abelliveau
Level 1 (7 points)

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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abelliveau

Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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  • by kosovar1,

    kosovar1 kosovar1 Oct 16, 2014 11:47 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 11:47 AM in response to Csound1

    "No, the board will be flashed with your existing serial number, this a standard part of the procedure and has been discussed on this site many times."


    Thank you, Csound1.  I did spend a couple of hours on this forum researching my question, but with over 9,000 replies to the original post plus related posts, I found nothing relevant.


    Taking my laptop in for a second logic board switch-out, assuming the second one was different and hopefully not just a refurb. After the second crash, I installed a new Samsung EVO 500GB SSD with a virgin copy of Mac OS, thinking maybe it was a software problem instead of hardware, but still not working. I wonder if Apple will see the new SSD instead of the old HDD and use that as an excuse for the hardware failure.

  • by akamyself,

    akamyself akamyself Oct 16, 2014 11:59 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 11:59 AM in response to Csound1

    Csound1 wrote:

     

    not let float any kind of theory that some software can fix this hardware failure, simple as that.

    Once again, I have floated no theories, I am collecting data. If you don't like that, don't contribute.

     

    And I would appreciate if you would practice reading what I write rather than what you think I write.

    yes you have, no I won't.

    I just found out today you were collecting data, still don't know why, though. Not against it but since it's you, dunno.

    learn, if not behaving nicely or at least correctly, how to express and write what you really mean.

    but I really want to please you so I'll try my best.

    go, write you last word, kid.

  • by Silbe,

    Silbe Silbe Oct 16, 2014 3:51 PM in response to akamyself
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 3:51 PM in response to akamyself

    please, all:

    STOP FEEDING THE TROLL!

    because then we have to

    CSROLL - uh, SCROLL toooooo much here…


    DoNotFeedTroll.png

  • by carl wolf,

    carl wolf carl wolf Oct 16, 2014 5:30 PM in response to kosovar1
    Level 6 (14,625 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 5:30 PM in response to kosovar1

    "assuming the second one was different and hopefully not just a refurb"

    Those are not mutually exclusive events.

  • by wildscott,

    wildscott wildscott Oct 16, 2014 11:51 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 11:51 PM in response to abelliveau

    I too had this problem with my late 2011 15" MBP. I had to spend $300.00 at Apple for repairs.

  • by Calvinogood,

    Calvinogood Calvinogood Oct 17, 2014 12:02 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 17, 2014 12:02 AM in response to abelliveau

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AcEt073Uds, what do you guys think?

  • by Tuurlijk,

    Tuurlijk Tuurlijk Oct 17, 2014 1:21 AM in response to Calvinogood
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 17, 2014 1:21 AM in response to Calvinogood

    I think that is an enlightening explanation. It actually DOES explain what the actual problem is and what causes it.

  • by Tuurlijk,

    Tuurlijk Tuurlijk Oct 17, 2014 1:40 AM in response to Tuurlijk
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Oct 17, 2014 1:40 AM in response to Tuurlijk

    I think that is an enlightening explanation. It actually DOES explain what the actual problem is and what causes it.

     

    The bumps in the underfill are the real problem with these chips.

     

    The cause of the ball problems is the terrible cooling of these machines in combination with the 'hot running' chips.

    layers.jpg

  • by Gapulus,

    Gapulus Gapulus Oct 17, 2014 2:02 AM in response to Tuurlijk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 17, 2014 2:02 AM in response to Tuurlijk

    Yes, it makes a lot of sense and shows that my 'self destruct after 3 years' statement wasnt so silly after all, but actually just a common sense observation. Every 15 inch macbook pro model ive known since 2008 has suddenly had a massive surge in gpu failures around the 3 year mark (when the applecare runs out)

  • by mpnchar,

    mpnchar mpnchar Oct 17, 2014 2:27 AM in response to Mad Irish
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 17, 2014 2:27 AM in response to Mad Irish

    Same here.. I went to Apple authorized service provider here in Singapore and was later put onto Apple Customer Service team.  Well, as expected they were excellent actors who said that they never heard of such problems.  After a few days, I got a quotation of replacing the logic board for SGD1000/- and service charges of of SGD130.  When I explained that this is not a user problem, but a design / manufacturing defect, they did not accept.  But couple of days down the line they came back and said that they can waive the service charge of SGD130 - but I have to pay SGD1000/- for the logic board.  I just cannot believe that Apple is so ruthless with its customers - thousands of us taken for a ride!! Alongside my 17" MacBook Pro I had also bought a HP Pavilion g4 in 2011.  The MacBook Pro is suffering from this critical illness, but my $400 HP Pavilion g4 still working excellent.  Infact I treated my MacBook Pro with somuch care that I hardly carried it out of my home, whereas I practically abused my HP Pavilion g4 - as I do all my primary work on that.  Except changing for a better battery about a year ago, I did not incur even a single $ to maintain this laptop. And here for all the glamour & quality that Apple talks about - they are asking me to invest additional $1000 to repair my MacBook Pro - for which there is no guarantee that it will work properly.  the logic board has 90days warranty - that's it.  After that if you encounter the problem - continue investing and make Apple super rich company so that they continue to be arrogant about customer service!!

  • by cassete,

    cassete cassete Oct 17, 2014 2:46 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 17, 2014 2:46 AM in response to abelliveau

    Same here in Canary Islands with no support at all they told me to pay 500€ for this issue...... It's incredible how they handle this big issue

  • by Calvinogood,

    Calvinogood Calvinogood Oct 17, 2014 5:46 AM in response to mpnchar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 17, 2014 5:46 AM in response to mpnchar

    Try to email ****** with your issues, leave your number there & they (Apple Care) will call you after few days.

     

    <edited by host>

  • by obwianMacobi,

    obwianMacobi obwianMacobi Oct 17, 2014 3:24 AM in response to Gapulus
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 17, 2014 3:24 AM in response to Gapulus

    Gapulus wrote:

     

    Yes, it makes a lot of sense and shows that my 'self destruct after 3 years' statement wasnt so silly after all, but actually just a common sense observation. Every 15 inch macbook pro model ive known since 2008 has suddenly had a massive surge in gpu failures around the 3 year mark (when the applecare runs out)

    I'm under no illusion that Apple knows these machines have a tendency to self-destruct within this time frame. Apple of course wants you to buy a new machine every 3 years if they can get away with it. The question is whether this is a reasonable life expectancy for a laptop in this price bracket, and whether consumers are being mislead over their expectations. As far as consumer law goes (in the UK at least) the claim period is up to 6 years after purchase, suggesting that items should last a lot longer. If indeed these poor quality GPU chips do fail easily when subjected to intense heat, and poor ventilation - are there any alternatives within any of the MacBook Pro offerings Apple currently sells? If I do eventually buy a new MacBook Pro, knowing what particular GPU chip is soldered to motherboard board and whether it suffers from these problems, will heavily influence any future purchasing decision I make.

  • by bga_repairs,

    bga_repairs bga_repairs Oct 17, 2014 3:27 AM in response to Tuurlijk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 17, 2014 3:27 AM in response to Tuurlijk

    This is the exact reason we advise to get a new GPU fitted to rule out if the solder in the underfill has failed - Like the 2008 Nvidia GPU's.

  • by mpnchar,

    mpnchar mpnchar Oct 17, 2014 3:31 AM in response to obwianMacobi
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 17, 2014 3:31 AM in response to obwianMacobi

    When I spoke to the customer service guys at Apple.. they said the my early 2011 MacBook Pro was 'quite old by now'.  I probed that asked them, do they mean that the life of the product is over..?  they did not respond.. just said.. sorry we cannot comment on that.. but your MacBook is quite old.. They definitely want us to buy a new product every 3 years..

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