It is going to have to have the battery installed for testing. The battery would have no effect on the graphics issue, but they will want to test everything as a unit, so the battery is a must.
I must be living right, as I have yet to own a Mac that required repairs. And this is over 15+ years of Mac ownership of a lot of different machines, nearly all I purchased as refurbs. The only new machines I bought new were an early 2006 20" iMac (which I just upgraded with a C2D CPU, hard drive and a total of 4GB RAM) and an early 2006 17" iMac that my youngest son continues to use. I have a 15" MBP CD I bought in late 2005/early 2006 as a refurb, and other than swapping a hard drive from a 160GB to 320GB and adding an 802.11n AirPort card, it's never missed a lick. I did have a failed battery in it covered by a recall, but I don't consider that a defect, as it was working just fine but the battery was covered under a recall despite working just fine. I have two 20" PPC iMacs out in the garage I got from Mac buddies - one needs a reflow on the GPU, a simple repair, and the other needs a set of caps on the logic board ($35 for a set.) These will be repaired over the holiday break, with the best of the two set up as a terminal in the kitchen since the PPC iMacs have VESA mounts, something later models do not have... Dan On Dec 21, 2011, at 3:54 PM, andrew strasfogel wrote: > I just bought a new battery. Should I remove it before sending it > along with the computer if I do need to ship it for repairr? I think > I know the answer - they would need the battery to rule out a battery > problem, right? > > On 12/21/11, Brian Toscano <brian.tosc...@gmail.com> wrote: >> The flat rate option which requires shipping was about $300 for my buddy. >> In-store repair was about $900-1000. >> >> Since the free motherboard replacement, all I've had to do is replace the >> battery & SuperDrive. For as much as I use the laptop, I really can't >> complain. Upgrading the hard drive and memory gave it a speed boost. If >> this one craps out, I'll probably buy another. If it doesn't crap out, >> I'll probably get another sometime after the 5-6 year mark. Thunderbolt >> would be nice, if it works more reliably than eSATA. >> >> Brian >> >> >> >> >> >> On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 1:21 PM, andrew strasfogel >> <astrasfo...@gmail.com>wrote: >> >>> I hope that the SN is engraved into the case and not part of the Mac >>> info on the hard drive that can only revealed by viewing it on the >>> display! >>> >>> On 12/21/11, Dan Penoff <lwb...@yahoo.com> wrote: >>>> Worst case if it's not something covered under a campaign would be to go >>> the >>>> flat fee repair they offer if you want to keep it. >>>> >>>> If I had a serial number I could look up the part on GSX and tell you, >>> but >>>> rest assured, it won't be cheap. >>>> >>>> Dan >>>> >>>> On Dec 21, 2011, at 3:11 PM, andrew strasfogel wrote: >>>> >>>>> "He" being me, I am curious as to what it will cost for a new >>> motherboard. >>>>> >>>>> On 12/21/11, Brian Toscano <brian.tosc...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> Dan, >>>>>> >>>>>> I'm not sure if they changed the procedures since my motherboard was >>>>>> diagnosed and replaced, but back then they used a FireWire hard drive >>> to >>>>>> boot externally and it generated a light pattern that told the tech >>> "bad >>>>>> graphics controller". >>>>>> >>>>>> Troubleshooting procedures should be followed to correctly diagnose >>>>>> the >>>>>> problem, but I can say that from personal experience that he probably >>>>>> needs >>>>>> a new motherboard since the graphics controller cannot be changed >>>>>> independently and that it may or may not be covered under the recall. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Brian >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 11:50 AM, Dan Penoff <lwb...@yahoo.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> The resets are part of the troubleshooting process, and are >>>>>>> documented >>>>>>> in >>>>>>> the Apple service literature. While they don't always yield a change >>> in >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> issue, they are valid steps that the Genius or repair personnel will >>>>>>> enlist >>>>>>> before moving forward. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The nVidia issue is clearly documented on Apple's Support site, which >>> I >>>>>>> believe also includes a serial number check utility that will tell >>>>>>> the >>>>>>> user >>>>>>> if their machine is included in the replacement campaign. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Dan (GSX certified Apple Tech) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Dec 21, 2011, at 1:02 PM, Brian Toscano wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> In my experience, all of these resets are a waste of time. >>>>>>>> Basically >>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>> graphics card will flake out a couple of time and then its just >>>>>>> completely >>>>>>>> dead. My buddy went through all of the resets, battery swaps, as I >>> did >>>>>>> and >>>>>>>> in both cases a new motherboard was the only fix. If his computer >>> was >>>>>>>> subject to the nVIDIA issue, they didn't know that or didn't tell >>> him. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 10:55 AM, andrew strasfogel >>>>>>>> <astrasfo...@gmail.com>wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Thanks. Apple support told me the same thing so I will do this >>> when I >>>>>>>>> get home tonight. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> What puzzles me is why the screen came back to life the first time >>>>>>>>> - >>>>>>>>> after I removed the battery for several hours and then reinstalled >>> it. >>>>>>>>> Could this have been a coincidence? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On 12/21/11, Dan Penoff <lwb...@yahoo.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> Even before you reset the NVRAM and the power controller, which is >>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>> procedure you describe, try resetting the PRAM, which you do by >>>>>>>>>> holding >>>>>>>>> down >>>>>>>>>> the P + R + Command + Option keys during startup until you hear >>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> "bong" >>>>>>>>>> sound - keep holding them down and let the machine restart 3 times >>>>>>>>>> with >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>> "bong" sound and then let it start up. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> This won't hurt anything and will reset the machine back to >>>>>>>>>> default >>>>>>>>>> settings. Try your display after this and if no joy, try the >>>>>>>>>> procedure >>>>>>>>> you >>>>>>>>>> have. Again, it won't break anything. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Dan >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Dec 21, 2011, at 11:52 AM, Dan Penoff wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Unlike a Windows based PC, Macs do not require that the external >>>>>>> display >>>>>>>>>>> port be toggled on and off. There is no "Fn + F4" function on a >>>>>>>>>>> Mac. >>>>>>>>>>> When you plug in the external display, you get it. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I checked, and the NVidia graphics issue went through late 2008 >>> with >>>>>>>>> MBPs, >>>>>>>>>>> so there might be a possibility that your machine is one of the >>>>>>>>> affected. >>>>>>>>>>> If you take it to the Apple Store they will check it out and see >>> if >>>>>>> this >>>>>>>>>>> applies. If so, they'll fix it for free. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Dan >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Dec 21, 2011, at 11:39 AM, andrew strasfogel wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks! Fortunately, there is an Apple Store in nearby >>>>>>>>>>>> Bethesda, >>>>>>>>>>>> MD. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> My son said to toggle the external screen display setting on and >>>>>>>>>>>> off, >>>>>>>>>>>> using a combination of keystrokes that I may have inadvertently >>>>>>>>>>>> triggered. Does anyone know what those keystrokes are? >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On 12/21/11, Allan Streib <str...@cs.indiana.edu> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>> Even if you don't have a local apple store, you probably have >>>>>>>>>>>>> an >>>>>>> apple >>>>>>>>>>>>> authorized repair shop. I'd go with Best Buy only as a last >>>>>>>>>>>>> resort, >>>>>>>>>>>>> based on the one here nobody working there has a clue about >>>>>>>>> technology. >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Allan >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> On Wed, Dec 21, 2011, at 11:13 AM, Dan Penoff wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Before you panic, try connecting it to an external display and >>>>>>>>>>>>>> see >>>>>>> if >>>>>>>>>>>>>> you get a signal. If so, your graphics card is OK, you have >>>>>>>>>>>>>> an >>>>>>> issue >>>>>>>>>>>>>> with the display. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you don't have an adapter for an external monitor, swing by >>> an >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Apple Store or a Best Buy and see if they will check it for >>> you. >>>>>>>>> Apple >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Store = free, Best Buy will nick you for a bench fee, I'll >>>>>>>>>>>>>> bet. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Dan >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>>>> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>>> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>> >>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>> >>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________ >>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>> >>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>> >>> >>> _______________________________________ >>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>> >>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>> >> _______________________________________ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
