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 degger,

    degger degger Mar 30, 2014 11:50 PM in response to iTech002
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 30, 2014 11:50 PM in response to iTech002

    And hope for your reballer to not use correct solder, thats why the problem show up in first case!

     

    Soldering without lead, for the enviromental and rules is the problem (for Apple). It`s not the same solder quality i´ve learned. I`ve got my machine reballed and the unauthorized technician told me they instead use solder with lead for longer durability (they could do it, but not authorized Apple service)! Reball is probably best solution for all of us out there, i`m sorry to tell!

     

    That is not entirely true. Actually not even helping because you're suggesting that this in an inherent and inevitable problem -- effectively letting Apple off the hook -- rather than a manufacturing defect which it really is. The only problem with lead free solder is that it is harder to apply properly (especially with reflown PCBs) because the temperature band is much more narrow; if the process is not right and the temperature not evenly applied then you'll get exactly the problem we see now.

     

    The only reason your unauthorized technician uses lead based solder is because he's not capable of properly handling the other. Or more gracefully put: He's using it for your own good because it's more likely that this will correctly solve the problem for once and forever.

  • by wgmaddin,

    wgmaddin wgmaddin Mar 31, 2014 1:36 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 1:36 AM in response to abelliveau

    Hey guys,

     

    same problem here. Early 2011 MBPro 15" with the AMD Radeon HD 6490M gets stuck with totally broken graphics on all monitors. After hard resets it works fine for a couple of hours or days then it happens again. The last week it's getting worse. Looking forward to Apple to bring a replacement offer..

     

    br

  • by marvinz911,

    marvinz911 marvinz911 Mar 31, 2014 2:07 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 2:07 AM in response to abelliveau

    having the same problem here as well. Happened out of no where. managed to get it working again after troublshotting for 18hrs and it decided to work like normal (switching between graphic)  just before i send it in for servicing. and not its acting up again after 2 days. Early 2011 6750M 1GB

  • by alessiodd,

    alessiodd alessiodd Mar 31, 2014 2:14 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 2:14 AM in response to abelliveau

    I'm going to the local apple store to see if the dying battery has something to do with the GPU issue. In the meanwhile, is there someone that is experiencing gpu problems with a fully functional battery?

  • by moneybag,

    moneybag moneybag Mar 31, 2014 2:26 AM in response to alessiodd
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 2:26 AM in response to alessiodd

    alessiodd wrote:

     

    I'm going to the local apple store to see if the dying battery has something to do with the GPU issue. In the meanwhile, is there someone that is experiencing gpu problems with a fully functional battery?

    Yup. Never had any issues with the battery that had only 200 cycles or so (my laptop was almost always plugged in), yet still - the same situation.

  • by degger,

    degger degger Mar 31, 2014 2:51 AM in response to alessiodd
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 2:51 AM in response to alessiodd

    I'm going to the local apple store to see if the dying battery has something to do with the GPU issue. In the meanwhile, is there someone that is experiencing gpu problems with a fully functional battery?

    Those are completely unrelated. In fact my MBP has only had 24 recharge cycles up to now and is in perfect health. 4 of which related to 2 logicboard swaps.

  • by alessiodd,

    alessiodd alessiodd Mar 31, 2014 2:53 AM in response to degger
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 2:53 AM in response to degger

    Ok got it. Canceled the appointment with the "geniuses" over there. Think I'm going the reballing route, sometime in the future. I'll keep you posted.

  • by Ellis Z,

    Ellis Z Ellis Z Mar 31, 2014 4:23 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 2 (260 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 4:23 AM in response to abelliveau

    If this many of us are having the problems, this screams manufacturing defect! 

    Apple should be making this right.  (Just my thoughts)

  • by paulfromrockford,

    paulfromrockford paulfromrockford Mar 31, 2014 5:44 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 5:44 AM in response to abelliveau

    GEnius bar appt this morning. It will be interesting to see if they acknowledge the gpu issue right away or just dance around it until I show them this infamous thread. Wish me luck and thanks for the support!

  • by cherankrish,

    cherankrish cherankrish Mar 31, 2014 6:49 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 6:49 AM in response to abelliveau

    Hi Guys,

    Manged to get the computer to a  workable stage, but it is really useless. It is getting hotter and hotter  and fans spins like crazy. When i try to scroll through finder , screen starts to flick non stopable. Only way to stop the flickering is to close the finder window. Fix i tried was to move two AMD driver files - no improvment . Moved all AMD*.* files - same results. Removed all ATI*.* files. Same issue but system works. I really hope apple would fix this asap.

  • by Ellis Z,

    Ellis Z Ellis Z Mar 31, 2014 7:54 AM in response to paulfromrockford
    Level 2 (260 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 7:54 AM in response to paulfromrockford

    Let us know.  I'm curious.  I didn't know about this thread or the widespread issue when I went there.

  • by The_Moves,

    The_Moves The_Moves Mar 31, 2014 9:35 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 9:35 AM in response to abelliveau

    Has anyone thought about attempting to flash a customized ROM to the Discrete GPU?

     

    I'm trying to figure out if there is a way within a ROM to disable the card itself, or change the way it gets initialized.

  • by ddbrierton,

    ddbrierton ddbrierton Mar 31, 2014 9:37 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 9:37 AM in response to abelliveau

    Adding my name to the list of affected parties. I have a 17" early 2011 Macbook Pro. The logic board has been twice replaced already, and the problem has just returned again. So that is now the 3rd logic board to fail on me.

  • by Noltari,

    Noltari Noltari Mar 31, 2014 12:11 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 12:11 PM in response to abelliveau

    Hello guys,

     

    The #4 logic board (3 logic board replacements so far + original one) just died, so I will go to the Apple Store tomorrow. I'm tired of this, and the bad point is that the warranty of the replaced logic board expired a month ago...

     

    I'm not going to pay another 500€ to get it repaired.

    Apple, please... This is not fair...

     

    Regards,

    Álvaro.

  • by paigoomein,

    paigoomein paigoomein Mar 31, 2014 1:21 PM in response to Noltari
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 1:21 PM in response to Noltari

    Noltari - I think you have a good case to get a replacement laptop since the same part has been replaced 3 times and still exhibiting the same issue.  You may have to press Apple a bit for this to happen but I think your chances are pretty good regardless of being out of the warranty period.  It's quite obvious that this is either a widespread issue or that you have a lemon.

     

    Good luck and keep us posted on how things turn out for you.

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