05-02-2011, 04:06 AM
A few months ago I gave Number One Son Andy my 15" MBP 2.33 Core2Duo (late 2006). He was trying to do video projects on an aging G4 iBook, so this was a considerable improvement; he successfully installed a 750 OTW hard-drive kit.
Recently Andy reported that he was experiencing a video problem:
I suggested that he try booting in Safe Mode or from the OS CD-ROM, and that he also check which video card is in the computer. The reason I was interested in the video card is that the motherboard had died last summer, and Apple had replaced it. The original video card was an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600, but I had read of problems with an Nvidia card in subsequent models, so I wondered if Apple might have put a later mobo in the MBP when they repaired it. However, Andy says,
And he asks,
Does anyone here know if that model MBP had a separate video card, or whether it was soldered onto the motherboard? If the latter, my guess is that a mobo replacement is the only answer. According to my receipt from the repair last August, it was warranted for just 90 days.
Any information will help. :S
/Mr Lynn
Recently Andy reported that he was experiencing a video problem:
Did you ever have any problems with the video card on the mac book pro? The laptop boots up but immediately the screen becomes pixellated and contorted, and then it eventually freezes. the first time this happened I the computer was unusable all afternoon. in the morning it seemed fine but after a couple hours of use it relapsed, so i have been reluctant to use it again for fear the video card is in its death throes. or that it could be something worse . . .
I suggested that he try booting in Safe Mode or from the OS CD-ROM, and that he also check which video card is in the computer. The reason I was interested in the video card is that the motherboard had died last summer, and Apple had replaced it. The original video card was an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600, but I had read of problems with an Nvidia card in subsequent models, so I wondered if Apple might have put a later mobo in the MBP when they repaired it. However, Andy says,
I am able to boot up but the video is totally distorted with pixelation. Booting in safe mode did not change the video, but it did not freeze after booting up and I was able to change resolutions in the control panel (doesn´t help) and look in about this mac to see which video card it is. I can´t really read what it says l but it appears more likely to say ATI than Nvidia.
And he asks,
Can you find out how much a new video card costs and how complicated it is to change it?
Does anyone here know if that model MBP had a separate video card, or whether it was soldered onto the motherboard? If the latter, my guess is that a mobo replacement is the only answer. According to my receipt from the repair last August, it was warranted for just 90 days.
Any information will help. :S
/Mr Lynn
