Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

So my Macbook Pro early 2011 is exhibiting these symptoms consistently as of a few days ago.  It defenetely occurs when discrete graphics kick in and resetting the SMC and PRAM has not corrected the problem.   I am obviously moving towards replacing the motherboard but before I do, is resoldering the GPU even a DIY option?  I have yet to inspect the GPU but I would assume it was machine soldered.  I ask because it would be worth a shot if you are going to replace the logic board anyway but, it sounds far fetched at best...

PS. it's quite amazing to see the lenght of this thread after the issue going unchecked by Apple.  They will never tackle this no matter how many petitions are signed. They would have to replace/recall entire macbooks dating as far back as 2010 probably.

fsck! wrote:

...is resoldering the GPU even a DIY option?  I have yet to inspect the GPU but I would assume it was machine soldered.  I ask because it would be worth a shot if you are going to replace the logic board anyway but, it sounds far fetched at best...

Hi there!

Resoldering a DIY option: No way...

It's machine placed + oven molten on the board basically.

Read this to get a full picture: Re: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

thanks kayazuki.  interesting read.  I read the classaction lawsuit againts apple for this very deffect and the contention was that they used led-free solder which not only leads to these sorts of bad solder issues but also suffers from a  breakdown issue dubbed 'whiskers'.  Basically, the solders whisk out very thin microcopic whiskers which come in contact with each other and cause shorts as well.    So, led-free - good for the environment, bad for your logic board.  by the way, who is DUS3 and how does one get a reflow of a logic board?

We all want a recall !!!

fsck! wrote:

thanks kayazuki.  interesting read.  I read the classaction lawsuit againts apple for this very deffect and the contention was that they used led-free solder which not only leads to these sorts of bad solder issues but also suffers from an breakdown issue dubbed 'whiskers'.  basically, the solders whisk out very thin cat-like whiskers which come in contact with each other and cause shorts as well.    by the way, who is DUS3 and how does one get a reflow of a logic board?

Hi again!

Correct, whiskers are also a great deal of fun. Lead was slowing down that process enormously, but that's gone now since 2011...

Just Google "wiki whisker (metallurgy)" and you'll find a nice read.. Especially this is great (not): "The European Union banned the use of lead ..., leading to a re-focusing on the issue". So the new law might even set Apple free here, as it's never possible to check whether these problem are caused by insufficiently flowed contacts or simply by ever growing whiskers that cause short circuits! Altho they could add more copper to slow down the growth apparently..  Tricky situation, very tricky indeed!

D3us is someone near Antwerp, Belgium. Here's one of his posts: Re: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

You'll get his email adres when you hover his user name.

Reflowing fixes pressure contacts which never flowed in the first place, but it'll also melt whiskers back to their original "tin ball".

" I read the classaction lawsuit againts apple for this very deffect and the contention was that they used led-free solder"

Lead-free solder is used worldwide for consumer electronics, not just Apple, and the implementation of lead-free solder was done through international legislation.  The situation reported on this thread has nothing to do with the growth of metallic whiskers.

thanks for the insight. lucky for me I got 4 years out of it before experiencing the issue.  I'm a developer and need my MBP but I am also on the market for a lighter Air.  I have been holding off on the rumor that Airs with retina may manifest themselves before year end but it's already too late in the year for an Apple refresh.  I'm likely going to opt for a replacement logic board from ebay (refurbished to keep costs down) to at least hold me off until new Airs come out.  I will still keep this machine as a backup/permanenty docked option at home.    Really unfurtunate, Apple will never acknowledge or concede to a recall.   Poeple will just move on...

fsck! wrote:

 

thanks kayazuki.  interesting read.  I read the classaction lawsuit againts apple for this very deffect and the contention was that they used led-free solder which not only leads to these sorts of bad solder issues but also suffers from a  breakdown issue dubbed 'whiskers'.  Basically, the solders whisk out very thin microcopic whiskers which come in contact with each other and cause shorts as well.    So, led-free - good for the environment, bad for your logic board.  by the way, who is DUS3 and how does one get a reflow of a logic board?

So what are you suggesting? Apple should break the law?

DU3S is an anonymous poster.

Please try Ivan's steps from here http://www.asyncro.com/2014/03/24/macbook-pro-discreate-graphics-card-issue-fix- updated/

It also worked perfectly for me. The interesting and very great to share with you that my discrete graphics card is running perfectly now. I have just followed the way of keep the machine running with the blue screen of death until the machine turned off automatically. Then I just restarted the machine and now it's running okay. I hope it will keep going forever...

I know it's not the perfect solution. But what we the affected people do without looking here and there for a solution to work in our darling mac book pro. Hope someday Apple will take care of every single affected device which is their fault in device architecture.

Disabling  discreet graphics wouldn't even qualify as a workaround for me.  What are you going to do without discreet graphics anyway? Check your email?  It's a hardware issue. 

My computer is having this exact issue! It started as a start up problem that the Genius's just wiped and rebooted my computer but said there was a deeper problem but they could not help me because I had exceeded the 15 minute limit. Now I've already replaced my SSD harddrive which was faulty AND now the video card/logic board problems are starting. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE!

Just watching a BBC Panorama documentary on Apple, demonstrating their less than ethical practices with regards to the iPhone 6 supply chain. I'm starting to dislike this company more and more. If you're in the UK, check it out on iPlayer. BBC One, 9.00pm, Thursday 18th December.

Funny isn't it, 714 pages and still not a peep from Apple???

Sadly Apple died the moment Steve Jobs passed away... What you have now is a company that wants your cash, and pays lip service to everything that follows....

Thanks Apple!!!

Anybody has any experience with powerbookmedic.com? they repair logic boards for half the cost of a new one.  They process seems rather painless, they can ship you a box, you ship the board only (OR you can opt to send your mac instead if you prefer) and the turn around is 2-3 days.  They reflow the boards while they are it.  for 299 that is less than half of a a new logic board from them.    If could clone my existing drive to a spare and run it off of USB on my wife's laptop while I wait.  actually I think the existing drive would work on another macbook as-is.  At any rate, a new logic board seems too high a cost for a machine this old so I am trying to be pragmatic.

fsck! wrote:

For 299 that is less than half of a a new logic board from them.   Actually I think the existing drive would work on another macbook as-is.

At any rate, a new logic board seems too high a cost for a machine this old so I am trying to be pragmatic.

Hi. You're in the States I guess? Sounds expensive to me, but maybe it's the best option around now.

Yes, you can just work from your drive directly via a SATA>USB adapter, no cloning required, runs fine. Did that 2 weeks myself until I find my solution in Belgium.

New board: High costs indeed + completely useless!!! It'll have the same problem...