abelliveau

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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Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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  • by Darrell Stall,

    Darrell Stall Darrell Stall Jan 25, 2015 7:30 AM in response to brucefromwauconda
    Level 1 (22 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 25, 2015 7:30 AM in response to brucefromwauconda

    Just posted copy of what law firm told me was latest update on status of class action lawsuit over MBPro'11, which was removed.
    Reply from moderator "noreply" email states -

    We’ve removed your post Re: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card because it contained a non-constructive rant or complaint. To read our terms and conditions for using the Communities site, see this page:
    Apple Support Communities - Terms of Use
    https://discussions.apple.com/static/apple/tutorial/tou.html
  • by Darrell Stall,

    Darrell Stall Darrell Stall Jan 25, 2015 7:32 AM in response to Darrell Stall
    Level 1 (22 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 25, 2015 7:32 AM in response to Darrell Stall

    Does anyone know of any similar problem with other Mac models that have the Sandy Bridge CPU installed in them?
    For list of those models see -

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Macintosh_models_grouped_by_CPU_type#Sandy_ Bridge

  • by Ryan Griffin,

    Ryan Griffin Ryan Griffin Jan 25, 2015 8:22 AM in response to brucefromwauconda
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 8:22 AM in response to brucefromwauconda

    That's the exact same thing they said to me on Thursday when I picked mine up with the #10 Fix.  They replaced basically the entire bottom part (logic Board, keyboard, case etc)  All they did;t replace was my trackball, my hard drive and the screen and top.  He too said "What a deal".  It's worked since Thursday... I hope it lasts forever.  And I hope Apple is able to refund my $310 at some point down the road.

     

    I wonder if the replacing the whole bottom and telling you what a great deal it is, is the new unspoken policy.

     

    At least mine works.

     

    Ryan

  • by kazzzuo,

    kazzzuo kazzzuo Jan 25, 2015 1:07 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 1:07 PM in response to abelliveau

    Same problem here.

     

    Bought in 11/09/2011 stopped work properly in the end of the last year.

  • by point918,

    point918 point918 Jan 25, 2015 1:18 PM in response to kazzzuo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 1:18 PM in response to kazzzuo

    kazzzuo wrote:

     

    Same problem here.

     

    Bought in 11/09/2011 stopped work properly in the end of the last year.

    Exactly my experience -- there is a startling degree of correlation in this problem -- if only we all had the means to pool information in a structured way I feel sure we'd discover an enormous cluster around the three year mark.

  • by Scrappunk,

    Scrappunk Scrappunk Jan 25, 2015 4:23 PM in response to point918
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 4:23 PM in response to point918

    Same here in Berlin. Warranty expired 2 Months ago. Hooooray! Cheers Apple.

  • by rennyz27,

    rennyz27 rennyz27 Jan 25, 2015 4:45 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 4:45 PM in response to abelliveau

    To all the new guys/gals here (sadly there are quite a few of you), please report your case to Apple if you haven't done so already. Call them or go to your nearest Apple store. Doesn't matter if you're going to repair it or not. The number of case reports is the most important thing right now. They can't keep silent forever.

  • by Ellis Z,

    Ellis Z Ellis Z Jan 25, 2015 8:12 PM in response to SNoon85
    Level 2 (260 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 8:12 PM in response to SNoon85

    I have one of these affected machines.  (I'm sure I have a post on this a few hundred pages back).

     

    I was fortunate in that I was able to get my office to buy me a new MBP / Retina which has been working great.  But, now I have this otherwise perfect machine sitting in a corner. 

     

    I've been tempted to pay the $299 to get the thing back up and running.  I'm sure I can do something useful with it.

     

    Does anyone think it's worth the $299?  Or should I let the dead machine lie?

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Jan 25, 2015 10:41 PM in response to brucefromwauconda
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 10:41 PM in response to brucefromwauconda

    brucefromwauconda wrote:

    The Apple guy told me "Wow you really got a deal because this mainboard is usually a $600 part" at which point I laughed out loud.

    ...

    But I paid it and I'm now using my computer again.  We'll see how long this lasts.

    Almost funny response from that guy, if it weren't so sad...

    What did they tell you they did? Replacement of the board or a reflow? If replacement, I wish you had spent your money on a good reflow, so you'd be done for a longer time..

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Jan 25, 2015 10:49 PM in response to Ellis Z
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 10:49 PM in response to Ellis Z

    Ellis Z wrote:

     

    Does anyone think it's worth the $299?  Or should I let the dead machine lie?

    Hi Ellis,

    My Late 2011 15" also died completely end of November last year. Accidentally found someone that has extensive knowledge about soldering who then did a guaranteed total reflow on my machine on Dec 6th.

    The machine was alive instantly, runs cooler ever since and it was done in 1 day and that for €125, so I'd personally definitely get that machine fixed. Check my (long) post on page 701 here, that might be helpful also for you.

    Good luck! :-)

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Jan 25, 2015 10:57 PM in response to Esja
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 10:57 PM in response to Esja

    Esja wrote:

    I never ever had a computer failing on me like this. At despair on what to do.

    Hi Esja, forget about the big company, they may very well outlast our productivity break far beyond efficiency..

    Take our your board, send it to D3us in Belgium, have it reflown, put it back in your machine and have a better Mac back then you started out with.. you can find a link to one of his posts 1 page back I think. Be logged in, hover his name and just sent him a msg. You won't regret it..

    He fixed my machine and allowed me to watch the process+ gave me the explanation about how/why/what. He Bert Mich knows what he's talking about and doing :-)

  • by Ellis Z,

    Ellis Z Ellis Z Jan 25, 2015 10:58 PM in response to kayazuki
    Level 2 (260 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 10:58 PM in response to kayazuki

    Thank you!  I read your 701 reply.  (It's not super easy to navigate these pages)

    Where would you suggest I send my dead machine for a reflow?

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Jan 25, 2015 11:08 PM in response to Ellis Z
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 25, 2015 11:08 PM in response to Ellis Z

    If you're logged in, just hover my name and send me a message, then I'll get you on your way..

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Jan 26, 2015 1:22 AM in response to Scrappunk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2015 1:22 AM in response to Scrappunk

    Scrappunk wrote:

    Same here in Berlin. Warranty expired 2 Months ago. Hooooray! Cheers Apple.

    Hi Scrappunk, check this page: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

    And check out the 4th + 10th post referring to a good solution in Berlin.

    His name came back several times as someone doing a really good job, while charging a very fair price.

    Near Antwerp in Belgium is another person who does an excellent job (fixed my board).

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Jan 26, 2015 1:30 AM in response to point918
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2015 1:30 AM in response to point918

    point918 wrote:

    Same problem here.

    Bought in 11/09/2011 stopped work properly in the end of the last year.

    Exactly my experience -- there is a startling degree of correlation in this problem -- if only we all had the means to pool information in a structured way I feel sure we'd discover an enormous cluster around the three year mark.

    Hi Point918 & everyone else,

    A structured thing HAS been created to get some useful stuff together, which will be dumped at Apple on regular intervals. Also Whitfield Bryson & Mason are contacted and will be kept informed abt that 'stuff'.

    Search for "All the information you need to get informed quickly and get your MBP 2011 GPU problem solved" and see the 3rd entry.

    Besides this, ALSO at least report every error to Apple.

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