Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Another option if you're not keen on a clean OSX install and want to see if this is a hardware issue is to boot into Bootcamp or another OSX install on a separate drive (or disc). If it crashes on more than one OS then it is almost certainly hardware. This has been my experience - it doesn't matter what I'm booting into - CRASH!

I guess it could still be firmware but it seems unlikely.

Just adding my name to the list of people having the same problem.

Early 2011 with 1024mb 6750M, 8gb ram, internal HDD and SSD. fireware 1.69f4. Mavericks

Started about 3 weeks ago. Occasional corruption and screen shifting during use and machine hanging requiring a hard reset. When restarting getting thin white lines on boot screen progressing to solid grey screen and machine hanging before booting into OSX.

Can consistently get machine to boot through a workaround by entering single user, exiting and then getting stuck on grey screen. After a few mins the machine either shuts down or I force a power off. On booting next time no thin white lines and machine boots ok. Occasionally have to repeat procedure.

Once booted using I am gfxstatus set to "integrated only", machine seems to be generally stable and is useable. Sometimes machine locks when coming out of sleep.

Not yet been to the genius bar as the comments on this thread suggest that it won't add anything new to what I know already. Also since I use the machine intesively for work, haven't found a convenient window where I can do without the machine for a few days. whilst they replace the logic board.

Even if you aren't using a very intensive computation program and have a problematic SMC, it could be pushing too much voltage on a component reducing its lifespan.

True, but I'm quite certain this is not the case because I do have an eye on temperatures, voltages and overall power consumption in the system. Originally for the intent to keep temperature and fan noise down but now also to be certain that the SMC is not frying the GPU. Actually if it really is a soldered joint problem (which seems to be the most likely explanation at the moment) I'd be more worried about the temperature and temperature difference between GPU and board rather than the voltage.

 

True, but I'm quite certain this is not the case because I do have an eye on temperatures, voltages and overall power consumption in the system. Originally for the intent to keep temperature and fan noise down but now also to be certain that the SMC is not frying the GPU. Actually if it really is a soldered joint problem (which seems to be the most likely explanation at the moment) I'd be more worried about the temperature and temperature difference between GPU and board rather than the voltage.

An increase in the voltage due to a bad firmware would rise the temperature the same way a high computation program would do. Resulting the brittle solder or gap between the components.

We are talking about the same thing.

Count me in with the same problem: glitches starting to appear yesterday and by the end of the day, the computer locked up during boot (first with grey screen, after with the blue screen and stripes). I was finally able to boot into the safety boot and am not trying to complete a backup, before sending the computer in for a quote to replace the logic board.

Hope Apple steps up and does right by its customers, offering the same extended warranty it has offered customers in the past, for very similar wide spread problems. I would even be willing to support some of the cost of repair, but asking 600€ for a repair on such a widespread problem, after just 26 months of use of a premium computer, isn't right!

I was able to get it to boot a couple times doing this, and was even able to download and set gfxstatus to use integrated only. but after 10 minutes or so loading finder kept freezing everything except the mouse cursor. web pages load blank, finder beachballs, etc.

now it won't start up again

can anyone get the 'fix' back up? seems like I'm getting an 'unauthorized' page!

I recommend just using gfx card status. But the basic method is to boot in single user mode and move all amd and ati related files from System/Library/Extensions into a temp folder.

eimerz wrote:

 

can anyone get the 'fix' back up? seems like I'm getting an 'unauthorized' page!

Hi eimerz, I'm the one who set up the 'FIX' thread. Unfortunately the 'Apple Support Communities Staff' did remove the thread with the comment, it is violating the terms of the Use Agreement:

Recently you made a post to Apple Support Communities that discussed inappropriate activities. We have removed your post titled "Solve a MacBookPro 2011 Graphics Issue," which is included for your reference below.

Please take a moment to read your post as well as the Apple Support Communities Use Agreement at https://discussions.apple.com/static/apple/tutorial/tou.html. We encourage you to use these forums as a resource, however we insist that you keep your post within the terms of the Use Agreement.

Best Regards,

Apple Support Communities Staff

But you can find all the infos also here in this thread, you just have to dig through it. My tip for non tech savvy users is to download gfxStatusCard, install it and select 'Internal GPU only' in the menu. you have to do that every time you start your Mac.

Enjoy your 

odarellmc wrote:

 

I tried reinstalling lion but nothing changed..after I clicked install it loaded for 3 ,minutes the restarted and everything was the same as before...

Do I get you right, after reinstalling you still have the same problem (Graphics glitches) as before?

Enjoy your 

An increase in the voltage due to a bad firmware would rise the temperature the same way a high computation program would do. Resulting the brittle solder or gap between the components.

We are talking about the same thing.

We're indeed talking about related topics, however I'm certain that this is not what is happening since I always have been watching temperatures and voltages closely and know that both have always been in check on this laptop.

Finally MacBook is dead and not showing the screen maybe have to removie the ATI drivers so that it runs soully on Intel Graphics Card and please someone give me steps to remove those files me using mavericks.

And will this steps help or not?

Really Apple you ******* lost me. No more apple products from now. Need to change 8 Iphone 5 to android and 2 macbook pros too.

Too disappointed.

Can anyone here let me know that will there ever be a fix for this or i would have to get a new MacBook. Cuz i really need to get My work done and sorry got really angry in my last post. But now what to do?

Schedule an appt @ your local apple store. One user here reported they now acknowledge the issue. Personally I bought mine from best buy because they offer replacement plans. I will be taking mine in to see if this is covered Monday.

@ Taranbeer

Taranbeer wrote:

 

Finally MacBook is dead and not showing the screen maybe have to removie the ATI drivers so that it runs soully on Intel Graphics Card and please someone give me steps to remove those files me using mavericks.

And will this steps help or not?

Really Apple you ******* lost me. No more apple products from now. Need to change 8 Iphone 5 to android and 2 macbook pros too.

Too disappointed.

No need to be disappointed, even Apple products can fail as they are  made from standard components like other PC's too.

First, you write the 'MacBook is dead and not showing the screen', is it still running? Is the case warm or cold? Do you hear the Boot Sound when you press the power button?

We need more Information!!

Enjoy your 