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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Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Jan 27, 2015 5:51 PM in response to Hitman4000
    Level 9 (51,497 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 27, 2015 5:51 PM in response to Hitman4000

    Just use it normally.

  • by Zardozzz,

    Zardozzz Zardozzz Jan 27, 2015 7:56 PM in response to r100
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 27, 2015 7:56 PM in response to r100

    I Had one of these machines, and it was a cooker. Glad I sold it soon after the it was out of warrantee. Meanwhile, my late 2013 15in rMBP shut down today for no reason. How long do you think I will keep it around?

  • by jimoase,

    jimoase jimoase Jan 28, 2015 12:50 AM in response to Hitman4000
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 28, 2015 12:50 AM in response to Hitman4000

    Which Apple store and which model of MBP?

     

    I called the local Apple repair operation and got a $600 quote for the mother board.   Steep

     

    I saw a shop on the net that would repair the board for $300 or if the who machine was sent $400 but lost the link and can't find it again.  Anybody got the name of good repair operation. 

     

    The Apple shop said they would do a board swap.  That means the same production that produced the problem in the first place.

     

    Anyone have a good experience with a repair operation?

  • by Rich Walsh,

    Rich Walsh Rich Walsh Jan 28, 2015 4:03 AM in response to amaroksaudience
    Level 1 (124 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 28, 2015 4:03 AM in response to amaroksaudience

    Just adding weight to the thread on the day Apple announces the largest profits in history…

     

    Same thing here really: early 2011 MBP bought in September 2011; do my best to keep it cool and run battery right down before charging. Graphics started playing up this month. Looking for workaround until I can get it repaired under AppleCare. Not great to be without a computer for over a week…

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Jan 28, 2015 4:19 AM in response to Rich Walsh
    Level 9 (51,497 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 28, 2015 4:19 AM in response to Rich Walsh

    Rich Walsh wrote:

     

    Just adding weight to the thread on the day Apple announces the largest profits in history…

     

    Same thing here really: early 2011 MBP bought in September 2011; do my best to keep it cool and run battery right down before charging.

    Why on earth would you do that?

     

    It's bad for the battery.

  • by Rich Walsh,

    Rich Walsh Rich Walsh Jan 28, 2015 4:46 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (124 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 28, 2015 4:46 AM in response to Csound1

    That was my Apple Service Provider's advice when my previous MBP needed a new battery every year. I'm sure Apple used to say it on a website somewhere, but I can't find that now. By doing this I can still get 3 hours out of my 3.5 year-old battery. My cycle count is 1,576 and the health is 60%. This is much better than I experienced before I started doing this. I can not see evidence that it is "bad for the battery".

     

    This machine also runs hotter when plugged in – even if the battery's full – so unplugging it stops the fans being on (and keep the battery away from heat, which is definitely bad for all batteries).

  • by Jauhari,

    Jauhari Jauhari Jan 28, 2015 4:58 AM in response to Rich Walsh
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Jan 28, 2015 4:58 AM in response to Rich Walsh

    Does OS X 10.10.2 update Fix Discreet GPU #MBP2011 Issues?

  • by abelmm,

    abelmm abelmm Jan 28, 2015 5:25 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 28, 2015 5:25 AM in response to abelliveau

    Same problem here in Spain with a MacBook Pro 15" (late 2011) including a AMD Radeon HD 6750M.

     

    After 2 years and 10 months my laptop discrete graphic card seems to be dead. Laptop hangs anytime it switches to discrete graphics, showing a blue screen, gray screen or just off screen.

     

    Apple should take charge of this issue and cover the expense of reparing! Two years and ten months is not the average life expected for laptop which costs 1700 euros!!! I have been a mac user for most of my life and it didn't use to be like this. Apple has defintely lost its quality and reliability making this type of mistakes and not taking charge of them.

     

    In my case, Apple has just lost a client and promoter forever and ever after.

  • by below sealevel,

    below sealevel below sealevel Jan 28, 2015 5:36 AM in response to abelmm
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 28, 2015 5:36 AM in response to abelmm

    I tend to agree with you. I've been an Apple prophet since my first Mac (an SE), but this makes it very hard to continue doing this. Especially since Apple doesn't even react to this thread. I guess the largest profit for any firm ever makes you arrogant...

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Jan 28, 2015 5:37 AM in response to Jauhari
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 28, 2015 5:37 AM in response to Jauhari

    Jauhari wrote:

    Does OS X 10.10.2 update Fix Discreet GPU #MBP2011 Issues?

    NOTHING software related will solve the hardware related problem of this GPU issue. Read my (long) post on page 701 (scroll 1/4 down) on this forum (click on current page number, then change start value in url to 10500) and you'll understand why...

    A reflow is the cheapest solution and works great for a long time, IF performed right. Board swaps are useless as it appears, because then you get the same problem back after some time.

  • by carl wolf,

    carl wolf carl wolf Jan 28, 2015 5:42 AM in response to Hitman4000
    Level 6 (14,625 points)
    Jan 28, 2015 5:42 AM in response to Hitman4000

    "Now I have been using GPUTest and I have been trying to force it to wear down. "

     

    Why?  Are you doing that just so you can complain that the "repair was a failure, and I'm so angry with Apple for not fixing this properly"?

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Jan 28, 2015 5:52 AM in response to jimoase
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 28, 2015 5:52 AM in response to jimoase

    jimoase wrote:

    Anyone have a good experience with a repair operation?

    A reflow saved my machine!

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Jan 28, 2015 6:00 AM in response to kayazuki
    Level 9 (51,497 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 28, 2015 6:00 AM in response to kayazuki

    For how long?

     

    What is your experience regarding the longevity of the repair?

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Jan 28, 2015 6:01 AM in response to kayazuki
    Level 9 (51,497 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 28, 2015 6:01 AM in response to kayazuki

    kayazuki wrote:

     

    Jauhari wrote:

    Does OS X 10.10.2 update Fix Discreet GPU #MBP2011 Issues?

    NOTHING software related will solve the hardware related problem of this GPU issue.

    And yet there posts in this thread from people who claim that software did fix the issue, are they not telling the truth, and if so, how would you know?

  • by kayazuki,

    kayazuki kayazuki Jan 28, 2015 6:02 AM in response to Zardozzz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 28, 2015 6:02 AM in response to Zardozzz

    Zardozzz wrote:

    Meanwhile, my late 2013 15in rMBP shut down today for no reason. How long do you think I will keep it around?

    Well, that's interesting.. That's the second report this week of a 2013 model showing strange behaviour similar to the models discussed in this thread...

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