There was a MacBook sleep/wake issue, that was corrected by an OS update. I'm not 100% sure which models, but it would definitely be an idea to ensure all possible updates are installed on your machine. If you would like more info on the update, let me know and I can research it for ya. I'll save that effort for now though.

First, I would try booting from your OS CD. If booting from the CD is intermittent, or doesn't work, you know you still have a HW issue. If the CD works without issue, simply reinstall OS X. You have a F***ED hard drive. Also, have you tried (or did the technician) a different set of RAM in the machine? Although it does sound a lot like a logic board issue, bad RAM might display the kinds of issues you're describing.

1) Home Multimedia source (as previously mentioned) 2) cordless long distance phone (Skype) better than sitting at your computer during those excruciating "calls to mom back home" 3) Build a custom mount for it, with power. Making a really cool chair armrest, of nifty kitchen information station, etc... Perhaps build it into the wall in a garage or basement, somewhere you dont already have a computer... could still be plugged into speakers to use as entertainment centre for that area as well...

Aldg: Quick question, have you tested to be sure that all the media (songs & videos) will play in iTunes? yashrg brought up a good point that perhaps the songs are in the library, but the library points to a location where the files are no longer located. If the media will play in iTunes, you have one of two problems (same as my previous answer): 1) Device trouble, restore it to factory defaults and try again 2) Incorrect settings, try unpairing the device and setting it up as though it were 'new

Have you tried attaching your display to another computer to see if the trouble still occurs? If it doesn't you have a display driver/hardware issue that you need to address. If it does, you are in some trouble. With a built-in cable, all you might be able to do yourself is open the monitor up and see if the connection is good on the monitor side, and reattach as necessary.

I'm assuming that you are using two different user login accounts for the computer, so that... - you are using different user accounts on the computer, and that you each store your music, videos, etc in your personal documents folder. - setting up the two 'touches' is simple as it's the same for each user account, as far as the computer is concerned your wife's touch doesn't exist when logged into your user account, and vice-versa. Also assuming that there is music and videos in your wifes playlist, and you have navigated to the sync options for her device in iTunes, make sure that you have selected to sync all music, or which playlists, etc. Next I would try "restoring" her device to factory settings, and setting it up fresh.

I agree that there is no way to make your card work. I'm not sure what you're using it for, but perhaps purchasing a new SD card to go with your new MBPs built-in SD card slot would provide a good enough solution?

Since you sell lots of machines for parts, you might have a display port adapter hanging around? Have you tried booting the machine with it connected to an external display? What we're testing is if there is a loose connection to the display itself, or perhaps broken wiring from lots of open/closing of the laptop. It still sounds like the machine's graphics processor is pooched, which I believe is part of the logic board?? (don't quote me on that one though...)

A question for your question... Has your port exhibited this behaviour since new, or is this a recent development? **Edit** Since this problem started after you purchased the machine, it was most likely caused by something getting into the port, or by a physical deformity of the case or connector housing itself. If you can't see anything stuck inside the port, look to see if it is bent/broken anywhere around the edge (mainly right at the top where the cable's clip connects). If cables aren't fitting into the port anymore, my workaround would be to make sure you have a cable with lots of slack, and remove the clip that holds it in place. Generally if there is no tension, an ethernet cable will stay in the port without the clip.