Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

hi Sir,

this fix is not permanent. They replace the motherboard of my MBP2011 Late (17") and the problem came back 2 days after I pick up the machine from the apple store. (replacing the hardware for the "same hardware" that cause the problem is not a solution). This new motherboards they are installing to this recall machines, need to be revised and this overheating problem on the faulty "AMD GPU" needs to be solved. spend a lot of money for a prime machine, that is more a paperweight than a computer.

This is not the time for ranting and raving.  The repair extension program ends at the end of next month.  Take your machine back, tell them that, according to the announcement of the repair extension program Apple promises to fix the problem, and whatever they did didn't fix it.  Don't waste time debating about whether replacing the motherboard is the way to fix it, because, as you might know from reading this thread, Apple has been offering to replace machines that resist three or four attempts to fix them.  So, with any luck, the problem will either be fixed or you will get a new machine (recent model, of course).

As an aside:  When Apple fixed mine in February 2015 they told me that the replacement motherboard was a revision of the original.  Others have reported receiving the same answer.  Nobody except Apple knows for sure what was revised.  My MBP 17" has not experienced any problems since being repaired.  I believe it is not the only one that has only needed to be fixed once for this GPU issue.

Good luck!

I Finally got mine back after about 3 1/2 weeks, the end of December, and although I haven't done anything difficult it has switched back and forth from dynamic to integrated, with no problems. It is ran for hours and stays cool. I did try my iPhoto and it did great. No problems with any graphics, just safari won't load sometimes.

I first took my MBP to a local apple repair shop and they couldn't do anything until they had authorization from Apple because mine passed the test, so they gave me a phone number and told me to get authorization and they would do the repair if Apple agreed to do it.  I contacted Apple and instead of taking it to the local shop, I decided to go through them. The woman was extremely nice and just asked me a few questions, gave me information and said she would send a box Immediately.  They sent me a box within 2 days, paid overnight shipping to Tennessee and if it hadn't been over Christmas, I think I would have got it back faster than I did. My point is, maybe Apple does a better job than a local repair shop can do. Mine is doing fine so far, and I've been using it 8 hours a day for the last 2 weeks and it barely gets warm. I don't stress it that much, but always have a lot of windows in Safari open plus two email servers. I just close the lid when I'm done and open it and sign back in when I start it up again. So far so good, so I'm hoping my problem has been solved.

Just curious to those that got their MBPs (17" / 2011) replaced...

Did you get it replaced with item # 605-3059?  I'm wondering if this is the same motherboard model that caused the issue in the first place.

I had my  17'MBP motherboard replaced as recently as last November under this program.  The Apple Diagnostics run in store showed this Mac was included in the range of machines impacted and that it had a graphics fault.  Taken in for repair at £0 cost no problem. 

See http://gannett-hscp.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/mac-book-fail-refund-successfully.htm l for the full story. (UK based)

It was not necessarily the board that was the problem but how it was built ( dodgy solder ? ).  Having the same board build a different way could cure the issue.

Gannett

There are two models of the MBP 17" 2011, early and late, and two processor speeds for each of those, i.e., probably four different original logic boards.  The article number of the "Board, Logic, 2.4 GHz" used to repair my late 2011 MBP 17" 2.4 GHz is 661-6176.  I was told when I asked at the Apple Store where the work was done, that the replacement is a revised logic board, but "revised" does not appear in the description on the work confirmation.  Whether, as you ask, the replacement part is the same as the one that caused the issue in the first place, is something you'd best ask Apple, as there is no conclusive information about that on this board, only conjecture.  I recall one person who said that any revised part, not matter how small the revision, would have a different part number.  Another removed the heat sink from the graphic chip to examine the soldering job and concluded that there was no difference.  I don't know why Apple doesn't just issue an official statement on the matter, but it hasn't, as far as I know.

My part number was 605-2962 and said it was a new or refurbished part (logic board for 2.3 GHz). I sent mine to apple and the box had a return address of Tennessee.

Whilst I am glad Apple are being positive in sorting this out, no one has contacted me - I took in my Macbookpro when it stopped working.  However 10 days later they say I have to wait at least another two weeks. Why don't they have the stock available?  Like many I cannot work without my laptop. No machines to rent - complete disaster for me personally.

"... they say I have to wait at least another two weeks ...": 

A.  "they" = Apple Store

B.  "they" = Apple Authorized Service Provider

C.  "they" = Apple Service Center

D.  "they" = other = __________ (specify)

Which is it?

Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers are not supposed to stock spare parts.  Instead, they order what they need and Apple sends it as quickly as possible.  This minimizes inventory at the cost of increasing shipping costs (overnight, express, etc.).  I don't know what the situation is for other service providers, but I can't imagine that they are encouraged to stock them

Did you ask "them" why the simple exchange of a motherboard takes almost one month?  Shortage of technicians?  Shortage of revised motherboards?  A plethora of intervening holidays?

Keep us informed, please.

Richard Liu wrote:

 

"... they say I have to wait at least another two weeks ...":

A.  "they" = Apple Store

B.  "they" = Apple Authorized Service Provider

C.  "they" = Apple Service Center

D.  "they" = other = __________ (specify)

Which is it?

 

Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers are not supposed to stock spare parts.  Instead, they order what they need and Apple sends it as quickly as possible.  This minimizes inventory at the cost of increasing shipping costs (overnight, express, etc.).  I don't know what the situation is for other service providers, but I can't imagine that they are encouraged to stock them

 

Did you ask "them" why the simple exchange of a motherboard takes almost one month?  Shortage of technicians?  Shortage of revised motherboards?  A plethora of intervening holidays?

 

Keep us informed, please.

Spoken like a true appologist.  Thought you were cuddled up Apple's lap.

Quite the contrary, as anybody accustomed to reading carefully will confirm.  I have put forth evidence that it shouldn't be taking almost a month if davidrash sent or took his machine to an Apple Store, an Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple Service Center.  Therefore, I suggested that he ask Apple for an explanation.

You might wish to review the terms of use of the Apple forums.

I sent mine in Dec 10th and never got it back till the 28th of December. Of course it was over Christmas, but seemed it took a long time.

Oh dear.  What a very rude response.

Obviously, unless otherwise stated it would be an Applestore.

As we are talking about Apple and an Apple laptop, then clearly "they" refers to Apple.

As it happened the part arrived the day after and it was fixed the next morning.

I cannot fault the staff at Applestore Confluence (Lyon) who are very good.

I posted here for help and advice, not a smart arse response - does anyone monitor postings?

I don't see why you think what he wrote was rude, he was just inquiring which type of apple repair you took it to. As he stated some of them don't keep parts on hand. That is what happened in my case. They contacted me for about 10 to 14 days after they received my MBP, and explained the delay was due to awaiting parts; but there was a website they gave me, and a case number and told me to check that for updates. The place that fixed mine, even though I went directly through Apple was a repair that must not have carried parts, or were out of them because they were slow fixing mine due to waiting on parts.

Sorry not very well written, but was interrupted and have no time to recheck. Hope it's understandable.