2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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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I'm afraid I see nothing about hypothetical there, perhaps you and your friends need to study this document more. There are also some interesting points in those terms of use as regards to behaviour though..

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?

Charles Houghton-Webb wrote:

… so if I get your gist, you're saying that every system since 10.6.7 has been deliberately crippled… ?

On boot, they would therefore check to see if the computer is a 2011 (2012,2013) model, and if it corresponds the the given criteria, sabotage the system, but leave it alone for any other machine… ?

If this is really the case, they will also have to incorporate this "feature" into every future system update, until the given machines are no longer supported by the system version !!

This is admittedly possible to do, but if I had to implement this sort of hobbling, I would do my utmost to go the firmware route, unless it were impossible to do it that way. It would be done once and for all to the targeted machines, and you wouldn't need to come back to it! Doing it in the system software would make no sense…

As posted on Apple website :

The Mac OS X 10.6.7 Update for MacBook Pro is recommended for all early 2011 MacBook Pro models. It includes general operating system fixes for Mac OS X Snow Leopard that enhance the stability, compatibility, performance, and security of your Mac, including fixes that:

• Improve the reliability of Back to My Mac
• Resolve an issue when transferring files to certain SMB servers
• Address various minor Mac App Store bugs
• Address minor FaceTime performance issues
• Improve graphics stability and external display compatibility

See this article on how to verify the authenticity of this update.

For detailed information on this update, please visit this website: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4472

For information on the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

Note: This update is only for 2011 Early MacBook Pro computers.

The regular OSX 10.6.7 update doesn't mention anything about the last point "Improve graphics stability and external display compatibility"

Since 2011 Macbook have the AMD GPU and other Macbook are on NVIDIA I guess they just cripple the AMD driver software to run the GPU cooler. That would be very easy to do and no need to verify which system your computer have on startup just verify once on the update install and thats it.

If there is any third party GPU driver software for MAC OSX we could possibly confirm if the Apple driver is indeed under clocking the GPU to maintain temperature in the safe zone.

Sorry to learn that your MBP has been rejected for the repair program despite being one of the eligible models and experiencing video problems. As I said, my late 2011 MBP 17" also did not immediately fail the test when the tech examined it at the Apple Store in Basel, Switzerland. I told him I had an appointment elsewhere and would leave the machine there. In an effort to complete the test before I left he began rubbing the hinge of the clamshell above the keyboard and below the MacBook Pro name. By the time I left -- I estimate that the test had been running for fifteen minutes -- the unit still had not failed, but the tech noted with smug satisfaction that the temperature was indeed rising. He made out a work order and had me sign it. When it arrived by e-mail a note next to the description of the problem indicated that it had been verified at the Genius Bar. I don't know whether the note was on the work order that I signed or was added later, i.e., I cannot say for sure that the until did fail the test, since I did not witness it.

I notice a paucity of useful suggestions, how you should proceed. I suggest making an appointment at the Genius Bar, preferably for a time when it is not likely to be crowded, and starting all over again. In the meantime, try to take pictures of the problem. The tech assigned to your case might be more inclined to give your machine a helping hand in failing the test, as mine did. If not, and he refuses to accept it under the terms of program, ask him to explain your options for having it repaired. Be sweet, charming, and burble that you're inclined to accept the offer to have it repaired, then allow him to fill in the work order, BUT DON'T SIGN IT YET. Ensure that the problem description bears a startling resemblance to symptoms described here (http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/), then ask him whether Apple will refund the cost of repair if it simply exchanges the motherboard. I think this is a legitimate question. After all, under the terms of the program Apple is refunding the cost of repairs made to machines which might also not have failed the test applied to yours, and there's certainly something absurd about having to pay for the same solution to the same symptoms that Apple is presently relieving for free, just because your machine is a bit reluctant to flunk a test. Maybe he'll appreciate the absurdity and accept to repair your MBP for free. If not, show your willingness to work with Apple towards a mutually acceptable solution. Emphasize that you just want your dear, beloved MBP repaired. If it fulfills all the formal conditions for a free repair but somehow doesn't qualify for the free repair program, well, you're just out of luck, and heck, that's life, no? But be firm about your legitimate expectations:

• You do not wish to pay for Apple to repair a problem that others are getting repaired for free. So, since your machine is exhibiting the same symptoms as theirs, you expect Apple to find out and document what is causing them in your machine. If the cause turns out to be the same as that for which Apple is fixing other machines for free, you expect a free repair.
• If the cause is different and the motherboard is nevertheless exchanged, ask whether Apple couldn't consider meeting you halfway by only charging the labor. After all, the new motherboards have already been produced. Therefore, any that are not used only save the company labor. By the way, my pro forma invoice for the repair shows that the motherboard costs CHF 581 and labor only CHF 39.
• And if it should turn out that both cause and fix are different, the cost of repair will probably be lower than the full price of exchanging the motherboard including labor.

I hope this helps.

You seem to have the same problem as "redon2" (read his story thus far beginning at the top of pg. 843): the Apple Service Provider. Are they using the same tests as the Apple stores? And just what are Apple's tests determining that makes one "affected product" (see https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/) that is displaying the "symptoms" named in the announcement of the repair program eligible for the motherboard exchange and eliminates another? Why not follow the steps in the announcement for the mail-in repair process, the first of which is to contact Apple? Ask Apple about the test that will be made when the repair center receives your MBP, specifically, whether it is possible for an affected model that displays the described symptoms to pass it, and if so, whether that might not merely mean that the test is not very good at detecting the problem until it occurs so regularly that working with the machine becomes impossible, not just inconvenient-

Instead of trying to destroy the MBP by stress testing it while wrapped in a blanket, why not use it normally and document what you do with it and how long it takes before the video issues appear? When they do, take photos of them. When you talk to Apple, be sure to mention that you have photos and, in your opinion, they and the fact that your MBP is one of the models "affected" qualify it for free repairs under the program, regardless of what the diagnostic tests say. If Apple disagrees, let them try to convince you that something else could cause the problems that you are experiencing in a model that is known to be affected, other than the cause addressed by exchanging the motherboard, as is done in the program.

As "rdbrwn" pointed out, by trying suffocate your MBP while stress testing it, you could damage something else. Don't forget two things:

1. Although officially Apple does not monitor these discussions, in fact that does not mean that they do not occasionally "lurk".
2. If there are indeed other causes of video issues similar to those being addressed by the repair program, and if one those is the root of your machine's problems, then by stress testing it in a blanket until it not longer turns on you may just cause other problems in addition to the one you already have. I also seem to recall that someone reported taking his MBP that would not boot to an Apple store, where it booted without any problem repeatedly ... and also failed to fail the diagnostic test.

Good luck.

See my reply at the top of page 859, last paragraph, items 1 - 5 for answers to most of your questions. If your machine qualifies for the repair extension program, then the repair is free.

To qualify it must:

1. Be one of the models mentioned in the document https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/.
2. Be having one of the problems described in the same document.

The serial number check just tells you the model, so it only helps you to determine whether you fulfill the first requirement. The check of the second requirement is performed where you take your machine for repair. They hook it up to a diagnostic program. Your machine fulfills the second requirement if it fails those tests. Sometimes, a machine seems rather reluctant to fail the tests, so be prepared to have yours pass the test at the very worst moment: take pictures of the video problems occurring and take them with you to the Apple Store or the Authorized Service Provider. In many, if not most cases, those photos have been accepted as proof of the problem.

Good luck!

Hey guys, just wanted to update you on my experiences again:

February 23rd: MBP started showing signs of the GPU failing. Attempted a reflow. Everything worked great until this fell out.

February 24th: Took the MBP to the Apple Store here in Phoenix, AZ (Arrowhead). They sent it off for flat rate repair. Ships overnight.

February 25th: Repair Depot reports repairs are complete, overnights it back to Phoenix.

February 26th: Apple sends me an email to come pick up my Macbook Pro. Here I am at home typing this up.

So despite having taken a heat gun to my own board and frying it, Apple still replaced the logic board for $329 ($310 + Tax). So far so good, though later tonight I'll still take it apart and look at it. I want to replace the thermal paste.

Early Macbook Pro 2011 w' matte screen. Original OS, only updates have been RAM to 16GB.

Replaced Ram back to original 4GB, ran all trials - same problem.

Daily Photoshop & After Effects work.

Same Kernalling Issues varying levels of broken displays (a few attached).

Out of Warranty.

This has happened to three of my machines now, 2 Tower G5's (2005 & 2008), each 1-4 months out of old apple care warranty, each one's HD or boot disk failed, the second Tower, apple technician couldn't even diagonose what the problem was, each one had to be recycled due to the expense of the parts to replace and not be guaranteed a fully working machine)

I've already switched to an Android Phone, but the actual work machine isn't quite as easy to do with Software etc.

Purchased: Bondi Apple Store, 2011.

Another Failed Apple Product...!

Sad to say that I have also joined the growing number of individuals with MBP's plagued with this issue.

The machine I have now is the MBP (15", early 2011, i7, discrete AMD 1GB). The laptop worked great for the first year or so but in the past year I noticed that there were times when I would get the dreaded "spinning beachball" lockup which required me to do manually power-down and restart. I didn't think much of it at the time but after doing some research online, it seems like it might be related to the issues I am seeing with the laptop today.

Just to give you a little background, I use OSX as my primary OS and maybe use Bootcamp to run Windows 7 Professional maybe about 10-15% of the time. When I run Windows 7 using Bootcamp, I would notice that the machine runs a bit warmer, the fan is on more frequently, and the battery life is shorter. I figured this was due to how Bootcamp works (defaulting to the discrete GPU and not allowing the switch to the integrated GPU). When I use the machine, it is typically elevated on a computer stand to allow for adequate ventilation.

Here is where I am now seeing issues. I recently tried to run Windows 7 using Bootcamp and saw the screen show (as I can best describe it) discoloration and distortion. I thought that there may have been something wrong with Windows 7 and shutdown to restart using OSX. When I booted with OSX, I saw (as I can best describe it) banding, distortion, flickering, and screen shifting. I also noticed a few times where the screen would go completely dark during use, or where the display would remain dark during start-up even though I could hear the laptop running. This was a few days ago. As of yesterday, my machine is stalling at a grey screen (for OSX) and a complete black screen (for Windows 7 via Bootcammp).

No Applecare for me--did not expect a pro/premium laptop to die out in less than 3 years. With the growing number of incidents, I hope that Apple does the right thing as a company to stand behind its products and offer repairs or replacement.

I mentioned before that I initiated an online support chat with Apple. The advisor I worked with indicated to me that this is a known issue but that I would need to bring in my MBP to the Apple Store so that they can run a specific diagnostic test to see if it is indeed the GPU issue.

When I got to the store, they said they would run a diagnostic--you can see the picture I took below. As far as I can tell, it is a generic diagnostic--the only thing they told me was that I have 3rd party RAM installed but that there were no issues with it. They said the test didn't mention anything about the GPU issue (even though the "genius" indicated he could see there was clearly an issue). I asked them to look at the transcript from my online support chat which says there is a specific diagnostic for this known issue, but the "genius" said he knew of no such thing for the 2011 MBP.

Had same problem 6 months back !! had to pay for the repair.. then i asked my friends to not to buy crappy macbook's as the quality is very cheap and the cost of repar is too high.. gave my friends enough proofs and 2 of them bought a Dell !! I saved them from cheaters like apple !! I think you guys should stop people from buying such expensive laptops with so poor life !

My MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011) was broken 2 days ago.

Boot in Recovery mode:

The authorized service provider in Thailand called me today.

They told me that I need to change the logic board which cost about 30,000 THB ($924)

I am worried that after logic board replacement, I will run into the same issue, and need to change the logic board again. Any one got better idea or suggestions?