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 t-uk1,

    t-uk1 t-uk1 Jan 2, 2014 12:38 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 2, 2014 12:38 PM in response to abelliveau

    My Late 2011 15" MBP (purchased March 2012) is also having this problem. I upgraded the memory to 8GB (from 4GB) and installed an SSD drive just over a year ago.

     

    It all started when my screen jumped around a bit and then went back. When I tried to boot it up, pink horizontal lines were all across the screen and it either got stuck after the apple logo, or a bright blue screen (BSOD anyone?) appeared. It takes a while but eventually after leaving it for a while, and trying multiple times, it eventually boots up. Disabling the GPU with gfxCardStatus seems to stop the problem.

     

    It definitely seems to be related to overheating. Once I get the laptop to boot, I don't have any problems until I use the laptop for something intensive or until the laptop gets hot. When that happens, the whole cycle starts again (screen goes black, pink lines, bsod) and it takes me a while to get the laptop working again.

     

    This is my first Apple laptop and until a week ago, I was very happy with my purchase. I upgraded to Mavericks the day it was released and only started having this problem last week. It could just be coincidental that it has started playing up now, or maybe related to the age of the laptop. I did expect an Apple laptop to last longer than 2 years though!

     

    After reading this thread, I haven't bothered to go to an Apple store to try and get it fixed. It's out of AppleCare and, from what I've read, it eventually starts playing up again after they 'fix' it.

  • by McMaccer,

    McMaccer McMaccer Jan 2, 2014 3:55 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 2, 2014 3:55 PM in response to abelliveau

    Same problems here. A MBP early 2011 2.0 i7 8 gb 500gb hd. Won't start up again after rebooting randomly and giving kernel errors. Brought it to AMac store (netherlands) today. Already had tp pay €85 "investigation costs. The MBP will be back in about to weeks. Lets see what comes out.

     

    This has to be fixed under warranty. Its not what you expect from an a brand. It should last longer than two years.

  • by darwinp5101,

    darwinp5101 darwinp5101 Jan 2, 2014 4:42 PM in response to darwinp5101
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 2, 2014 4:42 PM in response to darwinp5101

    Update...

    My 15" is under applecare still (big sigh of relief). After talking to applecare, they immediately referred me to the local authorized service center. So, it looks like logic board replacement #1 is probably happening in the next day or two.

     

    Interestingly enough, my 17" early 2011 is doing great. But I just realized that I'd had the logic board replaced about a year ago because the USB ports had come loose. So, apparently, that particular replacement may have staved off the problem on that machine.

  • by Kenway,

    Kenway Kenway Jan 2, 2014 9:33 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 2, 2014 9:33 PM in response to abelliveau

    Same problem. I have turned alot of people into Apple users and I must say the shine is coming off.  2011 MBP with the same display issues that are noted.

  • by JayW2181,

    JayW2181 JayW2181 Jan 2, 2014 9:48 PM in response to JayW2181
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 2, 2014 9:48 PM in response to JayW2181

    Update to my post above.

     

    Visited the local notebook repair shop and convinced the tech to let me watch him repair the GPU.

     

    Basically its removing the PCB from the MBP, heat shield the rest of the components, put it inside a BGA rework station. Turned on the rework station and set the temps and heated the GPU till the solder melted and let it cool down. You can actually see the GPU realigning itself.

     

    Put the PCB back into the MBP and I am happy to report its working again, no more blue streaks, tearing on screens or hangups. I have been testing it with quite a few applications running simultaneously and its been good so far for the past few hours.

     

    He did not replace the GPU but just basically reheated it to melt the balls. However his caution is that this will happen again in time and the only solution is change the balls or find a better cooling solution for the GPU. The current heatsink is inadequate and heat builds up with nowhere to go, it causes the balls to expand/contract too much and too often causing it to crack after time.

     

    Taking everything into considerations (time lost, repair costs etc), this should NOT have happened at all, especially not after a couple of years and from a brand that touts its products as premium.

  • by carl wolf,

    carl wolf carl wolf Jan 2, 2014 11:13 PM in response to JayW2181
    Level 6 (14,625 points)
    Jan 2, 2014 11:13 PM in response to JayW2181

    "Taking everything into considerations (time lost, repair costs ...)"

     

    What did the "local notebook repair shop" charge you for the repair?

  • by DavidWu_cn,

    DavidWu_cn DavidWu_cn Jan 3, 2014 4:51 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 3, 2014 4:51 AM in response to abelliveau

    The same problem:

    MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)

    SN： C02FDAG7DF8X

     

     

    My MB Pro 2011 i7 15" with the 6750 chip also failed, I bought in Hong Kong in 2011. It can't even boot now! The genius told me the only way is to replace a mainboard, but it is very expensive (>$700)...

     

    Anybody tell me how to fix it? I have report this prolem to Apple, the issue number is 553495165, I hope Apple can recall these mbps... the executives of Apple will see these posts yet?

     

    Message was edited by: DavidWu_cn

  • by vladgidea,

    vladgidea vladgidea Jan 3, 2014 4:53 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 3, 2014 4:53 AM in response to abelliveau

    Same problem for me as well. We should take action against this, we've been ignored for too long. The only way a company feels the need to answer to their mistakes is when you complain in social media. Here we are  "locked in" so it doesn't really affect them. We should rather tell the world about our disappointment on a twitter hashtag like #mbp2011 . If we all pick a date and a time we can bring this to people's attention, get more media coverage and force an answer from Apple. I need to work, I can't afford to sit on my *** and loose money because my hardware is dead.

     

    We need to talk somewhere else about this, and the sooner the better...

     

    I'll start following this hashtag on twitter to meet more people with this issue and see what can be done.

  • by JayW2181,

    JayW2181 JayW2181 Jan 3, 2014 6:03 AM in response to carl wolf
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 3, 2014 6:03 AM in response to carl wolf

    On his standard rates, it would have been 200 upwards for the whole bunch (diagnosis, parts, repairs and labor) .

     

    I am in Singapore so the prices may vary.

  • by kwlai,

    kwlai kwlai Jan 3, 2014 6:23 AM in response to JayW2181
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 3, 2014 6:23 AM in response to JayW2181

    Count me in! I didn't know this problem affected so many people.

     

    Right now, my early 2011 15" MBP with 6750M is unable to bootup due to the same GPU issue - all I get is a white screen after the Apple logo. Booting to recovery and booting to DVD doesn't work too! I didn't purchased AppleCare and in May 2013, this exact problem occured for the first time. I sent to a third party for repair and 6 months later, it happens again.

  • by rdbrwn,

    rdbrwn rdbrwn Jan 3, 2014 7:11 AM in response to kwlai
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Jan 3, 2014 7:11 AM in response to kwlai

    did they make just reballing or did they also replaced the GPU?

  • by Fernando Lobos,

    Fernando Lobos Fernando Lobos Jan 3, 2014 7:54 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 3, 2014 7:54 AM in response to abelliveau

    I bought a expensive "state of the art" computer... now this is what I got

     

    image_5.jpg

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELE-R6-dZGQ

  • by seol84,

    seol84 seol84 Jan 3, 2014 8:11 AM in response to Fernando Lobos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 3, 2014 8:11 AM in response to Fernando Lobos

    I have the same problem.

     

    I leave my message on my twitter with the hash tag mentioned

     

    We need solution: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card #mbp2011 @AppStore

     

     

    Regards,

     

    Sergio Orozco

    http://www.agendasalud.cl

  • by contraeltiempo,

    contraeltiempo contraeltiempo Jan 3, 2014 9:45 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 3, 2014 9:45 AM in response to abelliveau

    Saludos, la misma falla con mi laptop 2011, a los 2 años falla la tarjeta de video, Alguien sabe como poder recuperarla o que podemos hacer para que Apple responda y asi poder volver a ocupar nuestras preciadas, confiables y vanguardistas maquinas

  • by clintonfrombirmingham,

    clintonfrombirmingham clintonfrombirmingham Jan 3, 2014 9:53 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 7 (30,009 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 3, 2014 9:53 AM in response to abelliveau

    Well, it had to happen - after watching this thread for X number of months, thinking that I was safe because I had a late 2011 (built February 2012) I sitting here in the Apple Store in Birmingham because my GPU went kaput on New Years Eve.

     

    So let me join the list of victims. No telling what the Genius I get will tell me... but I KNOW that it's "THE" GPU problem.

     

    And I don't have a second computer at home - this really blows...

     

    Will be back when my MBP is 'fixed' - until then it's just cable TV...

     

    Wish me luck!

     

    Clinton

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