abelliveau

Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro (2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 memory) running OS 10.8.2.  It has two graphics components: an AMD Radeon HD 6750M and a built-in Intel HD Graphics 3000. Since I've had the computer, the screen would get a blue tint when the computer switched between them.

 

However, as of two days ago, the problem has become substantially more severe.  The computer was working fine, when all of a suddent the screen when completely blue.  I had to force restart the computer.  Since then, the screen has gone awry on numerous occassions - each time necessitating a hard reset.

 

I installed gfxCardStatus, and have discovered that the computer runs fine using the integrated card, but as soon as I switch to the discrete card - the screen goes .

 

I am just wondering what my options are (any input on any of these would be appreciated!):

 

1) Replace the logic board.  Would this necessarily fix the issue?

 

2) Is there any way to "fix" the graphics card? 

 

3) Keep using gfxCardStatus and only use the integrated graphics card.  This is definitely the easiest/cheapest option, but to have such a computer and not be able to use the graphics card seems like a real shame.

 

4) Is there any other alternative?

 


MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB memory

Posted on Feb 1, 2013 4:45 PM

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Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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  • by ProteoMX,

    ProteoMX ProteoMX Aug 3, 2013 7:12 AM in response to Sawdy21
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Aug 3, 2013 7:12 AM in response to Sawdy21

    Sorry to hear that. I think the result pretty much depends on how much diodes have been damaged by continued use under poor heat transfer.

  • by TomásOBuachalla,

    TomásOBuachalla TomásOBuachalla Aug 6, 2013 5:41 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 6, 2013 5:41 PM in response to abelliveau

    I have this very same problem, The graphics will distort as shown in the first few post, It will go completely blue with lines and/or go black and shut off. I'm wondering is there any way to disable to discrete grpahics when starting up since I cant boot into it at all it just overheats and the fans go wild and shuts off. I tried going into safe mode but it just goes blue with lines.

     

    I need to get some important information off it before I bring it into apple for repair tomorrow just incase it gets wiped and was wondering is there any possible way?

  • by Bart57266,

    Bart57266 Bart57266 Aug 6, 2013 6:23 PM in response to TomásOBuachalla
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 6, 2013 6:23 PM in response to TomásOBuachalla

    Yes, Target Disk Mode should allow you full access to your machine.

     

    You can either use the other Mac to access your drive, as if it were an attached hard drive, or have it actually boot from your system.

     

    Bart

  • by matt_jd,

    matt_jd matt_jd Aug 8, 2013 9:40 PM in response to Bart57266
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 9:40 PM in response to Bart57266

    Same problem here - must try sometimes 20-30+ times to boot, and when it does, it will run (with the ATI Radeon kext disabled as mentioned by a previous poster) fine for anywhere from 5 minutes to about a day before it blue screens/whitescreens/gives weird distored lines across the screen.  I've got lots of apple gear, but this is my first apple laptop (it's now out of warranty)...and now I'm using ubuntu on my way-less-expensive 2007 dell laptop commandeered back from my 9 yo kids (so you know it's taken a beating), whilst my mbp sits doing nothing after only just over two years use.  Quite disappointing.

     

    I've not found a reliable way of booting it even with the kext disabled however.  I have tried gfxcardstatus and it is good also when I can get it to boot, but nothing allows a reliable boot (I've tried tricking it to use the internal gpu at boot by booting with diagnostics then doing a reboot; tried smc reset, pram reset, safe mode boot, auto login vs require a password, booting with my external monitor in/out, and every combination there is, but have not found a reliable way to get it to boot other than brute force try-and-retry.)  Once I have everything setup in ubuntu and all files off my mbp, and can take my machine in (I live quite a way from a service center, and a long way from an apple store here in Australia [although the machine was purchased when I lived in the USA]) if it will end up being too expensive to fix, I may try the thermal paste re-application idea, or sadly, possibly running only ubuntu on it if I can figure out a way of having it not use the discreet gpu if that's possible?  Chime in here anyone if you have any ideas on this!

     

    Anyway, just wanted to register that I'm yet another user with this problem (and thank everyone for their suggestions so far!).  I've logged it in https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PuJ2QS2Ri7fw9HVaNHLQ4OYZCb99zonc96HmhTWEAoY/vie wform and also http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html.

  • by danieltothemax,

    danieltothemax danieltothemax Aug 8, 2013 10:44 PM in response to matt_jd
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 10:44 PM in response to matt_jd

    i have the same problem as everyone else...the way to get your computer to at least reliably boot is just wait.  dont restart the computer over and over again upon seeing the horizontal lines.  If you just wait until the computer hangs on the gray screen before the login screen it seems like it will boot up fine within the next 3 boots...of course once you're in you have to disable the discrete GPU with gfxcardstatus...

     

    It seems to me that the poor application of thermal paste burned out our graphics chips...I played a lot of starcraft 2 and I guess it just couldn't hang...but yeah, such a bummer...now i have a 40% functional computer...

  • by Flamenco13,

    Flamenco13 Flamenco13 Aug 8, 2013 10:51 PM in response to danieltothemax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 10:51 PM in response to danieltothemax

    Why hasn't Apple provided a firmware solution for us that can disable the discreet GPU?

  • by danieltothemax,

    danieltothemax danieltothemax Aug 8, 2013 10:53 PM in response to Flamenco13
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 10:53 PM in response to Flamenco13

    because they already have our money

  • by nbar,

    nbar nbar Aug 8, 2013 10:53 PM in response to Flamenco13
    Level 5 (6,980 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 10:53 PM in response to Flamenco13

    Because that isn't a solution. It is awknowledging a problem and providing a makeshift workaround.

     

    See here:

    gfxCardStatus by cody krieger

  • by Flamenco13,

    Flamenco13 Flamenco13 Aug 8, 2013 11:00 PM in response to nbar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 11:00 PM in response to nbar

    In my case that software would still not allow me to boot.  I had to remove video drivers to force machine to not enable the GPU during startup.  MOST computers would at the very least have a BIOS setting to disable it.

  • by Victor Argentina,

    Victor Argentina Victor Argentina Aug 8, 2013 11:53 PM in response to Flamenco13
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 8, 2013 11:53 PM in response to Flamenco13

    It would be a real solution... Is there a way (hardware or software) to disable the discrete GPU?

  • by ProteoMX,

    ProteoMX ProteoMX Aug 9, 2013 10:24 AM in response to Victor Argentina
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Aug 9, 2013 10:24 AM in response to Victor Argentina

    Replacing the thermal paste may not be a solution for everyone, it's a delicate process and requires  some skills, and of course it may not work at all if the chips were already damaged.

     

    However, if you can boot your computer normally, and the problem arises only when the computer switchs to the discrete GPU, there's a good chance to fix the problem by doing the thermal paste thing. I was able to bring my own MBP's Radeon GPU back to the life with it, so I can say for sure that it works.

     

    A friend of mine is having the screen distortion/corruption problem and he will bring its MBP (same early 2011 model, different CPU speed than mine's) this afternoon to try the thermal paste solution. I asked him to install iStat Pro and he reported that the CPU is reaching 70º just a few seconds after booting, with no discrete GPU use, so it's a good candidate for the fix. I'll make sure to post back the results.

  • by zwolu,

    zwolu zwolu Aug 10, 2013 12:34 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 10, 2013 12:34 AM in response to abelliveau

    Because apple has rejected my application crash I decided to give mbp to an independent service which will replace for about $ 350. It will be a new chipset without defects and replacing thermal paste. Apple lost in my eyes. Too bad!

  • by hpn,

    hpn hpn Aug 11, 2013 6:08 AM in response to Greg Walker
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 6:08 AM in response to Greg Walker


    I have the same problem. My MBP 2.8 is from Des 11, and here in Norway we have at leat 2 years warranty. I will contact the closest Mac Repair Store and ask them.

  • by Ezan,

    Ezan Ezan Aug 11, 2013 11:27 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 11, 2013 11:27 PM in response to abelliveau

    I have found the best solution to use your defective macbook pro as usual without voiding the warranty. But this trick may decrease lifespan of your fan.. But the repair cost for the fan is much more cheaper than the Logic Board right?. please dont comment about fan lifespan.

     

    After u are sucessfully boot your mac, quickly select intergrated in gfxCardStatus.. this is for one time only & u can remove this fu***** apps with lot of bugs after below steps.

     

    1) install smcFanControl Quickly.

    2) open preferences in smcFanControl & set to Higher RPM 6200RPM

    3) tick on a checkbok autostart smcFanControl after login & save

    4) set this Higher RPM as your default fan speed all the way. you will hear this annoying fan sound all the way.

     

    done..

    now your mac can be restart,shutdown & boot as usual without the fu**** zebra line, blue screen & etc. Discrete Craphic Card can be used now.

    After login you can hear the annoying fan spin again..

     

    Disclaimer: tested on my early 2011 17" macbook pro & you will hear the sound for the rest of your life...

  • by Ezan,

    Ezan Ezan Aug 12, 2013 2:30 AM in response to Ezan
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 12, 2013 2:30 AM in response to Ezan

    Now i try to turn down the minimum speed to 4000RPM & my mac still Ok & doesnt freeze.

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