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SFStateStudent

macrumors 604
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
7,496
3
San Francisco California, USA
UPDATE: MBAir has arrived...

UPDATE: MBAir arrived at 9:46AM PST, replaced logic board, seems to be running at 117ºF, fan speed at 2500rpm, while running Skype, Safari 4.0, MR, and Office: Word. I'll try the Hulu.com HD video and check for skipping and overheating...:eek:
 

Rondue

macrumors regular
Jul 30, 2008
162
2
PA
I finally got a day off and I will get some serious time to put my recently repaired Air through some test. I cant wait to see how both stack up after being repaired. what are you guys using to test temps and fan speeds?
 

dborja

macrumors 6502a
Sep 13, 2007
996
102
Northern California
UPDATE: MBAir arrived at 9:46AM PST, replaced logic board, seems to be running at 117ºF, fan speed at 2500rpm, while running Skype, Safari 4.0, MR, and Office: Word. I'll try the Hulu.com HD video and check for skipping and overheating...:eek:

That's 47C. Not bad, that's what I'm running with several apps open...
 

dborja

macrumors 6502a
Sep 13, 2007
996
102
Northern California
I finally got a day off and I will get some serious time to put my recently repaired Air through some test. I cant wait to see how both stack up after being repaired. what are you guys using to test temps and fan speeds?

It really depends on what you're doing. With sustained disk and network access during a backup process, mine went up to about 70C and the fans periodically kicked up to 6200RPM. Continuous video is the stress test, as I understand, since the GPU has to work hard...
 

AIRniloc

macrumors regular
Dec 12, 2008
190
0
anozira
UPDATE: MBAir arrived at 9:46AM PST, replaced logic board, seems to be running at 117ºF, fan speed at 2500rpm, while running Skype, Safari 4.0, MR, and Office: Word. I'll try the Hulu.com HD video and check for skipping and overheating...:eek:

i hope you don't have skype as a startup item...skype and DING! are the WORST startup items to have on your mac :)

learned this from working the genius bar for more than a year...it was always one of the first things i'd check if someone was having odd intermittent software issues ;)

good luck with your testing...if i were you, i'd run the 'yes> /dev/null' command in two different terminal windows for about 20 minutes...this is pretty much the same as the 'GR Stress' test which they use at the G Bar, and will get your CPU runnin' hot as hell quite quickly...

have fun :D
 

SFStateStudent

macrumors 604
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
7,496
3
San Francisco California, USA
i hope you don't have skype as a startup item...skype and DING! are the WORST startup items to have on your mac :)

Excellent advice on Skype and Ding (good call on those two); taking them both off of the start-up list immediately.

Testing youtube, Skype and Hulu, heat is 181ºF and fans are at 6300rpm (extremely hot and stuttering video), so I've not noticed any change. I've got tomorrow off, so a quick trip to the Apple Store is due...:(
 

orrelse44

macrumors regular
Nov 15, 2007
149
0
Excellent advice on Skype and Ding (good call on those two); taking them both off of the start-up list immediately.

Testing youtube, Skype and Hulu, heat is 181ºF and fans are at 6300rpm (extremely hot and stuttering video), so I've not noticed any change. I've got tomorrow off, so a quick trip to the Apple Store is due...:(


Are you running coolbook?

I assume apple/genius bar would frown on using that program, but I was just curious if you have been using it. It seems to help keep the temp of my Rev a down about 10 degrees cooler.

How do you see what RPMs your fan is running at?
 

SFStateStudent

macrumors 604
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
7,496
3
San Francisco California, USA
Are you running coolbook? I assume apple/genius bar would frown on using that program, but I was just curious if you have been using it. It seems to help keep the temp of my Rev a down about 10 degrees cooler. How do you see what RPMs your fan is running at?

No I'm not running CoolBook at this time, nor have I ever run it previously. At this point 186ºF to 176ºF isn't a big difference for me at this point. I can see my temperature and fan speed with SMCFanControl widget on my Status Bar and in my Dashboard. Thanks for your comments...
 

SFStateStudent

macrumors 604
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
7,496
3
San Francisco California, USA
Definite overheat and fan issues for this MBAir, despite the new logic board. I'm certain they don't have a solution, but have decided to go through the motions. My understanding is that a logic board is like the kiss of death, and if that repair doesn't remedy the situation then they are at wit's end. Apple Store Appointment at 2:00pm this afternoon...:(
 

Pixellated

macrumors 65816
Apr 1, 2008
1,100
0
Definite overheat and fan issues for this MBAir, despite the new logic board. I'm certain they don't have a solution, but have decided to go through the motions. My understanding is that a logic board is like the kiss of death, and if that repair doesn't remedy the situation then they are at wit's end. Apple Store Appointment at 2:00pm this afternoon...:(

Good luck on a fix.
 

SFStateStudent

macrumors 604
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
7,496
3
San Francisco California, USA
Thanks, I'm sitting here in class waiting for it to end at 12:00 noon! Drove to campus to expedite the transaction and carry the box and components into the Apple Store for replacement. I'll keep everyone posted on the results...
 

Pixellated

macrumors 65816
Apr 1, 2008
1,100
0
Thanks, I'm sitting here in class waiting for it to end at 12:00 noon! Drove to campus to expedite the transaction and carry the box and components into the Apple Store for replacement. I'll keep everyone posted on the results...

What time is it where you are? GMT differences ETC...
 

mhnajjar

macrumors 6502a
Mar 3, 2008
777
0
SFStateStudent, was not your MBA perfect? What happened to it :eek:

I hope that you can get a revB replacement :)
 

AIRniloc

macrumors regular
Dec 12, 2008
190
0
anozira
Definite overheat and fan issues for this MBAir, despite the new logic board. I'm certain they don't have a solution, but have decided to go through the motions. My understanding is that a logic board is like the kiss of death, and if that repair doesn't remedy the situation then they are at wit's end. Apple Store Appointment at 2:00pm this afternoon...:(

dude, if they replaced the MLB and it's still overheating then they need to replace your unit (that is if you have tested off of an external OS or in a different user environment).

Your case is pretty simple...march right up to the genius bar and say 'ok, i've played by the rules, i came to the bar, the genius said everything should be fixed by shipping my unit to depot, i got it back and look....same exact issue. I've already been without my machine for x weeks, and I'm a bit more than frustrated. I definitely can't go another x weeks without my machine as i'm a student. What can you do for me?'

if the genius mentions anything other than a CRU, ask to see a manager immediately. I wouldn't ask to see the lead genius, bc they tend to be hard-asses...managers are highly trained on customer service relations. When speaking to an Apple Manager be sure to say the sentence 'up until now, i have been nothing but an apple promoter, but after this situation...well, i'm not too happy.' That should get you the CRU after re-explaining your scenario.

after speaking to a manager, if he doesn't decide to replace your machine, ask for his business card, go home and call 1-800-My-Apple. They will give you a customer replacement unit (but they'll have to ship it to you and such).

you should be fine. just be calm at the bar and DON"T yell at the genius :)

good luck (though you won't need it)...

stay cool...total bummer that the MLB didn't fix it. When you get your new one, get coolbook running on that badboy :)
 

SFStateStudent

macrumors 604
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
7,496
3
San Francisco California, USA
What time is it where you are? GMT differences ETC...

I'm PST in California

SFStateStudent, was not your MBA perfect? What happened to it :eek: I hope that you can get a revB replacement :)

It was fine until the three kernel panics, and they have it in the shop right now. They are checking the thermal paste b/c it was heating up to at least 186ºF and fans were at 6200rpm and both seemed maxed-out. Did a reboot of the OS from their own hard drive and they were calling the kernel panic "not" a kernel panic, but a software issue, I said "well it looks like I need to do a clean/erase install for the 4th time in the past two weeks." I said "then just fix it and make it like new, b/c this is the last straw for me!" I walked out without my MBAir and was fumbling for my iPhone to call 911, b/c I just got jacked! (kidding I was just frustrated, so I'll email customer relations). I'm exhausted, b/c I had a different GB Tech and he was pulling rank on the previous GB Tech, so I listened while he "lectured" me as to the effects of a kernel panic, *yawning and staring-off into the sunset* I could have swore I was in the Dean's Office getting my a$$ chewed-out for not knowing anything about anything! Anyway, I'm doing my email to Customer Relations; I'll keep everyone advised...:mad:
 

SFStateStudent

macrumors 604
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
7,496
3
San Francisco California, USA
Alright, they blinked! Store Manager asked me to come down and bring my box and everything. I explained that I did not want a replacement, but a full REFUND! The Store Manager said "Whatever you want!" On the way home to get my box, SuperDrive and Ethernet adapter ready for a trip HOME! I'll keep everyone advised.
 

tubbymac

macrumors 65816
Nov 6, 2008
1,074
1
Sucks that they couldn't fix the problem. What are you going to get instead of the Air after your return?
 

SFStateStudent

macrumors 604
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
7,496
3
San Francisco California, USA
Not sure, but it'll be nice to just get rid of the problem. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the MBAir, I just had problems that I could not afford to have them just "kinda'" get temporarily fixed. Up until the kernel panics, my MBAir was "the Pride & Joy" of my Mac collection. I'm thinkin' I'll just sit on my cash and give it a few months and see what comes out in the next updates...:cool:
 

Rondue

macrumors regular
Jul 30, 2008
162
2
PA
Damn dude how long did you have the machine for them to offer a full refund. and my question is what will you get now? a regular macbook or a pro?
 

mhnajjar

macrumors 6502a
Mar 3, 2008
777
0
Yeah, didn't you have this machine for ages already :D

You are one lucky ... ;)

Why didn't you get a revB replacement? Is it because of the "lines" :p
 

SFStateStudent

macrumors 604
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
7,496
3
San Francisco California, USA
Just drove up my driveway with a credit ($3373.00) on my credit card after the Store Manager at the Apple Store gave me a full refund for my MacBook Air, AppleCare, and all the accessories that I had bought in August '08. He totally apologized for the way things turned out and expressed that he appreciated my business. I was blown away by the expediency of the entire transaction. In-N-Out in about fifteen minutes. When I first walked up I asked to meet with the Store Manager and the Genius at the GB didn't even look-up, but said "I'm working with a customer..." I explained that the Store Manager just got off the phone with me and said to ask any Genius to have him come out front and meet with me. Anyway, he went into the back and the Store Manager appeared and brought me to the front of the line and commenced to finish my transaction. I thanked the Genius in front of the Store Manager for going in the back, despite his "giving me attitude." Painless, expedited and a solid handshake; and I was out the door. I just want to give PROPS to Apple's Customer Relations and my favorite Apple Store/Apple Store Manager in the world... :cool:
 

Scottsdale

Suspended
Sep 19, 2008
4,473
283
U.S.A.
Just drove up my driveway with a credit ($3373.00) on my credit card after the Store Manager at the Apple Store gave me a full refund for my MacBook Air, AppleCare, and all the accessories that I had bought in August '08. He totally apologized for the way things turned out and expressed that he appreciated my business. I was blown away by the expediency of the entire transaction. In-N-Out in about fifteen minutes. When I first walked up I asked to meet with the Store Manager and the Genius at the GB didn't even look-up, but said "I'm working with a customer..." I explained that the Store Manager just got off the phone with me and said to ask any Genius to have him come out front and meet with me. Anyway, he went into the back and the Store Manager appeared and brought me to the front of the line and commenced to finish my transaction. I thanked the Genius in front of the Store Manager for going in the back, despite his "giving me attitude." Painless, expedited and a solid handshake; and I was out the door. I just want to give PROPS to Apple's Customer Relations and my favorite Apple Store/Apple Store Manager in the world... :cool:


I have to assume that was an original MBA and not the rev B?

Now, you need to buy a revision B MBA. It doesn't have all of those problems. Were you not ok with just getting a rev B MBA instead?

I have a rev B MBA, and the difference is night and day. My original MBA was not enjoyable to use. My new MBA is the best/fastest Mac I have ever owned.
 

ducatidoc

macrumors regular
Apr 20, 2008
136
0
I have a rev B MBA, and the difference is night and day. My original MBA was not enjoyable to use....

couldnt agree more. would go even further and say that my revA was a complete pain in the rear and overall pitiful excuse for a modern laptop.

all that being said, if you are still considering a mapple product, the revB is indeed a much better computer and offers fantastic performance compared to a revA. if not another mac, well... ubuntu? ;-)
 

SFStateStudent

macrumors 604
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
7,496
3
San Francisco California, USA
What a relief! I want to thank everyone for their input, suggestions, advice and patience through this ordeal. The encouragement was truly needed during the past few months. I wish I had the confidence to go right out and purchase the rev B, but I'm a bit gun-shy at this point. I'm certain I'll keep the new Classic MBP 2.5GHz that I just picked up the other day until the next updates. I'm a bit worn out today from all the excitement. I'll be in the market for a new rev C MacBook Air in August/September '09...:cool:
 

Rondue

macrumors regular
Jul 30, 2008
162
2
PA
What a relief! I want to thank everyone for their input, suggestions, advice and patience through this ordeal. The encouragement was truly needed during the past few months. I wish I had the confidence to go right out and purchase the rev B, but I'm a bit gun-shy at this point. I'm certain I'll keep the new Classic MBP 2.5GHz that I just picked up the other day until the next updates. I'm a bit worn out today from all the excitement. I'll be in the market for a new rev C MacBook Air in August/September '09...:cool:

Another MBA user bites the dust, I was thinking about riding that wave and getting a MBP myself. I would miss the fact that this thing is pretty sexy and is a big attention crabber though.
 
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