Will replacing the logic board a second time help?

[hypomnema]

I bought a refurbished first gen MBA about a year and a half ago. (It's under applecare for another 1.5 years). I have had terrible problems with video playback and trying to do the even most mild editing in Aperture and iMovie. Also, the screen is sometimes scrambled: Black chunks will appear like holes in the desktop image; The menubar will get scrambled; or safari will have weird misalignments around the toolbar/url.

Apple replaced the logic board about 6 months ago. I've continued to have these problems. I took it to the genius bar again today and the rep told me it was a problem with the graphics card and that they would replace the card. Then he said the logic board would be replaced since the logic board is fused to the video card.

That confused me. If the card is fused to the logic board, then it must have already been replaced the last time. He agreed, but at the same time assured me that this time it would somehow be different. I wasn't going to argue with him, but I have low expectations for any real results in improving performance.

Can anyone clarify for me what he was talking about? Am I wrong to believe that a second logic board replacement (and thereby a second graphics card) will solve the issues I am having?

 

[Spacekatgal]

I bought a refurbished first gen MBA about a year and a half ago. (It's under applecare for another 1.5 years). I have had terrible problems with video playback and trying to do the even most mild editing in Aperture and iMovie. Also, the screen is sometimes scrambled: Black chunks will appear like holes in the desktop image; The menubar will get scrambled; or safari will have weird misalignments around the toolbar/url.

Apple replaced the logic board about 6 months ago. I've continued to have these problems. I took it to the genius bar again today and the rep told me it was a problem with the graphics card and that they would replace the card. Then he said the logic board would be replaced since the logic board is fused to the video card.

That confused me. If the card is fused to the logic board, then it must have already been replaced the last time. He agreed, but at the same time assured me that this time it would somehow be different. I wasn't going to argue with him, but I have low expectations for any real results in improving performance.

Can anyone clarify for me what he was talking about? Am I wrong to believe that a second logic board replacement (and thereby a second graphics card) will solve the issues I am having?

I would not chase any more money after a first gen MBA. But, if they're doing it for you with Applecare, I'd give it a shot.

Bri

 

[hypomnema]

I would not chase any more money after a first gen MBA. But, if they're doing it for you with Applecare, I'd give it a shot.

Bri

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't pay for the repairs. I regret not spending the extra few hundred dollars on a more recent machine. I am just confused as to how this could possibly fix my issues. Unless I'm missing something, the video card was already replaced along with the logic board six months ago.

I expected them to replace the computer rather than offer the same solution again. If this works – great – but it seems improbable, unless there's some hardware configuration I'm not understanding.

 

[Spacekatgal]

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't pay for the repairs. I regret not spending the extra few hundred dollars on a more recent machine. I am just confused as to how this could possibly fix my issues. Unless I'm missing something, the video card was already replaced along with the logic board six months ago.

I expected them to replace the computer rather than offer the same solution again. If this works – great – but it seems improbable, unless there's some hardware configuration I'm not understanding.

Well, look at it this way. If you keep playing their game, one of two things will happen. Either it will be fixed, or you'll get a more modern MBA. I know the waiting sucks, but it will be worth it!

Bri

 

[lucifiel]

let's just hope you don't have a pressing need to use your MBA...