abelliveau

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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Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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  • by MDeken,

    MDeken MDeken Apr 15, 2014 3:13 PM in response to MaryroseZA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 15, 2014 3:13 PM in response to MaryroseZA

    Hey cook

     

    God will never bless apple this way

     

    Inshallah

  • by Ellis Z,

    Ellis Z Ellis Z Apr 15, 2014 3:30 PM in response to ecualumnus
    Level 2 (260 points)
    Apr 15, 2014 3:30 PM in response to ecualumnus

     

     

    ecualumnus wrote:

     

    Someone from Tim Cook's office called and said there's a lot of people complaining online but Apple is NOT seeing any large number of customers with this issue. He said most of these people complaining aren't even having hardware issues but just jumping online to complain and vent. I was welcomed to take my computer to the local Apple store and have it diagnosed and if indeed a hardware issue, I am equally welcome to pay for it.  Completely underwhelmed by the response.


     

     

    Why in tarnation would anyone do that?  Complain about a very specific issue, just to vent? 

    Makes absolutely no sense at all.

  • by Ellis Z,

    Ellis Z Ellis Z Apr 15, 2014 3:31 PM in response to ecualumnus
    Level 2 (260 points)
    Apr 15, 2014 3:31 PM in response to ecualumnus

     

     

    ecualumnus wrote:

     

    Someone from Tim Cook's office called and said there's a lot of people complaining online but Apple is NOT seeing any large number of customers with this issue. He said most of these people complaining aren't even having hardware issues but just jumping online to complain and vent. I was welcomed to take my computer to the local Apple store and have it diagnosed and if indeed a hardware issue, I am equally welcome to pay for it.  Completely underwhelmed by the response.


     

     

    Why in tarnation would anyone do that?  Complain about a very specific issue, just to vent? 

    Makes absolutely no sense at all.

  • by Ellis Z,

    Ellis Z Ellis Z Apr 15, 2014 3:37 PM in response to ecualumnus
    Level 2 (260 points)
    Apr 15, 2014 3:37 PM in response to ecualumnus

     

     

    ecualumnus wrote:

     

    Someone from Tim Cook's office called and said there's a lot of people complaining online but Apple is NOT seeing any large number of customers with this issue. He said most of these people complaining aren't even having hardware issues but just jumping online to complain and vent. I was welcomed to take my computer to the local Apple store and have it diagnosed and if indeed a hardware issue, I am equally welcome to pay for it.  Completely underwhelmed by the response.


     

     

    Why in tarnation would anyone do that?  Complain about a very specific issue, just to vent? 

    Makes absolutely no sense at all.

  • by cj_bul,

    cj_bul cj_bul Apr 15, 2014 7:34 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 15, 2014 7:34 PM in response to abelliveau

    This entire situation is completely ridiculous.  I've spoken with several different Apple reps, who of course have all been beyond pleasant too me.  But, ultimately the choice isn't up to them. I hope Apple does something about this, I know I love my Apple products for their quality, I'm dissappointed.

     

    BUT, this is what I've done when I am forced to shut down for various reasons, and I of course get stuck in a loop of not being able to get passed the loading screen:

     

    1. I startup my MacBook Pro pressing CMD + S (many other have recommended this)

     

    I then enter the following commands someone else had recommended once you see "/ root #":

     

         1-     fsck -fy                                                             (to check the disk)

         2-     mount -uw /                                                      (permision read/write)

         3-     mkdir DisabledExtensions                              (Create a place to move the drives)

         4-     cd /System/Library/Extensions                      (Go to where the drivers are located)

         5-    sudo mv ATI* /DisabledExtensions                (move all ati stuff to the place made before)

         6-    sudo touch /System/Library/Extensions       

         7-     reboot

     

    2. Once you reboot, your MacBook will finally move passed the boot screen and open up to your desktop.  Be patient with the load time, it takes a little longer than normal and is certainly glitchy with a blue tint. 

     

    3. Without opening anything else, go to the App Store, and re-download Mavericks. Even if you're already running Mavericks take the time to do so.

     

    4. Once it's finished downloading, run the installer and wait while Mavericks reinstalls on your system.  This replaced the files that were just deleted.

     

    5. Once you log back in after the install has been complete, let everything load again, and then in gfxCardStatus select Intel Graphics only. 

     

    6. Run for as long as you can without shutting down.

     

    7. Start saving $300 and continue bugging the crap out of Apple.

     

    I know this is a long process, and believe me I'm annoyed.  But after two hours of going through a reboot loop, I finally had to get proactive, and this is just what's worked for me.  I'm dissappointed this is what I've had to do, but I hope that others will at least be able to use their MacBook Pro's like I am.  Just hobbling along until I can afford to not have a computer (end of semester/once I have the money), or until Apple does something that will help their reputation.

     

    Best of luck everyone. I feel the pain.

  • by ankhank,

    ankhank ankhank Apr 15, 2014 8:27 PM in response to cj_bul
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Apr 15, 2014 8:27 PM in response to cj_bul

    Thank you.

    Printed, and saved to my Palm Pilot, for reference when I need it the next time the MBP does this thing..

  • by saramwrap,

    saramwrap saramwrap Apr 16, 2014 12:09 AM in response to skimnc
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 16, 2014 12:09 AM in response to skimnc

    skimnc wrote:

     

    I'm aware the $310 flat-rate repair is standard for out-of-warranty machines, but it's a much better offer than what I would pay at an Apple store. What I don't understand is why it isn't offered when you go into an Apple store. I.e. why do they not give you this offer rather than tell you it's going to cost $1k to replace your logic board?

     

    We can only speculate, but I think there are a couple of significant reasons:

     

    • Staff seem to be encouraged to suggest the in-store, single-part repair option.  It's not hard to imagine why - it distributes the repair work around the country (using the repair techs they hired at the stores), some repairs can be completed more quickly than shipping to a depot (pleasing customers with fast turnaround), and (best of all for Apple) they generally get more money for less work!  Using the logic board as an example, they can charge $525 in-store and only replace the logic board... for $310, they may find themselves replacing a whole lot more under the premise of depot repairs.  Economically, the in-store repairs make a lot more sense for Apple.  So it never surprises me that the flat-rate depot repair is sometimes a hidden option that they don't reveal until it looks like they need to appease an upset customer (which it does - look at the number of posts by delighted users who thought they were facing $500-1000+ in repairs and were finally offered such a "generous" and "special" $310 repair option). 
    • Sometimes the in-store repair option really is a better deal, if your machine has any physical damage.  I've posted numerous times about the fact that the flat-rate repair service is not truly flat - there are different tiers of flat-rate cost depending on the condition of your MacBook Pro (which is assessed at the Genius Bar and again at the depot).  $310 is the base amount for a MBP in great shape, but dings and dents can raise the cost, and liquid damage can raise it even more.  Flat-rate repair wasn't offered on my laptop the first time it presented this issue, and I wasn't even aware of the option until I read through these threads last summer.  When the problem reappeared, and I returned to the Genius Bar, I asked why they would've charged $525 for an in-store repair when the depot repair was cheaper.  They pointed out that my machine, with one tiny dent, would've been a $610 depot repair, making the in-store a cheaper option. 

     

    And then, of course, the depot doesn't exist as an option in most countries... so the numerous international MBP owners posting to these threads are never going to get that flat-rate offer. 

  • by degger,

    degger degger Apr 16, 2014 12:30 AM in response to ecualumnus
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 16, 2014 12:30 AM in response to ecualumnus

    ecualumnus wrote:

     

    Someone from Tim Cook's office called and said there's a lot of people complaining online but Apple is NOT seeing any large number of customers with this issue. 

    The problem here as I see it is that the Geniuses are incompetent enough to not being able to properly diagnose the root cause of this particular problem because the AHT is not capable of testing specifically for that. So if it shows up it is probably put in some generic "logicboard defect" group and such defects usually have a much higher threshold for red flagging.

     

    What I'd like to see here as a first step is a hint from Apple that they're working on identifying this problem specifically...

  • by Stephen01T,

    Stephen01T Stephen01T Apr 16, 2014 1:35 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 16, 2014 1:35 AM in response to abelliveau

    It's my screen with the Radeon GPU.

     

    Screenshot 2014-04-06 22.01.38.png

  • by felixkuan,

    felixkuan felixkuan Apr 16, 2014 3:01 AM in response to Stephen01T
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iWork
    Apr 16, 2014 3:01 AM in response to Stephen01T

    My MBP Later 2011 suddenly hand on the screen on early this week, when I browse the website. Now I tried to reboot again, boot screen show a "white line". Also start up the "safe mode" and hand on "blue scree". I have not open the MacOX now. I serached infomration, most of MBP 2011 user, that have a same case.

     

    Now I have not idea to send back to Apple replair or buy a new computer. that's very high repair price.

  • by GavMackem,

    GavMackem GavMackem Apr 16, 2014 3:06 AM in response to ecualumnus
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Apr 16, 2014 3:06 AM in response to ecualumnus

    So Tim Cook's department are stating that they have only seen a spike in emails coming to him likely from this thread or action websites, giving them more work to do answering our mails and NOT seen a statistical spike in logic board/GPU failures in the stats for our models to justify that statement?

     

    Hmmmm. When I'm being told by various engineers and geniuses the opposite and utter opposite, I think is the time for me to send Tim and his poor, over worked staff a rather long essay of an email.

  • by Alvaro_capitan,

    Alvaro_capitan Alvaro_capitan Apr 16, 2014 4:10 AM in response to ecualumnus
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 16, 2014 4:10 AM in response to ecualumnus

    Same issue  today with the card, had to disable it and now I am running only the intel card... I work with graphics so my mac is almost useless for me at this point. Yesterday I went to the mac shop to get it checked. The guy new exactly what was happening to my mac, I am not the first one with that problem, many others have come before.

     

    He said that I could get the board replaced for 500 euro... Are you serious?

     

    I am truly disapointed with this issue, I will make a claim in apple and if they dont repond I will take them to court and prove that it defenetely is an isolated issue. My computer, aswell as many others have a "building defect" and thery are responsible for it.

     

    Apple, it is time to recall computers with the same problem.

  • by D3us,

    D3us D3us Apr 16, 2014 4:42 AM in response to Stephen01T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 16, 2014 4:42 AM in response to Stephen01T

    Stephen01T wrote:

     

    It's my screen with the Radeon GPU.

     

     

    Better start making backups.

    Can fail any moment.

  • by frjodupa ,

    frjodupa frjodupa Apr 16, 2014 5:07 AM in response to D3us
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Apr 16, 2014 5:07 AM in response to D3us

    Buenos Dias a tod @ s de TENEMOS Que Continuar estafa Este tema de up to de Que El los Srs. de Appel lo reconozcan error Porción Es Un Verdadero hacer una Instancia de instancia de parte el no Hacerlo, asi Que animo a tod @ s.

    despues de cambiarle la placa base con un coste de 600€ sigue alcanzando temperaturas muy altas 95º cuando trabaja con final cut, aftter o algun programa de edición de video asi que tarde o temprano volvera el problema y no estoy dispuesto a pagar otra vez por un ordenador de mas de 2500€ decepcion total.

  • by ColinXM,

    ColinXM ColinXM Apr 16, 2014 9:55 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 16, 2014 9:55 AM in response to abelliveau

    I don't mean to clutter this discussion but I have the same issue now. Just happened last week. I kept getting a dark blue screen. Same symptoms as others reported. I took mine to a licensed repair and they said replace the logic board and quoted $750ish. Mine's bricked essentially and I'm hearing that buying a new logic board is only a temporary fix, often failing. It's interesting that this is all happening in a short span of time. Are there any suggested solutions besides A) buy a new logic board B) invest in a new laptop? I'm willing to be active with Apple but it'd be helpful to hear from others.

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