2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

jimoase wrote:

Charles Houghton-Webb wrote:

I know of a MacPlus that's still running after 27 years ! Should that represent the life expectancy ? Probably not, but who is to judge ?

Look like these?

They are all operational and were part of the work force at a local newspaper until 2007

Yup ! … Well like the one on the right anyway! On the left is a classic, and I think the middle two are SEs 😉

The one in the bag could be a MacPlus too, judging by the keyboard. The other keyboards and mice are later models.

Ahhh… the MacPlus… the computer that brought me to Apple when I was learning programming on a PC under MS-Dos!

Charles Houghton-Webb wrote:

jimoase wrote:

Charles Houghton-Webb wrote:

I know of a MacPlus that's still running after 27 years ! Should that represent the life expectancy ? Probably not, but who is to judge ?

Look like these?

They are all operational and were part of the work force at a local newspaper until 2007

Yup ! … Well like the one on the right anyway! On the left is a classic, and I think the middle two are SEs 😉

The one in the bag could be a MacPlus too, judging by the keyboard. The other keyboards and mice are later models.

Ahhh… the MacPlus… the computer that brought me to Apple when I was learning programming on a PC under MS-Dos!

Good eye. From left to right: Classic, 1meg Plus, 1meg Plus, 1meg Plus and the old fellow in the bag 512K

So what is at this moment the status of the Apple refund program? I have a MBP15" bought in CO (even though I reside in Italy) in March 2012, a little after two years it broke after the graphic board issue, I can still turn it on, access data via firewire target mode but can't access login window, it definitely is one affected by the "problem", what does it happen now, will I get a repair (which I think not the case since all logic boards carry the same issue) or a refund? I read proof of buy not required, at this link (which works on and off) my MBP is recognized having a valid purchase date, what should I do now and what to expect out of this?

****, that was quite a powerful machine, updated with 16GB RAM it was quite a monster 😢

Thank you

rennyz27 wrote:

jmc53 wrote:

Hmm they should have just issued a complete refund. They sold consumers a total lemon and they know it.

But how can they issue a refund for work that you paid someone else to do? I understand what you're getting at with the whole 'lemon' thing but it just doesn't make sense from a logical standpoint.

This is why I didn't repair my MBP till I heard some official word from Apple. I moved on and bought a Mac Mini with the same processor as my MBP. The 6 month wait was excruciating but at least everything is clear now.

I meant a refund on the particular Macbook models...not third party repairs. There is no permanent fix for the GPU problem. It is a design flaw and the same issues will spring up again in the future after the laptops are "fixed" by Apple.

ella70 wrote:

So, does that mean we can use an extra monitor again? My eyes go crossed looking at stuff on the MBP screen, it's so small. My back aches from bending over to read fine print.

After 3 hours of running 11 movies, google Earth, iPhone slide shows, online broadcasts and doing disk repairs, etc this is what the widget iStat is reporting

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D3us wrote:

jimoase wrote:

There are two graphic processors units (GPUs) because Apple is trying to deliver a higher performance machine. When the 2011 MBP came to the market it was faster than previous big box Mac Pros. To accomplish that feat and have better battery life besides Apple installed two GPUs. One for light lifting and one for heavy lifting, if needed. In effect Apple was repeating what Intel did back in the 386 central processor (CPU) days, they were adding a math co-processor. Only in this case the math co-processor also had a video driver section that could also be switch in and out.

Agree with most of what you wrote, but a small correction.

Apple dit not "install" 2 GPUs.

1 Is integrated in the CPU, "Intel HD Graphics"

They only added the AMD as extra for mentioned purpose.

We might be splitting hairs here. I think there are separate chips for the CPU, the Intel GPU and the AMD GPU. Here is what steers me to think that:

They have distinct names and operate on different bus structures. An internet search will probable find separate specifications and maybe individual pictures. I have seen specs for the AMD GPU and Intel CPU. I have not looked for the Intel GPU.

My son works for Intel and when I mentioned my graphic problem his first comment was something about probably a problem with an AMD processor. This is when I first had the problem. Neither of us had done any research at that time. My son is involved with database network solutions so he is not associated with hardware engineering.

<Image Edited by Host to Remove Personal Information>

jimoase wrote:

D3us wrote:

jimoase wrote:

There are two graphic processors units (GPUs) because Apple is trying to deliver a higher performance machine. When the 2011 MBP came to the market it was faster than previous big box Mac Pros. To accomplish that feat and have better battery life besides Apple installed two GPUs. One for light lifting and one for heavy lifting, if needed. In effect Apple was repeating what Intel did back in the 386 central processor (CPU) days, they were adding a math co-processor. Only in this case the math co-processor also had a video driver section that could also be switch in and out.

Agree with most of what you wrote, but a small correction.

Apple dit not "install" 2 GPUs.

1 Is integrated in the CPU, "Intel HD Graphics"

They only added the AMD as extra for mentioned purpose.

D3us ... you are right... the Intel GPU is a separate chip die mounted within the same chip as the CPU die. Found a picture of a different CPU with a the GPU we are discussing as an example. Thanks for pointing that out. Poor day when you can't learn something ~ Vance Grannis, So St Paul, MN

I'm getting an odd occasional graphical glitches on my 2011 MBP. It only happens for a split second and only glitches one or two windows but not the entire screen. I wonder if I qualify for the new motherboard considering the machine works most of the time?

Below is a pick of the type of glitches I get. In the background window. The problem only started after I upgraded to Yosemite from Snow Leopard.

miscend wrote:

I'm getting an odd occasional graphical glitches on my 2011 MBP. It only happens for a split second and only glitches one or two windows but not the entire screen. I wonder if I qualify for the new motherboard considering the machine works most of the time?

Below is a pick of the type of glitches I get. In the background window. The problem only started after I upgraded to Yosemite from Snow Leopard.

I had exactly the same thing, both only showing up on Firefox and Thunderbird windows, after upgrade to Yosemite. In the mean time, my logic board also seriously failed and has been replaced. I just checked on my 2011 machine and it happens even now with the new logic board (from before the start of the replacement program, so one of the old batch).

miscend wrote:

I'm getting an odd occasional graphical glitches on my 2011 MBP. It only happens for a split second and only glitches one or two windows but not the entire screen. I wonder if I qualify for the new motherboard considering the machine works most of the time?

Below is a pick of the type of glitches I get. In the background window. The problem only started after I upgraded to Yosemite from Snow Leopard.

I reproduce:

Swiss_G wrote:

I've highlighted the soldered SDRAM in the red rectangle in the image below.

Deception... as a sales tool.

This revelation has increased the resale value of the last MBP with upgradable memory and decreased the resale value of those with soldered in memory.

This revelation could affect the evolution of OS X and associated software if prospective owners decide freedom of choice is more important than joining the herd with the shiniest new toy.

What is the last year of valuable MBPs?

Speida wrote:

Can anyone with a working system make a list of all the AMD files they have in the /System/Library/Extensions folder?

Since I had to remove them twice I don't want to miss any of them!

Thank you!!

Perhaps this will help:

Just picked up my repaired MBP 2011.

Removed bottom case and made photo of LB. It looks brand new. I doubt that it could be cleaned so much. And if you check glue around video ram and glue around screen chip it is different. Video ram also looks different or from new revision. But for sure it is the same board. Maybe it is soldered with lead (it is possible, coz lead is still allowed for repairs), but I would say that lead solder would shine a bit more.

So far so good. On idle I get less than 40°C. One day I will check also thermal paste job. I dont remember anybody from this or some other topic that had problems with video issues if repaste at the begenning.

andysbrandy wrote:

Hi gman can you provide a photo or Screenshot of your writing- thanks

Sure, here it is ...

Here is the text version (for easier translation options):

Gisteren bent u om uw Macbook Pro gekomen die hersteld was voor het videokaart probleem.

Met uw vraag welk logicboard het is dat er nu in de Mac zit.

De technieker kan met zekerheid vertellen dat er een nieuwe in zit en geen „refurbished”.

Dit logicboard is aangepast zodat dit geen videoprobleem kan geven zoals ervoor.

Hopende u hiermee voldoende geïnformeerd te hebben.

rdbrwn wrote:

Just picked up my repaired MBP 2011.

Removed bottom case and made photo of LB. It looks brand new. I doubt that it could be cleaned so much. And if you check glue around video ram and glue around screen chip it is different.

It looks just the same.

The failing ones also had the glue.

In fact, they better shouldn't do that. It's totally useless.

To get a better idea, need pics of other side with heatsink.

And heatsink removed and chips cleaned.

This is one I repaired last year, has the glue too: