Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Meanwhile, my MBP has been in the hands of the Geniuses since mid day Saturday, and I haven't yet heard anything from them.

I am here to join the club... Very disappointing that this has occurred 2+ years into owning my Macbook...

Bart, how exactly did you contact support? I am out of warranty and am unable to get a number? Anyone have an ideas?

I visited expresslane.apple.com

Clicked Mac

Clicked Mac Notebooks

Clicked Other Topics

Selected Display Flickering

Clicked Continue

Clicked Call Apple Support Later

Entered my contact info

Clicked Continue

I think the next screen gave me an ID number and phone number to call. However, when calling, they never asked for the ID, just what the problem was.

Bart

Thanks Bart,

I spoke to Jordan at Apple Support and I am going to drop my MacBook in to my local service centre for dignosis tomorrow. I will keep everyone posted on how this goes... Hopefully it isn't going to be a $1000 repair as suspected.

I have a 17'' MBP with the same problem.  It started 4 months ago; whenever an SWT JAVA app turned on the discrete graphics, there was a blue tint.  I thought this was a Java issue at the time...

Then last week the machine would not get past the grey screen unless I removed the graphics drivers and booted into safe mode.  Any time the discrete graphics is enabled, the computer freezes.

I brought the machine into the apple store today.  They demanded $310 to replace the motherboard, and said they would replace 15'' models at no charge, but not the 17'' models.

I have several reasons to believe that Apple knew this was a problem last year, while the machine was still under warrantee, but did nothing to notify their customers. 

Has anybody contacted an attorney about a class action suit?  I would bet on  many more 17'' models starting to fail over the few several months.

I removed the graphics drivers

Which graphics drivers did you remove?

This isn't a permanant problem thus I would suggest that a 'class action suit' would be pointless.

Clinton

I briefly removed the ATI drivers so I could boot the system and transfer some files out. 

Unfortunatly, I could not get any software based programs to disable the GPU on boot.  If Apple admitted this was a problem, and had a firmware hotfix to disable the GPU, I would happily have lived with the integrated graphics!

The problem is that the GPU was not properly seated, and fails after time (less than 2 years).  I have started documenting posts from scores of customers with the same exact problem, each one failing after the same amount of time.

This is NOT a software issue.  We will see if this is not 'a permanant problem' after Apple replaces thousands of motherboards over the next year.  This model retailed at over $2500 USD, and they still do not offer a comparable model;  I think most owners will opt for the motherboard replacement vs. having an aluminum brick.

My concern right now is that the solution Apple seem to be suggesting (logicboard replacement) does not seem to be working!

I've seen a few people in this thread, and the other thread I quoted above, saying that the replacement would fall over as well...?

Their fix definitely doesn't work. The problem with it too is that the replacement logic boards fail significantly faster. Whereas the original took longer than two years to fail, the replacement ones fail as quickly as two weeks after they're installed. (In my case, less than 24 hours)

I also still don't have my laptop back that I dropped off Saturday. Haven't heard anything from them yet, which makes me think they're replacing the logic board again.

I've just sent an email to Tim Cook....seeing how I haven't heard back from the feedback form I sent. Kind of a last resort tbh!

Has anyone worked out a way to get OSX to boot using the Intergrated GPU only (everytime)? Obviously if you're lucky enough to get it to boot up in the first place a quick click allows you to switch to "integrated only" on gfxCardStatus... And all runs ok form there on, but if you dare shut it down or restart it seems to be hit or miss???

Also worth noting is that I can make my GPU crash by switching to discreet GPU and then as soon as I hear the Fans start the computer crashes. A definite sign of a temperature issues...? Has anyone else experienced this?

this guide helped in my case - https://discussions.apple.com/message/16069150#16069150

I can boot without a hitch, however, there's a bluish tint all over the screen, color management does not work and it's not possible to tweak screen brightness. GPU accelerated UI elements may not work (I can not see certain menu elements in evernote, for example; opera shows a blank screen, while the contents are actually loading, and some other programs show minor issues)

still haven't visited an apple service centre, though (there's not a single one in my area and I'm moving end of this month), and I am at least happy I can keep it working for now.

Now that you mention it I have had the blueish tinge issue for about 3 months so just beware that it's probably a preliminary sign that the GPU is about to die... Sorry for the bad news

jonesy_666,

my GPU is dead already - I wrote a report <a href="https://discussions.apple.com/message/22208425#22208425">here</a> and e-mailed a report to apple.

it probably can't get worse from here, but I'm dreading my incoming repair costs already (didn't bother purchasing apple care because all previous apple devices been working for years without any major trouble, sans battery replacement over time)

Yeah, I am the same. I have owned 4 MacBooks and an iMac (+ many iDevices) over the years and not a worry in the world, and if there was it was generally a minor fix. I'm really disappointed I don't have AppleCare for this one though... I will let you know the outcome of my Diagnostics test tomorrow - by the way I think my GPU has fully given up now, I can't start the thing up now :(