Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Please put me on the list of new failures as well: this is for an Early 2011 Macbook Pro 15" with AMD Radeon HD 6490M. My symptoms are exactly the same as detailed here: [1] https://discussions.apple.com/message/24209863#24209863

However, even following the steps, I was unable to use gfxcardstatus to switch to integrated graphics mode, as it gives me the error that an external display is attached. By moving the ATI (AMD) drivers from the /System/Library/Extensions folder elsewhere, I was able to boot into the OS, but like reported in the above link, the screen is virtually unreadable and glitchy.

Anybody who has not already, please submit a response to the Google survey:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PuJ2QS2Ri7fw9HVaNHLQ4OYZCb99zonc96HmhTWEAoY/vie wform

for which you can see the results here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1PuJ2QS2Ri7fw9HVaNHLQ4OYZCb99zonc96HmhTWEAoY/vie wanalytics

At this point, the only fix seems to be to:

• Do a logic board repair (estimated cost is $320 to $600+ depending on region in the world)
• Bake the logic board  (see the link [1]) but it seems unclear whether this is going to be a pseudo-permanent fix or it might only work for a week or a month.
• Wait for a recall.

Given the fact that plenty of people here are reporting that multiple logic board repairs are not doing the job, and that you only gave a 90 day warranty of such a repair, then I think option 1 is out of the question. Option 2 is somewhat risky, and might void(?) the possibility of option 3.

I am willing to wait at least a few months and pray that Apple issues a recall. Until then, I think our best course of action is to make as much noise as possible. Suggestions?

Bake the logic board  (see the link [1]) but it seems unclear whether this is going to be a pseudo-permanent fix or it might only work for a week or a month. en, I think our best course of action is to make as much noise as possible. Suggestions?

As I posted in the "problems with amd gpu on early 2011 macbook pro" group:

Be carefull with baking !!!.

If you're not really technically experienced, know about soldering, reflowing, temperatures, profiles etc...

You CAN destroy things.

Yes, some had success, some haven't, making it unfixable.

Also, it's most likely only a temporary fix, not really controlled like it should.

Even 400F/204C is not a high enough temp to get your solder liquid.

If it goes wrong, might destroy things.

Repair shops might not take it in for repairs anymore.

Received a few DIY repair tries myself that turned out out to be unfixable as the logic boards were ruined.

Most repair shops charge a much lower, very fair price compared to Apple to fix it.

Often lasting longer then a "logic board"  replacement.

Up to you to risk destroying a rather expensive machine that might become unrepairable if you try to DIY on it.

Received a few DIY attemps myself to repair.

Failed on most as not only the BGA, but also the logic board was damaged.

I know, it all looks easy on youtube.

Even having years of experience in soldering all types of chips, I did distroy a few boards before I got my machine/workflow working correctly.

I believe that anyone who is able must go to an Apple store for a diagnosis. Only complaining here doesn't alert them but I think people in the stores will. At least it'll be documented in their systems even if you don't let then fix it.

I took my MacBook Pro 15" Late 2011 to an Apple store and got told the same as everybody else: faulty logic board. I didn't have to pay for the repair as it was less than 2 years old so it was covered by a UK consumer law (the retailer, Apple in my case, were obliged to resolve the problem for free). I told the Genius about this thread, and he said he hadn't heard from Apple about the problem but that all repairs are logged with Apple engineers so if enough of us at least tell staff at Genius bars about our problem, maybe something will get done.

I also opened a hardware bug report on Apple's bug reporter website and got a reply asking for pictures of the graphical issues. I would suggest everybody else did the same to ensure they know that a significant number of people are having this problem.

t-uk1: I wonder if Apple also log when people leave their defect computer to an Authorized Apple Service Provider and then chose NOT to get it repaired for $$$. I did this and is my case included in the statistics?

I was wondering if these GPU's failing have anything to do with the firmware upgrade needed for the mavericks install? Before that the mac was running fine on OS X.6.8. Only a week after upgrading to mavericks the graphic card crashed while encoding a movie in adobe media encoder.

So what do you think? Could it be the firmware? Did all of you switch to mavericks or are there macbooks failing under snow leopard?

Unfortunatly no, it's just poor manufacturing be it solder, paste, etc. My laptop has been out of commission since just before Mavericks came out. I signed the patition and I hope we can get Apple to do something. We are all alone.

I talked for a while with the Genius guy and he told me that the blue stripped screen wouldn't appear on their test because that hardware test does not try to load graphical enviroments as the Recovery Mode. That's why when they past it they cannot see any problem with the GPU. However, the horizontal lines are always there so he could see and confirm there was something wrong with it. I've been working with my laptop these 3 days and up to now it is doing good. I'm planning to force it a bit tomorrow back to work. 

Anyway, the guy was very nice and he even left a message to the Apple engineers commenting the issue. Just to show them that we are having this problem. As I said, he had the same problem on a early 2011 Macbook Pro 15".

Previous page I posted about stress testing.

Including some links.

Bet the GPU will fail on that.

WalterH02 wrote:

 

I was wondering if these GPU's failing have anything to do with the firmware upgrade needed for the mavericks install? Before that the mac was running fine on OS X.6.8. Only a week after upgrading to mavericks the graphic card crashed while encoding a movie in adobe media encoder.

 

So what do you think? Could it be the firmware? Did all of you switch to mavericks or are there macbooks failing under snow leopard?

Nope.  I was hoping Mavericks would FIX my display problems.  Sadly not the case...  I was running mountain lion when my issues began.

Looks like I have the same issue as everyone else here.

Is there any temporary solutions to tide me over till there is a concreate solution? I have a ton of production work I need to finish up before I can be down for a week or more.

Same problem here, green tint on startup screen and blue screen with vertical lines appear on my early 2011 15" MBP whenever I try to safe boot.

 

This has happened in September 2012 and I have paid to get the logic board replaced. I did not expect the same issue to occur again after 15 months. I'm still a college student who doesn't have an income, now I'm struggling between getting it repaired (again) and buying a brand new laptop.

 

Apple needs to do something because we did not purchase a premium product and expect such results. :|

 

Just an update: I've contacted Apple and told them about my situation some time ago, and they have given me a free logic board replacement. I have collected my laptop from the service center in Singapore and so far everything is working fine, except for the glitches that appeared at my startup screen earlier...I can only hope that this time the logic board will last longer.

Hi Jayannemark, i'm from SG too. How did you do it, by going to Epicentre? I was travelling, so didn't get the chance to do so.

Update: I transferred the kext files (see my last post), but had the problems again after some time. Its a dust collection device now.

I read every post till december when i gave up. I still think it is related to my move to do a certain patch on the OS after procrastinating for months. Interesting to see many of us had the problem after a recent (within days/weeks) system upgrade (patch/OS).

Patch->SW/FW says go ahead and run as fast as you can ->HW goes overdrive (depending on how hard you work your machine)->HW (solder or chip) dies.  No offence to those who differ.

Hi coffeetin,

I sent my laptop for repair at A.LAB@Plaza Singapura. In fact, I just sent it back to the service center again because the same thing happened (distorted graphics & blue screen) after 5 days since they have installed a new logic board.

picard102 wrote:

 

Looks like I have the same issue as everyone else here.

 

Is there any temporary solutions to tide me over till there is a concreate solution? I have a ton of production work I need to finish up before I can be down for a week or more.

The only work-around is to install gfxCardStatus. It allows you to switch to the Intel HD Graphics 3000 which is less powerful than the AMD GPU, but then, it doesn't freeze or lock-up.

This discussion forum is not used by Apple to identify the issues with MBP and it's discrete graphics card.

It is likely more helpful when as many customers as possible call in at Apple service centers or submit feedback to Apple directly at http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html (the latter does not give you a reply, but numbers count)