Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

I was in your exact spot (and quoted the same amount mind you), and finally decided that I would pay for it.

After getting my laptop back from getting the board replaced the graphics card failed again within using it for 2 hours of being home. I made another hour and half hour trip back to the Apple store to get it fixed. They "fixed" it again and I got it back the next day after being on the phone with Apple for 3 hours trying to explain I needed the repair done before I moved to Australia from the US. I only had 2 days before I was flying out. I finally got it "fixed" again with one of the service techs staying late to work on my computer.

I recon it was much better then buying a new laptop, if the replacement logic board lasts 3 years, because I wouldn't think I would have normally kept this laptop for 6 total years anyway.

I just wish Apple would get their **** together. I'm not satisfied with any service I received. Total crap if you ask me.

Don't know if that helps or not.

Thank you. Yes, it does help. I think I am leaning more towards having Apple repair the logic board. The "reball" services that I see around the web seem a little "iffy". I'll be happy to get another 3 years out of this computer.

I would only consider paying Apple to replace the logic board if I thought there was a chance of Apple finally doing an official recall/repair, and thus be able to have documented proof of a problem and get reimbursed/repaired.

If I wanted a permanent solution, I'd get the GPU reballed.  The rate at which the replacement logic boards keep failing is amazing, and doesn't sound like it would be really much of a permanent solution.

Since wrapping my MPB in a blanket worked, I'm probably going to do the oven bake. And if that doesn't last too long, then I'll get it reballed. 

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Thanks csytsma,

I looked at ps3specialist too on eBay and I probably will use them if I decided to "reball". I guess I might be one of the lucky ones -- my 2011 Macbook Pro lasted for over 3 years with very little problems. And this is with my fan going ballistic most days because of the heat. I have rendered hundreds of hours of video. If I can get another 3 years out of this computer, I'll be pretty happy. But maybe I was just lucky. Thanks again.

csytsma wrote:

 

Since wrapping my MPB in a blanket worked, I'm probably going to do the oven bake. And if that doesn't last too long, then I'll get it reballed

If you don't want to loose your mcbpro wouldn't do the oven bake.

The process has to be done following some rules for good long lasting success.

Even then, it's still a risk, rework station can work more local on the chips only.

If it fails, can destroy mobo, making it unrepairable.

Also, when success, often only temporary, do it again a few times.

Till it doesn't work anymore.

Rendering it unrepairable too.

Would be much wiser to just let it reball immediately instead of trying the DIY stuff.

As it will most likely end up to that.

If the repair shop fails you probably blame him for the problems you caused yourself.

Even if not visible, the oven baking can destroy the pcb, the glue holding the layers might be worn out.

Can allready be delaminated.

Or the temps needed to lift the chip might be the last drop destroying the board.

For which you might blame the repair shop while in fact you caused the problem yourself.

Thanks D3us. I agree. Baking a logic board in my oven sounds dangerous. Do you personally have experience with "reballing" a logic board? I looked over the website that offer this service, but I'm not entirely clear what is going on. Are they replacing my GPU or just soldering the current one back on?

My macbook was booting to a blue screen. couldn't even get in with safe mode or single user. Took it to store, genius said logic board needs replacement.

I heard about a "blanket method" that sounds absurd but decided to try it anyway. This is what you do:

1.Turn on the computer, let it stay on

2.wrap the bottom half of the laptop (keyboard part) in blankets

3.let it sit till it overheats and shuts off on its own

4. start the computer.

My completely dead computer came back to life after that.

Apparently the overheating is basically "reballing" the solder connection, similar to the hairdryer/oven methods

It's been 2 days and I've had no problems at all, which is a miracle. I'm hoping it'll last till Apple takes some action.

Now upon startup I'm running gfxCardStatus (integrated only) and smcFanControl (I turn it on high when it gets over 55C)

Good luck!

I just paid a repair shop for a reballing and logic board replacement, and so far so good.  It runs cooler than it did when it was new.  But, as you said, if Apple ever does a recall/repair then I'll be S.O.L since I didn't take it to them.  I just didn't trust that they could fix it, considering that they would only swap it for an identically defective board. 

Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like the replacement boards are lasting very long.  They are not new, just refurbished versions of used boards, and they probably have the same defect as the originals.  Best of luck to you.

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Don't hate me but..

My early 2011 MBP (2.0Ghz High Resolution  + matte screen) started getting graphics issues in March 2013, I've had 2 logic boards, the most recent was installed in November and it failed over Christmas. All the repairs have been paid for under EU Law but I have never mentioned EU Law. The Apple store just did it and for the payment they just had "EU Law Claim" or something similar. I just had to sign for the repairs. I didn't pay for either of those although I have paid for a replacement battery when my original failed within minutes of installing Mountain Lion. (£99). My original MBP was in a pristine state.

Yesterday I picked up a 2014 2.5GHz / 512GB / Intel Iris Pro + NVIDIA GT750M with 2GB memory as my free replacement.

I'm happy with my result, but I can see there's a disparity between the service some people are getting and the service others are getting.

DavesMac wrote:

 

Do you personally have experience with "reballing" a logic board? I looked over the website that offer this service, but I'm not entirely clear what is going on. Are they replacing my GPU or just soldering the current one back on?

Yes, I have.

It's not the logic board that is reballed but the GPU and then the same used one is put back.

Reballing means taking the GPU off the pcb.

Remove old solder from PCB and GPU and solder new balls on the GPU..

New solder balls can be lead or lead free solder ball, mostly lead solder is used.

Next step is soldering the GPU back to the mobo.

A replacment is with a new GPU that has lead free solder balls on it.

If they claim to install new chips with lead solder, doesn't exist.

Then it's a recycled one reballed by the seller or their suppliers.

Often sold as "refurbished", but how do you "refurbish" a GPU? Not much to "refurbish" on it...

Some repair shops buy new chips and reball them with lead free themselves.

Is not easy... Lucky you!!

But I think the only country that has 6 years Claim period is the UK (http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/). My next laptop will be from the UK...

Interesting that that worked! Sound like a short term fix however. Thanks for sharing.

dromeu wrote:

 

But I think the only country that has 6 years Claim period is the UK (http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/). My next laptop will be from the UK...

The Netherlands haven't even specified a claim period, so, in theory, you can claim any time. However, in practice, this law is toothless, as it cannot be properly enforced. I had my logic board replaced through MacCity (Emmeloord) and MicroFix (Amsterdam), and both companies simply ignore my consumer claim. I found that in The Netherlands no lawyer is willing to take up this case, because it is only about EUR 700...

I am about to reflow this piece of brick. Does anybody know of any videos or walkthrougs for having this done?