Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

kittykatKS wrote:

 

@jokokoko

 

I already mentioned it a few pages back... you can install linux distro Ubuntu.  Use version 13.10 AMD and create a bootable flash drive (I found a video on youtube with directions).  After you boot from the drive you have to press "e" when you reach Grub and enter some code. The directions are here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MacBookPro8-2/Raring.  But I had to put the following lines before the first line (there was no "insmod 2" when i booted from the drive)

     outb 0x728 1 # Switch select

     outb 0x710 2 # Switch display

     outb 0x740 2 # Switch DDC

     outb 0x750 0 # Power down discrete graphics

 

and the quiet.spash code after quiet.splash without deleting the original.  If you follow the link you'll know what I'm talking about.

 

The code disables the discrete graphics card. The black screen you are seeing is from not entering the code above. I have been using my macbook pro for two weeks now without any issues and my computer was completely dead for months (since late last year) and unable to boot into mac os x.

 

Isn't it ironic that a completely FREE operating system is the only thing that could get my $2,000 computer functional again... Thanks APPLE!  For nothing.

Hi kittykatKS,

I own one of those mbpros no longer able to boot into OSX.

I wanted to try this ubuntu workaround, I tried this procedure to make a bootable USB:

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-mac-osx

Is this one the correct procedure to make a bootable USB?

I tried with the 13.10 64-bit Mac (AMD64) desktop image.

Everything seems to work fine, but my macbook doesn't see the usb as a bootable disk.

To do the procedure I used an old macbook 1,1 (early 2006) with OSX 10.6.8 (snow leopard), I guess that should be fine.

Should I have used a different ubuntu version? (e.g. 13.10 PC (Intel x86) desktop image)?

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks A LOT for that video! not for it's content, but because they are really close to me and can take my Macbook pro there for repairing!!! I already called them and said it would cost 120 euros to repair it (take the gpu out and put it back in). Thanks again!!!

Does anyone here have the MBP with a completely black screen?

jesusginard wrote:

 

Does anyone here have the MBP with a completely black screen?

I've heard of black screen just as a transitory effect, for example as a result of the first crash. Mine turned black after launching photoshop, I forced restart, and then I haven't been able to boot anymore.

The screen now turns either gray or blue (sometimes blue with black vertical stripes).

Hello corycable,

good to hear, you were successful with apple support. My MBP reacts exactly as you described in your other posting and i have not provided "apple care" for it (expected it to be unbreakable).

May I ask you, did you just asked for an appointment at the genius bar? After entering my serial number at the apple support page, they only offered me to buy a "single support case" for about 49 Euro. Is this what you meant by "open a case"?

The only alternative i could see so far is try to get an exception, which is a chat with a very friendly apple support member. The chat turned out to be not helpful. You get a nice greeting and the answer that he/she is unable to give you any positive hint in your case.

Well, i'm not sure if I should pay 49 euros for the information that i had to pay another 500 euros for a logic board replacement.

Good luck for your appointment this afternoon

tdlemonade wrote:

 

kittykatKS wrote:

 

@jokokoko

 

I already mentioned it a few pages back... you can install linux distro Ubuntu.  Use version 13.10 AMD and create a bootable flash drive (I found a video on youtube with directions).  After you boot from the drive you have to press "e" when you reach Grub and enter some code. The directions are here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MacBookPro8-2/Raring.  But I had to put the following lines before the first line (there was no "insmod 2" when i booted from the drive)

     outb 0x728 1 # Switch select

     outb 0x710 2 # Switch display

     outb 0x740 2 # Switch DDC

     outb 0x750 0 # Power down discrete graphics

 

and the quiet.spash code after quiet.splash without deleting the original.  If you follow the link you'll know what I'm talking about.

 

The code disables the discrete graphics card. The black screen you are seeing is from not entering the code above. I have been using my macbook pro for two weeks now without any issues and my computer was completely dead for months (since late last year) and unable to boot into mac os x.

 

Isn't it ironic that a completely FREE operating system is the only thing that could get my $2,000 computer functional again... Thanks APPLE!  For nothing.

 

Hi kittykatKS,

I own one of those mbpros no longer able to boot into OSX.

I wanted to try this ubuntu workaround, I tried this procedure to make a bootable USB:

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-mac-osx

Is this one the correct procedure to make a bootable USB?

 

I tried with the 13.10 64-bit Mac (AMD64) desktop image.

Everything seems to work fine, but my macbook doesn't see the usb as a bootable disk.

 

 

To do the procedure I used an old macbook 1,1 (early 2006) with OSX 10.6.8 (snow leopard), I guess that should be fine.

Should I have used a different ubuntu version? (e.g. 13.10 PC (Intel x86) desktop image)?

 

What am I doing wrong?

Hey, I had the same issue. Sorry for recommending a non-working tutorial. I created the stick under Windows with this tutorial: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows. If that doesn't work either, try to use the normal, not the mac-optimized image. I'm not sure anymore about which one I used.

To the guys who are also working with Ubuntu now: Did you try to edit the Mac OS X entry in the Grub menu? Is it possible to start OS X the same way as Ubuntu, powering the discrete graphics card down?

Getting my 2011 macbook pro reballed today at my own expense. Not costing nearly as much as a new logicboard, however still a financial setback. Hoping the solution will last me a good couple of years to come. It's really dissapointing that one needs to seek help from third parties that offer to help when official Apple stores turn a blind eye and try and solve everything with a new logicboard which is doomed to fail again, and again.

As a brand, Apple leaves me with a bitter taste of what was my first Apple computer that will always remain. I'll still continue to follow this thread and report on how the reballing solution fares in my case. Hopefully others affected by the #mbp2011 issue will also find adequate solutions soonest.

I called Apple support today and opened a case. I told him about this thread and that many other customers have the same problem. But I got only the usual standard answers. This is not a known issue. Maybe Apple has verified some serial numbers and if you are lucky you get your logic board exchanged. Which does not guarantee that the problem is solved if you look at this thread.

The support guy wanted to do some standardized software checks with the discrete graphic card which I refused because I was afraid that the MBP will crash again. I have disabled it via gfxCardStatus and since then I have no freezed screens anymore. Before that I was rebooting several times a day and the problem got worse. I will not activate the card again. But of course this is only a workaround.

He said in this case I have to go to a service partner and get my notebook tested. I called the service partner. The test will cost me 53 Euros. I won't have the MBP for at least one day only for the test. I already lost around 2 business days. If the reason is the discrete graphic card they replace the logic board. I will have to pay for that. Replacement of the logic board will take 3 business days.

Anyway it is important to open a support case and insist that this is a well known problem I think.

I have this problem with my Late 2011 MBP, screen distortions which resolved for a few minutes after a reset, after second reset loads to frozen white screen then blue screen if I try boot in safe mode.

Waiting to hear back from Apple.

I may be out of my league in attempting to answer your question, but I once tried to create a bootable disk image for an Intel MBP using a non-Intel PowerBook and found that that would not work. I eventually found out that I had to use an Intel computer to create a bootable disk for an Intel computer.

I think the best thing for you to do would be to call. When they ask for your serial number and see you DO NOT have Apple care. Immediately tell the rep you need a senior advisor and/or supervisor. Inform the rep that Apple has an "Extended Support" program for the AMD GPUs and it requires a special case to be open that DOES NOT require an Apple Care contract. Do not assume the first line rep knows about this. If the rep does their job they will put you on hold and find a senior rep. They cannot refuse to give you an exception as they DO have a program for this problem and explained to me by the senior rep. The test they will run on your Macbook is free of charge. So long as the AMD GPU is the problem, both the test and the repair are free.

Again, the 3-4 first line reps I spoke to were clueless. After calling the 4th time and pointing them to this thread and the other numerous Internet articles written about this. It was hard for them to pretend ignorance. That is when I was put on hold and sent to a senior rep. Amazing...The senior rep searched Apple's "INTERNAL ONLY" known Extended Support programs and looked specifically for Macbook GPU problem and AMD and what do you know...They do have an open program for it. He asked for my serial number again to verify my configuration matched the support case. He specifically asked if my macbook had an AMD discrete video adapter. I gave him my AMD model 6750M and he confirmed it was on the list. He said he was unable to give me any specifics of the case because its an internal document. I assume this is due to them not wanting people making false claims. They seem to know exactly what the problem is and require to run this test to validate it. He did say the test runs specific commands against the GPU and it must fails these commands and/or give the expected result for the known problem. Given the facts my AMD GPU cannot run for more than 10 seconds before failing. I feel comfortable it will fail ANY TEST you run on it.

Again, I have my appt at 4:30PM Friday. I will update this post and let you all know what happened.

BrycefromChina wrote:

 

reballing will reduce the lifespan of the logic board.maybe damage the logic board.that's really "amazing" a 2k$ machine last just 2 years,big surprise to us!that's apple user experience and high quality.thanks!apple!BTW I have a PC last over 9 years just cost about 600$.isn't funny?!

Who told you reballing will reduce the lifespan?

Au contraire. If done good it can last for years. Unless of course the cooling is so insufficient it fails on everything.

About damaging the motherboard, that is a risk with all repairs. Mostly it's not a problem if used proper equipment with enough experience.

It is even a longer lasting, better repair then just a logib board replacement.

As when Apple does it, you only get another board with the same fault.

What does happen sometimes is people try to do a DIY repair themselves, like oven bake or heatgunning it. Going to high in temp burning the glues holding the layers and pads. This can result in ripped pads, making it unusable, while lifting the chip.

But then it's defninitely not the repairers fault.

Maybe it was an Apple "Genius" telling you this?

Yea, the few times I had to "boot battle" my mbp. Usually it's the gray screen. I think when I tried safe booting it would go to the black screen and then heat up with fans spinning to full speed until it eventually shut itself down. Didn't take that long, a couple minutes. But after another boot up with PRAM reset, it was working again. This was after a good hour of trying PRAM resetting and safe booting. Not sure if that matters any bit but that's what I did.

I'm sure my MBP is on the decline. I did some heavy photoshop work yesterday and seemed ok besides a few slow downs that seemed normal. I'm really dreading the day it craps out.

Hey this sounds promising. Please let us know how this turns out. Maybe if we can get enough people to get into the "internal file" system, we can get some actual traction in this matter. I'll be waiting to see your follow up.

Are the tests done at the Apple store? Did they set you up with an appointment at the Genius Bar after the call? Just trying to get the details. Thanks!

Same issue here, Late 2011 MBP i7 with the 512MB AMD Radeon 6750M GPU.

Freezing when gfxCardStatus switches to Discrete, in reboot I get red horizontal lines and a persistent grey screen with the fans speeding up no matter if Single Mode, previous NVRAM reset or trying to enter Recovery Mode.