... As far as owner info just go to an Apple authorized shop to get it tested. Should only take a minute and there will be no questions asked about ownership.

 

[iisjman07]

If you look up the serial number on the warranty check, does that show any information? (it's been a long time; I can't remember what it shows)

 

[arrow_runner]

Well it's working now with a shimmed GPU. I just wanted to do that so I can go in with full confidence that it's the problem.

Now I just have to figure out how to work this out with the customer, ugh...

 

[arrow_runner]

Well I took the shim out and it's still working. I need it to fail the Genius test.

Any ideas?

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

Well I took the shim out and it's still working. I need it to fail the Genius test.

Any ideas?

I was able to get one to fail after getting it real warm. Run about 6 games of chess (applications/chess and duplicate the app 6 times to run 6 games) with preferences set to strong along with a bunch of 3D grapher (applications/utilities/grapher) examples. This should keep the processor pegged and get the machine good and warm.

 

[arrow_runner]

That's right I had seen someone mention using the chess app for this a long time ago.

I dropped it off at the Apple Store yesterday. The tech was very understanding of the situation and ran their test multiple times to get to finally fail.

I think I'm really going to have to start doing more work on Apple products. That places was PACKED.

anonMacTech: Do you know offhand if you have to be a AASP in order to do warranty checks/repairs for Apple? It seems like a good percentage of Apple repairs that come in to me are covered by some type of warranty.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

anonMacTech: Do you know offhand if you have to be a AASP in order to do warranty checks/repairs for Apple? It seems like a good percentage of Apple repairs that come in to me are covered by some type of warranty.

Apple makes it tough for non-Apple authorized shops to order parts or do warranty work. Then on top of that the Apple stores make it tough for privately owned Apple authorized shops.