2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

I have modified and updated from my last posting. I hope this helps and saves others time in getting to the conclusion, which is… NO FIX! :-

I thought I should add my two pennies’ worth to the great dGPU debate or what I have become accustomed to calling my macLife crisis (the stress and anxiety my early 2011 MBP has caused me is not quantifiable). I am a struggling self-employed designer from the UK currently residing in Sweden and I am exclusively dependent on my early 2011 17” MBP for my livelihood.

I should start by saying I've been an ardent Mac customer for 20 years (I’ve spent small personal fortune on Apple products in that time) and I am writing this from my trusted 2003 PowerBook G4 17" running OS X 10.5.8, slow but it works. Up until 2011 I used this PowerBook as my workhorse from morning to night 7 days a week (running CAD and modeling software). I have owned various Macs since 1994 and all outlived their functionality (that is why I have never bothered with Applecare), hence my decision to part with large wad of cash in my next investment, which I purchased from the Swedish online Apple Store with the following spec:

• Model Name: MacBookPro
• Model no: A1297
• Currently running: OS X Mavericks (Supplied with OS X 10.6.7, this version was installed when first logic board failed)
• Processor: 2.3GHz quadcore intel core i7
• Memory: 8GB
• Hard drive: 750GB @ 5400
• Disp: 17" with antiglare
• SMC Version (system)
• iGPU: Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor
• dGPU: AMD Radeon HD 6750M, 1 GB dedicated GDDR5 memory
• Keyboard: Swedish
• Purchase date: 26th March 2011 (or 34months old, less 1 month repair time)
• Paid: 27,545SEK (4,317USD or 127USD a month)

At this point it is import for me to highlight that I am a very cautious individual. I have been very meticulous with the administration of and general upkeep of all my Macs to help eliminate any mishaps. Since the first day I received my MBP I have had it propped up on a cooling pad (purchased from Apple store) to ensure adequate air circulation to prevent overheating and plugged it into a surge protector. In fact, I move this machine maybe twice a year (when traveling to and from summerhouse an hour away), it has remained stationary (akin to desktop) for most of its life. All of which only compounds my frustration. Also, as work has been scarce (lack of Swedish) I have never really had a chance to work this machine the way I did my PowerBook. I would say I use around 15hrs a week (even less still post logic board replacement) for mostly admin stuff (nothing that I can think of that has pushed the graphics performance).

From day one this MBP crashed at least once a week, compare this to my 17”PB which crashed 3 times in 7 years, amazing. Then the first major incident, on starting the MBP one morning the apple logo came up and then suddenly disappeared as if going into sleep mode. As the keyboard lights were still on and I could still hear the processor cooling fans I assumed it might be a display problem, so I shone a LED lamp through the apple logo (behind display) and I could see the login window. I managed to connect an external monitor and the innards worked fine. As I live on an island (5 hrs by ferry and coach from Stockholm, 1 direction), an Apple Genius Bar was not an option (I don't think we have one yet in Sweden anyway), but luckily I found an Apple Authorised Service Provider 20mins away. They ran some diagnostic tests and found some faulty fuses that had something to do with the displays background lighting (‘Felet ligger i backgrundsbelysningens säkring på moderkortet’, make of that what you will). After some haggling they managed to convince Apple that these repairs had to be carried out at their expense due to Swedish Consumer Laws, which requires 2 years guarantee on all electrical components. This resulted in the following:

• Logic board replaced: 25th Aug 2012
• Display assembly replaced: 25th Aug 2012 (or after 17months) 7550SEK or 1183USD

Incidently, I was told that if I had to pay for this it would have cost me 20000SEK or 3135USD. Since this repair I have been even more cautious with it (I hardly switched it on between Dec 2012 and Aug 2013) . Seven months later my hard disk died (hence the crashing):

Hard disk replaced: 19th March 2013

I had read about the AMD GPU problems a week or two ago and thought to myself ‘luckily I have a new Logic board in mine, this won’t affect me’. How foolish do I feel now? On the 25^th January ‘14, having 'shared to file' a 10min home movie (low res) in iMovies, it suddenly appeared, the dreaded black screen. I then forced shutdown and got the grey screen on restart. I tried booting from the recovery disk but got a deep blue screen instead. I then shutdown and tried a number startup functions which I have learnt over the years. These included the following:

• Boot from Disk2. I have my disk partitioned [700-50GB] so that I can run a copy of OS X 10.6.8 for old software) Grey screen also!
• Reset NVRAM.
• Reset the System Management Controller.
• Start up in Safe Mode (Press Shift during startup, temporarily disable login items) resulting in deep blue screen.
• Start up in Verbose mode (Press Command-V during startup).

All of the above had no impact. The next morning I tried booting again and it worked. I quickly did a time machine backup and then, having read this now infamous discussion group (2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card, https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=0&tstart=0), I downloaded and installed the ‘gfxCardStatus’ app and set it to integrated only. I also deactivated the Automatic graphics switching option in the energy settings for both Battery and Power Adapter (switching seems to be the instigator here). Later in the day the problem reappeared, this time instigated by the Display sleep option, which I later set to ‘Never’.

By Tuesday I was permanently stuck in the dreaded grey screen (in my case things have deteriorated very quickly). I had by then discovered the following options:

• Booted in Single-user mode to check for possible file system issues (/sbin/fsck -fy). All seemed fine and still no joy!
• Booted in Single-user mode again

/sbin/fsck –fy (repeat if modified until OK)

mount -uw /

cd /System/Library/Extensions/

mkdir DisabledExtensions

mv AMD* DisabledExtensions/

(I am no programmer and have never done this before)

This managed to devolve my Ferrari into a Trabant, it thought I had an external screen connected (blue tint to everything) and I couldn’t change this in the system preferences but I was finally able to zero my private files, music, photos, etc so that I can eventually hand it in to the same Apple Authorised Service Provider.

Having done this I now decided to delete the ATI extensions from Disk2 (running OS X 10.6.8) and hey-presto! I could now boot from Disk 2 with much better graphics performance. My guess is by preventing switching between the 2 GPUs the system is much more stable.

Yesterday I decided to try and reinstall Mavericks (OS X 10.9.1) on Disk1. After 20 or so blue screens (repeatedly force-shutdown/reboot) I managed to boot from the recovery disk. After a successful install I did the same with Disk 2 (OS X 10.6.7). Logged into Mavericks installed gfxCardStatus again and prevented switching in sys pref, I left it running for an hour or so, then clicked on the Safari icon and BLACK SCREEN! Today I installed Maxon’s CINEBENCH R15 (precision performance testing of processors and graphics cards) and got a OpenGL reading of 35fps. Repeated this test and… DARK GREY SCREEN!

I have now spent the best part of a week perusing the web and trying things out to find a feasible solution, preferably endorsed by Apple, but nothing, not a dickey-bird. I have found plenty who have paid a lot of money for a new logic board only for the problem to reoccur either immediately or progressively, but return it does. This would make sense as, I am guessing, the logic boards they are installing were manufactured at the same time as the ones in our MBPs. Other clever individuals have managed to bake their AMD Radeon Chip with a hairdryer (I guess this closes fractures in the solder), resolving the problem for the short-term (pushing owners out of guarantee/ Applecare time), but this is way beyond something I would dare.

I am a layperson when it comes to the complexities of computers but the following questions need to be answered by Apple:

• Has the performance of the AMD Radeon Chip been tweaked through the various OS X revisions causing it to generate higher temperatures? This may be why some feel the lead-free solder is failing (if it is). Hence some Uber techies who are reballing. I’ve certainly noticed a lot more animated gestures, such as when you log in.
• Is there a problem with the performance of the lead-free solder. I also wonder if great temperature shifts would exacerbate such a problem.
• And my last question may be really stupid, but would it be possible to reduce the performance rates of the dGPU so that it generates less heat? This might help before the logic board is replaced.

I’m not really expecting Apple to answer these because doing so would admit fault, but I am hoping an old-timer at Cupertino may advise us anonymously. One thing that is very evident is that Apple Inc has been very quiet! I am really none the wiser as what to do. We really need Apple to look in to this and come up with a viable economic solution (they’ve had over a year to do this). Changing the logic board prior to this would be futile.

I was hoping next year to invest in a Mac Pro but now I am just paranoid it will end up being a very expensive waste paper bin (might go well with my new expensive paperweight).

Sent from my 2003 PowerBook G4

(Because it works and my very expensive 2011 17” MacBook Pro doesn’t)

I see a lot of people here are still asking if Apple will fix this issue free of charge. At this point, Apple doesn't recognize this issue, so we need everyone here to help bring it to their attention.⚠

ℹ

1. Take your MacBook to apple for diagnostics testing

   This could take up to a few days, so be prepared

2. Once you've gotten the test results back, if it is a logic board issue, call Apple and ask to speak to someone in Customer Relations.
   1. Go to this link for a list of support numbers --> http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57
   2. Tell the Customer Relations rep about your issue. If you give them the model number and the location you took it in, they will be able to look it up and confirm the problem. If enough Customer Relation reps hear about this, there's a chance Apple will finally recognize this issue. If Apple finally recognizes this issue, they should reimburse anyone who already spent money on repairs, and will make it free for anyone with this issue moving forward.

This is going to require a team effort to get this rectified. Everyone that can, please help us get this issue noticed!

jamesfromnorthampton if you choose to have your logic board replaced, in case Apple launches a replacement program in the future they would give your money back (I was told this by the guy at Apple who phoned me yesterday). In your case I believe the best thing is:

1. Make sure someone "important" at Apple is informed about your issue. When you go back to the store you could ask to talk to the manager or make sure they communicate this to someone in Apple Headquarters: this is a common problem and we want Apple to know it. The previous answer by Hal Feldman has very good advice.
2. Keep your receipt for the repair and stay informed about Apple replacement programs (http://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/). In case Apple launches one you would need to contact them to have your money back (so the receipt would be required, I guess).

Hi MBP users,

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

cheers

Hi MBP users,

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

cheers

More and more I am convinced, that this issue with GPU on 2011 MBPs is not just in bad solder under GPU.

What about solder under CPU, what about SMC chip and Vcore chip?

Please read post from jensgoehler here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=1815&tstart=0

He had problems also with those chips. I got reballed GPU once and next time under warranty (6 months) replaced GPU with new one and both fixes lasted for a bit more than a month. Second time I didn't get warranty due to some problems with logic board.

Servis center: MJ-Ccmputer, Wuppertal, Germany

Starting in Verbose mode, I get very similar to this:

SMC::smcInitHelper ERROR: MMIO regMap == NULL - fall back to old SMC mode

SMC::smcInitHelper ERROR: MMIO regMap == NULL - fall back to old SMC mode

SMC::smcReadKeyAction ERROR: smcReadData8 failed for key B0OS (kSMCKeyNotFound)

I think, these 2011 MBPs are total junk for more than 2000$, BUT HOW WOULD YOU KNOW UNLESS BUY AND TRY.

AMD started to produce new series of faulty chips, wonder why. And when asking seller what about this new chips: "they do not overheat as much as old ones..."

I am tired of reading this discussion, I am just getting angrier every time.

And to share with you my observation about switching to discrete.

Snow Leopard switches to discrete when:

• open Chrome
• open InDesign (CS6)
• open Illustrator (CS6)
• open Photoshop (CS6)
• in Safari when streaming videos
• sometimes just randomly

Mavericks:

• open Photoshop
• open InDesign
• Logic Pro X

Yosemite (PB):

• I get graphic glitches only to switch from one state to another (gfxCardStatus)
• didn't try to install any programs yet

And I use gfx v2.2.1 - it allows to have always on integrated (on battery or Plugged in)

Hi 15-inch MBP late 2011 owners,

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

cheers

Hi 15-inch MBP late 2011 owners,

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

cheers

Hello everybody. Even though it is nice to have some people to share our frustration (and advice) with, I believe that in this moment what we need is to report to Apple every affected 2011 MBP, and this can only be done through an Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Center. Posting on this forums is not a reliable reporting method (Apple won't give credit to it and, even though it is clear there is a big problem, it is also clear that this is not a reliable method of knowing how many people are affected by the issue).

I am going to paste an old post I wrote in this thread 4 months ago with some suggestions:

• Make sure someone "important" at Apple is informed about your issue. When you go back to the store you could ask to talk to the manager or make sure they communicate this to someone in Apple Headquarters: this is a common problem and we want Apple to know it. A previous answer by Hal Feldman has very good advice (pasted below too).
• Keep your receipt for the repair and stay informed about Apple replacement programs (http://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/). In case Apple launches one you would need to contact them to have your money back (so the receipt would be required, I guess).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------

This is a very helpful summary by Hal Feldman (posted 4 months ago), kudos to him:

Issue Facts

1) This is NOT software related.

2) This is an issue created with many heating/cooling cycles of your MacBook Pro that results in deterioration of the solder holding the discreet GPU to the logic board.

3) This is a design flaw since the machine produces more heat than it can reasonably dissipate.

4) Users who tax their machine on a regular basis are more likely to expose this design fault than those whoa re casual users.

There is a piece of software call (gfxCardStatus) that IF YOU CAN BOOT your MBP can be used to try to force the integrated graphics and avoid the issue from occurring. HOWEVER, if you use an external display with your MBP, you are ALWAYS using the discreet GPU and therefore can't use this software. Also, the integrated graphics card much slower and some software won't operate (correctly) when forced to used the integrated GPU.

Apple's only official repair is a replacement of the logic board. This will give you a "fresher" set of solder points, although some suggest these boards are refurbished.

Third-parties will offer reballing (REPLACEMENT of the solder points) or reflowing (re-melting of the solder points). Both are likely better "repairs" than the logic board swap (because so many users have mutilple swaps and failures), HOWEVER, Apple will likely not support machines that have been altered by others.

While this thread is an excellent exchange of information, it is MORE IMPORTANT to create a case with Apple and get a case # with your machine's serial number attached. Apple is "investigating" and can only use officially registered cases to decide on a more global course of action. P.S.- The Apple Store Geniuses are the first line of defense and are at a pay-grade below where this issue is being investigated. If you go to the Apple Store, BE SURE TO CALL OR EMAIL INTO APPLE CORPORATE, so that the case is escalated and tracked.

Hi MBP users,

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

cheers

Hi MBP users,

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

cheers

JKKiang wrote:

Anyone with the same GPU issue, appreciate if you can add value to your complaints by doing the following. Unfortunately, Apple does not monitor this forum.

1. Call Apple Care Contact Apple for support and service
2. Point them to this thread. Ask them why Apple is keeping quiet on this known issue?
3. Get a case number and inform them to follow up with the on-site/certified Apple service provider.

They "should" offer a sound/amicable solution.

Believe me, Apple does keep an eye on this forum, but not from a viewpoint of offering service. Also, Apple knows about the radeongate, but expects to survive by ignoring it. And, yes, they should offer a solution, but they will not, as it will cost money they would rather sit on.

<edited by Host>

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MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program for Video Issues

http://www.apple.com/fr/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

Apple has determined that a small percentage of MacBook Pro systems may exhibit distorted video, no video, or unexpected system restarts. These MacBook Pro systems were sold between February 2011 and December 2013.

Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will repair affected MacBook Pro systems, free of charge. See below for details on affected models and service options.

As of February 20, 2015, the repair process will be available in the U.S. and Canada. In other countries, it will be available as of February 27, 2015.

Symptoms

An affected MacBook Pro may display one or more of the following symptoms:

• Distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen
• No video on the computer screen (or external display) even though the computer is on
• Computer restarts unexpectedly

Products affected

• 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models manufactured in 2011
• 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina models manufactured from Mid 2012 to Early 2013

According to mbp2011.org....

• Apple has started a repair program for all 2011 MacBook Pro computers experiencing this issue.
• Mid-2012 through Early-2013 MacBook Pro computers are also covered for a similar issue.
• Money spent to repair these computers (for graphics-related issues) will be refunded by Apple.
  
• The "repair" is to swap out the logic board with a new one. Apple is claiming that the new logic board is different and was designed "with this issue in mind." Whatever that means.

They were told the logic board is different. Is there any way to check if this is so after the repair?