MacBook Pro 2011 17" hard freeze

Same problem, and some of the other problems described here also.

Maybe you allready did, if not, check it out:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=0&tstart=0

Most problems are caused by:

"It's the mechanical stress caused by heating/cooling cycles, making it expand and contract.

Breaking the "glued" connection, like the head-in-pillow photo posted."

Wrote that here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=1995&tstart=0

Same happens to gameconsoles like xbox 360, PS3, laptops (pc/windonws).

Even the new Xbox One and PS4 fail on it.

hankthewes wrote:

Adding fuel to the fire here. Early 2011, AMD Radeon HD 6750M, problem "fixed" by keeping it on integrated graphics. Intend to go to an apple store tomorrow. Seeing as this is page 142, this seems like a pretty clearly widespread problem... so screw you just a little bit, Apple.

This one is 146 pages allready.

The 142 page thread is there:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=2115&tstart=0

Another 15 here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4637833?start=210&tstart=0

Makes a total of 303 pages of problem reports.

Probably more to find.

I do 3D renderings so I feel your pain. I'm not just browsing Twitter everyday. I need my machine to work for the reason I bought it. I can't afford to bandaid it by totally hamstringing the GPU.

Also, I found this thread with others experiencing the same issues. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=2805&tstart=0

Check it out and post there as well. We need Apple to get the message.

I am sorry. Saramwrap is correct. I did confuse him with someone else. The guy in Germany who got his GPU reballed is hnrk, who poseted above sramwrap on this discussion page. 🙂

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2768351?answerId=23360430022#23360430022

Strawberrybacon,

Since you've the 15" model and not the 17" model - the title of this thread - you may want to look at -> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?tstart=30 - describing the various problems that 2011 models are having with the GPU.

I had to have my logic board replaced because of this issue - I have AppleCare so it didn't cost me anything - but others have not been so lucky.

Take a look at the thread cited and add your name to the growing list of those having similar problems.

Clinton

Hi you all. Like most of you, I had this problem with my 15" early 2011 MPB. I actually was able to reverse the problem by changing the thermal compound (I posted about it here), but the fix wasn't definitive; after a few weeks the problem came back, so I just kept using the computer by forcing the use of the integrated GPU with the GFX card software. The computer worked this way for a few months more, but one day it couldn't boot anymore. White lines appeared all over the screen as soon as I powered it up, and the boot process couldn't finish.

At that point, I just gave up and moved on (actually bought a Mac Mini).

However, in december I decided that I wouldn't loss anything by going with the last resource: reballing. Of course I was afraid of it but I had a two thousand dollars, useless brick laying around so it wasn't like I had another option (the cost of a new logic board is about the same of a new laptop around here).

So, I took the time to look for a reliable shop here in Venezuela that could do the job and found one. They charged 2,500 bolivares for the job which is really cheap for bringing back the computer from death (these laptops, used, sell for 70,000 bolivares). The guy I talked to said they couldn't make any promises but the success rate was high, and sound professional and knowledgable over the phone, so I was convinced. They actually explained me that even if they could use lead solder, I should choose lead-free solder again, because it would deliver better working temperatures.

To make it short: I'm typing this from the once defunct, two thousand dollars brick, which has been working just fine for a month or so. As they promised, the lead-free solder is somewhat cooler (even with the discrete GPU it runs well below 60's under normal use, and around 40's with the integrated one).

If somebody needs the contact information of the shop, I'll be more than glad to recommend it. They're located in Caracas (Macaracuay).

Best regards!

Some links we can show when apple is telling us this is not a widespread issue… is a "feeling"… (this is what they told me on the phone by the way… that I have the feeling that something was wrong on the fabrication process…)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2011mbp/

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4637833?start=435&tstart=0

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2768351?start=2010&tstart=0

http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/10/14/apples-2011-macbook-pro-lineup-sufferi ng-from-sporadic-gpu-failures

https://www.facebook.com/MBPDiscretegraphics

http://www.macrumors.com/2014/01/17/2011-macbook-pro-gpu-glitches/

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/apple-in-the-enterprise/internet-reports-sugges t-possible-2011-macbook-pro-graphics-issue/

http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/timothy-d-cook-replace-or-fix-all-early-20 11-macbook-pro-with-graphics-failure

http://www.cultofmac.com/262861/early-2011-macbook-pros-dropping-like-flies-heat -issues-blame/

http://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/1lt38x/discrete_graphics_cards_in_2011_ma cbook_pros_are/

http://www.mbp2011.com

http://www.mactrast.com/2013/10/owners-early-2011-macbook-pro/

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/suddenly-bunch-early-2011-macbook-pro-own ers-running-video-problems/#!7EKx8

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/a-bunch-of-sour-apples-stem-from-2011-macbook -pro-glitch.html/?a=viewall

http://www.fudzilla.com/home/item/33702-more-gpu-failures-on-macbook-pros

http://tidbits.com/article/14385

EEaudio08, in my experience (mine has had 3 logic boards fail), the failure has nothing to do with user processing load. The overheating appears to be a result of the failure. It might boot after PRAM SMC resets and letting it cool down for 20 minutes. The problem does not originate from the disk, because a disk from a crashed 2011 MBP will boot another computer if transplanted into an external enclosure. When I put the drive in an external enclosure or got mine to boot, verify permissions on the disk with Disk Utility revealed the GPURestartReporter file had the wrong permissions. Repairing permissions didn't solve the crashing problem though. (5th photo here i7 MBP 8.2 AMD 6750M 2011 Crashes, Red Horizontal Lines, won't boots)

As far as I can tell, there is no official word of the cause of the failure. So it is best to make it Apple's problem. Depot repair is $310, which is less than Apple Care. The genius had mine 'fixed' three times at Apple Depot repair. The warrantee period is 90 days from the last repair attempt, and time resets with repairs. On the third repair the Apple Store Manager refunded the $310, telling me the 90 day warrantee will continue, telling me he knows I need it to work, that I might put the refund toward another computer. I got a MBP Air without GPU. I had bought a Mini on the first repair. The 2011 MBP has been working a year so far. I also bought a new power supply for it to try to stop the cycle of failures. On the last repair, more than the logic board was changed, including the bottom case.

Good luck.

All of the current model Apple laptops now use Intel integrated graphics, Intel Iris on the larger screened laptops.

http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/macbook-pro
http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/macbook-air

You are right Side_Step_Society. Thanks for the more accurate info. I'd like to think Apple has realized an extra BGA for GPU might not be worth the risk.

EEaudio88, you are also right. It isn't the RAM or HDD, I tried swapping those. You can see my pain filled thread here with pictures of snow like you said. I was using another computer to keep doing disk repairs and had another disk with OS X installed that I'd cyclically swap. The problems recur, and also seem to corrupt the disk. This wasn't a problem I could fix myself with different RAM and HDDs. On the first repair the Depot Repair put 4GB RAM back in. And I never used any other RAM on the 2nd replaced logic board. That one destroyed itself within a day. If I were to guess something external to the board, I'd think power supply or case. However, the case looks very well designed. Someone on the MBP 2011 Facebook page guessed LCD cable. These are all things better to be made Apple's problem by taking it to an Apple Store Genius. Re: i7 MBP 8.2 AMD 6750M 2011 Crashes, Red Horizontal Lines, won't boots

After 3 logic boards from depot repair, my MBP 2011 has been working for a year with 16GB RAM, 500GB SSD, and new power supply I bought a year ago. Just got a new battery last week.

I hope you backed up. The crashes and heat can't be good for disks. You will probably have to use the Disk Utility to repair the disk. If the $310 depot repair seems better about now, take it to the AS genius. A cheaper MB Air to keep you working might be cheaper than a therapist. Good luck!

My 2011 MBP 17" had been working fine until last weekend. Started with the "hard freeze" - mouse pointer just stopped moving on wake from sleep not doing much. Then problems with booting locking up on blue screen from internal/bootcamp/external drive. Seemed to recover enough after SMC reset and zap PRAM to behave normally at least for a while.

Apple Hardware Test not working at all on my machine (refurb shipped with Lion installed). Did boot succesfully once trying to run AHT (hold "D" during boot).

Genius confirms Video System Test failure (message says "see TP585 in GSX") and my machine is eligible for the warranty extension program.

So this is the really big thread:2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Ok, so I received my computer back - finally, after 8 days with Apple/3rd Party Provider - and they have replaced the following items:

• Logic Board (this is the second time)
• Track Pad (said it was slow in response)

I have had the computer back for a few days, but have not fully tested its functions to try to 'crash' it. Before, I was using CS5, and that pretty much crashed the computer every time with very basic functions in Photoshop and Illustrator. I will load it on my computer shortly and put it to the test. So far, everything is running well. No issues. When I am not using the computer I have had it on and on 'sleep mode' (without shutdown) since I've received it back, and I haven't had the issue of the computer Kernal Panic.

Unforturnately, I am still skeptical and wary of the situation, and still think there is a larger issue at hand that Apple needs to address. I had to make many trips to the Apple Store, and they had the computer two separate times for a total of 12 days - not including shipping days, which was an additional 4 days total.

My advice is to keep pressing the Genius Bar reps and to make sure they are at least doing tests other than hardware - like OS and Flash tests, etc. I'll keep checking the board for further discussion.

Cheers and good luck.

Hi,

I have the new MBP 15 inch

• 2,2 GHz quad-core
  Intel Core i7
• 8 GB 1333 MHz
• 128GB SSD disk
• AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1 GB GDDR5 memory

. High performance Laptop at least on the paper.

I am having trouble with programs that freeze up/runs slowly and sometimes crashes.

I have called apple support and they tolded me to reinstall the OS and try to install one program at at time and test it.

I did that, first Microsoft office. Tested Powerpoint and it still runs slowly and crashes. After that I installed Civilization V, the same thing happend to CIV. I installed perian for quicktime and my .mkv files lags and sometime crashes.

I told Apple this and they tolded me that this is a software issuse and refused to give me a new machine/take a look at mine. No way that this is an software error. Theese programs run fine on my mac mini!!!

I am so fed up with apple now, that I will never ever buy a apple product again!!!

According to the Everything Mac Manual p. 73.

Notice: Failure to follow these handling instructions could result in damage to your MacBook pro or other property.

Operating Environment Operating your MacBook Pro outside these ranges may affect performance:

• Operating temperature: 50 to 95c (10c to 35c)
• Storage temperature: -4c to 113f (-20c to 45c)
• Relative humidity: 5% to 90% (noncondensing)
• Operating altitude: 0 to 10,000 feet (0 to 3048 meters)

Same for me .. i also could do this terminal command ... 20 times .. only fans going crazy but no freeze at all.

I got my appointment to change the logicboard at apple store at 27th of september ... :-( no earlier appointment possible .-. i´ll reply as soon as i can.

you can try this to reproduce it also (works for me)

• start mbp
• use it normal -- firefox etc. - but don´t terminate the progs
• close mbp (standby)
• open mbp and play a game with a graphical need for the "real" graphic-card (for me WOW) - quit game (terminate the programm)
• close mbp (standby)
• open mbp - start itunes and connect your iphone /ipad with the usb of your mbp
• for me everytime --> FREEZE (after itunes recordnize the ipad/iphone)

Sometimes i just get the freeze before itunes recordnize anything - and then - i often have to hard-reboot it twice.. because after the first reboot and starting itunes with ipad/iphone connected it freezes again. Then i have to hard-reboot it again.