2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

@ iFrodo

Thank you, there are still some people here with common sense and knowledge of huge international companies. But I'm very disappointed about all those naive "we have to write an eMail to Tim Cook" guys here, do you really believe the eMail goes through to Tim? Have you never heard something about SPAM filters? The best you can hope for, is that Tims assistant is forwarding these mails to the tech department.

The far more efficient way is to contact Apples Support or file the problem here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

Beside of that, I got the impression that many of those "write an eMail to Tim Cook" guys are not even affected by the problem, the just like to miss-credit Apple. I hardly believe they even have a MacBookPro, because as I went through this thread, those peoples didn’t publish any pictures or Log-output, they just post something like "me too". How should Apple investigate in this matter without any facts? A "me too" is not helpful.

Actually I did write an email to Apple too, but not to Tim and I did not tell them what they have to do (Replacement Program), they knows best whats to do.

And I got yesterday an answer:

Dear XXXXX,

Thank you for your email. We appreciate your comments on the MacBook Pro.

Apple is committed to providing a positive experience for our customers through the use of our hardware, software, and Internet offerings. Feedback such as yours helps us determine areas of opportunity as we continue to grow our business.

Please be assured that Apple values the time and consideration that you invested in your email.

Best regards,

XXXXXXXX

Apple XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

So you all can be sure that Apple knows about this thread, By the way, what do you think why has Apple set up this Discussion Forum? They are constantly checking these entries, thats the reason, now and then some of the entries are disappearing, e.g. those with Tims eMail address in it.

Enjoy your 

@ Ilja

Hi Ilja, here you can get some help:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5545999

If you are using an OSX older than Mountain Lion, you have to put an additional command after step 7:

Type mv ATI*.* _temp and ENTER

Instead of wasting time an go to the AppleStore, you can file a Bug Report here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

Enjoy your 

@edevera - interestingly, Apple's SMC Firmware Update page points to version 1.69f4 (SMC 1.7) as the latest for "MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)" / "MacBookPro8,2". However, when you follow the link:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1633

The page states "MacBook Pro SMC Firmware Update 1.8" and "This update is recommended for MacBook Pro (mid 2012) models." ⚠

Not sure if this has something to do with the problem. Also, the "Late 2011" model, which neraly has identical specs except for the CPU bump (I believe) has completely different SMC version.

@Swampus- I wonder if you can shed some light based on your experience with the survey.

Cheers.

-hq

@ zjc11

zjc11 wrote:

I don't hear the power-up sound but the HD is on.! i hear the sound and feel the warm temperature in my computer. i don't know what can i do, i can't work anymore..

Press and hold the powerbutton for five seconds, the MacBook should then turn off. wait until the computer cools down and then follow the instruction here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5545999

If you are using an OSX older than Mountain Lion, you have to put an additional command after step 7:

Type mv ATI*.* _temp and ENTER

You can also file a Bug Report here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

Enjoy your 

nudoru wrote:

FWIW - after an Apple Store Depot replacment of my late 2011 logic board, the SMC version is the same as it was before - 1.69f4. Still working fine.

Weird, your firmware doesn't look right for the late 2011 model. This is the number for the early 15" 2011 model.

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

Funny how the 1.7 Firmware (which my mac is running) seems to have vanished off the firmware updates page

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

http://www.tuaw.com/2013/02/12/apple-releases-macbook-pro-firmware-update-to-fix -battery-issues/

eimerz wrote:

can anyone get the 'fix' back up? seems like I'm getting an 'unauthorized' page!

Hi eimerz, I'm the one who set up the 'FIX' thread. Unfortunately the 'Apple Support Communities Staff' did remove the thread with the comment, it is violating the terms of the Use Agreement:

Recently you made a post to Apple Support Communities that discussed inappropriate activities. We have removed your post titled "Solve a MacBookPro 2011 Graphics Issue," which is included for your reference below.

Please take a moment to read your post as well as the Apple Support Communities Use Agreement at https://discussions.apple.com/static/apple/tutorial/tou.html. We encourage you to use these forums as a resource, however we insist that you keep your post within the terms of the Use Agreement.

Best Regards,

Apple Support Communities Staff

But you can find all the infos also here in this thread, you just have to dig through it. My tip for non tech savvy users is to download gfxStatusCard, install it and select 'Internal GPU only' in the menu. you have to do that every time you start your Mac.

Enjoy your 

This is an Apple issue and time to have feedback from Apple?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5560130?answerId=23784189022#23784189022

Had to buy a new MBP today. 15" still in repair ... after 2y5m.

What do u guy think of this post....i found it in a similar thread here - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2768351?start=2130&tstart=0

Dirk van den Berg Berlin, Germany

Re: MacBook Pro 2011 17" hard freeze

Oct 16, 2013 2:51 PM ( in response to Rensoom)

Update on my situation: my MacBook Pro 17-inch, late 2011, had all the problems everybody else is describing in this thread. And now they seem to be resolved. This is how:

I was desparate because when the machine basically became useless while working in Saudi Arabia and on the clock with a project, since there is no Apple Support in the country. Luckily, in nearby Bahrain there is, and teh good people at iMachines Manama have taken it in for repair. First, they put in a first new logic board, but the problems came back within less than 24 hours. Then, they put in another one. This time, I insisted that I could not afford to loose any more time, and money - and because I brought them the MacBook Pro literally on the last day of Apple's warranty for the machine. So they kept it under observation for 4 days. And ran all possible analyses. Bottom line: the 16GB of RAM I had installed on the machine had created the problem. Now, I am back with 8GB of RAM with only one DIMM socket occupied.

Yes, to be honest Apple officially does not support 16GB of RAM, and yes, the 8GB DIMM really is faulty. Anyways, for the last 8 days I had no problems whatsoever.

I have another 80 days of warranty for that repair, so there is virtually no risk I am stuck with this problem and a huge sum to pay for repair. But it seems to me that this time, the "culprit" is not Apple. Will update you in about 80 days or so. In the meantime I recommend that you check your RAM, if you upgraded your machine and if this upgrade is officially supported or not. Cheers!

Well well,

so there is a repair program for the faulty AMD Radeon HD 6970M chips in the iMac 27"

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5167

but still no support/repair-program for the faulty ATI Radeon 6570M chips in the early 2011 macbook-pro's.

The symptons are identical...

come on Apple...

Early 2011 MacBook Pro 15", AMD Radeon HD 6490M

Here's my story. Two weeks ago my GPU died and I couldn't boot anymore. The system hung up and showed a grey screen. So I went to the next Apple Store in Germany. They run several tests but couldn't boot even from their system. Because the Mac is out of warranty they told me that a repair would cost around 500 € ($700). The Genius told me to try calling Apple Care and ask for a cost transfer, but they refused because there's no exchange program. After another couple of days I had my second Genius Bar appointment. After a lot of discussion I hadn't a chance to get the repair done for free. So I payed 500 € for the logic board replacement. He told me that it's unusual that Apple starts an exchange program for such an "old" Mac, but it's better to write directly to Apple instead of disussing in the forum here.

If you would like the possibilities of a recall or repair program to begin simply fill out a feedback request which I am providing the link for below.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

I used this message. Feel free to copy or adjust it.

Subject: MacBook Pro Early 2011 GPU failure

I would like to draw your attention to a very grave hardware fault that is currently being experience by many owners of a MacBook Pro Early 2011. I feel that my just over two year old computer has suffered from a failure related to a latent defect of manufacture. (Serial Number: XXX)

My machine's GPU began malfunctioning rendering the machine almost useless. A two year useful life for such a high end product is not acceptable. It is clear from this thread on the Apple Support Community this is a common problem and points to a design issue with this model for which I would like Apple to investigate and provide a formal response.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?answerId=22613129022#22613129022

Thank you in advance.

He told me that it's unusual that Apple starts an exchange program for such an "old" Mac, but it's better to write directly to Apple instead of disussing in the forum here.

Well, it's not exactly that people waited to the device to be considered old before experiencing and complaining about sudden hardware failure... Also that's not quite true, there were a number of "warranty extension" plans announced like the "iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program" up to three years after the first model shipped or the "MacBook Bottom Case Replacement" plan 18 months after the first model shipped, not to mention the 1gen iPod Nano replacement and those are only the ones publicly announced and still mentioned on the Apple homepage: http://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/

Have you tried this:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?answerId=23840461022#23840461022

It worked for nearly all of us…

and don't foget to give APPLE a feedbak here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

Enjoy your 

I posted a similar post a second ago, but it got deleted by the mods for "unsolicited content." Whoops, my bad on that.

I'll try again with different wording.

Besides submitting feedback to Apple, which all of us should do, (http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html) Good, way to get their attention.

<Edited By Host>

Since one week, aftere almost two years flawless operation, my 15" MBP (8.2, late 2011, 2.2 GHz,AMD 6750, MacOSX 10.7.5) randomly freezes resulting in a split and scrambled screen with 2 inch vertical black bar in the middle and the lest side of the screen on the right and vice versa, or a blue screen with vertical gray lines. I have browsed through this forum so I am not going to post similar images of frozen laptops.

I have run all known tests and resets and hardware test, which did not identify any problem. Having read the discussions forums I am worried that the problem which apparently affects many users is not going to be solved permanently when replacing the GPU or Logic Board, which is an expensive repair. Replacing the logic board is simply a standard procedure.

I have been a loyal Apple customer for almost 25 years and need the machine for my work. Switching to the intel card is NOT a fix and certainly not a solution for VJ's. I and many with me would appreciate to receive a word from Apple that the issue is recognised and that Apple helps it's community with a proper solution. Everyone should address the issue to http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

My few cents. The AMD GPU is flawed design; replacing it with the same GPU is not a solution. There seems to be a problem with the fan/heating which is a design problem.