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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Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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  • by z_bodya,

    z_bodya z_bodya Dec 6, 2013 10:22 PM in response to kittykatKS
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 6, 2013 10:22 PM in response to kittykatKS

    After boot into recovery, probably you will be able to mount you disk(using disk utility, or from Terminal application using mount_hfs utility), then you can copy what yyou want from Terminal.

     

    Also maybe you can boot into single user mode, and do the same thing from there:

     

    It would be something like: 

    # mount your bakup drive (you can use "diskutil list" to view what disk need to be mounted)
$ mkdir /tmp/bak
$ mount_hfs /dev/disk1s2 /tmp/bak

# copy your files
$ cp -rp /Users/<user name> /tmp/bak/<bakup name>

# unmount disk to safely remove it
$ umount /dev/disk1s2

  • by rajdsouza,

    rajdsouza rajdsouza Dec 6, 2013 11:57 PM in response to z_bodya
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 6, 2013 11:57 PM in response to z_bodya

    I am am still finding a channel to inform Apple of this issue.

     

    Have created a bug and uploaded loads of information.

     

    Discussed with geniuses( not at all geniuses ) in genius bar. If they are going to just change the logic board. Who is going to report to apple about this issue.

     

    Somehow it should be channelled i dont know how at his moment. But really frustrated. Spoke to Executives on the phone too. she said apple does not know about the issue. but she does not know how apple will come to know about it as i dont remember anyone taking down from me the pictures of my mac iisue. or any logs as such untill i filed a software bug on osx.

     

    Really crazy situation.

  • by rajdsouza,

    rajdsouza rajdsouza Dec 6, 2013 11:59 PM in response to kittykatKS
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 6, 2013 11:59 PM in response to kittykatKS

    @kittykatKS

     

    The best and simple way would be go to apple store in a genius bar. they will connect a thunderbolt from ur mac to another and then u can backup all that you need,

     

    I got it done that way.

  • by rajdsouza,

    rajdsouza rajdsouza Dec 7, 2013 12:22 AM in response to rajdsouza
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 12:22 AM in response to rajdsouza

    If only i knew about this sooner.... I could have revived it with just making sure my gpu was cooled down properly

     

    http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Early+2011+Teardown/4 990

  • by rajdsouza,

    rajdsouza rajdsouza Dec 7, 2013 12:24 AM in response to rajdsouza
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 12:24 AM in response to rajdsouza

    it only costs 7$

     

    http://www.amazon.com/Innovation-Cooling-Diamond-Thermal-Compound/dp/B0042IEVD8

  • by carl wolf,

    carl wolf carl wolf Dec 7, 2013 1:30 AM in response to LociKW
    Level 6 (14,625 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 1:30 AM in response to LociKW

    "It seems the lead-free solder is coming back to haunt more than just Apple. "

    Lead-free solder has been mandated for several years for all manufactuers of all products, as part of international RoHS legislation.

     

    "I am am still finding a channel to inform Apple of this issue."

    Apple is aware of the issue, as evidenced by the warranty extension program.

  • by Rimshots,

    Rimshots Rimshots Dec 7, 2013 3:06 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 3:06 AM in response to abelliveau

    i hope Apple should the take actions now on this issues, and i think the process will take time.

    So what i did as a temporary solution is i go for a local repair shop here in Jeddah, they have this BGA rework machine and they reheated the graphics chip for about 8 mins as per normal or default BGA rework profile.

    it work for me and its about 3 months already im using may MBP with gfxcardstatus and forced to work in integrated.

    still not trying to work dynamically due to risk that will turnback in dead MBP, i mean MBP not rebooting and grey screen only.

     

    as i obderve that working in integrated graphics is more stable and no overheats.

     

    so it means there is somthings wrong on the design, the system cannot handle the operation of AMD chip during heavy graphic tasks. so Apple should investigate that after 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 of usage and it crashed.

     

    So i just share to you my temporary solutions while the replacement program is in progress...

  • by matthewadams,

    matthewadams matthewadams Dec 7, 2013 5:06 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 5:06 AM in response to abelliveau

    Alright. Problem first occured yesterday, today it wont even boot with the issues described in this thread.

     

    I've mainly been using the dGPU since the book was almost exclusively attached to an external screen.

    To those who did a BGA Reball: How are your MBPs holding up? (I'm taking mine in for a BGA Reball & chip replacement on monday but I wonder since I will continue using it on the external screen)

  • by lipkhun,

    lipkhun lipkhun Dec 7, 2013 6:19 AM in response to Rimshots
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 6:19 AM in response to Rimshots

    i also have my early 2011 15" MBP...  purchase on dec 28, 2011...

    since april 2013.. the intermitten screen begin occured...

    finnaly for last 6 months i frequently used the external screen ( must buy vga connector ) when the screen become blank on my MBP, i still see on external screen.. sometimes need a long time to got back to MBP screen become alive again.

    two weeks ago the MBP hanging... must be force to power off..  when power on again the apple screen become pink and keep loading... cant  boot to the system...

    alt-d  and ctrl P R  only can be access, but cant boot to the system..

    Finally i buy the new  mid 2012 13" MBP..  the  old 15"MBP hard drive  i move to the new 13" MBP.. and everything can run normally... ( some license cant work )....

    then i left the old MBP on the local mac service centre which i buy the new 13" MBP...

    after one week they inform me that the VGA chipset is failed ( AMD Radeon )....

    and it cost me 600$ - 7.500.000 indonesian rupiahs  ...

    i thinks its too expensive for MBP that i only happy to used within 13 month only... and the last 6 month is use with suffering .. many times screen blank...and must use external monitor...

    i still have my toshiba working fine almost 7 years until now.. except the battery live...

    now i join to this forum thread...

    with a hope... that the intermitten for 15" MBP early 2011 become common problem like on mid-2010

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

     

    i already try all of the suggestion on many thread...until the MBP become dead two weeks ago...

    what can else i can do for this issue..., maybe need to post complain to apple ... please give me a suggestion..

    thanks....

  • by guaranna,

    guaranna guaranna Dec 7, 2013 9:13 AM in response to olenev
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 9:13 AM in response to olenev

    I also filed a bug report, It also was closed because it's a duplicate. I asked to see the resolution of that 15491111 bug. Here's the answer:

     

    Hello,

     

    Thank you for contacting us. At this time, there isn't any new information available for this issue. Please note that you will not be able to directly view this duplicate report in order to protect the other Developer's information. You will however able to view the status of the report. The open or closed status of the original bug report your issue was duplicated to appears in the yellow "Duplicate of XXXXXXXX" section of the bug reporter user interface. This section appears near the top of the right column's bug detail view just under the bug number, title, state, product and rank.

     

    The thing is, that bug 15491111 is CLOSED.

  • by kittykatKS,

    kittykatKS kittykatKS Dec 7, 2013 11:11 AM in response to z_bodya
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 11:11 AM in response to z_bodya

    Thank you so much bodya.  I was able to mount my HD, but I'm not good terminal.  

  • by vanGoga,

    vanGoga vanGoga Dec 7, 2013 11:31 AM in response to kittykatKS
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 11:31 AM in response to kittykatKS

    You can backup data using target disk mode

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ph3838

    "start it up while holding down the T key."

  • by Swampus,

    Swampus Swampus Dec 7, 2013 11:32 AM in response to matthewadams
    Level 2 (180 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 11:32 AM in response to matthewadams

    matthewadams wrote:

     

    ...To those who did a BGA Reball: How are your MBPs holding up? (I'm taking mine in for a BGA Reball & chip replacement on monday but I wonder since I will continue using it on the external screen)

     

    In reading through these threads, I've yet to see a reported failure of a reball repair or chip replacement.  However, these options have not been used for nearly as long as having the logic board replaced by Apple.  The entire first year for this problem (when still under warranty) was all logic board replacement.  And there was no reason to assume that this wasn't the best course of action until people started reporting failures with the replacement boards.

     

    The only thing that I can think to mention Monday is that you're concerned about cooling and ask them to verify that there is a good fit between the heatsink and dies.  When you get it back, keep an eye on temperatures.

     

    Try to check this thread Monday morning to see if anyone else has any better suggestions.

     

    Good luck to you!

  • by Swampus,

    Swampus Swampus Dec 7, 2013 11:53 AM in response to matthewadams
    Level 2 (180 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 11:53 AM in response to matthewadams

    Okay, two more things:

     

    A professional shop should catch this, but it wouldn't hurt to mention that the most detailed feedback received so far points to damage to adjacent chips.  From a few pages back, jensgoehler's post on 12/4 @ 2:31pm:

     

    I advised the shop to do the repair only after calling me back.

    They sent analysis report and microscope photos of faulty solder joints and heat marks

    round the GPU die back and offered me repairing as followed:

     

    - new GPU                                                       148,00   <- GPU burned + cracked solder joints

    - new GPU Vcore                                               48,60

    - SMC resoldering                                                0,00   <- no replace required - "only" few solder balls cracked

    - new thermal paste by "Prolimatech"                  0,00

    - clean up                                                             0,00

    - component stress test

    - 48 hours longterm test                                       

    - shipping                                                              0,00

     

    Secondly, to add to the existing body of knowledge, ask them if they would be willing to provide some pre-repair imaging to post for discussion.  Invite them to put their logo on the images and they might be willing to do some detailed analysis in exchange for the publicity.

  • by matthewadams,

    matthewadams matthewadams Dec 7, 2013 3:15 PM in response to Swampus
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 7, 2013 3:15 PM in response to Swampus

    Thanks for the advice.

    I have to add: I sort of trust the place. They have replaced the GPU of a friends MBP 2011 2 months ago and it's been running fine since (they didnt just reball, they ordered a new chip and also did a 48hrs stress test as well as new thermal paste and the usual stuff).

    However he doesnt use an external screen and counting in Mavericks and the recent versions of Chrome/Safari/Flash the discrete GPU is far less triggered than it used to be back then.

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