Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Wad yours out of warranty?? Because I took it to the Apple Store but they haven't told me they would do it for free!! Also I have spoken to AppleCare and same thing!

Yes, mine is Early 2011 MBP purchased in August 2011. Where are you based?

In Italy, Milan! But I lived for many years in London and also worked for Apple in Regents Street!    (I know it's funny!)

i was wondering if you mind giving me the sn of your machine by email (speida dot mac dot com) if you feel like it so that I might have a chance to take it as well again and I might have a possible fix for free!

It would be so appreciated!!

I have a faulty  MBP 2011, i7, late 2011.

Here is the trick I've been using to keep my computer going (without actually fixing the problem).

1 - Get your computer to start, at least once. Use any one of the previous tricks mentioned in the topic in order to do that. I was only able to start by using the towel trick (overheating and then restarting, unfortunately my situation was that bad, but now it doesn't matter anymore)

2 - Once you get your computer to start, go to terminal and type:

sudo nvram gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00

This will require your admin password.

3 - Shut down the computer.

4 - Turn on the computer. I should boot normally this time, using the integrated video.

5 - Run GFXcardstatus and set to integrated video only. This will ensure that the discrete card does not kick in by accident while you use the computer.

6 - When you are done using the computer, make sure you quit GXFcardstatus first, and then run the command above again. This will ensure that your integrated video is set as default next time you start the computer.

EXPLANATION:

What the command above does is setting the integrated video as default for the next restart. The effect is NOT permanent. And unfortunately you will have to type the command every time before shutting down the computer, to make sure the right video card is set.

But if you remember to run it everytime before shutting down, it will get you rid of the stripped screen and get your computer to boot every single time. It's my life saver for now. I hope this is useful to somebody.

EDIT: Maybe it is possible to run the command in console mode. I am not sure, since I have not tested this yet. This would allow a faulty computer to boot normally by restarting only two times: one time to get to console mode (command + S on restart) and then typing sudo "nvram gpu-power-prefs=%01%00%00%00", and another time to boot normally and actually use the computer.

I also have a late 2011 17" MBP ... I tried your sudo fix on start-up but it did not work for me.... I have not tried to shut down with the sudo command yet....One thing I have noticed , perhaps it is unique to my problem, maybe not, anyway, once I try and start up with the bars on the screen it can try and reboot for a long time. At some point the bars disappear but it still won't boot. What has been working for me is that I remove the mag power bar and let it reboot for a few attempts, eventually it starts "normally" , the  I put the magsafe back,  this has been working for me so I thought I would post it for anyone else to try . I will try the shutdown procedure tonight and post the results tomorrow...

A few days ago someone from Europe mentioned that they saw lots of 2011 MBPs for sale at the shop they were visiting.  A buddy of mine in Minnesota mentioned he saw lots of 2011 MBPs for sale at the Apple store.

Has any one else made the same observation.  How many?  How many compared to any other model of MBP?

Slowly but surely we can make a picture of this problem that future Apple customers can see.  Apple may not be able to see us, if we keep on rubbing sticks together they will feel the heat.

tthanks for the response, where do you think I should go from here? they're currently waiting for me to make a decision although accepting the money is a last resort for me, I can't afford a new laptop even with the money.

Hello appleinsider team,

I'm a owner of early MacBook 2011, Processor  2,2 GHz Intel Core i7, Memory  8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3, Graphics  Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB, with OS X 10.9.5, AMD graphic card, that purchased in the US on-line apple store at spring 2011.

andrewpeac wrote:

 

tthanks for the response, where do you think I should go from here? they're currently waiting for me to make a decision although accepting the money is a last resort for me, I can't afford a new laptop even with the money.

The age old question is would you bet if you could not lose? 

If you cannot afford the new computer even with the discount: what will you win or lose no matter your choice? 

Your computer does not work. With Apple's offer your computer is still not repaired and you still will not have a working computer of any kind.

Have you showed up, told the truth and believed things would work?  Can the same be said of Apple's position?

no the same can't be said unfortunately, i was pretty much told it's not their problem because I bought it from currys but if the repairs were done through apple instead of currys Id be walking out the Apple Store with a replacement.

iif I get it repaired it will break again, so no point doing that?

If I take the money I lose my laptop and all my stuff, so also not ideal.

Suppose it's a bit of a lose/lose scenario.

Never considered a 3th party repair?

Reflow/reball/replace GPU?

don't really know much about it, I've seen a few responses saying reballing works but does it actually fix the problem?

andrewpeac wrote:

don't really know much about it, I've seen a few responses saying reballing works but does it actually fix the problem?

Depends.

It does fix the problem.

Can't promise it will last for ever or for years.

Longest running (verified) repair done on a mcbp2011 is 16 months now, still running fine.

Done 2007-2008 models too that are still running fine for over 4 years (verified).

Some reflowed, other replaced chips.

Hardly reball, only when really needed or best option, but that is my pov on it.

Kan ik met jou contact opnemen D3us?

Just a flash back for anyone who bought this mbp 15" (early 2011). This was the slogan Apple used to promote the product:

"State-of-the-art processors. All-new graphics. Breakthrough high-speed I/O. Three very big leaps forward."

... sure ... veeeeery big leaps forward. Pfff, what a scam!