2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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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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.