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 Flora82,

    Flora82 Flora82 May 26, 2014 10:13 PM in response to xashi
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    May 26, 2014 10:13 PM in response to xashi

    @Xashi. I think that is reasonable. It's should cost between 200-600. Once you've gotten the new logicboard it seems that from other posts that there is potential for repeat failure.  You should take precautions by making sure your computer does not exceed 160 deg F. You can download apps: istat pro or fan control which allow you to take the steps to make sure this does not happen. Interestingly enough, would be able to boot up cold, but once it got heated up after working for 4-6 hrs, the machine would not boot up. But, I shut down and left it  overnight and whalah! It would easily go to my log in screen. And function normally the next morning for a couple hours at least. Also once mine went to sleep, sometimes I had a blank screen, though the computer was definitely awake (volume control buttons functioned normally), so in system preferences I chose for it to never go to sleep and never dim screen. Also on that system pref screen, uncheck changing video cards for more efficient energy use. Some people said that was a help.

     

    Btw the logicboard and graphics card are  a unit, so they'd have to replace both.

     

    I Also had a question about everyone's problems and when they started.  My problems started after installing Mavericks. I had a hard drive fail AND battery fail. Can't help but think the logicboard stuff is from that as well, although it just takes longer to show. Maybe the Mavericks has more intense processing, therefore higher temps the computer is sustained at and therefore logicboard bums out? Perhaps the tin whiskers start from soldering parts and they havnt found a good solution since taking out the lead.

     

    The reballing is what I'm doing (at least I think, they are diagnosing now and I'll get word today) seems to be something worth thinking about since a new logicboard seems to fail. I was 4 mo past the end of my 3 yr AppleCare, so I'll have to pay out of pocket for anything anyway. Usually they have a 90 day warranty, which *****, they should have 1-2 yr. BUT, saying that, the PS3 guy in CA is recommended and had a 1 year warranty. I would rather spend my money on this as a stopgap measure for 150 bucks or so than new logicboard from apple that may do the same exact thing in a year or two.

     

    Yes, I'm disgruntled, but let's just get this matter fixed efficiently and write feedback so apple can tell we are having a hard time. Maybe with enough hardship, they'll take pity on us and have a recall if logicboards when they figure it out.

  • by xashi,

    xashi xashi May 26, 2014 10:23 PM in response to Flora82
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 26, 2014 10:23 PM in response to Flora82

    I Am worried it will repeat after 90 day warranty expire. My solution is trade in for MacBook Air or refurb retina display. My budget is low so I am going to trade in MacBook Air during the 90 warranty. If it repeat again I can't afford paying again either use trade in value or sell it.

  • by Flora82,

    Flora82 Flora82 May 26, 2014 10:35 PM in response to xashi
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 26, 2014 10:35 PM in response to xashi

    You can trade it in? That's cool. Is this at the Mac store?

     

    if you can run all your programs on the air, go for it!  I also have bought my laptops off craigslist with at least 2 yrs worth of AppleCare left, so your in the clear for 2 years if anything goes wrong, and it's a quarter of the price.

  • by xashi,

    xashi xashi May 26, 2014 11:07 PM in response to Flora82
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 26, 2014 11:07 PM in response to Flora82

    I Was at apple store today and send off my current laptop to be fix. I am willing to trade in for 13 inch MacBook Air and I can run all my program.

  • by douglasfromwaubun,

    douglasfromwaubun douglasfromwaubun May 27, 2014 12:06 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 12:06 AM in response to abelliveau

    Signing in to post that I am having identical problems with my Early 2011 MBP. Crashes, rebooting, repairing permissions (in Disk Utility, it appears to always be the very same permissions that are repaired). Almost unpredictable. As a life-long Apple fan who does not have the stomach to switch to Windows -- though I will, if I have to -- I would like to ask Apple to help us owners of these models out. Mine is only 3 years old; I expect to get 5 - 6 years out of my Apple machines. I am spoiled. I certainly am willing to spend a small amount of money to have this fixed -- say $200 - $300 -- but $900 for a logic board replacement that many have reported here is also suffering problems? No. That is terribly unjust. So, Apple, please help us out! Thanks. Douglas Thompson

  • by Brassbox 55,

    Brassbox 55 Brassbox 55 May 27, 2014 2:59 AM in response to xashi
    Level 1 (5 points)
    May 27, 2014 2:59 AM in response to xashi

    HI!

    Wound`t go for the tade in there is a new model of Air`s comming up in a few weeks

    the same offer was made to me they just want to get rid of the older models.

     

                             good luck

  • by Brassbox 55,

    Brassbox 55 Brassbox 55 May 27, 2014 3:05 AM in response to Flora82
    Level 1 (5 points)
    May 27, 2014 3:05 AM in response to Flora82

    HI!

    Windows is better then it`s reputation and when it come`s to hardware that`s all the same

    nVidia ,AMD, Intel ,Samsung  and all are assembled in Foxconn factories around the world.

     

                                            Good luck

  • by frustratedman123,

    frustratedman123 frustratedman123 May 27, 2014 3:08 AM in response to Brassbox 55
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 3:08 AM in response to Brassbox 55

    Hey guys,

     

    Fresh meat here. As of yesterday, I too have this exact issue. Apple supportline denied there's ever been this issue in other early 2011 models, heh, ok then.

     

    Gfxstatus helped for a day until I tried to open photoshop and froze. Cannot get past grey screen after the apple logo in start up now in order to set gfxstatus back to integrated. This is ridiculous. Any other way of starting it so I can get gfx to kick in at start up?

     

    Please Apple, take this issue seriously. Getting only 3 years out of a $3000 computer seems unheard of.

  • by xashi,

    xashi xashi May 27, 2014 3:08 AM in response to Brassbox 55
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 3:08 AM in response to Brassbox 55

    How do you know new MacBook Air is gonna be release soon? I though they just upgraded current MacBook Air was new versions.

  • by Brassbox 55,

    Brassbox 55 Brassbox 55 May 27, 2014 3:30 AM in response to xashi
    Level 1 (5 points)
    May 27, 2014 3:30 AM in response to xashi

    Hi!

    You are right ,but make sure you getting the upgraded on.

  • by l_e_c,

    l_e_c l_e_c May 27, 2014 3:38 AM in response to frustratedman123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 3:38 AM in response to frustratedman123

    Any other way of starting it so I can get gfx to kick in at start up?

     

    "Welcome", frustratedman123.

     

    Keep trying... that's the only advice I can give you. I don't know why but the last time mine was down it started up again after 5 or 6 tries and I could use gfx. Now I'm not shutting it down for as long as I can. Try starting in Safe Mode (holding Shift on startup) and then restarting it from there. It worked once for me...

     

    This is just unbelievable.

  • by 23maps,

    23maps 23maps May 27, 2014 3:55 AM in response to Brassbox 55
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 3:55 AM in response to Brassbox 55

    I'm not sure the "upgraded" Macbook Airs are really better, reportedly they have SSDs from different manufacturers with highly varying performance, some of them almost 200% slower than the old ones!

    http://www.macrumors.com/2014/05/02/2014-macbook-airs-slow-storage/

  • by Brassbox 55,

    Brassbox 55 Brassbox 55 May 27, 2014 4:07 AM in response to 23maps
    Level 1 (5 points)
    May 27, 2014 4:07 AM in response to 23maps

    Hi!

    Yep ,heard about that, there are also cheaper- must have a reason.

  • by nudoru,

    nudoru nudoru May 27, 2014 4:20 AM in response to xashi
    Level 1 (34 points)
    iPhone
    May 27, 2014 4:20 AM in response to xashi

    The $310 price is the depot repair option. It's they test it and replace /anything/ that fails. It's a great deal!

     

    They replaced my logic board, some other random cable and the tightened the display henge.

  • by KimoMansour,

    KimoMansour KimoMansour May 27, 2014 5:56 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 5:56 AM in response to abelliveau

    So My wife's laptop is also experiencing the same problem, i even opened a discussion about it

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/25487278#25487278

     

    It seems that this is a common problem with early MBP2011, apple really needs to resolve this.

     

    Then again, i don't think they will. No company will admit that they failed when millions of devices were sold world wide. However, if the problems only appear 2/3 years since production, then Apple will have an ear full in the next year.

     

    20140412_084408.jpg

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