problems with amd gpu on early 2011 macbook pro

QTnewbie2 wrote:

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

I've still been running gfxCardStatus on my new logic board just to keep an eye on when it switches between cards - I'm not using it to force the computer onto integrated or discrete, but to monitor. What I've learned is that my MBP switches regularly, pretty much when you'd expect (video and other intensive graphic processes), but there are no glitches when it does. And I figure that if/when this board fails, I'll have a quicker understanding of what scenarios are causing problems.

Hi,

Am from Sydney, Australia. Got a MacBook Pro 15" Early 2011. Same thing happens to my mac, overheats, freezes, screen distorts, turns grey, then nothing, if unlucky, it will beep 3 times every 30 seconds. Had to turn it off by pressing the power button for 5-10 seconds. Wait for it to cool down before you can use it again. I hope Apple do something about this.

Thanks.

Hi

I am also from sydney facing the same issue. I have esclated it to fair trading and they have told me if they dont resolve I can go to the tribunal.

Let me know if you have done the same.

Raj

Any update on this issue? I hope Apple can issue a recall because I am seriously concerned about my MBP now even if it doesn't have an issue currently. Guess I am lucky but I might not be so much soon.

I just got back my laptop after the Genius Bar swapped out the logic board and the battery.

Installed SMCfanControl. What I want to know is what TEMPERATURES are too hot? Right now I'm at around 48º C. Seems fine. 2000rpm

Perhaps the techs vacuumed out this computer too to decrease the risk of overheating. I don't know .

So far so good but I've only been using it for 10 minutes. I did play some videos full screen. Ok so far.

Same problem was one year ago, local service fix it by heating up logic board (After 2 month waiting logic board for 17 mbp early 2011 - i am refuse to wait more). Day ago it split screen and make chaos lines in splited desktop with no cursor. reseted. Right now run on integrated gpu.

I call to local service again - 1-2 month and may be they find refubrished logic for 17-inch, Early 2011. price - 900$

What do you think?

I'm wondering at what temperature things will typically go wrong with thw GPU. I'll be monitoring my temperature with SmcFanControl.

Juhalo - sounds like you really need the 17" for the large screen size? That's the only reason Inwould dare touch this model again.

I'm also using a dual-fan cooling pad under this laptop.

I like it for antiglare and for 1080 resolution - minimal for work in design soft. Second hdd sure. Only good thing in retina mbp is Nvidia and hi-res but its glossy and no second hdd. Looks i am pushed to spend money fixin' current issue and wait for another sure.

I wonder is there any chance that apple fix problem?

Hi Raj,

Just a follow up.

Went to Apple Genius Bar on Thursday. The guy ran a diagnostics several times trying to find out what the problem is. Although it was obvious that the GPU was overheating, he didn't conclude it being the problem.

He told me that he will bring it in for further test and will call me back in 3 – 5 days. He said that if ever they will repair it, they will call and advise me before doing so and tell me first how much it will cost.

This afternoon, got an email saying it was ready for pickup. Was expecting they'll tell me what the problem is and how they will fix it and how much it will cost me. Went to Genius Bar, told the guy I am picking up my computer, showed my ID and waited a couple of minutes. The guy brought out my computer and told me that they replaced the logic board because the GPU was overheating. Was a bit nervous because they replaced the logic board without advising me. But was extremely surprised and pleased that they did it for FREE. Yes! for FREE! This really made my day. Who wouldn't? Though there's no guarantee that the problem won't come back, this will do for now.

Hope you guys get the same response/service from Apple.

I have a Macbook pro 15" early 2011 i7 Quad 2.3Ghz. Last week I was working with Davinc Resolve and the screen went black with blue lines. The computer never started up again, it freezes in the grey screen. Took it to genius bar and they tell me GPU is gone and I have to replace logig board for a hefty fee.

It's pretty crazy that so many people are having problems with this batch of MBPs and Apple still hasn't recognized that they ARE faulty.

Wrote a letter to apple to express my concern, hopefully they will be reasonable and fix this problem for free and recall all these faulty laptops. A 2400€ computer should not have a GPU failing after 2.5 years of use. I hope my trust in the quality of apple products doesn's get shattered by this.

noplug,

See also -> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?tstart=0.

Clinton

My MacBook Pro 17" early 2011 started today 2/4/14 sreen went black while online would not wake up and had to force power down Then on start up the apple screen popped up with a series of vertical stripes then gray screen then nothing else tryed a few more time reset pram that worked but then opening Photoshop I got a error message saying GPU or something like that was missing open picture then immediatly the screen went to all vertical stripes and again had to force power off Going to see genius tomorrow will report findings

Early 2011 i7 15" MBP

Ok just to update and add my two pennies in...

My Macbook gave me a weird greenscreen and the blue screen of death a few weeks ago.

Took it into the genius bar who denied all knowledge of GPU issue, which is miraculous considering these guys are meant to be Mac geniuses and I, and many other Mac consumers are all too aware of this issue, as are an incrasing amount of journalists and online Magazines.

They said they would call me once they knew what the issue was, and a week later I got an email saying my Macbook was repaired and ready for delivery with an invoice for £416.00!!??? Errrr, no.

Arrived at the store for them to tell me they replaced the logic board and it's resolved the issue.

I asked then what the specific issue was and they couldnt tell me!!!! I asked this second "genius" if the discrete graphics card was tested and he said we wouldnt test or replace that because its integrated, we just replace the board.

So I'm supposed to pay over £400.00 for a repair, they can't tell me what th issue is and they have no knowledge of the GPU issue, which is in fact a built in flaw, and there's no guarantee it won't reoccur with the new board that's likely built in exactly the same way. All with a very unreassuring 3 month warranty. Wow Apple, Premium product and service huh?

I told them I was unsatisfied and to reverse the repair and picked it up the following day.

When I got home read up on forums on my partners PC and tried the following trick;

Started up the machine in recovery mode / once you arrive at a blank screen or the blue screen of death and you hear the fans running close the machine and let the fans whir away for an hour or so./ Restart the machine, if you do this a few times you may get the chance to login in normally./ Before doing anything, go straight online and download gfx status/ you will then be able to manually choose the integrated graphics card and the computer will work in a semi normalish manner. switch to the dscrete graphics card, run some video or photoshop and see what happens. It's clearly the issue.

And I'm no genius.

The Macstore "geniuses" could care less about this. He told me a recall or extended warranty for a 2.5 yr old machine is highly unlikely so basically Apple for all intense and purposes are giving us the finger. I've had Macs for over 15 years, this is the most expensive Mac which has lasted the shortest amount of time, with the worst customer service.

I will not give Apple another £400.00+ of my hard earned money for them to offer me another fault embedded logic board that will fail again if I use the machine like a Pro wants to use it.

I'm going to run it like the until it dies, pay some money to get the GPU reballed/soldered and the thermal paste removed and when it finally dies, sell it for scrap and get a kick *** PC.

Unless there's a recall, I'm done.

The Post Jobs era has arrived people. It's a new day. I suggest we vote with our feet.

same problem. italy. it freezes and the screen goes black. when i try to restart it just make a buzz but doesn't start, while the white light is steady on.