problems with amd gpu on early 2011 macbook pro

Dear All,

I have been following the forum, and I too started facing this issue from Lion upgrade and though it was initially not visible but the problem started picking up from Mountain Lion and with the mavericks upgrade, it went worse in January of 2014.

I have done all the reset, NVRAM, PRAM, followed by SMC reset. When I took it to the authorized service provider the answer was logic board replacement.

I would advise to follow the iFixit sequence to resolve this issue.

How do we escalate this to Apple directly!!

Alright everyone... I have not myself experienced this yet, but I am rather concerned since I have a 2011 model. I have found that there is a rather risky DIY way of fixing the GPU yourself, without swapping the entire board. The problem seems to come, from the sothering of the GPU not holding together, and can be fixed with flux, or by heating the GPU until it loosens again, try shaking it in place, and letting it cool again (rinse and repead until success, like Xbox 360 red ring) There's a YouTube video of this here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti8LqIHMnlQ

This issue has been reported on by Appleinsider Macrumors and more, and is recieving more and more attention, so hopefully, more official solutions will soon come.

I am experiencing the same issues, so I just wanted to contribute my story in hopes that Apple will issue an official response the same way they did for the mid 2011 iMacs. With so many people experiencing this issue, it is not right for Apple to ask all of us for a $600 repair.

My screen glitches through out the day, but while frustratingit is thus far bearable. I hope it does not get as bad as some have reported. For me glitches happen at their worst after closing the laptop and reopening it. Often this results in a freeze - the screen glitches, the mouse sometimes work but everything is otherwise frozen - and I must perform a hard reboot.

This was an issue prior to Mavericks but it seems it happens far more often with Mavericks. Sometimes the glitches are localized to certain windows and momentarily leave by interacting with the window. When I have a secondary display, it glitches more than the primary but it happens whether or not I am using more than one display. It does not matter if the computer is running hot or cool, it can happen regardless of heat. It can happen if I am using programs such as Adobe PS, or if I am only running Safari.

I have tried various energy saving preferences, zapping PRAM, Killing troubled apps. All provide temporary resolution only to have the problem return with in hours or days.

So far the outlook isn't promising for us MBP '11 users. Several reports of people who went as far as replacing the motherboard for $600 only to have the issue reemerge. Other users reinstalling OS X, trying different OS all together, and still the problem presents itself. Some users even created a domain to document the issue - mbp2011.com - those who were offered a $600 repair thought it was so much they just abandoned the MBP and got a MacMini. Not good!

Apple, swapping the motherboard does not help. Reinstalling OS X does not help. Users reporting past firmware updates did not offer a solution. It isn't reasonable to ask so many customers so much money for a repair that can't seem to be fixed. Please stop charging for any repairs and find a new approach in fixing this issue.

Finally a mainstream media outlet is noting our problems. Get on there and comment to let them know how many of us a really suffering from this problem.

http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/mac/widespread-2011-macbook-pro-failures-reported -3497935/

How many users before just gave up their machines not knowing so many of us are suffering the same problem.

+1 same as you

Now there is some hope! Thanks for sharing Locomoceanuk

The same here in Sweden. MBP 15" (Early 2011) died yesterday. Went to the store today to see how much it will cost 😟 It doesn't look good.

same for me!

I bought this really expensive laptop the 15' macbook pro early 2011 , i am so desapointed at first it started to freeze etc..and it was harder and harder to turn it on without having anyproblem and now it doesn t go further than the startup with the apple logo...
If apple doesn t do anything i am never buying anything Apple anymore and i think we should all do that! this is really bad for the people who saved their money for a few months to buy it and then see that a few months later it breaks down...
Apple you desapointed me.

We should get the problem fixed for free even if we are not on apple care or apple should take back our computer in exchange of at least half of the price we paid.

Hi, I have an early 2011 17" with this exact same problem. It seems to happen when the computer has been on for 2 hours or more, when it gets sufficiently hot.

I took it to the Apple store yesterday - it was a very cold day - and after running a hardware test they go the computer to boot all the way again. They tried to tell me it was a software issue and the disk just needed a software repair.

But I wasn't convinced.

Sure enough, today the graphics issue is back. For some reason I'm able to run HARDWARE TEST myself at home. I read on the Apple site that those people with 10.8.4 or higher installed can't run HARDWARE TEST by simply holding the D key down. You have to boot up from the disk or usb key that came with the computer. But I downloaded Mountain Lion from the internet. I made a USB flash drive Mountain Lion boot but holding the D key down with that installed only results in a black screen.

So now I have to go back to the Apple store for yet another genius bar meeting.

What do I tell these guys?

I wish I had instlaled the GFXStatus thing that everybody's talking about. If I can get this to boot all the way again, I guess I'll install that as well as fmcFan Control. But I hear that's not a foolproof solution .It seems these machines are just screwed. Or will new Graphics Cards fix the problem? I'm beyond frustrated.

Does someone have a link for Apple feedback that will guarantee this issue will be heard?

I totally understand your frustration. We are all in the same boat and being shut out of any resolution. I have called Apple Care and filed a report and also Apple Customer Relations and filed a formal complaint. I was assured that the complaint would be taken seriously. You should do the same thing. Maybe if more users voice their issues we will one day have a solution. I also filled out the feedback form at http://www.apple.com/feedback but I doubt that will be heard. Even less likely to be heard is the email I sent Tim Cook. HA HA. Hey, I'm trying guys.

Anyway, everyone should join us at our 189 page and counting thread here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=0&tstart=0

My own and countless others stories can be seen there.

Not only early 2011's are affected.

My Late 2011 MBP 17" with AMD 6770m is showing the same symptoms. Apple recommended to replace the logic board for $500+. I am one month beyond the warranty. Purchase date was Dec 11th 2012.

I went back to the Genius Bar - well, a different one - and this time they said they'd replace the logic board.

Luckily, I'm under warranty

So we'll see.

I wonder if I should still get GFXCardStatus and smc fan control when I get this back.

Hi,

I bought my Macbook Pro late 2011(2,2. 4Gb ,AMD 6750, 512MB) from Italy one year and eight month ago. If I correctly understood about the italy warranty , It is possible to repair my mac(change MB) with warranty (2 years). Is it correct?

Sorry for my english.

Thanks

With your mac's serial number you should be able to find out if you're still under warranty. Contact Apple support and tell them the number.