MacBook Pro (Mid 2010) crashes continuously

Hi All, i am having the same issues with my MBP i installed gfxCardStatus and by switching to Intel Graphic card it works fine.

I took my MBP to a genius bar explainand what was going, computer got scanned and ive been told they know of the problem and my options are 400$ to replace the logic board on the spot or 310$ to send it out to a third party!

He told me that my mbp does not qualify for the free replacement, my serial number did not much one of the models that are affected.

Which clearly should. 😟

Looks like NVIDIA has released new drivers for Mountain Lion on Oct 1, 2012. NVIDIA GeForce supported products for this upgrade include the GT 330M which is in my Mid-2010 MacBook Pro. Here is the link to download the drivers: http://www.nvidia.com/object/cuda-mac-driver.html

I've installed this new driver and will post if my machine crashes. If the crashes don't occur for the next few days, I'll post that the crashes have stopped for at least a few days. Has anyone else installed this driver to see if that solves the crash problem without having to return the machine to APple for hardware replacement?

I finally fixed my MBP by changing LB. its the only solution, You don't need drivers, or wait for mirracle..

I went to my Official Apple Service provider (we don't have Apple store here), and after one week, phoned me and told me that after they ran a test, it said (Replace Logic Board), they sent repair request to Apple, and ... it was DECLINED!!!! and they told me to call Apple on free phone and ask why..

Apple cc agent said they see on the system that result of the test is not related to Nvidia (They have Logic Board replacement programm) and code wasn't covered under this programm and it was rejected.. I said that I don't agree, problem is in Nvidia and it crashed same way as to thousands of ppl. She called some other guy and that guy agreed that LB will be replaced for free.

So now I have perfectly running mbp. and no more headache ...

Hope it will encourage some of you... 🙂

After installing the NVIDIA driver my machine ran 5 days crash free, then crashed. So the driver did reduce the crashing on my machine but did NOT solver the problem.

Last Thursday I made an appointment at the nearby Apple store, an hour later they confirmed the problem and ordered a replacement logic board. The board arrived late Saturday morning so I dropped my machine off and picked it back up around noon on Sunday. So far no crashes! Hope this fixed the problem.

I'm trying to decide if I should leave the NVidia drive installed or not. I installed 5.0.36 to see if it solved the Mountain Lion crash 3 or more times a day problem. Hopefully the logic board replacement resolved THAT problem. Now I see from the CUDA Preferences panel that nvidia has released 5.0.37 for the Mac but I can't find any release notes about this release.

Hi,

I'm writing from Italy.

I have a Macbook Pro 15" buyed on July 2010.

I had the black screen problem some months ago.... Initially i solved with gfx card status.

Then I arrived to have 10-15 kernel panic every day.

Last week I booked an appointment on Apple Store and the Genius did the video test....

Red screen "Video Failed"

They changed for free the logic board.... I DON'T have the apple care program.

Thank you for this topic that made me able to find the TS4088 issue.

Hi everybody,

I just had the awful privilege to experience those factory defect wonders you were talking about. The problem started after installing Batman Arkham Origins on BootCamp running Windows 7. First, I thought it came from the game or the drivers. I contacted Nvidia to hear what they had to say about this intermittent black screens. After trying few tests, the tech told me that the problem may come from a defective graphic card. He told me about the Apple Quality Program. Of course, the program had ended in 2013…

I went to the Apple Store and asked them to run the tests and sure enough they told me that the graphic card was out and that I needed to change the logic board. I told the tech about the program but, as I anticipated, he told that the program expired. I kept my cool and call 1-800-MY-APPLE right in the store and they basically told me to go f*** myself. I got back home and called Apple once again. This time I got lucky and I had my problem covered for free! (I bought my Macbook Pro in July 2010). So I went back to the Apple Store and had my logic board changed in 24hrs!

The only thing is that the problem got actually way worst! So I came back, they apologized and redid the repair. Now it’s my keyboard backlight that isn't working… I brought it AGAIN to the Apple Store and had the reparation for free.

I’m currently waiting for the new keyboard to be shipped to them.

The total cost of my repairs should have been 556 + 556 + 290 = CA$1402! I didn’t pay for anything except my subway tickets 😎. So I hardly encourage you guys to call them and politely insist. Be nice and appreciative, and they’ll surely want to help you out.

I’m very happy on how this finally turned out. Apple customer service is excellent if you know how to go the right way about it.

Hello

I am the owner of a Macbook pro 15'' (mid 2010) bought it early 2011. Crash problems started mid 2014 and took it to Mac service location (this is how they call them here in Greece) late 2014.

Diagnosis: logic board problem. Solution: replacement of logic board. Cost: 635,29 euros

I contacted Apple (by phone) to ask them what to do and how to handle it and even though the period of "free of charge" of 3 years was finished they paid for the total amount of the repair.

Have my mac since 2 weeks now and it works perfect!

I want to give big thanks to Apple for this. They were not obliged to pay for it but they did it anyway. They told me it was an exception cause i've been a client since many years and own many products of the company. (crosscheck of product serials etc had to be verified during our communication)

Again,

Thank you Apple

and thank you Georgia for your time and effort in solving my macbook problem

ciberdiego wrote:

What did you do?

How did you solve it?

Thanks!

I followed the instructions from the post 2 above mine by szmatchy:

"szmatchyNov 2, 2015 2:03 PM Re: MacBook Pro (Mid 2010) crashes continuously
Re: MacBook Pro (Mid 2010) crashes continuouslyin response to Mal0y

I'm running MBP Mid-2010, and I've had this problem for several weeks now. There would be very random black screen reboots of the machine. I've tried this solution today, and it seems to be helping (no crashes yet).

1. Install gfxCardStatus 2.1 (https://software.com/mac/apps/gfxcardstatus/2.1). Set it Integrated Only. Then go to Preferences > Advanced and check "Restore last used mode at startup". Also, check "Use power source-based switching" and select Integrated for both battery and plugged in. This will force your mac to use the video on the motherboard, reducing the chance of gpu crashes. Make sure to use version 2.1 or earlier.

2. Install nVidia CUDA for Mac (http://www.nvidia.com/content/DriverDownload-March2009/confirmation.php?url=/Mac /Quadro_Certified/7.5.21/cudadriver-7.5.21-macos.dmg&lang=us&type=Other)

3. Upgrade to El Capitan and make sure everything is latest.

Also see -

GPU Panic - OSX 10.9 Mavericks - Macbook PRO 6,2

Good luck."

Hi guys,

Good news, I just came back from the Apple Store in Clarendon in the Washington, DC area. The store manager took my laptop and agreed to fix it for free. It's a MacBook Pro 2010 15 inches Model.

Just like the other folks, I was denied at first, but after two hours of back and forth, I managed to save 310$ for a free fix.

And here is my story.

I came on set at 5:40pm right before my reservation at the Genius Bar of 5:45. Waited for about 15 min and all stuff seemed busy, there were two people waiting before me. When finally one guy came over to me said he will do a diagnosis, it took about 5 min and I coukd see from my screen that my hard drive and ram showed yellow color signs, which indicates that these parts are not originally from Apple. Then I explained to him I upgraded my hard drive and ram and didn't think they were the causes of the restarting issue, he agreed. Then he ran a graphic diagnosis, which of course showed a big Failed sign, so big that i could see it from the door. Then The guy explained to me that there was currently no available programs for me to fix it for free, and the cost of fixing it need to be out of my own pocket which was $310. At this point, I used the argument from the other people on this forum, saying it was a defected product from Apple at the beginning, it doesn't matter how long I've already passed my warranty, Apple should take care of it since Apple sold me a defective product and apple acknowledged it that's why there was a repair program for it. Of course the manager came, And then after saying the same thing to the manager, The manager put me on a phone call with AppleCare customer service, I had to fill out a form to provide my name and my phone number, and the AppleCare center called me right away.

I explained to the Apple care center representative that the store manager asked me to call blah blah blah, I was told the same thing by the service center , there was one disagreement between the manager and the service center , the manager agreed that my laptop was one of the models that was eligible for a previous repair program which already expired, while the representative on the phone told me there weren't any programs related to my MacBook pro model . Then the representative said he would call the store to confirm this information. after another 15 minutes wait on the phone, The representative told me that

because the manager gave me wrong information of saying my laptop model was eligible for one of the programs (which I think it's just a way of blaming other people ), the store was going to be responsible for the cost. The representative left a note for the store manager because the manager wasn't available when he called , I was told to find the store manager and ask her to check the Notes after the phone call. At this point I wanted to point out , if you're looking for the manager you need to keep asking the other stuff to get her , because all the stuff over there would pretend to be busy, I asked three stuff in total to get the manager out again from the office , after a short conversation , she said it wouldn't make any difference if she called back the representative for the misunderstanding, and she said she will have someone to grab my laptop and prepare it for sending it to repair center. At this point I knew that It was a success.

Long story short , go to an Apple store and keep telling them that it was Apple's fault to have a defective product , The customers shouldn't be paying the fix, if they keep telling you there's no current program available , just ask them where or who you could complain to, they will either get you a manager or a customer representative , Apple seems to be pushing the customer satisfaction so as long as you show that you're not happy with their service they're going to give you something, after all we have a good reason to argue. At the same time keep cool and act ignorant, if you go crazy you lose. My tips of doing so is to think that the stuff you are talking to is making $14 per hour, you're doing better than that, don't let their snobbish Apple attitude intimidate you 😉

$300 is not a lot but I think it is worth it to fight for, Apple already made enough money so they should be responsible for these kind of costs Lol

and good luck!

Since I don't have my laptop right now I typed these on my phone, couldn't wait to tell you guys my story.

MacBook Pro 15" mid 2010. Shut down failure. Crash GPU panic issue. VST fail

Only way to fix Mac Book Pro 15 Mid 2010 by software is older

gfxCardStatus 1.8.1(download site: https://software.com/mac/apps/gfxcard... or whenever you find it)

don't try newer versions !!!! it will no work. Then install gfxCardStatus 1.8.1. in menu check mark: Intel Only. in preferences, check mark:Load gfx.. at startup. and. Restore last used mode at startup

It will never shutdown but it will never use nvidia graphic card

In case anyone needs the proof of the previous program for this model, here is the link MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) intermittent black screen or loss of video Quality Program has ended - Apple Support.

Download gfxCardStatus... Folks will tell you to download any version before 2.0 but I've been using 2.3 with no problems. Set the application to "Integrated Only" and just keep an eye out for any time the program notifies you of a switch to the "Discrete" or "Dynamic" graphics mode. Its a pain sometimes if the program won't let you switch back to "Integrated" without closing an application but you can just open most applications back up and the graphics won't switch.

I decided to search the net for a solution and found that most threads, including this one, recommend downloading the NVIDIA CUDA Tool kit. I couldnt tell if the latest one would work but I gave it a shot and nothing broke (thankfully). Decided to switch GFX to dynamic mode and see if the panic attacks come back

I really wish Apple would just fix our issues once and for wall. My logic board was replaced in 2011/2012 after I took it in but the problem came back with each OS update. I didn't use my macbook pro for 2-3 years cause of the crashes and only discovered GFX last spring. How sad that I cant bill Apple for the years this macbook pro sat useless.

Good luck:

What I experience is:

My Macbook crashes if I use Chrome, Quicktime.. all the time!! they make force restart. Firefox works 'longer'

But when I plug second screen (monitor) Macbook works just fine. for hours and hours. I browse, play games... This is strange!

Resetting PRAM and NVRAM, uninstalling Flash player didn't help.

Hopefully update will be soon, otherwise I'll have to downgrade to Snow Leopard as I did with Lion.. that helped a lot.. I almost had no Crash..

Thanks pieralex- you are my hero!!!!

I visited the Apple Store (Barcelona) earlier today, they ran the video test which only took a few minutes and the result looks like the attached image below. If your test result looks like this, this is your ticket to a free logic board replacement!

Update: Last month I took it back, it was crashing so bad it was unusable. they hooked it up for tests and they couldn;t even test it, it crashed on them. LB was replaced free and it is running great now.