2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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!

So these Macbook are pretty much ticking time bombs right? I had my logic board replaced in 2014, when the repair program wasn't available, and paid $300. Luckily after the program was announced, I was reimbursed.

Fast forward to 2017, I'm running into problems again. Another 3 years, and another failing graphics card. Should I even bother trying to bring it in? I've read so many comments on how they can't repair it. 6 years is a decent time for a laptop, but at the same time, replacing a faulty Graphics card for the same faulty card just doesn't seem right at all. instead of fixing the problem, they just run out the clock.

I totally agree with you. A ticking bomb, that went off, my “repair” only lasted 1 year.

What you said: replacing a faulty Graphics card for the same faulty card just doesn't seem right at all. instead of fixing the problem, they just run out the clock...is so true.

Sad still.

ShkMH still.

Mine is not a 15 inch but 17 inches. It also broke with the same problem. When I called apple about it, their only excuse is that it is vintage. My only option is that I had to purchase a new 15-inch Mac Book Pro, that is not happening at all. Wish I'd purchase a PC instead. From what I learned Apple computers of late 2011 are all junk. Apple refuses to own up to putting stuff out with substandard quality and extreme obsolescence built in so that the unsuspecting consumer will drop another two to three grand in short shift for another retard piece of equipment. I have been using Mac's for years, but now I will be moving away because I don't want to purchase a packaged but gutless piece of equipment. This company fails to realize that we are professionals that do not need good-looking toys. This company must learn that if they continue down the road they are going, customers like myself will move on.

What does really cause all those issues? Is it inadequate airflow, bad gpu chip, some related component on the logic board (capacitor, resistor, other chip) failing, all of the above? I've always wanted a MacBook Pro but could never afford one. Bought this early 2011 15" i7 two months ago and now I know why it was at such a low price. Not getting any lines or artifacts yet but it often refuses to wake from sleep and when it does it takes 4-5 reboots to get a desktop. Currently using a boot hack to supposedly prevent it from using the 6750m, not sure I can drive an external monitor like this as I don't have the proper cable.

Evan612 wrote:

Did they improve cooling in subsequent models? Assuming the logic board components are not to blame, is there anything we can do to help 2011 models get some extra airflow?

Store in a cold and windy place.

Do not use it.

Thank you for your suggestions. I have the 15" variant. It appears that "suitable brand new" 6750m chips can be had for about $35 and a local shop can replace it for about $150 but I cannot be sure that the gpu chip is the only component that may have been affected by high temperatures.

We try not to fight and keep alive this thread, it's the only way to make us feel, as far as I'm concerned I would never buy another brand of computer, but Apple can not take advantage of our weakness, we continue to expound the problems and maybe someone will take care of it, to buy a similar unmacbook today it takes 2,500 euros in Italy almost two wages, it is an abuse Apple must take charge of it!

You fail to realize that Apple does not read anything posted on these forums. If you really want to make Apple aware of a problem with five year old equipment, you should post it at Feedback - MacBook - Apple

Personally I would prefer to see this thread die.

Allan Eckert wrote:

You fail to realize that Apple does not read anything posted on these forums.

Apple does. They carefully monitor and censor thread like this, editing out all information that informs their customers about their consumer rights.

OK. I'll clarify that. Yes, Apple does monitor and censor the threads here on these forums. What I referring to is that Apple Engineering does not read these forums for problems. Hence the reason I suggested that the feedback link be used. Anything sent there is read by Apple Engineering.

"editing out all information that informs their customers about their consumer rights"

I serious doubt that statement. I would like see you produce any kind of reference to back it up.

What gets deleted is determined by Community Hosts, who are not required to have deep technical expertise in the area under discussion, and have NO responsibilities for current Apple products, other than the forum itself.

Posts are deleted If and only if they violate:

Apple Support Communities Terms of Use

You agreed to abide by those terms when you signed up. To eliminate the mystery, perhaps you should skim them again.

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What you appear to be seeking is to have Mac Hardware Engineers (who work on supporting MacBook Pro) following along as you write. That is NOT happening here.

Those guys are far too busy helping Apple develop cutting edge products and keeping Macs working properly to follow threads like this one.

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:

What gets deleted is determined by Community Hosts, who are not required to have deep technical expertise in the area under discussion, and have NO responsibilities for current Apple products, other than the forum itself.

Posts are deleted If and only if they violate:

Apple Support Communities Terms of Use

You agreed to abide by those terms when you signed up. To eliminate the mystery, perhaps you should skim them again.

-------

What you appear to be seeking is to have Mac Hardware Engineers (who work on supporting MacBook Pro) following along as you write. That is NOT happening here.

Those guys are far too busy helping Apple develop cutting edge products and keeping Macs working properly to follow threads like this one.

I have skimmed the document. As you have pointed out the Community Hosts are a random collection of random talents and personalities. When such subjectivity is applied to the reading of that document, any comment can be excluded.

Are these the facts? You make the regulation, implement the regulation, judge compliance of your regulations and administer penalities according your judgement.

What power does one person buying one or two products have in getting Apple to change the course of its ship, when Apple can spend $350 billion on one project while conducting its current business? You know the answer is ZERO. United, as happened in the pending class action suit a few years ago, us single buyer have some sway, we are the snow flakes that cause avalanches. We can caused the warranty extention program, that was not a benevolent act on Apples part.

How we are being treated by Apple is a technical issue, it does affect how our equipment functions. How to influence Apple when Apple holds most of the cards is a technical problem. There are "Hosts" with, no expertise on this subject, intervening in discussions who consistently stir the pot contrary to good and reasonable sense.

You opened this door with your comment (attached above). The kind of censoring going on this discussion is the kind of thing that happened in the Sanford prision guard, prisoner experiment. The experiment verified that power corrupts and absolutely power corrupts absolutely, the experiment was shut down and never attempted again because of that human frailty.

When an Apple customers says my computer does not work and for 7 years other people are reporting the same issue with the same computer there is a good chance, based on my over 40 years of electronic design experience, over 20 as a Test Engineer, that there is a design problem. The fact that for 7 year the consistent fix is associated with one part is strong evidence of a design problem. That fact that Apple extended its warranty period and used components that were manufactured at the same time as production components and is now using them as replacement parts and they also fail at abnormally high rates strongly suggests there is a design problem, a Ford Pinto gas tank.

No one is fooled by Apple running the clock out with its extended warranty followed closely by no further support of the product we bought.

There are 5 parts to the first ammendment speech, press, church, assembly and petition. They are there because the common technique for controlling people is silencing them. The kind of abritrary censoring that has occured often over the last 7 years on this discussion is an example of Apple, through its minions, silencing its customers to protect their budget because of a fault they created. Does that seem fair to you? We are using the technology we have at hand to solve that issue.

How would you solve this problem?

You seem to have forgotten that you are a guest in Apple's house when you post here. They supply the servers and the Venue, including our hardworking Hosts.

If you pay attention to the rules, your post stays, even if it is technically misguided. You violate the rules, your post goes. This is not a constitutional issue. You are not being censored -- you are merely being asked to be civil and stay on topic.