abelliveau
Level 1 (9 points)

Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro (2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 memory) running OS 10.8.2.  It has two graphics components: an AMD Radeon HD 6750M and a built-in Intel HD Graphics 3000. Since I've had the computer, the screen would get a blue tint when the computer switched between them.

 

However, as of two days ago, the problem has become substantially more severe.  The computer was working fine, when all of a suddent the screen when completely blue.  I had to force restart the computer.  Since then, the screen has gone awry on numerous occassions - each time necessitating a hard reset.

 

I installed gfxCardStatus, and have discovered that the computer runs fine using the integrated card, but as soon as I switch to the discrete card - the screen goes .

 

I am just wondering what my options are (any input on any of these would be appreciated!):

 

1) Replace the logic board.  Would this necessarily fix the issue?

 

2) Is there any way to "fix" the graphics card? 

 

3) Keep using gfxCardStatus and only use the integrated graphics card.  This is definitely the easiest/cheapest option, but to have such a computer and not be able to use the graphics card seems like a real shame.

 

4) Is there any other alternative?

 


MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB memory

Posted on Feb 1, 2013 4:45 PM

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abelliveau

Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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  • by eris23,

    eris23 eris23 Dec 16, 2014 2:16 AM in response to TJMooseman
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Dec 16, 2014 2:16 AM in response to TJMooseman

    I agree with the sentiment but .. in my case that would mean spending yet more money with Apple (or an Apple centre) 550 Pounds on a third logic board (over a 1/3rd of the original  laptop cost ).

     

    I am in the UK but this broken MBP 2011 Lemon is from the US.  

     

    The benefit ?? of paying 550pound   is that UK consumer law would then cover the new Logic board and Apple (or the Apple Servcie centre)  would be required to keep fixing it if it failed.  Eventually I might get a refund if Apple does the right thing OR I might get a replacement laptop.

     

    For 170 pounds I could get the Lemon re-balled and  that might actually last a reasonable life span without needing to constantly repaired by Apple.

     

    Lenovo w540's look great ... bye bye Apple

  • by akamyself,

    akamyself akamyself Dec 16, 2014 2:20 AM in response to eris23
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 16, 2014 2:20 AM in response to eris23

    so what will you do with it?

    seems like bga_repairs is doing a good job reballing in UK...

  • by eris23,

    eris23 eris23 Dec 16, 2014 2:50 AM in response to akamyself
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Dec 16, 2014 2:50 AM in response to akamyself

    Hi akamyself,

     

    For me I will  have the US laptop re-balled early in the new year by bga_repairs... The UK bought 2011 MBP will go the Consumer law route (both 17" models).

     

    The UK laptop has shown the usual early symptoms documented on this forum and is limping along with SMCfan control running at the moment.

     

    After Xmas I will be pursuing Apple regarding the UK MBP but I need at least one  working device so have to have the re-ball done first.

     

    In terms of any recall i'll take my chances .. I now have two reports from Apple saying the second logic board in the US MBP Lemon has failed and my laptop does not work ( and relevant cases raised with Apple)  Which I think is a strongish position to be in if Apple ever do the right thing.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Dec 16, 2014 2:50 AM in response to eris23
    Level 9 (51,467 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 16, 2014 2:50 AM in response to eris23

    eris23 wrote:

     

    After Xmas I will be pursuing Apple regarding the UK MBP

     

    If you wish to pursue relief on the 17" models in the UK (after warranty runs out) you will have no case against Apple unless you purchased the Macs from an Apple retail outlet. The Sale of Goods Act (the UK law) makes the retailer responsible rather than the manufacturer.

     

    You'll have to sue whoever you got it from under the SOG

  • by eris23,

    eris23 eris23 Dec 16, 2014 2:57 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Dec 16, 2014 2:57 AM in response to Csound1

    Yes .. Apple

  • by eris23,

    eris23 eris23 Dec 16, 2014 3:10 AM in response to eris23
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Dec 16, 2014 3:10 AM in response to eris23

    Buying from Apple UK over the internet are the same as buying from Apple UK Retail store i.e. Distance selling regulations are in addition to your other consumer rights and usual consumer right apply to internet purchases .

     

    "If you receive faulty goods and wish to return them, The Distance Selling Regulations are in addition to your other legal rights.

    So, if your goods are faulty and don’t do what they're supposed to, or don’t match the description given, you have the same consumer rights under the Sale of Goods Act as you have when buying face to face."

  • by akamyself,

    akamyself akamyself Dec 16, 2014 3:22 AM in response to eris23
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 16, 2014 3:22 AM in response to eris23

    yes, ok.

    too bad that they stopped making those 17" laptops because even if you can get them to swap the logic board in both of them, they won't hold too long and eventually they should give you some newer 15" ones.

    why don't have those two reballed instead and let Apple keep changing the logic board in the US bought one?

    I mean, you might end up with two 17" working fine after reball and a 2014 15" computer.

  • by Gerard Klein,

    Gerard Klein Gerard Klein Dec 16, 2014 3:38 AM in response to akamyself
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 16, 2014 3:38 AM in response to akamyself

    Any experiences with re-ball shop in the Netherlands? I was thinking about this one: http://www.alfacom.nl/apple-macbook-pro-reballing-reflow.

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Dec 16, 2014 4:37 AM in response to Gerard Klein
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 16, 2014 4:37 AM in response to Gerard Klein

    Gerard Klein wrote:

     

    Any experiences with re-ball shop in the Netherlands? I was thinking about this one: http://www.alfacom.nl/apple-macbook-pro-reballing-reflow.

    Hi Gerard, I've just read what they write on the bottom of that page.

    But what they write isn't correct.

    They claim that "reflowing" is bad per definition, which simply is not true.

    A lead free (=mostly tin) solder is VERY strong, IF the solder has flown completely.

    They are writing that their lead balls are "less sensitive of letting go at higher temperatures".

    Which is strange, as leaded solder melts at much lower temperatures then tin! (approx 180 vs 235ºC!)

    So theoretically, leaded solder should let go faster.

    It's all about how well the reflow is done.

    I see them writing (with wrong spelling) "hot air gun/hair dryer". That's of course silly to even consider.

    But professionals that use infrared heating to heat up the board with thermal sensors can do an excellent job.

    In fact, consider this:

    - Reballing = heating the GPU + PCB to 240ºC to melt the tin under the GPU in the first place. Then the PCB has to cool off so it can be cleaned etc. Then the PCB has to be heated up AGAIN (lower temp tho) to melt the leaded solder balls.

    - Reflow = heat up the GPU+PCB once to make a quality connection with all 800 connections the way Apple NEVER DID initially = better for your PCB.

    The tin connections that DID flow good during production don't let go, it's the balls that just got soft, but never flowed that break connection (probably due to penetrating oxidation over time).

    It's illogical to think that 800 WELL flown tin connections (=very strong connection) would let go, ever. The GPU doesn't heat up the bottom side of itself to 240+ºC if there is a heatpipe connected with blowing fans on it.

    So I don't think it's fair of alfacom to state that reflowing is poor or bad.

    The person who does the job completely determines if it ends up good or bad.

  • by blackcap33,

    blackcap33 blackcap33 Dec 16, 2014 8:34 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 16, 2014 8:34 AM in response to abelliveau

    i, for one, am not going to hold my breath waiting for apple to pull their heads out of the sand nor pay them a stupid amount of money for a repair whose only guarantee is that it will fail again. i want this fixed once and fixed properly. has anyone managed to compile a list of trusted reballers? im in SE Asia at the moment and there arent any within a 3 country radius of me, so ill need to post it to someone that has a proven track record. any suggestions?

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Dec 16, 2014 2:24 PM in response to blackcap33
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 16, 2014 2:24 PM in response to blackcap33

    blackcap33 wrote:

    so ill need to post it to someone that has a proven track record. any suggestions?

    2d attempt to reply, as Apple decided I am not allowed to help you and calls my offer to help you "questionable advice"...

    Wonderful.

    When you hover my username, you'll find my contact details, just send me a msg so I can send the message to you directly...

    Let's see if this sticks...

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Dec 16, 2014 2:30 PM in response to kayazuki
    Level 9 (51,467 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 16, 2014 2:30 PM in response to kayazuki

    kayazuki wrote:

     

    blackcap33 wrote:

    so ill need to post it to someone that has a proven track record. any suggestions?

    2d attempt to reply, as Apple decided I am not allowed to help you and calls my offer to help you "questionable advice"...

    Wonderful.

    When you hover my username, you'll find my contact details, just send me a msg so I can send the message to you directly...

    Let's see if this sticks...

    Come on, you can't really be surprised that 3rd party attempts to use this site for business purposes are removed can you?

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Dec 16, 2014 2:39 PM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 16, 2014 2:39 PM in response to Csound1

    Csound1 wrote:

    Come on, you can't really be surprised that 3rd party attempts to use this site for business purposes are removed can you?

    Well.. No, not really..

    Although removing help between people here while not offering a solid solution to this gigantic problem.. That's also beyond all comprehension right..?

    I'm relatively new to this environment, lesson learned

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Dec 16, 2014 2:43 PM in response to kayazuki
    Level 9 (51,467 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 16, 2014 2:43 PM in response to kayazuki

    The site has rules, it's best to stay within them

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Dec 16, 2014 2:50 PM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 16, 2014 2:50 PM in response to Csound1

    Csound1 wrote:

    The site has rules, it's best to stay within them

    Yea, can't argue with that one..

    They give a whole new meaning to the term "questionable" though Have fun you guys, i'm going horizontal.

    PS. My Mac is now finally completely working free of even the slightest weird things since the reflow..

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