The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

Choose text size: Select small text. Select medium text. Select large text.

You're viewing an article in TMO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site:
NVIDIA Graphics Chips Investigated as Cause of MacBook Pro Failures

NVIDIA Graphics Chips Investigated as Cause of MacBook Pro Failures

by , 4:25 PM EDT, August 8th, 2008

The NVIDIA G84 and G86 graphics chips are being investigated as the cause for some HP and Dell computer failures, according to The Inquirer on Friday. Apple MacBook Pros also appear to have the problem based on the Apple discussion forum.

The problem manifests itself at bootup when the MacBook Pro screen goes blank.

NVIDIA has denied that there is a problem, but the Inquirer claims to have sources that say all the parts are bad and suffer from a defect in a substrate material when going through the power up/power down heating and cooling cycle. Because desktops and notebooks go through different cycles, with desktops tending to remain on, the problem has affected different computers at different times.

The Inquirer has labeled the problem a cover up and will eventually cost NVIDA big bucks, perhaps US$200M.

According to Jason O'Grady and David Morgenstern at their Apple Core blog, Apple has not acknowledged the problem yet either.

The Apple Core bloggers point to the Apple Discussion Forum that's buzzing with the issue.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Guest
Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:18 pm Subject: That's some crack investigation there

The Enquirer had no source for its speculation, other than a baffling hatred for nVidia (what exactly did they do to you?), and now you're citing the Enquirer.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:Guest
Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:53 pm Subject: Is this a Joke?

Is AMD the Enquirers source? You know, I heard from a friend of a friend that said they had a source that said the Enquirer may not be a great source for factual information.


 Reply | Quote
Close Name:Guest
Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:46 am Subject:

No it's not. Just experienced the very same error and after googling all day it seems to happen to a lot of mbp owners.


 Reply | Quote
Comment on this Article


Guest Posts Visible. Hide Them.
Back to top  Page 1 of 1    

You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.

Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.


Recent Headlines - Updated July 5th

Fri, 10:29 AM
News - Apple Warns of Learning Interchange Security Breach
7:30 AM
News - Happy Fourth of July!
Thu, 6:07 PM
TMO Scoop - Psystar Moves to Drop Bankruptcy Ahead of Apple Legal Battle
5:37 PM
News - Uncomfirmed Reports Say Apple & Nvidia On The Outs
4:57 PM
News - Microsoft Sick Over Barf Ad
4:09 PM
Product News - KRK Ships R6 Passive Studio Monitor for Recording
3:45 PM
John Martellaro's Blog - Particle Debris (week ending 7/2)  Juiced, Joost and Goosed
3:12 PM
Product News - ExactScan 2 Pro Released
1:56 PM
Deal Brothers - Apple TV with 160GB Hard Drive:  $324.00 Delivered
12:46 PM
TMO Appearances - TMO Appearances Jeff Gamet Shares iPhone Apps on MacJury
10:41 AM
Product News - Art Text 2.2 Adds New Templates, Layer Options [Updated]
10:04 AM
Hot Forum Topic - Deciphering Mac Sales

The Mac Observer Reader Specials
  • __________
  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!