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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abelliveau

Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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  • by Will-NY,

    Will-NY Will-NY Nov 24, 2013 3:16 PM in response to Will-NY
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 3:16 PM in response to Will-NY

    That said, my own frustrations are no doubt nothing compared to those who still dealing with crashes despite having spent some $300-$600 dollars to replace the logic board/GPUs of their MBPs. I can't imagine how ya'll must be feeling right now nor believe that Apple Inc. is not doing everything possible to secure a legitimate, long-lasting fix for your MBPs ASAP.

  • by ADarkly,

    ADarkly ADarkly Nov 24, 2013 3:28 PM in response to ADarkly
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 3:28 PM in response to ADarkly

    Thought it might be relevant to those reading this thread to know what happened when I took my system back to the Apple store as the replacement logic board was failing. Logic Board #2 (replaced by Apple) was *9* days over the 90 day warranty, and totally failed AS the tech was running diagnostics. Lots of discussion in the back room with his "admin team". Might be worth noting most of the machines brought in by other customers looked to be 15 and 13" MBPs from the same era, all having serious issues (though it sounded like mostly HD problems). I wait.

     

    End solution? Tech comes back and hands me a brand new late-2013 Retina 15" MBP, specs as close to my 15'' 2011 as possible, shrinkwrapped in its box; and sent me on my way. They only asked me to sign one piece of paper.

     

    There was nothing said about the GPU issue etc, but I doubted they'd say anything "on the record" anyhow. TBH if they were willing to do this resolution, I suspect the people working at the Genius Bars have caught on about this problem. (I'm still pretty surprised, though, and may have just gotten VERY lucky.)

     

    So, folks: don't give up on hammering Apple about acknowledging this problem, but in the meantime, it's possible it's worth your while to pay for the replacement logic board and then slam the GPU with as much stress as you can in that 90-day period. Then go back and be very firm. If your Genius Bar tells you they want to replace it again, try another (if you can). The word MAY be making it to Apple that there IS a defect in these machines. At the very least you can tell them about "your friend" and what their Apple store did...

  • by dhakar,

    dhakar dhakar Nov 24, 2013 6:07 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 6:07 PM in response to abelliveau

    A week later graphic issue happened again, after 1-2 hours trying, system is back, what i tried was, safe mode, repair permissions, change memory, apple hardware test.....

    i removed my 8 gb ram and put back 4 gb one, apple hardware test couldnt find any issue, here are some phortos i am gonna just upload a few photos.

     

    My macbook pro is, antiglare early 2011.....

     

     

     

     

    Safe boot 

    IMG_0007.jpg

     

    lots of lines

     

    IMG_0008.jpg

     

    i am going to upload more photos propaply next week, each week i am having this issue at least once

  • by dhakar,

    dhakar dhakar Nov 24, 2013 6:15 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 6:15 PM in response to abelliveau

    Also tried to boot windows on bootcamp...

     

    IMG_0011.jpg

     

     

    the only think i can do is restarting till i can log in safe mode and fix harddisk permission, each restart i am getting those error messages...

    IMG_0015.jpg

    i also tried internet recovery, no success, didnt even start...

    The thing is all logos, apple logo etc has horizantal lines on boot screen when i have that graphiccard issue...

    IMG_0006.jpg

  • by peachepe,

    peachepe peachepe Nov 24, 2013 6:36 PM in response to ADarkly
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 6:36 PM in response to ADarkly

    ADarkly, can you tell us what store was that? I would take mine there too!

  • by ADarkly,

    ADarkly ADarkly Nov 24, 2013 6:45 PM in response to peachepe
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 6:45 PM in response to peachepe

    It was at the Town & Country (or something like that) shopping center in Jacksonville, FL. Of course, now they'll be getting a flood of people asking for "free" MacBooks...

  • by odarellmc,

    odarellmc odarellmc Nov 24, 2013 8:24 PM in response to ADarkly
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 8:24 PM in response to ADarkly

    its not free..its a replacement for a defective product something Apple should be doing to everyone affected

  • by santiagi2,

    santiagi2 santiagi2 Nov 24, 2013 8:44 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 8:44 PM in response to abelliveau

    Another one here... MacBook Pro early 2011 with ATI graphic card.

    Experienced some CPU 100% problems for 2 months, then some sporadic screen glitches over the past week, and the final day it crashed with a screen full of glitches. I hard-reseted but a blue screen appeared after boot. When I boot up, sometimes i see a blue screen after apple logo, or a gray screen. Nothing worked: move kext, safe boot, reseting NVRAM...

     

    Im so furious with Apple right now, this is a design flaw, and the company should take responability.

    I wont spend any money o this company again

  • by ahashem2,

    ahashem2 ahashem2 Nov 24, 2013 11:45 PM in response to apple_power
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 24, 2013 11:45 PM in response to apple_power

    Why I am not authorized to see the article you have written for switching between discrete and integrated graphics in verbose mode? I really need to know those commands to turn on my MBP!! If possible please post them here.

  • by inshadesofBlue,

    inshadesofBlue inshadesofBlue Nov 25, 2013 2:56 AM in response to santiagi2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 2:56 AM in response to santiagi2
    Serial Number: ..............
    Model:- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
    Codename:- No codename assigned.
    Build Country:- This unit was built in China
    Build Year:- This unit was built in the first half of 2011.
    Build Week- Week 9 (February) or week 36 (August)
    Production Nr.:- This unit was number 1653 to be built that week.

  • by Gannett,

    Gannett Gannett Nov 25, 2013 4:02 AM in response to dhakar
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 4:02 AM in response to dhakar

    dhakar The permisions/HD stuff done will not fix the blue bars/Graphics issue - That is a logic board hardware problem. The fact that it shows up even before OSX/Win system is booted shows is not a software problem.  If it goes away then your lucky to have in intermittant fault - but most likely will be back.

     

    ahashem2  are you after gfxCardStatus from  codykrieger.com  It is a small utility that shows current graphics selection and allows to lock to Discrete or integrated graphics.  This has helped some folks with issues in the Discrete graphics area only.

  • by Gannett,

    Gannett Gannett Nov 25, 2013 4:05 AM in response to inshadesofBlue
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 4:05 AM in response to inshadesofBlue

    inshadesofBlue,  Thanks for sharing - Whats your story ?

  • by HeManSk,

    HeManSk HeManSk Nov 25, 2013 4:19 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 4:19 AM in response to abelliveau

    Just came back from the Apple service Centre..gave my macbook for further diagnosis.

    The people at Service Centre kinda rubbished the complaints made in this forum stating that at times these are simply rumours and one intthousand machines is bound to give problems. ..

     

    Secondly the people here at Apple Service Centre charge a hefty amount just for simple diagnosis...remedy of the problem will take yet another hefty sum..

     

    Can anyone guide me on this hefty pricing issue as well?

  • by apple_power,

    apple_power apple_power Nov 25, 2013 4:23 AM in response to ahashem2
    Level 1 (55 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 4:23 AM in response to ahashem2

    @ ahashem2

     

    The 'FIX' thread was removed by the 'Apple Support Communities Staff' with the comment, it is violating the terms of the Use Agreement.

    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.

     

    OK, try this:

     

    1. Let you Mac cool down and remove any external display.

    2. Boot it and press cmd-s (Command key + S) for single user boot.

    3. Wait until the the you can enter a command (the prompt is root#)

    4. Type 'exit' and wait until the familiar login screen appears.

    5. As soon as your Finder comes up (if you have lots of Apps open, close them all)  download gfxCardStatus, start it and select 'Integrated Only'

     

    This helped me, maybe you have to do it more than one time…

     

    Enjoy your 

  • by apple_power,

    apple_power apple_power Nov 25, 2013 4:40 AM in response to HeManSk
    Level 1 (55 points)
    Nov 25, 2013 4:40 AM in response to HeManSk

    @ HeManSk

    Did you go to an Apple-Store or to a Certified Repair Centre?

     

     

    HeManSk wrote:

     

    The people at Service Centre kinda rubbished the complaints made in this forum stating that at times these are simply rumours and one intthousand machines is bound to give problems. ..

     

    This could be true, how many MacBooks have been sold in 2011?

    But on the other hand the problem is just evolving, have a look at the iMac issue (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3194165?start=0&tstart=0), which started Jul 21, 2011 and took two years until Apple started a 'Replacement Program' http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5167?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US (Last Modified: Aug 19, 2013)

     

    Sorry guys, there is still a long way to go…

     

    Enjoy your 

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