Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

I am very happy.

I didn't have any hope for my macbook early 2011 15" since i could'nt even boot it in any way.

but now it's working fine again - without paying a single penny for repair!

I deactivated the amd graphic card so the laptop is only using the integrated one (which is good enough for me - it's the one many 13inch macbooks from 2011 use only(!!), who don't have a second graphic card (AMD Radeon) like the 15inch laptop that i have.)

maybe it's an option for some of you, too.

here is the instruction how to do it (someone posted it in this thread)

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"

Option 1) Switching to "Integrated only" with gfxCardStatus disables it quickly and easily, but you have to manually set it after each boot - so if your computer is having trouble booting successfully, this really doesn't help you.  But if it works for you, it's a fairly stable solution, as long as it lasts.  It does a pretty sophisticated job of managing and monitoring how the computer uses its graphics processors, and it's regularly updated.

Option 2) The drivers for the discrete GPU are kernel extensions (kexts) in the folder /System/Library/Extensions.

(if you can't boot the laptop, boot in save mode: press the shift key when turning the mac on) It's a bit risky to just yank them out of the folder - you can cause a kernel panic.  You'll want to identify the specific driver kext that your computer is using.  Open the Terminal and type kextstat at the command line and it'll spit out a big long list of the active drivers.  Look in there for anything with the format ATIRadeonX****.kext (asterisks are whatever numbers you're looking for - it appears that the 6490M uses ATIRadeonX3000.kext and the 6750M uses ATIRadeonX2000.kext) to see which one you're using.  That's the kext that's running your discrete GPU. "

You can move the kext out with these commands:

> mkdir DisabledExtensions

> cd /System/Library/Extensions

> sudo mv ATIRadeonX****.kext ~/DisabledExtensions (replace asterisks with your model's numbers)

> sudo touch /System/Library/Extensions"

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i did both options. maybe that's the reason why i dont have any of the problems someone described before (photobooth not working anymore, laptop not waking up when put into sleep mode etc...)

so

step 1

-boot the mac in save mode by holding the shift key

-installed sfxgraphiccardstatus and click "use only integrated card"

step 2

-open "finder"

-open "go to" menu bar and type "/System/Library/Extensions".

-check the name of your ati kext file and save a copy of the file

-open terminal and follow "Option 2)" describtion

tnjapt--glad to hear this option is sufficient for you and that you now have a "functioning" machine.  I would still recommend that folks in this same scenario to go ahead and submit feedback to Apple regarding the issues they have encountered with their machine.  Otherwise, we are doing nothing by sending the mssage to Apple that we are ok with the accepting the lack of quality in Apple products for which we paid a serious premium.

While the machine "works", it is not fully-functioning per the specs of the machine which you paid for.

I totally agree with this.

Note to mods, this is not moaning or fomenting opinion against apple: this is merely to help all of us in this situation to collectively ask apple to acknowledge this problem and offer a reasonable solution.

Fixing with a broken part is not fixing

Please use this apple provided feedback form to let them know:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html

Exactly the same problems on MacBookPro8,2 (Early 2011). I installed gfxCardStatus and smcFanControl. This seems to have worked as a short term solution.

I'm having the same problems as the rest of you folks, and I can tell you that I won't be buying another apple computer again.  I've been a loyal customer for going on 20 years, and given that the only possible reason to pay the prices that Apple asks is to be guaranteed lasting, stable performance, having my computer fail after two years, getting the logic board replaced, and having the new one fail within a month is absolutely not acceptable.  It's a lucky thing I got Applecare, but I've failed two courses this quarter because of all the work I've lost from these problems, and I'm not willing to risk that again

I've scheduled an appointment at the Genius Bar for the day I get back into my hometown, and they're going to hear some ****.  I know it's not the "Geniuses'" faults, but the fact that I haven't even been able to get them to help with kernel panics in the past is really just another symptom of how little concern Apple is showing for their customers at this point.

So anyway, my question to you fine people is this: am I more likely to get helped if I break down "crying" over these failures, or should my friend and I play a little "good cop, bad cop" with them?

Dmonick1,

It seems from all that has been shared so far that Apple is stonewalling...and therefore, it doesn't matter what you do.

I have posted before in this thread and thought I'd share as an update.

My Early 2011 15" is still limping along.

Worried that replacing the logic board was not a sure solution, I have kept my Macbook Pro working since mid last year. Every few days it will freeze up and I have to go through many hard restarts to get it to load.

Once loaded I do not turn it off.

After installing the GFX, was able to choose Indiscrete only and that gave some stability.

So each time I get it to load up, I choose indiscrete only and keep working.

I often user iMovie and other graphics intensive apps. Which inveriably is the cause of the freezing or screen to black issues forcing need to do hard restart.

I know sooner or later it will not restart, however as it is restarting (all be it after several attempts) I continue to limp along and use my Macbook Pro.

Come on Apple!

Get a real life and lend support.

From what I can see it seem that a line of code may well bring some relief to many of us.

My graphics card fried two days ago.  Genius admitted this was a widespread problem.  Said unlike the problem I had with my fried 2008 Macbook graphics card, Apple was not replacing the logic board on the 2011 Macbook Pro for free.  The cost?  310 bucks.  Genius was very courteous.  But Apple is being bad.  I pay more for a Mac for a reason.  When they go bad due to a defect, like with my 2008 Macbook Pro, they get fixed hassle free.  At least that was true in 2010.  It's not true in 2014 with the 2011 Macbook Pros.  I've been buying Mac laptops for 20 years.  I've been a happy and loyal customer until today.  If you have a defective product you do right buy your customer and fix it.  If you don't your customers say good bye.  You don't stonewall, especially when you sell a product at a luxury price. 

I'm having the same issues with everyone! I have a late 2011 MBP 15" (MacBookPro8,2) but I did notice something. The fan kicks in hard and makes a loud noise only AFTER you do a hard reset. Anyone else notice this?

When my MBP freezes, I don't hear the fans shifting into higher RPMs normally when editing videos. Anyways another friend of mine is also having the same problem but his model is newer than mine. He thinks it might be a software issue or a recent update that Apple released.

On another note, I also noticed my SMC Version is 1.69f4 (1.7) and according to http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1237 it should be 1.69f3 (1.5). What're your thoughts on this?

Count me in. I have the same problems with my MacBook Pro early 2011 15". Started with a vertical split of my screen, then all kinds of colour stipes and then frozen. Since then only 1 in 7 boots actually boot up and a few minutes later the same frozen screen. I am so angry that Apple has not yet started to fix this problem for free!

Count me in too! I have sveral issues with my graphics card.

Apple knows this issue with the AMD-Graphics card, thy should change them for free like they did it for the iMac with the AMD Radeon 6970M

I had the same issue with my 15inch macbook pro early 2011. It was not booting at all and I had to replace its logic board. According to its repair sheet the apple gave me, it was due to the graphics card. It costed me ~ $330 including tax. I filed a feedback using the link above. I hope Apple to do the right thing.

This is obviously a known issue.  The Genius Bar people know it's pervasive.  Apple needs to stand by its product.  I note that many years ago HP was known as an innovative company that charged a little more for its products and had great service.  Then they changed.  Look where the stock price of HP is today.  I haven't bought an HP product in years.  If Apple wants to go the route of not backing what it sells, they will go the route of HP and pay a severe price in the end.

The Genius Bar people are apparently instructed to tell people that a service contract would keep the product under warranty and allow this known defect to be fixed.  Imagine a luxury car company having a problem with its engines frying one and half years after a 12 month warrany and telling that to customers. That company would be subject to ridicule and a loss of business. 

I've been buying Apple laptops for 20 years.  I buy a new laptop every three years and this fall I'll be making a new purchase.  What are the chances of me paying a premium and buying an Apple product if they don't fix this problem on my 2011 MacBook Pro for free?  Zero.

The Genius Bar people are apparently instructed to tell people that a service contract would keep the product under warranty and allow this known defect to be fixed.  Imagine a luxury car company having a problem with its engines frying one and half years after a 12 month warrany and telling that to customers. That company would be subject to ridicule and a loss of business. 

Hah! Funny you mention that. OT: The cylinder head of my Audi broke shortly after the statutory warranty expired; apparently a wide spread and well known production issue with the BKD engines produced in Györ, very similar to the 2011 MBP. Same as with Apple the only thing I got was the middle finger. I guess it doesn't need mentioning that Audi now enjoys a decent spot in my personal "do not ever buy again and discourage friends" list...

Just wanted to share my experience of this. I have a 2 year 6 month old MBP 2011 (AMD 6490M) here, which over the last couple of weeks started developing the same old graphics problems (blue/black lines, split-screen graphics etc etc). I tried the gfxCardStatus trick and moving/altering the 'kexts' from /Library/System/Extensions which worked for a while, but eventually had the same problems. I was left with a $3000 MBP which I could only use by booting into Safe Boot (thus losing the vast majority of features one uses on a portable computer).

Happily, I took it in to the Apple store yesterday and they agreed to replace the logic board for free (I do not have extended AppleCare). I was prepared to fight my corner with lots of evidence of this being a genuine hardware problem, but didn't need to (which makes me think they are coming round to the fact that this is a design flaw). I know others have reported that replacing the logic board does not work, but I am at least happy they have acknowledged that there is a problem (if it fails again, I figure I have ample evidence to request a further replacement).

My advice for other people wanting to try to get the most out of a trip to an Apple store in this case -

1) Book a genius bar appointment early in the morning - the staff are less tired/cranky after a full day of dealing with angry customers, so are more likely to be receptive.

2) Take a photograph of your Mac's symptoms with you (e.g. blue/black lines on screen in my case) - this way, if you can't replicate it in the store, you can show clearly what has been happening.

3) Back up your Mac - if you are fortunate enough to get a repair, you want to be able to get it done there and then, so have it backed up and ready to go.

4) Change your Mac password to something throwaway (just while it is in the store) - you will have to hand over the password when you give them the laptop, so you don't want to give away your main password (that you probably use for lots of other things...)

5) Gather all the details of your Mac's history - where you bought it, when, how much you paid. If you can get specs from the System Preferences about the GPU (e.g. if you have a 6490M etc), all the better.

6) Gather as much evidence of the general GPU problem as you can find. I made a document of dozens of links to articles referencing this problem, as well as this thread, the various Twitter accounts/feeds, the Facebook account and any other major sites that showed the GPU problem was not just on my Mac.

7) When you go to the Genius Bar - BE NICE (THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP). Any design flaws are not their fault - being nice and civil will go much further than storming in screaming at people threatening class action suits. You can always use this as a last resort, but much better to start off on the right foot.

8) Do not be fobbed off when quoted a price for repair (they should be fixing this for free). Ask to speak to the manager/senior Genius Bar staff member, and explain that this is a design flaw (use the evidence you have gathered)

9) If all else fails, thank them and try to get their details before leaving. Then phone Apple customer relations and explain the situation again.

I hope this helps some of you and best of luck to all with this annoying problem.