Please help - MBP acting strangely !!

Question

Hi,
I am having a couple of problems with my MacBook Pro. First, when I opened Mail in the dock this morning, the icon in the dock froze in its enlarged state. i.e. my dock is set to enlarge the icons when my cursor runs over them. When I click on the application I want to open, and move the cursor, it normally goes back to it's normal state along the bottom. However, this time, it stayed frozen in place, even though the cursor was moved. This has happed with other applications too.
I have to restart to get control of the cursor again.
I also get the spinning ball even when nothing is open. It just starts to spin when I go down to the dock to open an application.
I have tried Onyx and repaired permissions, cleaned caches etc etc.
Any other suggestions ?
Thank you,
Kallum

Answer 1

Although the lack of a startup chime bodes of other things, it may well be worth taking in the computer with this Apple article in hand:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377
Your MBP has the nVidea 8600M GT chipset that is the subject of the Apple Repair Extension Program (REP) that the article details. Apple Stores and AASPs have a test gadget that will determine if the nVidea chipset has failed. If it has, the repair is free to you for a period of four years from date of purchase whether you have AppleCare or not. The repair consists of installing a new logic board.
As you are in NYC, there should be an Apple Store nearby.
If they determine the chipset has not failed, then you have the option of asking for a "Depot Repair." This is a flat fee service that pretty much fixes anything they find wrong as long as the case does not show evidence of damage. The fee is around US$300--much cheaper than a new computer. I do not know if the replaced DVD drive will negate your qualification for this service.
One late-breaking thought: if you use headphones, can you here the startup chimes?