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 eezacque,

    eezacque eezacque Jan 22, 2015 9:56 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jan 22, 2015 9:56 AM in response to Csound1

    Csound1 wrote:

     

    YourMacGuys wrote:

     

    What does that mean? Can you be more specific?

    If you can not read or understand the TOC yourself then don't agree to it.

     

    I am not here to read it to you.

    Obviously, but you are not here to constructively discuss subject matter either.

    Why don't you shut up and leave?

  • by D3us,

    D3us D3us Jan 22, 2015 10:15 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 22, 2015 10:15 AM in response to Csound1

    Csound1 wrote:

     

    If you agree to the rules then stick to them, we all know about people who don't keep their word.

     

    Oh boy, it's alive again...

    And it has been so quiet lately...

     

    Please, don't feed it.

  • by SuperD03,

    SuperD03 SuperD03 Jan 22, 2015 11:28 AM in response to eezacque
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 22, 2015 11:28 AM in response to eezacque

    GPU crashes continued to worsen on my early 2011 Macbook Pro 17", but sporadic, so I set up an appointment at a Genius Bar. The wrap it in a blanket to over heat actually worked but was a temporary fix, maybe 1-4 days for me. I wanted the guy to see what it was doing so tried to get it to fail the day before the appointment. Tried everything I could but it wouldn't crash until about 10pm the night before the appointment. Once crashed it reliably restarted with the vertical bars then failed to boot the first few attempts. I also had taken pictures of the various screens when it had crashed and printed them for reference.

     

    When I took it in the Genius Bar and turned it on the Genius looked at it and said GPU failure needs new logic board and he's seen it before. $315 flat rate repair should take 3-4 days. I got it back yesterday, took 14 days but there were some holidays and weekends involved. It has worked flawlessly so far. Nothing has hit my credit card yet.

     

    I told the Genius I had replaced the CD drive with a second SSD. He made note of it and asked that the repair proceed. Gave me an 85-90% probability they would do the repair but it was possible they would refuse in which case they return the computer, I re-install the CD drive and re-submit.

    The repair ticket showed the logic board, SSD, memory with 4 gig (original config), one fan and Display Clamshell Anti-Glare light replaced.

    They returned my 8 gig memory which I re-installed. The fans both look original, not new (I cleaned them when this all started and verified they worked).

     

    The system software was a new install, all of my data gone. My second SSD drive was corrupted. I did have good backups for both drives and no problem recovering.

     

    If you experience GPU crashes with vertical bars in the graphics try and take it to a Genius Bar while it's failed. For those a long way from an Apple store good luck, I didn't get much help from phone support and I was less than impressed with my local Apple Authorized retailer.

     

    I'm very happy with support I received from the Apple store in Tuscon Arizona and the repair facility in Memphis. I had already made up my mind to buy a new Apple if this one isn't fixed, going back to Windows wasn't an option.

  • by Lazy Susan 789,

    Lazy Susan 789 Lazy Susan 789 Jan 22, 2015 11:58 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 22, 2015 11:58 AM in response to abelliveau

    I am in the UK and have just got my Logic board replaced from my 2011 mbpro.

    Apple agreed to do it for free, otherwise the cost would have been £411

    Which is quite a lot more than other countries?

    It's working well so far and no loss of data (I was trying to do my first Time machine when it broke and therefore didn't have a back up)

     

    Pleased with their response to me, hope you all manage to get yours fixed too.

  • by andysbrandy,

    andysbrandy andysbrandy Jan 22, 2015 12:22 PM in response to Lazy Susan 789
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 22, 2015 12:22 PM in response to Lazy Susan 789

    Lazy Susan 789 wrote:

     

    I am in the UK and have just got my Logic board replaced from my 2011 mbpro.

    Apple agreed to do it for free

    I

    How do you convinced Apple to do it for free? had you Apple care? Was it in Store or a authorist reseller? I am in Austria an no Store in my area.

  • by Darrell Stall,

    Darrell Stall Darrell Stall Jan 22, 2015 12:24 PM in response to Lazy Susan 789
    Level 1 (22 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 22, 2015 12:24 PM in response to Lazy Susan 789

    Lazy Susan 789and any others stating that the Apple Store did work for "free",
    Please clarify if your MBP '11 is still in warranty and/or covered by Apple Care or not.

  • by Lazy Susan 789,

    Lazy Susan 789 Lazy Susan 789 Jan 22, 2015 12:36 PM in response to Darrell Stall
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 22, 2015 12:36 PM in response to Darrell Stall

    Hello,

     

    No mine isn't covered by warranty or apple care, I think it's the law of 6 Years warranty on defective goods can cover this defect in the UK, but I presume they didn't want me mentioning anything to do with that in a very busy apple store and agreed to do it free without me having to get angry or anything.

     

    They were really nice about it, don't mean to rub it in as I know some people are having much more difficulty.

    For people who bought theirs in the UK I found this article;

    http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/faulty-appliances-sale-of-goods-act/

     

    It's not black and white but you can have a look and decide what you think and google it more thoroughly.

     

    Sorry I don't know what similar laws there are in other countries.

    All the best.

  • by Darrell Stall,

    Darrell Stall Darrell Stall Jan 22, 2015 12:43 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (22 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 22, 2015 12:43 PM in response to abelliveau

    Beware; just because Apple replaced your logic board, even though they did it for "free", may not mean it will last beyond a few days, few months or few years. If it fails again before the 90 day warranty is up, consider yourself lucky. Perhaps you can go on indefinitely schlepping your MBP to the Apple Store every 2.5 months for years on end.

    I'm wary of paying for repairs at this point for the following reasons -

    1) The law firm that is attempting to bring a class action lawsuit against Apple has hired a team of IT experts to determine exact nature of problem

    2) Apple issued a software update shortly after release of the MBP '11 which slowed down the GPU in attempt to keep it from heating up which shows it knew there was a problem. It is claimed that without such the GPU would practically self destruct within short period of time. Some have failed within 2-3 months, others take years.

    Information online acknowledges that the Sandy Bridge CPU is a problem when it comes to overheating. I have not found any other Mac computer model that has the Sandy Bridge CPU installed, only the MBP '11.
    3) Lead free solder and faulty AMD discrete graphics card are also a problem that may be able to be corrected. Tfix claims that AMD parts were faulty that were released "on or before 2011" with model numbers "starting at 216-08".

    I'm told Tfix has been replacing them since 2013 and have replaced over 200. (I'm still in email communication with Tfix Project Manager and will post more info as available).
    4) Replacing the logic board could solve problem with lead free solder and AMD discrete graphics card BUT NOT with the Sandy Bridge CPU, which is perhaps why some owners have had logic boards fail over and over again.

  • by Darrell Stall,

    Darrell Stall Darrell Stall Jan 22, 2015 12:51 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (22 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 22, 2015 12:51 PM in response to abelliveau

    If you've had your logic board replaced and warranty is about up, you may want to stress test the GPU.
    At this point, if I got mine replaced, I'd ask a Genius if the Apple Store stress tests and get details on what type of software used.
    Tfix stress tests for 90 min using 3D Mark stress test.
    You can search online for it. The software's not very expensive (Basic Edition is free, Advanced Edition $20).

    There's also other tests that are open source and available for free.

     

    I'd also find free or inexpensive temperature monitor software and always watch and never let MBP '11 heat up.
    There's also software that allows setting so fans kick on sooner at lower temp.
    Elevating the machine and keeping dust from ever accumulating around it seem to also be critical to this temperamental, sickly machine.

  • by Darrell Stall,

    Darrell Stall Darrell Stall Jan 22, 2015 1:15 PM in response to Darrell Stall
    Level 1 (22 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 22, 2015 1:15 PM in response to Darrell Stall

    Just noticed that 3D Mark stress test software looks to be Windows/Android based, and perhaps iOS.
    Have posted question to find out if and how it can be used in OSX, and will ask the same of Tfix project manager.

  • by danimalapple,

    danimalapple danimalapple Jan 22, 2015 4:22 PM in response to Darrell Stall
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 22, 2015 4:22 PM in response to Darrell Stall

    Just turned on my early 2011 MacBook Pro with high res matte screen to find vertical green bars, mostly over any area that is black. This happened after a family member eas watching YouTube without a charger up to a shutdown from depleted battery.

     

    It boots up fine. I can use it without issue but the lines will not go away. I used gfxcardstatus to change to integrated, and it doesn't go away. The distortions are the exact same on both integrated and discrete.

     

    Does this sound like the same issue everyone else is experiencing? It seems odd that it would have the same issues on both GPUs.

     

    Prior to this I only remember a single unexpected shut down. I also tried an smc and pram reset with no changes. My machine has an SSD as its main disk In case that matters.

     

    I need this for work so not sure if I should go ahead and pay for a reball, if this is a different problem.

  • by Charles Houghton-Webb,

    Charles Houghton-Webb Charles Houghton-Webb Jan 22, 2015 5:20 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (33 points)
    Jan 22, 2015 5:20 PM in response to abelliveau

    Well, after 10 days of reprieve, following the SMC reset with a twist, my 17" 2011 MBP has put it's green and white striped pyjamas back on and gone to sleep

    OK, I'll admit that the SMC trick seemed too good to be true, but one can always hope.

    I may give the genius bar another go, but they weren't giving anything away on my last visit.

    I am in France, and there's a French law covering equipment with a "hidden defect" (vice caché in French), for an extra two years after the defect has been revealed. Short of the geniuses coming up with something, perhaps I'll give the French consumer association a go…

    If not, we'll just have to see if the outcome of the class action can help our case.

  • by BlazenMike24,

    BlazenMike24 BlazenMike24 Jan 22, 2015 5:21 PM in response to danimalapple
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 22, 2015 5:21 PM in response to danimalapple

    danimalapple wrote:

     

    Just turned on my early 2011 MacBook Pro with high res matte screen to find vertical green bars, mostly over any area that is black. This happened after a family member eas watching YouTube without a charger up to a shutdown from depleted battery.

     

    It boots up fine. I can use it without issue but the lines will not go away. I used gfxcardstatus to change to integrated, and it doesn't go away. The distortions are the exact same on both integrated and discrete.

     

    Does this sound like the same issue everyone else is experiencing? It seems odd that it would have the same issues on both GPUs.

     

    Prior to this I only remember a single unexpected shut down. I also tried an smc and pram reset with no changes. My machine has an SSD as its main disk In case that matters.

     

    I need this for work so not sure if I should go ahead and pay for a reball, if this is a different problem.

    That sounds like there was a GPU failure on shutdown, looks like the green vertical lines could have burned into the screen when it shutdown. Although I have never really heard of this happening before, very peculiar.

  • by BlazenMike24,

    BlazenMike24 BlazenMike24 Jan 22, 2015 5:24 PM in response to BlazenMike24
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 22, 2015 5:24 PM in response to BlazenMike24

    Try the hardware diagnostics test on it and see what comes up.

  • by danimalapple,

    danimalapple danimalapple Jan 22, 2015 7:06 PM in response to BlazenMike24
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 22, 2015 7:06 PM in response to BlazenMike24

    I dont think anything burned into the screen because the lines are dynamic. They change depending on the image currently on the screen. They are most visible over dark areas.

     

    I don't have access to an external monitor now (except my iPad via an app, but doubt that is a good test) but I'll try the diagnostics.

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