"Re: ATI 2600 Replacment Program
Yesterday, (2 May 2012) I had the dying Radeon HD 2600 in my 2008 Mac Pro 3,1 replaced under AppleCare. (I bought it cheap in mid-2009 after the new ones had come out, so it's still covered - the extended coverage program for the card itself expired last year.) Took only two days to get the "new" one.

Why do I say "new"? It was a refurbished card, and the serial number on the replacement shows it is one of the defective cards!! I am running tests on it now to see if I have to get it replaced again. Sigh.

I was really, really hoping that they'd be out of stock and give me a better graphics card as a replacement. Will send followup when I know more.
-Matt"

Last year when I first posted on this I had other readers say their replacement card was also within the card S/N range listed in the Apple doc. (Hopefully they were verified as OK/not affected.) One reader last spring noted he was issued a refund for a previously purchased replacement card.

Related Links/Previous Reader Feedback:
• Original 2/21/2011 news post on the program
• First reports on Mac Radeon 2600 XT Exchange Program (2/23/2011)
• Reader report on Radeon 2600 Refund (for previous repl card purchase) (3/1/2011)

The original Apple doc Mac Pro (Early 2008): ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT video card with distorted video or no video has 2008 Mac Pro in the title but the article (as of last rev date 3/12/2012) still lists cards sold up to May 2010 (w/some specific last 4 digit S/Ns):

"...certain ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT cards sold for use in Mac Pro computers between approximately January 2008 and May 2010 may experience distorted video or no video..."

(and like some other programs, hints at possible coverage extension)
This program covers affected ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT video cards three years from the original date of purchase or until July 31, 2011, whichever provides longer coverage. Apple will continue to evaluate the repair data and will provide further repair extensions if needed)"

BTW: In Sept. 2010 I posted info from Apple on a similar (replacement) program for certain S/N ATI X1900 XT's with distorted video which ended on January 31, 2011. Some readers back then noted they were given a different card (often Nvidia 8800GT but in one very rare case - a Quadro FX4500 card.)

  

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