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 Pier11,

    Pier11 Pier11 May 27, 2014 11:23 AM in response to KimoMansour
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 27, 2014 11:23 AM in response to KimoMansour

    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.

     

     

    Well... actually the last time this happened with the 2007 macbook pro 8600GT GPU melt, Apple replaced the logic boards free of charge no questions asked. I know because that was my last macbook pro. I'm confident, or maybe delusional, this will be the case with the 2001 Radeongate too.

  • by KimoMansour,

    KimoMansour KimoMansour May 27, 2014 11:36 AM in response to Pier11
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 11:36 AM in response to Pier11

    Man I hope they do that and replace it.

  • by Guitarax,

    Guitarax Guitarax May 27, 2014 12:39 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 12:39 PM in response to abelliveau

    Heads up to all who are apprehensive about paying the $310 flat rate. I spoke with a senior repair tech through apple suppot today, notice that you either have to prompt the answering technician or ask for one of the more senior technicians, who had provided a pleasing response to my issues with my 2011L 15 2.2 MBP. Whereas up to 5 other Technical support reps stated that the $310 flatrate was only a reballing procedure, the senior tech pointed out that it is SUPOSSED TO BE A LOGIC BOARD REPLACMENT as well as a replacement of all other defective componenets. Even the Genius Bar told me that they were 2 different procedures and that the LB replacement would be over $500.

     

    Reballing is a temporary fix, about 2-6 months before you'd need it again. The LB replacement is at least a 2 year fix with it being a lasting change if you swap their thermal paste for better quality paste. Don't let them rip you off. Make sure that you are getting a replacement LB and not the reballing if you take the $310 flat rate.

  • by paigoomein,

    paigoomein paigoomein May 27, 2014 12:43 PM in response to Guitarax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 12:43 PM in response to Guitarax

    Guitarax,

     

    Are you saying that those who paid the $310 could have actually only had the reball procedure performed by Apple rather than an actual MLB replacement?  Would the invoice/receipt actually indicate the work that was done?

     

    For those who paid for the $310 depot repair through Apple, does your receipt say something along the lines of MLB replacement or does it mention reball performed?

  • by rguerran,

    rguerran rguerran May 27, 2014 12:53 PM in response to paigoomein
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 12:53 PM in response to paigoomein

    Got my one last week. Running smoothly, so far

    I took the 310$ repair option and in my receipt states:

     

    DescriptionPriceAmount DueCustomer KBB
    Flat Rate Repair Charge, PBG4/MBP15" $ 210.00$ 210.00
    Labor Charge, PBG4/MBP15" $ 100.00$ 100.00

     

    And, at the end of the receipt :

     

    Note: The items identified above have been exchanged by Apple for new or refurbished parts or products. Any applicable cost is indicated adjacent to the the part(s) or product description. Service parts are subject to tax.

     

    In other words, they don't say that it was reballed neither was replaced...

  • by paigoomein,

    paigoomein paigoomein May 27, 2014 12:56 PM in response to rguerran
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 12:56 PM in response to rguerran

    rguerran

     

    Interesting.  I thought that there was a separate receipt indicating the work actually performed/components replaced--that's what I remember from some repairs done several years ago on a 2008 MBP.

  • by degger,

    degger degger May 27, 2014 1:01 PM in response to Guitarax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 1:01 PM in response to Guitarax

    Reballing is a temporary fix, about 2-6 months before you'd need it again. The LB replacement is at least a 2 year fix with it being a lasting change if you swap their thermal paste for better quality paste. Don't let them rip you off. Make sure that you are getting a replacement LB and not the reballing if you take the $310 flat rate.

    <sic> As mentioned several times, it's the other way around: reballing (if done right) is the permanent fix while the replacement has a high possibility of failing again since Apple does (did?) does not properly detect broken logicboards and thus reuses them as replacement part.

     

    You'd be more than lucky if you actually received a genuine Apple reball since they don't do that procedure as far as it is known but they certainly would have the machines to do so.

  • by rguerran,

    rguerran rguerran May 27, 2014 1:03 PM in response to paigoomein
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 1:03 PM in response to paigoomein

    Nope. That was all I got.

    Even when I checked for more info on apple's repair status website, informing my case id and/or repair id, I couldn't get any clue on what has been made. The only say that the device was repaired, but not how...

  • by D3us,

    D3us D3us May 27, 2014 3:19 PM in response to Guitarax
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 3:19 PM in response to Guitarax

    Guitarax wrote:

     

    Reballing is a temporary fix, about 2-6 months before you'd need it again. The LB replacement is at least a 2 year fix with it being a lasting change if you swap their thermal paste for better quality paste. Don't let them rip you off. Make sure that you are getting a replacement LB and not the reballing if you take the $310 flat rate.

     

    Dream on.

    Apple will tell you anything to not having to aknowledge the problem and to keep you tied to them.

    Read how many LB replacement failed even from afeter a few hours till within a few weeks/3months,

    And those unlucky onew failing shoartly after 3 months which means just out of warranty again.

    Bad luck.. another 310$.

     

    Oh yes, it was a "premium" Apple computer for which you payed a "premioum price" allready, you better just keep donathing them your money.

     

    Apple is not taking on the problem. It just keeps grabbing their users money for a "repair" which in fact isn't one really.

  • by Peter DiSalvo,

    Peter DiSalvo Peter DiSalvo May 27, 2014 3:40 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (25 points)
    May 27, 2014 3:40 PM in response to abelliveau

    I have appointment with Apple store tomorrow.

     

    My Early 2011, 15" MacBook Pro had all the issues described, crashes, lockup, strange graphics, gray screen, blue screen, split screen, lines, unable to reboot.

     

    In Jan 2014 for $300 Apple tech determined issue to be graphics card, but to change graphics they'd need to change logic board and give me new hard drive too.  Hmm I had updated to SSD two weeks earlier thinking that was the problem, since hard drive utility often seemed to fix things then I got fed up with self diagnosis and brought it to Apple.  Put my old drive back in gave to Apple, they returned my machine with new graphics, LB, HD, etc.  I put my SSD back in all ran great.  Now just shy of six months later same issues started appearing.  I notice it if I do a quick maneuver like a three finger up mouse pad to show open apps - stuff like that is dangerous and can cause immediate crash.  I gave up on Safe boot, to me it seems letting thing sit and cool down overnight and goes back to being seemingly fine. 

     

    Clearly this does not bode well if I need to replace parts every six months.  Let you know what outcome is after tomorrow's trip to Apple.  I am hoping my January repair is under warranty,  it's going to be tough to validate spending another $300.

  • by Hal Feldman,

    Hal Feldman Hal Feldman May 27, 2014 5:12 PM in response to Peter DiSalvo
    Level 1 (125 points)
    May 27, 2014 5:12 PM in response to Peter DiSalvo

    After lots of testing, I believe the problem is isolated to the DISCREET graphics card. I am successfully using gfxCardStatus (free software) to force only the INTEGRATED graphics and I have been flawless.

     

    Unfortunately, it means I don't get to use the machine the way I would like. I normally run a large external monitor and I am VERY SLOW now in Final Cut Pro as it renders with the slow card.

     

    If I had to take a wild (but educated) guess, I think that over time the GPU itself is stressed by heat and potentially is out of time sync with the rest of the board. This causes a sudden mis-timing and the rest of the system freaks out and eventually locks up.

     

    Based on other postings, I do not believe a logic board swap is a "good" repair.

  • by Pier11,

    Pier11 Pier11 May 27, 2014 5:20 PM in response to Hal Feldman
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 27, 2014 5:20 PM in response to Hal Feldman

    After lots of testing, I believe the problem is isolated to the DISCREET graphics card. I am successfully using gfxCardStatus (free software) to force only the INTEGRATED graphics and I have been flawless.

     

    I did that and my computer lasted 3 days before being unable to reboot. Check my previous posts. YMMV

  • by Calvinogood,

    Calvinogood Calvinogood May 27, 2014 7:10 PM in response to D3us
    Level 1 (0 points)
    iPhone
    May 27, 2014 7:10 PM in response to D3us

    Yes, mine only last for 4 months after replacement. It was costs me USD$600!

  • by xashi,

    xashi xashi May 27, 2014 7:27 PM in response to Peter DiSalvo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 27, 2014 7:27 PM in response to Peter DiSalvo

    After my laptop is fixed I will trade in for MacBook air and reason why is I can't afford paying extra to fix my current laptop if the same problem return . I will get 13 inch MacBook Air for good. I am not doing any heavy programming till I save save extra then sell my MacBook Air and buy MacBook Pro retina display. Currently my budget is only to get trade in for MacBook Air.

  • by Hal Feldman,

    Hal Feldman Hal Feldman May 27, 2014 7:51 PM in response to Hal Feldman
    Level 1 (125 points)
    May 27, 2014 7:51 PM in response to Hal Feldman

    Update.

     

    Spent time with a Senior Advisor tonight.  Wanted me to test. Lots of bad stuff happened, but one thing I learned is that upon reboot, the machine defaults to DISCREET GPU until it can load the INTEGRATED drivers.

     

    So, even if you are using gfxCardStatus, it can't lock you to the INTEGRATED card until after a successful boot.  This explains several other posters comments about a failure after running gfxCardStatus.

     

    After about 15 unsuccessful tries, I was able to get back to my desktop and will refuse to shut down or reboot again until Apple provides me a solution path.

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