Success story: NVIDIA 8600M GT graphics card defect repaired at no cost

This is the story of Apple servicing my MacBook Pro with the NVIDIA graphics card defect.
I had the NVIDIA 8600M GT graphics card defect in my 2 year old MacBook Pro. The symptoms were pinkish images, scrambled and chopped images, and finally leading to no video, all within a matter of 3 days. I called AppleCare using the old number I remembered from my 100mhz Mac days: 1-800-SOS-APPLE. I was greeted by a real person within 3 minutes. She explained that my 90-day complimentary phone service had expired some 600 days ago.
After I mentioned the specific Apple Knowledge base article that described the defect (TS2377), and that it was covered up to three years out of warranty, she transferred me to a MacBook Pro specialist. Sheri ran me through several standard resets and reboots. She then suggested that it be taken into an Apple store for a genius to look at. When I explained that the nearest Apple Store was an hour away, she arranged for a mail-in service.
After the call had ended, I received a simple email with her phone number so that I could contact her if I needed to. Another automated email contained my repair case number and a link to check the status online. The online status center is very easy to use. It displayed three steps: Sending the empty box, service in progress and return. FedEx tracking numbers were included with working links.
The next day an empty box arrived, completely with graphical IKEA like packaging instructions and form fitting foam for my MacBook Pro. I knew when the FedEx truck came around, so I had my computer ready by my side. As soon as FedEx showed up, I explained that the empty box was for the computer and Marcos helped me apply the pre-paid return label and taped the box expertly with tape from his truck. I also placed in the box a copy of the Apple Knoweldge base article and pictures I had taken of the issue.
Apple had included a small stack of super adhesive pre-cut tape square, but Macros was already taping it before I figured out what they were. The return label was also pre-paid with overnight service.
The next day I logged into the online support status at Apple.com and checked my status. The tracking number showed it had arrived in Houston, and the three steps had been updated to "Repairs completed" and "Return in progress."
The return FedEx tracking number was displayed later in the evening, and it showed that it was guaranteed to arrive by 10:30AM the next day. Speedy service! Sure enough, the next day I had my computer back in my hands, all data perfect and intact. I was very worried since I was not able to make a back up before sending it in, and Apple does not guarantee data safety. Apple had replaced the logic board, valued at $700 on iFixit (http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Core-2-Duo-2-2-GHz-Logic -Board/IF185-073).
The funny thing is, for the past 5 years, I have always cloned my drive or used time machine, but for the past two months I had cleared the backups to make up extra room on my externals. You really never know when disaster will strike!
Learned:
- Apple Customer Care is top notch, speedy and their status site is very easy to use
- FedEx service was very helpful
- If you have a NVIDIA graphics card, Mac or PC, check if your model is affected. Just today Sony announced that NVIDIA cards with defects will now be covered for 4 years out of warranty. (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10307592-64.html)
- Back up your stuff NOW. Use a flash drive or email files to yourself for a cheap fix.
Roland

ha
got the same problem with my mbp (dec 2007)
also no video within 5 hours .... also no external video.
lucky i had screen sharing on so i could check the system profiler via an other mac.
It couldn't find the 6800M GT anymore...
did another backup and went to the local apple store
took a print out of Apple Knowledge base article that described the defect (TS2377)
and they replaced the logicboard+gpu for free within 10 days ...
everything is ok now except for my maxmsp copy which thinks it runs on an other machine and complains about a missing licence ....

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