Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

I've managed to successfully install Linux (Ubuntu 13.10) and with the boot config to disable the GPU it seems to run stable, but for how long, who knows. Fortunately for my work, I can do this. Something to consider at least before trying some of the more experimental fixes or paying for a non-fix.

nisrak wrote:

Also, has anyone tried repairing the loose solder manually?  I'd assume its very intricate micro-solder, but I'm just curious if anyone out there has had any luck...

If you can do this And then solder it back on to the logic board.:

(This is from a macbook pro 2008, only reballed to test something. Put a new chip on it instead of this one)

So after i sent two emails to Tim, Apple finally called me. I am located in the Philippines by the way. No Apple Store exists in our country. Since I am on a business travel, we scheduled a callback later this weekend. Hopefully everything goes well. I will let you know what happens on Saturday.

For the record, if one needs a more stable workaround that gfxCardStatus, there's no need to install Linux and disable the GPU at boot. You can just remove the GPU drivers in Mac OS X. For instance:

+ Boot with "Cmd + S" (safe mode) which will boot you into a command line shell

+ In the shell, first remount your disk in writable mode:   mount -o update /

+ Create a temporary directory: mkdir /GPUSAVE

+ Move the GPU drivers there: mv /System/Library/Extensions/ATI* /GPUSAVE

+ Reboot: shutdown -r now

In the example I moved out the ATI drivers, with more patience you can find the precise names for the GPU in your laptop. When the hardware problem is fixed, you can move the drivers back and reboot.

I supposed that you need to boot in safe mode because the problem is so hard that you can't log in. But if the problem is in its early stage and you can still log in, you can move the files with the Finder, easily.

It's a workaround, just to backup/move your data and/or make it possible to work in emergency. It has some drawbacks, for instance I can't adjust the brightness of the screen (locked ad max. brightness).

Hello from France.

My mbp early 2011 is gone for the second logic board replacement after only one month.

First replacement was free due to the 2 years european law (i had no Apple Care and the mbp was bought on refurb store on december 2011). They said that for the second replacement they'll do more stress tests to see if it fails before sending it back to me... we'll see...thing is, it's a labtop i'm working with when travelling, and i obviously can't trust anymore in it, it can fail at anytime...

I'm quite disapointed by Apple and the way they are dealing with their customers. It was not like that a few years ago. I didn't know if i had to laugh or cry last week when an Apple technician told me i was not using my macbook pro the "normal way", because labtops are not made for editing / exporting video works. Wow, funny, my old powerbook G4 did it for years with success, without any problem. My guess is that they are just playing with our nerves, to ensure that a lot of us will give up the battle.

+ Boot with "Cmd + S" (safe mode) which will boot you into a command line shell

+ In the shell, first remount your disk in writable mode:   mount -o update /

+ Create a temporary directory: mkdir /GPUSAVE

+ Move the GPU drivers there: mv /System/Library/Extensions/ATI* /GPUSAVE

+ Reboot: shutdown -r now

That's my case, after the first crash I wasn't able to boot anymore... I'll try your procedure as soon as I get home.

Grazie Fabrizio

Giorgio

Hello!

I am having similar issues upon using intensive programs my 2011 15" Macbook. It freezes then the display gets lines and starts flickering, split screening, repeating these until just thin black & white lines show on screen. When the laptop is rebooted the grey startup screen with apple logo shows up with thin green lines through it until the screen goes grey and nothing happens. It does start up properly sometimes but it not consistent and it is slower then regular. Does anyone know the prices for the repair/replacement in Australia or any other options I have? or should I wait a little to see if anything is resolved from this situation?

it seems there is some special consumer law in Australia > http://www.apple.com/au/legal/statutory-warranty/

here in europe i've had a free logic board replacement with the same kind of consumer law ;-)

unfortunately the new logic board failed less than a month after... 

hope it helps...

Anyone know how long the consumer law is in France? I got through to applecare a couple of days ago and was told I had 30 days warranty left (on my MBP purchased in 2011), but then I called again to try to arrange the repair but this time was told I had no cover whatsoever....

it's a two years guarantee for France, under conditions.

can find a doc on Apple's site somewhere called France_Statutory_Warranty.pdf

what store did you go to ? went to the Louvres, they all were aware of this problem while couldn't say anything but pay 500€ to get a new logic board.

http://images.apple.com/fr/legal/statutory-warranty/France_Statutory_Warranty.pd f

just call the phone number that you'll find in this pdf.

In my case they redirect me to a senior advisor, and decided to change my logic board for free.

You have to insist and call back ! (even if in most cases this is not a long term solution > mine just worked for one month, the mbp is now gone for a 2nd logic board replacement)

jeremix, when they agreed the free exchange were you still under the two years guarantee ?

I have the same problem. I believe that Apple should make an official announcement for the early-to-late 2011 macbook pros and authorize replacements.

The model I own is a Macbook Pro, 15-inch, Late 2011, intel core i7, 4GB, Intel HD Graphics 3000 384 MB.

I purchased it on February 2012 and my warranty expired 10 days ago and the apple support here won't help me out.

yes... it was 2 days before the 2 years... very lucky i guess. But when you read the pdf above it's not very clear (to me at least):

« Conformément aux dispositions de la garantie légale contre les vices cachés, un acheteur peut demander au vendeur de répondre des vices cachés d'un produit dans les 2 ans de la découverte du vice. »

It's important to read this to have arguments, and insist to talk to a senior advisor.

Next step could be this (read post #25 from Krom) >

http://forum.macbidouille.com/index.php?s=2951d282b928cf69ce98c37e8a1fe661&showt opic=374655&st=0&#entry3797526

It seems that a simple letter from a lawyer is helping a lot ;-)

yes you were, I was already 2.5 years after purchase when it happened so couldn't use that line.

tried everything so far, couldn't get anything from apple but a small discount if I buy a new one.

guess that once you reach three logic board replacement, you can hope to get an all computer replacement since they obviously can't change it forever.

I did read in a french forum that someone managed to get a new one that way, with a little help from an attorney sending an official letter, using a service from his home insurance or something.

might want to consider if you get a third replacement...