MacBook Pro Video Issue. Dark times.
June 24th, 2009 | 
Author: This podcast is produced on an Apple MacBook Pro. (15″ 2.2ghz Core 2 Duo, model A1226, manufactured mid 2007 with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics chip to be exact) This father’s day morning I lifted the lid of the MacBook Pro … and saw nothing. The screen was black but the keys were lit and when I tried to raise the volume or brightness I heard the familiar ‘Dwak Dwak’ sounds. But nothing. Plugging in an external monitor also offered no look at what was actually happening on the computer. I know it is running, I even plugged in my backup drive and could see that Time Machine started running it’s backup (So all the data is safe).
Trying not to panic I used my iPod touch to Google around and found this on the Apple site: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377 It looked like Apple was going to make good and this wasn’t going to be a disaster. Everything about my MacBook Pro meets all of the requirements listed on the Apple site. We have an Apple Store over at Easton so I made an appointment and took it in to get fixed.
Now the guy at the Genius Bar had an external drive, plugged it into my MacBook Pro and booted it into target disk mode. Still nothing came up on the screen. He takes the drive off of mine and plugs it into his Mac and brings up a report that simply stated “No eligible graphics chip found”. So even though The Watchercast MacBook Pro matches everything on the site and it’s doing exactly what is described on the site, that it isn’t covered by the no cost repair and since it is no longer covered by a warranty it will cost $310 to have the logic board replaced.
So here is the sad part. With Shannan only weeks away from giving birth to our second son, we just don’t have the money to get the laptop fixed right now. So for now The Watchercast is on hold and the laptop will sit until we have the extra money to get it fixed.
We’re trying to figure out some options to raise the money to have it replaced. Until then we’ll keep you all posted on any progress we make. We appreciate each and every one of you that listen to us and are so engaged in this show with us. Thanks for sticking with us as we try to fix this.
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8 Responses to “MacBook Pro Video Issue. Dark times.”
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Aww well that sucks, the kind of thing that would happen to me, don’t get anything fixed for free (if it even works in the first place)
It’s sad I wont get anymore Watchercast goodness for a while but with a baby coming I see why you can’t get it fixed. It’s probably best for you anyway, no distractions while you adjust.
Good luck, and thanks for the shows so far.
if you have a pay-pal account we could set up some kind of fundraiser type thing to raise the money to get it fixed
while i myself have absolutely no money because i just got my first college tuition bill for the fall I am awesome at fundraisers and anything to do with the internet so i would gladly donate my time
[...] as Jason said here, the Watchercast is having what we hope is a brief hiatus. So, while you’re waiting, I [...]
Sorry to hear about your computer, and sorrier to hear about the hiatus from the podcast.
If it’s any consolation, I’ve had nothing but problems with Nvidia cards myself. My old work computer used to blue-screen crash all the time because of a lousy Nvidia driver, and my home computer has had compatibility issues with certain software because of the Nvidia card. I’m convinced they’re evil. Like, direct-from-the-hellmouth, needing-to-be-staked evil.
I hope you’re back podcasting soon, and good luck with the new baby!
I’d totally help you out, but I’m a sysadmin in a PC world, so not much Mac experience. I’d donate, but I’m broke at the moment
I’m broke too, but I’ll brown bag it this week if it means Watchercast will come back on the air. Set up some kind of paypal. If just the people in the facebook group donate, it’s only $4 per person! Come on, guys!!!! I need watchercastyness!!!!!
Aw, that sucks about your computer. I’ve had computer troubles myself recently, but at least the warranty covered it.
I did just throw a lot of money out of the window (like 150 $
) and I am trying to save up to get my own place. However, this is Watchercast we’re talking about, so if it were set up, I’d happily donate a few bucks. It’s a wonder we get this thing for free as it is!
Congratulations on the baby btw! Do remember feed him regular doses of BtVS as he’s growing up!
I have a six month old, a 12 year old, and a home business that relies on my computers not dying. I would consider it good karma to kick in to a paypal account to get your laptop fixed! Sort of a happy mojo insurance policy.
Meanwhile, I am in the middle of Laurell K Hamiltons latest, featuring Edward the Executioner. I haven’t seen Twilight, and your headline “buffy vs Edward” confused me… and then got me thinking… interesting.