Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

UEFI updates are usually tailored on a per-machine basis, so why should this happen?

There is no pre-load, it appear literrly when the screen is lit up.

As for windows: yes it happens. the lines wont disappear, and windows almost immediately goes to blue screen.

A reflow helped a lot of ppl temporary, so did a logic board swap but the issue reappears cause the hardware issue has not been fixed yet. The only thing that reliable helped (and is confirmed by the few people who did it) is soldering on a new chip.

The article only referes only to freezes, not to the glitches many users are experiencing.

(in fact, the MBP of a friend was still on 10.6 when the issues first occured).

If you wanna go ahead and check your system for stability, give this a shot:

http://unigine.com/products/heaven/

But be warned, this benchmark was the final straw for my GPU chip (i only had the glitches before, but this benchmark made the lines permanent) -- it worked fine though during times when the GPU was still intact.

(Since youre on 10.6 you might need the previous version: http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/2110/unigine-heaven-benchmark-3-0-for-mac-o s-x/mirrors )

This issue is not related to Mavericks - it is presented even on early stages of boot (when even OS X kernel is not loaded at all), also I persists when you are booting to apple hardware test or recovery.

And it is definitely hardware issue - it was fixed for me when GPU chip was completely replaced by new one(for now, it works without any issues with same OS(10.9 Mavericks) for 3 weeks).

Of course - there can be OS related issues that can cause something similar.

But for most of people in this thread, it is not OS related issue, and no matter how many times they reinstall OS or which OS version they are using - it will not help, because it is hardware defect in GPU chip, and the only way to completely fix it - replace this chip.

So many things to respond to.

1. Ok firstly have you had a look here?

https://discussions.apple.com/message/18398448#18398448#18398448

Some guy flashed his radeon GPU bios and fixed his issues. You mentioned booting in windows, so perhaps you've looked at that?

2. Like many others, I don't experience the issue with Automatic Graphics Switching disabled.

I will concede my overzealousness in calling it Mavericks issue per se. (in my case it was, but clearly others have been experiencing it for some time on other OS's).

I'm still sure it is a software/firmware one however.

3. I'd really be curious to know if we are of course talking about the same bug. For me I've experienced these two the most:

- moved screen http://imageshack.us/a/img26/9898/screenshot20130201at758.png

- horizontal distortion - like thishttp://imageshack.us/a/img145/9898/screenshot20130201at758.png

The failure mode to be so repeatable, indicates maybe a firmware, or driver timing issue etc. If it was merely "oh you fried your GPU", then surely thermal damage would cause failures in different ways. Also, replacing the GPu would fix people's problems. But I've seen reports of this not being the case.

Take this chap for example:

https://discussions.apple.com/message/21863281#21863281

I just came across this post in another but related thread:

OSX Lion + 2011 iMac 27'' + Video = Freeze

This sums it up nicely.

Graphics Artifacting in OSX w. ATI graphics cards.

  Known Systems affected.

-2010 iMac w. ATI Radeon HD 5750

-2011 iMac w. AMD Radeon HD 6970M

 

  Other systems have been reported to experience the GPU artifacting as well. These two cards are the most known and commonly affected.

 

 

  Different builds of the OS produce different results. This leads me and many others to know that this is a software problem.

 

 

  Graphics artifacts are NEVER present in recovery mode and new OS installation mode?

 

 

  Graphics artifacts show up on PRINT SCREENS and external displays.

 

  Johann P recomends NEVER putting the display to sleep as this replicates the artifacts pretty quickly.

 

  I have personally experienced the problem in later builds of 10.6 through 10.7 to 10.8 as well as many others.

 

  Andrew Humphreys had come up with the first originally temporary solution. This involved flashing the GPU BIOS settings. The original power play settings were 157/300. In his fix the settings are changed to 400/900. Some have had limited success increasing their idle voltage from 0.95v to 0.96, 0.97 or 0.98. Personally I increased my voltage to 0.98. All of the information on this fix is originally documented at this link.https://discussions.apple.com/message/18398448#18398448 (It should be noted that this fix is only a temporary solution. That may last weeks or months.)

 

The two main Apple support threads documenting these problems are:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3194165?start=0&tstart=0

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3199218?start=0&tstart=0

 

 

Apple has been made aware of this problem on separate accounts. I have personally contacted apple by sending an email directly to Tim Cook. I had then been contacted by an Apple executive representative and support technician who were working with apple engineers. At first they seemed very interested in my specific problem. They had even originally agreed with me that this must be software related. After a few days with no new answer Apple’s “Engineers” concluded that it was hardware related. They had wanted me to take my machine to an apple store to replace my GPU. I disagreed with them and did not take my machine in. The reason for not taking in my machine was because it was my main computer needed for work and I could not be without it for the estimated 4 days of service time. I also was reluctant to bring my machine in for a graphics card replacement because many users in the support thread have done the same to no avail. Many users experiencing this problem before me have had their GPU, PSU, Logic board, and Display replaced and have noted that the artifacting/graphics problems still existed.

 

 

  All in all the problem is either error in design or driver related. These ATI cards are not agreeing with OSX after extended amounts of time and someone does not want to admit this.

 

  I would like to compile as much information on this subject to help the users experiencing these problems as well as lead people away from buying any machines with the problematic ATI cards.

 

 

 

My Personal notes on 27” iMac w/ ATI Radeon 5750HD running in OSX.

 

 

Andrew Humphrey’s Original Fix (This fix only lasted a few months.)

  GPU flash of power play settings from 157/300 to 400/900.

  Also voltage increases from 0.95v to 0.98v

  Print screens show artifacts as well as external displays

 

 

10.6 (This is where I originally experienced the artifacting. at this point in time I did not take notes on the builds that were affected.)

10.7 (Artifacting was similar to 10.6 if not better or worse. I did not take careful notes.)

10.8.0 (untested, however Andrew has reported originally that this build was stable but over time went bad.)

10.8.1 (untested)

10.8.2 (This build was stable for quite some time until an unknown problem occurred which lead to artifacting.)

  -Disabling the dock magnification feature improves stability and lessens artifacting. Does not completely fix the problem. (This can probably be explained due to the immediate change in the GPU clock cycle.)

  -Resolution change. Less artifacts at 1920 x 1080.

10.8.3 (completely unstable/unusable (AppleGraphicsPowerManagement.kext was introduced which undoes the original BIOS FLASH fix)

10.8.4 (I am hoping that this build will have a fix as I have heard that it is focusing on graphics)

Also I found another use like myself that only experienced it with Mavericks. Not to say it's a 10.9 issue, but just to again point to a software/driver/firmware and hardware interplay issue and not a "I fried my GPU issue"

Logic Board #1:

• Lasted 2 years and 2 months.
• Mountain Lion wouldn't boot.
• Crashes under GPU load on Windows.

Logic Board #2 (Windows and Mountain Lion removed, fresh install of Mavericks):

• Lasted 1 weekend.
• Couldn't even get to the Recovery Mode -> Blue screen.

Logic Board #3:

• Lasted 2 weeks.
• Black screen. Nothing shown in the screen.

Logic Board #4 is running good so far (2 weeks)

It's not a software issue, it's hardware.

Please stop hijacking this thread with your ridiculous assertions!

It is a known fact that this is a hardware failure and has nothing to do with software. If you read enough of the posts you would easily come to the same conclusion.

Maybe you're experiencing a different issue but your claim that only because you could fix your particular problem with a downgrade from Mavericks this is the same problem everyone else is seeing is outrageous.

1. It is not related to bios or software update - new chip that I have right now is using the same bios without any problems(if you do not know - bios is physically in other chip. and it was not flashed with other version or replaced - it is exactly the same).

2. It is not related to switching(I have tried to do something with it in many different variations - no luck). And once again: bug appears before OS boot, so it can not be related to graphics switching(I have some experience hacking osx, and believe me - code responsible for graphic switching simply can not be loaded at this stage).

3. Probably you are talking about another bug... Bug, that I have experienced, looks like this: http://piccy.info/view3/5461241/d2aca0af96f9462d5783b90bf886cb99/800/

It appeared without any relation to OS Updates (more than week after I have installed some os updates, and half a year or even more from last firmware update)

In most cases after few unsuccessful tries to boot, after some warmup(as I think), I was able to boot, so from my expirience - issue depends from chip temperature(it can not be software problem).

BTW, before saying that it is software problem - read the thread, and probably you will notice:

- this problem is presented on different firmwares and os versions (on windows too)

- there is people who tried to downgrade OS and/or firmware - and problem persists

- the only solution that I have seen here(and what helped personally for me) - GPU chip replacement(in case of apple service - whole logic board replacement)

And once more - there is possibility for other issues related to software, but most people here are experiencing hardware failure.

Alrighty.. just got mine back from a chip & BGA replacement and its working great!

spent some more time talking to that guy and he explained one of the reasons they dont just do "reballing" is that - while you might get through with heating the chip 3 times (once at factory, once for de-soldering and once for re-soldering) it might cause internal damage which will eventually show after some additional usage...

for now im just happy to have my mac back and fully working with the external screen attached..

Nice tip! Got life in my MBP, screenupdates are slow though.

Thanx :-)

well i try explain my experience with this issue, because my problem is solve now (2 hours maybe, 6 o 7 reboots). I don't speak english because im mexican but im try.

2 weeks ago the problem come out, im very secure this is the GPU and not the software problem because i have 2 friends with the same macbook pro 2011 late they have the same GPU issue.

I try everything; Remove ATI drivers, boot linux, windows, or recovery particion.

I read too many sites, all the sites say's "its a hardware problem" , "needs reballing"... i think it is, but now im not secure... yesterday come out 10.9.1, and don't upgrade my system because i think is a bad idea, but is not. Today call the apple center because i stay 100% secure is a hardware problem and fix it with reballing in another company and try speak to apple 1 more time (im out of warranty), and stay 1 hour 30 minutes with issues testing my system, the last try i say to the technician "yesterday one upgrade of mavericks come out, i can force the HD3000 and upgrade the system..." and i did... after the issue come out i cant export videos in imovie, or iPhoto, or play games with the HD 6750m because he crash the system. Before the upgrade the system boots normally and I CAN USE THE 6750M, i can play games now , export a iMovie file in 1080p,  plug external displays,export photos and more.

The system works now, i stay using the graphics card in games for 2 hours maybe?, shut down the machine, reboots, EVERYTHING, trying the issue come out but he doesn't.

Im a software engineer , and electronic technician, and now i think is a software problem, because mi GPU NEVER UP TO 90degrees, and SILVER OR PB NEED MORE THAN 150 degrees to melt it. I think the software problem is RELATED to the voltage in the GPU or something like that, because when the energy things in mavericks come out the problem too in too many users, sites.

I recomend force boot with the HD3000, upgrade the system and see what comes...

Who i force the boot?, boot the computer, and provoque the "white/blue/gray" screen, and leave the macbook, in 8 minutes u can hear the fans, touch up to the f2 or ESC keys, if the macbook is very very hot force the shutdown, and boot again. Repeat the process if the macbook dont use the HD 3000.

Before the macbook boots check this and says is running with the HD 3000

My problem is solve now with 10.9.1.... but only in this hours ( 3 now maybe).
I try too many stress test... and still good and on

FYI, I had these serious issues too. Today I got him back after a reballing job of the gpu and seems to work like a charm again. The guy who did this, told me that the reballing will work. If it fails again, I need to replace the gpu with a new one and then we're done.

Of course, I agree on all complaints towards Apple but I didnt want to wait for them.

Im a software engineer , and electronic technician, and now i think is a software problem, because mi GPU NEVER UP TO 90degrees, and SILVER OR PB NEED MORE THAN 150 degrees to melt it. I think the software problem is RELATED to the voltage in the GPU or something like that, because when the energy things in mavericks come out the problem too in too many users, sites.

It's not about the solder getting 150c to melt.

f it's not an intern GPU fault, it's prbabably bad soldering of the BGA.

Not all balls got fully liquidus or long enough TAL, not giving a 100% soldered connection.

It makes contact but is not really soldered, doesn't havea  real intermetallic bond.

More "glued" instead of soldered.

It's the mechanical stress caused by heating/cooling cycles, making it expand and contract.

Breaking the "glued"  connection, like the head-in-pillow photo posted.

It's not about the solder getting 150c to melt.

f it's not an intern GPU fault, it's prbabably bad soldering of the BGA.

Not all balls got fully liquidus or long enough TAL, not giving a 100% soldered connection.

It makes contact but is not really soldered, doesn't havea  real intermetallic bond.

More "glued" instead of soldered.

 

It's the mechanical stress caused by heating/cooling cycles, making it expand and contract.

Breaking the "glued"  connection, like the head-in-pillow photo posted.

I forgot this, yes its true the mechanical stress is more dangerous and break some materials like silver not the PB (not too easy), but i think apple use silver because is more "ambiental friendly" than PB . The solder like Sn 60%/pb40% endure more time than Sn/pn/Ag aleation.
But all the pictures are my macbook, i take the first picture 1 week ago, they have the issue or lines in only some cases, when i try boot linux the lines changes for bars or whatever he wants.

Maybe reflow is a solution, but if the solder is silver kill more the conectors because in high temperatures the Ag have more oxidation, this explain why some macbook after the reflow or repairs die in 1 or 2 weeks.

Maybe i am so lucky and my connection is now working. But the issue can come out again.

Sorry my english is very very bad

@ mat.79

Ok I also don't understand why you are insisting your point that it is a software issue. Have you read the 100+ pages of this thread? Well I have and I my specific case, all the symptoms you described started happening with ONLY the discreet GPU enabled, also booted in Windows, and I NEVER UPGRADED FROM 10.6.8. I think the only difference is that your problems are not so severe enough (the fact that you can actually boot to ANY os) to make you come to same conclusion (hardware) that everyone else came to. Downgrading probably stresses the system less than the newer OS so that the condition SEEMS to have gone away for you. Give it time doing music/video editing or any GPU intensive stuff that heats your machine up and you'll change your story. Please stop arguing this uninformed point. People like me are a monitoring this thread to see if/when there's a solution and how people are getting treated by apple. Stop wasting our time. Thanks.

Yep. Same issue here as with the other 134 pages of posts.  My 17" 2011 MBP graphics died after just under 2 years and since I didn't have applecare I had to pay the ful cost of a replacement logic board. The replacement was faulty, it workined in the applestore but as soon as I got home I had the blue screen with horizontal bars. After 4weeks and 3 trips back into the apple store in Broadway (Sydney) they finally replaced the replacement logic board after telling me the issue was caused by the RAM/ my 3rd party SSD / bad software install etc.  This graphics card in the current logic board started to fail after 2 1/2 months and now I keep getting intermittent episodes of a fuzzy pink screen. I have been a loyal mac supporter for many years but the quality of products and service has declined to a totally unacceptable level.  

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