Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

54 points

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

13,550 replies

abelliveau Author

Level 1

54 points

Mar 2, 2013 3:14 PM in response to cyberdude3k

cyberdude3k, I am curious to see what the Apple Store says in your situation. That may be a different problem, though.

On my end, I just picked up my MacBook Pro. It took about 6 days for the repair (dropped it off last Sunday, picked it up this afternoon). I ended up replacing the logic board and the battery (which wasn't really holding much of a charge anymore).

While I was in the store, I tested the graphics card. Using gfxCardStatus, I can now switched between integrated and discrete and the computer no longer crashes! Woo! When using the discrete card, the screen does take on a *slight* blueish tint, but it is not nearly as noticeable/strong as before. It is hardly noticeable.

While I was in the store, I installed the two available firmware updates (one pertaining to the bluetooth drivers, and the SMC update). Rebooted, and again - everything seems good. I can switch between graphic cards (or leave it on dynamic switching) and everything is working smoothly.

The repair comes with a three month warranty, so hopefully if anything is to go wrong, it will do so within that time frame! But it does look like replacing the logic board fixed my problem.

Mar 2, 2013 3:53 PM in response to abelliveau

Sorry for the delay, they are going to replace the Logic Board again and see what happens.

I will try to post again once I get my laptop back

One thing I did notice was, when I got my laptop back, there was a thunderbolt 1.0 and smc 1.7 smc update available, I was not worried about the upgrade so I did do that and then from then on I felt the problem started.

On Friday there was another update for smc available and the version was still 1.7. On further investigation I found out that my laptop was suppose to get a 1.7f6 upgrade and my system showed I had 1.7f3. I did mention this to the apple support and he said it might be a firmware that was already in the logic board causing the detail version be a tad different.

Below is the link where I went to check what version on SMC I am suppose to have.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1237

Neshill

Level 1

10 points

Mar 3, 2013 6:02 AM in response to wilersonoliveira

Well my Macbook is still working, I'll let my guard down after two more weeks of normal work.

The first time they soldered it, they were more careful but not thorough, and hoped it would do the trick. This time, they said they really soldered it in, and it was only because the only alternative was to change the whole logic board, and this is a cheaper option to consider before going the other way.

abelliveau Author

Level 1

54 points

Mar 5, 2013 8:06 AM in response to Neshill

After a few days with the computer:

1) The discrete graphics card is still working.

2) The "blue screen" issue *does* still persist. After doing some more research, this is due to the combination of the dual-graphics cards and their interacting with the SSD. Basically, as far as I have read, the computer loads too quickly for the color profiles to be properly loaded, so when dynamic switching is enabled, one graphics card uses the proper profile, but the other one doesn't - hence the shift in colors. The "fix" for now (in quotes because it is not actually a fix at all) is simply to log out and log back in. Then the color profiles seem to load correctly and the computer can switch between the two graphic cards without a shift in palette. WEIRD!

Neshill

Level 1

10 points

Mar 5, 2013 8:18 AM in response to abelliveau

Yeah, that's actually a well documented issue. I never had it (although I do have a SSD). Maybe because I built one in myself?

Anyway, good to hear it's working fine. Mine is working good so far as well.

A question: Did you ever feel like your macbook heats up too much and makes way too much noise? The service guys commented on how my macbook produces more noise than they would expect it to (even when doing mundane things like loading websites)

abelliveau Author

Level 1

54 points

Mar 5, 2013 8:56 AM in response to Neshill

Maybe! The SSD I am using is one direct from Apple (installed by them when I bought the computer). I hope your solder fix continues to work for you. We tried that on our launch model PS3 (the heat sink wouldn't stay soldered on), and it did help for a few weeks/months, but then would require resoldering. After doing that two times, we decided to get a slim 😉

As for your question: nope, the fans on my MacBook rarely come on. When they do, they are fairly quiet. I wonder what is causing your heat/noise issue there?

Mar 5, 2013 9:05 AM in response to Neshill

My Macbook heats constantly and the fans are almost always at 6000+ RPM. Then again, I'm often using a fair amount of open tabs in Chrome (20+) and sometimes, performance-heavy software, like VirtualBox.

piparone

Level 1

0 points

Mar 5, 2013 10:11 AM in response to abelliveau

The same problem started 2 days ago for me,...

I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro (2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 memory) running OS 10.8.2.

My temporary cheap solution for me was, deactivate the discrete card, using gfx card status...

I really hope i don't have to replace the logic board, i'm out of warranty.

Too many users are having the same problem,

APPLE MUST DO SOMETHING!!!

aryx281

Level 1

10 points

Mar 5, 2013 9:53 PM in response to piparone

i had same problem with my MBP 8.2 ( same with you)

did you had change your storage (upgrade to bigger size Hardisk or change it with SSD ) ?

because some threat on this forum diagnosing because change their storage.then apple punish with same critical error.

BTW i had upgrade my 500GB toshiba HD with 1 TB toshiba HD, it seems well until 1 month ago.

IMHO its too curious for judging it because firmware,but this apple systems, its totalling different than windows system.

thanks

Neshill

Level 1

10 points

Mar 6, 2013 3:28 AM in response to aryx281

Apple will not "punish" you for replacing components inside your mac, you just have to make sure they are compatible, and an hour of googling will settle that.

I encourage everyone with this problem to contact Apple in their country (unfortunately I don't have an official Apple store here). Apple needs to register a critical amount of issues to take any action on this.

Mar 6, 2013 2:41 PM in response to abelliveau

My late 2011 MacBook Pro (2.4 GHz Intel Core i7, 8GB memory) shows the same issues, as mentioned in the first post, after installing the latest SMC Firmware Update.

As long as it only uses the integrated Graphics Card (I use gfxCardStatus) it runs fine - but shortly after switching to the AMD Radeon HD 6770M, the problems appear (I think mainly after a higher CPU usage) .

I looked up if the correct SMC and AFI version is installed: the EFI version is correct (MBP81.0047.B27 (EFI 2.7) but the SMC version is 1.69f4 (and not 1.69f3).

I tried to install the MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 2.7 (which is linked at http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1237 for the MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011)) but only shows the alert "This software is not supported on your system."

I would be glad if someone knows another fixing methode - since I'm currently travelling through New Zealand and the next authorised service providers are more than 550km away, I have to continue using the integrated Graphics Chip only - but that's defenitely no long-time-solution!

Neshill

Level 1

10 points

Mar 18, 2013 5:21 AM in response to abelliveau

An update on this:

I just had it happen again, albeit differently. The distortion was vertical (and on my connected screen), and it locked up my computer. A restart helped.

Apr 19, 2013 9:45 PM in response to abelliveau

Guys, same problem here. I'm on a Macbook Pro (early 2011). I've been testing and eliminating potential issues for about two weeks now. After downgrading to Lion after running Mountain Lion (thinking it may be firmware related) I busted that theory. I've put my wife's HD drive (not SSD) into my machine and would get the same result with the graphics card so I know it's not the SSD.

Basically it boils down to a terrible soldering job on the chip - a manufacturing problem. Applying enough heat to the chip to basically flow the solder fixes the problem nearly instantaneously, but once it cools and you use it for a couple of days, the problem arises again. So it's definitely a hardware issue.

It seems enough people are having issues with this that Apple should be covering these replacements. After owning a premium machine for less than 2 years, you wouldn't think that a logic board problem that seems so widespread would be acceptable to the top brass at Apple. I've owned several Dells in the past and never had an issue like this. I wouldn't be so upset, but Apple always promotes their superior hardware and we all pay that premium price to use it, then it fails.

If I can get it to boot up again, I'm going to try the gfxCardStatus deal to see if I can use the lovely integrated chip for a while.

Neshill

Level 1

10 points

Apr 20, 2013 8:16 AM in response to JBlackmon

Sad to hear that. I've had not many problems since they soldered it in better. Occasionally it locks up, but after a restart everything works fine. Not too happy, but also not keen on spending money for Logic Board replacement. I secretly hope Apple acknowledges that there are issues and issues a replacement program for logic boards.

Cheers and good luck 😟

Neshill

Level 1

10 points

Apr 29, 2013 4:20 AM in response to abelliveau

As an update to the situation, my Macbook Pro is still locking up every few days, but a couple of minutes and restarts clear it up. Not ideal, but hey.

2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card