2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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!

Premium Product =/= Premium Price.

Our home iMac (early '08) has lasted for five, going on six years now.... It hasn't skipped a beat and runs everything I need beautifully on two screens (native and 22" HP w2207 monitor). I truly have never had an issue with this model and it works terrific. I bought AppleCare for it at the time of purchase, and never used it. My wife's white unibody MacBook (2009) has been used constantly, every single day in her classroom--it hasn't skipped a beat, and has not needed repair since she got it.

The punch line here is that both the iMac and the MacBook each cost approximately 1/2 (if not less) of what my then-premium Early 2011 MacBook Pro cost. I realize technology is a gamble, much like automobiles, but one cannot help but notice the irony of this.

The unit failed on me, quite literally, overnight and halted my workflow in VMware. Not pleased. This will be the second logic board replacement for this computer since I bought it; it is covered under AppleCare but that doesn't help for lost time without the machine.

This happened when I booted my MBP last week, without warning....

Then it started doing this once I got logged into OS X.

....and then it would lock up with a double-image. You get the point.

Shutting down....

Anecdotally, it has now been five days without my MBP, I have yet to receive a telephone call or update from the local Apple Store regarding the machine. The repair status on their website has been unchanged: "Repair in Progress." I have no idea what this means--there is no estimated time of completion or notes as to what exactly is going on.

I'm certainly trying to be patient with Apple about this but not even my car dealership takes this long for a repair, nor does it leave me hanging as to when to expect it back.

I removed my HD entirely, and was able to get this screen when attempting to boot up. Nothing was plugged into the machine, and no DVD was in the optical drive:

I got this screen when booting from an external Firewire HD in safe mode. The graphics within the pink bars were moving around rapidly:

I was also able to boot with no symptoms at all, both from the external drive (without gfxCardStatus installed), and Apple's original system DVD.

Update.

Just picked up my MBP from the Apple Store. They replaced the main logic board and the display to the tune of $1,036.73. 😮 I have AppleCare so there was no cost for the repair. I asked the genius who brought the MBP out to me what, if anything, caused this, and if it is/was common for my MacBook? Very nice dude, he said that he doesn't see it very often--if anything, it's usually a horizontal bar across the screen. "It's rare to see main logic boards go out but it does happen."

I've been running the MBP almost full-steam for the past hour and haven't seen so much as a blip, either in VMware (GPU intensive) or in anything else.

If past experience is anything, Apple has reimbursed people in the past for repairs performed prior to any announced repair program; I would suggest getting the computer fixed and save the receipt--just in case.

Don't do enything yet.

I'm in touch with Apple support and we are making diagnoses. I'm hope Apple do something with that problem.

Please do one thing. Press power button and after that option+cmd+v and take a picture last logged line.

My screen is:

Hi guys, same problem for me with my Macbook Pro early 2011 15" with AMD Radeon 6490M. First few striped lines but now can't boot at all. GfxCardStatus is useless in my case because when I reboot MBP switch back to the Radeon 6490M's GPU and I got blue lines after the Apple logo.

My only solution was to boot in Single user mode and move ATI's driver to another folder (Instructions in Flamenco 13's post) to disabled the discrete GPU. Now MBP is booting on the Intel HD 3000 but I don't have any drivers installed for it so the quality screen is awful, graphics bugs with animations, cannot play videos, blue tint, low fps, can't change contrast or color profiles.

Here the files I moved, maybe I need to put some back in /System/Library/Extensions ?

Anyway I think it's the only solution for us to permanently disable the discrete graphic if you can't afford a mainboard change at 500-1000$. Hope Apple will see soon what they done to us!

Sadly as of last night I have the unfortunate pleasure of joining this conversation. Late 2011 17inch MacBook Pro, all the issues previously mentioned have occurred. Notebook purchased late March 2012 and faulted mid September 2013 so near exact 18 months owned 6 months past warranty. Feelings towards apple not great obviously at the moment but I have an apple genius appointment in the morning. Obviously I had expectations that any product costing as much as apple charges for a notebook would last +5 years, I have had no problems with my 2009 iMac but two of the three iPhones I've owned have had one serious defect each common and noted and all occurring within 6 months or less of warranty termination.

Ok. I had / have the exact same issues with a 2011 macbook pro. It would get the distortion then lockup and reboot. Sometimes I could quit the program that made it switch and it would recover once it switched to the integrated. I just got the macbook back after taking it in and then they sent it off for the flat rate repair. I just started using it last night and everything was good. This morning I turned it on and left it and came back and woke it up and immediately saw the video distortion / tearing. The screen image was shifted off the left and wrapped back around to the right. I could see the mouse move. The time on the screen was stuck at the same time I woke it. This was using the internal display but on discrete because I had an application open that makes it switch. I was able to quit the program and it recovered in the integrated mode. I am so ******. They *said* the logicboard, memory and hard drive were replaced so obviously this is a program related to the 2011 logic boards since I am using a new one and pretty much everything in the laptop was replaced. I have no updates showing to install.

*Well*, as soon as I sent this the screen messed up again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesarmstrong3/9856995494/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Complete and utter meltdown when it switches to Discrete Graphic card.

Horrible design. You'd think when they slacked off on innovations, they'd be able to at least deliver something that works. I hope they kept Steve's brain in a vet, cause they're going ot need it soon!

Well, having followed this thread since the beginning, I today encountered a harbinger of things to come. I am running a Late 2011 Macbook Pro, with the AMD Radeon HD 6750M GPU chip. I had logged into console, running non volitile, user space commands from the the shell, just perusing my directory. I went upstairs, came down 10 minutes later, hit the space button to wake the machine up, and saw this:

The machine completely froze up and I had to perform a hard reboot. I noted the timestamp, and immediately checked my console when the machine powered up again. I found an interesting concerning line of output that I had never seen up to this point:

Whether this implies looming failure, or not, I have learned a great deal over the past year (thanks, in large part, to the senior members of Apple Support Communities) and have a drawn a few conclusions from it:

1) Since 2010, major replacements programs have been issued for different components of Apple notebooks. The most prominent of which is: the Macbook Pro 15'' (6,2) mid-2010 Logic Board Replacement program, due to the defective NVIDEA GPU. The most recent, issued less than a month ago, is the Macbook Air, Mid 2012, failed SSD Replacement program. Insert the 2011 MBP issue, pending Apple's decision on offering a replacement program, this would be three consecutive years of widespread, costly, and catastrophic failures of the Macbook lineup.

2) Given (1), combined with the $ Apple customers pay for Apple machines, AppleCare is a MUST. I cannot stress this enough. I will never again buy an Apple product without Applecare. Paying $150-250 for three year coverage for all hardware failures (with the caveat that Apple determines they are in no way user induced), is quite reasonable, especially considering you have a one year window from the purchase date to opt in for AppleCare.

3) Apple does stand by its products, but this isn't an excuse for their failure. This is not a case of user negligence. The extensive QT testing which all machines undergo may need to be more extensive. Not only that, but more stringent requirements regarding the use of third party hardware, period, in Apple branded machines, should be taken into consideration. Companies such as Toshiba, Samsung, NVIDEA, AMD, and, most prominently, Intel*, produce the majority of components in Apple machines. The hardware is a prerequisite for Apple to work it's 'magic,' which boils down to maximizing the raw capabilities of these components in an aesthetically pleasing way (both in software development and device design).

*Intel has been the most reputable of these companies, to date, by far. The PPC to Intel switch revolutionized Apple Computers and OSX.

4) The discrete GPU is becoming increasingly unneccessary in Apple notebooks. Intels' new haswell (dual core/quad core) integrated chips, which offer Iris/Iris Pro graphics on the same die as the CPU, easily outperform the discrete GPUs in 2011 MBPs. Moreover, battery performance drastically increases with processor integration (obviously we need to take into account 2 years of technologically development, shout out to Moore). The new 'top of the line' 15'' rMBP's (with, undoubtly, an amazing discrete GPU > 2 GB vRAM I believe) offer 7 hours of battery life, one hour more than Late 2011'' 15'' specifications (6 hrs). 13'' rMBP model (integrated only and dual core) offers 9 hours. And, well, the Macbook Air is a thing a beauty. At this point in time, if you are using your machine for heavy graphics rendering (not talking world of warcraft and CS6, which the new line of integrated chips can run with easily), you should be using a desktop.

5) It bugs me when user's 'complain' about Apple's constant rollout of new products, but I can see why they would. On one end: It is not Apple's fault that every year its' lineup of products is a vast improvement (for the most part) from the previous year's lineup. Apple's progressive and directed philosophy is a catalyst for this.

By the same token, many users seem to conflate moving forward with being left in the dust. A 2011 MBP is not 'obsolete' and 'outdated' in any way. The 2011 MBP is still a great machine.

So, what now? After 8 million ( if I remember correctly) iPhone 5S sales in the opening weekend (all time high iOS device opening sale mark), the drastic rise in the company's market value (thanks, in part to Mr. iCahn, who, the ********* he is, managed to raise Apple's stock by 5% with two tweets), and the looming new rollout of Holiday products, it would be in the best interest of Apple, and its customers, to clarify this dissonance, reaffirm the integrity of its products, and offer a replacement program for the defective GPU. Otherwise, Apple would merely be undermining its' own philosophy and neglecting an opportunity for a mutual beneficial solution.

Apologies for the length of this comment. These are my opinions, and I merely wished to share them.

Regards,

NB

Same issue here with my 2011 Q1 MBP, had to sent to repair... the result: paid 230€ to replace the Graphic Card chip. They tried to re-solder it, but didn't work, hope Apple covers this defect which has affected lots of people.

Since yesterday i have de same problem with my macbook pro 17" 2,2Ghz AMD, bla, bla. I have an apointment in the Geniusbar in Amsterdam next thursday. Curious of what they will say because warranty period in The Netherlands is a little different by law. I hope that helps ;-)

Here is the pic: