Graphics card on MacBook = dead??

[SidewinderINC]

I have a feeling the graphics card on my MacBook is dead - not getting anything on the screen even when I boot to the install cd. I set it to sleep when I went out earlier and now nothing is coming up, however other things are still functioning such as the keyboard backlight and I can adjust that.

Nothing registers when I connect a secondary monitor either.

It's a couple of years old now, but I bought it on the student site so I should get 3 years hardware support?

Any ideas?

Ta muchly.

[Del Lardo]

Do you have anything plugged into USB ports?

Not worked it out totally but my MacBook Pro doesn't always boot when I have devices plugged into USB ports.

[Feek]

Bought on the HE store so you definitely have the three year Applecare, if it's the nvidia chipset then it's also a well known problem so you'll have no issues getting that fixed. Just book it into the genius bar in the usual way.

[SidewinderINC]

New symptom = nothing but the whir of the cd drive when pressing the power button now.

Am I correct in thinking replacing the hard drive invalidates the warranty? I'll have to put the old one back in before taking it to the shop.
Who knows, that might even be the problem

nothing plugged into the USB or anywhere now, just the mains lead.

EDIT-

Old hard drive back in, boots into osx, but nothing on the display. All controls work fine. Definitely graphics that have gone. Time to head down to the apple shop in bluewater tomorrow.

[LeperousDust]

Yep i'm afraid nVidia suck balls, i'm quite vocal about how **** they are :)

[SidewinderINC]

Will they be able to replace it? Or will I get a new shiny shiny?

[Feek]

Replacing hard drive does not void the warranty, you'll be fine there. As for whether they can repair/replace it, I really don't know but I'm sure that one way or another you'll end up with a working laptop.

[SidewinderINC]

I've put the old drive back in anyway, and it's too much effort to put the new one back in again.
And the old one is password protected and I have the fear about them looking at a few personal items on there :p