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 mike160,

    mike160 mike160 Apr 19, 2014 11:25 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 19, 2014 11:25 AM in response to abelliveau

    I have one more computer to add to the very long list of disgruntled early 2011 Macbook Pro's.  What a dissapointment!  I also had the 2008 MBP with problems associated with video.  At least with that computer they addressed the problem and provided out of warranty service and after 2 logic board replacements that computer is still running.  I did not buy my 2011 MBP with the expectation that it would last forever but when there is a clear problem with so many computers using the AMD GPU it is hard to immagine a company like apple ignoring their loyal high-end user base.  I would gladly pay the $300 (if I am lucky) to have the logic board replaced if Apple would acknoledge the problem and provide some assurance that it has been corrected.  I will think twice before dropping $2.5K for another high end machine. 

  • by DMC440,

    DMC440 DMC440 Apr 19, 2014 2:59 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 19, 2014 2:59 PM in response to abelliveau

    Adding my machine to the list on any board I can find (there seem to be a lot so I'm unsure which are the most effective as far as getting Apple to take notice)

     

    17" MBP8,3 started playing up a few months back with freezes and spontaneous shut-downs.  Occasional video glitches, but nothing major. Then more video freak-outs.  Gfxcardstatus helps monitor things, but many apps need the AMD GPU, even things like Techtool Pro and some preference panes!  I guess anything with pretty graphics might be written to fire up the chip.  Have managed to VNC in on a couple of melt-downs and quit apps until the machine calms down.

     

    Now my HDD has died. Maybe unrelated, but it started throwing up bad blocks until it failed entirely so I am now running - reasonably successfully - from an external drive I CCC'd as a precaution. I even managed to update the clone shortly before the internal drive crapped out totally, so no data loss there.  I hoped to zero out and reformat the drive but it was too far gone.  So now I'm going to install a new internal drive and start again. Might try the AMD disable idea and see if that's bearable.

     

    Can't help feeling the repeated crashes and forced shut downs contributed to the drive's demise.

  • by Exitorbit ,

    Exitorbit Exitorbit Apr 19, 2014 4:56 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 19, 2014 4:56 PM in response to abelliveau

    Just a short notice from my side too.

     

    After about 2 weeks of complete crashes,  when switching to the discrete graphic card,  then installing gfx card status to stay with the internal graphic card, which only helped  for  a while, my MacBook Pro from early  2011 will now not boot at all. After showing the apple logo on a somewhat horizontally striped grey screen,  it switches to a blue screen with thick vertical stripes.  (matching the pictures that have been posted here.)

     

    How can we customers assess where these multiple failures come from? I am especially interested in finding out whether any recent smc or software update may be to blame.

     

     

     

    P. S.  Having typed all this on my phone, I feel urgent need for action!

  • by ericaangela,

    ericaangela ericaangela Apr 19, 2014 6:49 PM in response to cj_bul
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 19, 2014 6:49 PM in response to cj_bul

    Hey cj, I did your steps and I tried to download mavericks but now every program quits unexpectedly including the installer.  Is there any way to reverse the commands? Please let me know, thanks.

  • by mariosfromcyprus,

    mariosfromcyprus mariosfromcyprus Apr 19, 2014 7:29 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 19, 2014 7:29 PM in response to abelliveau

    i have the same problem. Im very frustrated because iam in a master degree and i need my mac to finish my thesis and i have 2 presentation to make in this week. So the same as usual, Before one month i go to an apple authorise technician and replace my logic board, now start hapening the same, split screen blue screen lines etc idont have a clue what to do. Apple must come with an idea to fix this problem. Thanks

  • by keltzar,

    keltzar keltzar Apr 19, 2014 9:10 PM in response to mariosfromcyprus
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 19, 2014 9:10 PM in response to mariosfromcyprus

     just finished my masters. I switched from my macbook to my lenvo running windows7 when the serious writing had to be done, and I didnt want to risk a graphics card meltdown! 

  • by Calvinogood,

    Calvinogood Calvinogood Apr 19, 2014 9:38 PM in response to keltzar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 19, 2014 9:38 PM in response to keltzar

    Hi Keltzar,

     

    I was designing some graphics for my clients, and the graphic problem occurred. I have to resave all the files to my Windows 7, Lenovo i7 too. It's slightly slower but atleast safer to work from there.

     

    Thanks,

    Calvin

  • by alessiodd,

    alessiodd alessiodd Apr 20, 2014 1:15 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 20, 2014 1:15 AM in response to abelliveau

    In the end I've chosen the reballing route, got my Mac back a couple of days ago, all running great so far. Installed SMCfancontrol as an additional overheat prevention measure. I'll keep you posted.

  • by Alvaro_capitan,

    Alvaro_capitan Alvaro_capitan Apr 20, 2014 5:41 AM in response to Alvaro_capitan
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 20, 2014 5:41 AM in response to Alvaro_capitan

    After installing that card controller and switching cards, I was able to run my mbp a few times, 3 days after i can say my mbp os dead. I  cannot pass the first screen with the distorted mac logo. Tried going single user mode to disable the raedon card but it doesnt seem to chane anything.

     

    I need detailed instructions on how to disable the raedon card on s user mode.

  • by mtidwel,

    mtidwel mtidwel Apr 21, 2014 5:50 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 21, 2014 5:50 AM in response to abelliveau

    add me to the growing list of really ticked off users who have wasted hours and hours trying to get their MacBook up and running. I ended up removing the logic board and applying new cooling paste. For a while, this worked like magic.. in fact, my machine had never run as quiet and cool before. But here I am two months later and the problem is back. Guess I'm going to have to try it again. Hey Apple!! This is the spirit you give to the community you've tried to build? Time to move to Windows...

  • by fstutzman,

    fstutzman fstutzman Apr 21, 2014 7:24 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 21, 2014 7:24 AM in response to abelliveau

    Adding myself to the list of failed GPU's (early 2011, 15").  Took it to the Apple store and the genius had clearly seen this issue before.  Went through a few reboot cycles and the problem seemed to resolve (for about two days).  Now I'm back at the original problem, a laptop that won't boot past the graphics initialization stage.  Going to have to send it out for the $310 depot repair.   This is clearly a manufacturing defect, Apple should fix this for customers.

  • by Brassbox 55,

    Brassbox 55 Brassbox 55 Apr 21, 2014 8:19 AM in response to DMC440
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Apr 21, 2014 8:19 AM in response to DMC440

    HALLO OUT THERE!                                        MacBook Pro 4GB    AMD6490 M    256MB

    Just to ad to the list of complains,with the hope that the views bursting the 1/2 a Million and Apple starts moving.

     

    So here is my storry:It All began with Maverick that Adobe PSE10 editor worked slow and the tools were very

    jerky to move around and not much fun to work with.2weeks ago PSE stopped saving versionsets,it only saved

    the edited picture and the original was gone.Then i got a popup that my organizer is corupt i tickt the box to repair

    it and here we are:The first total crash of my Mac,after a saveboot and PRAM i uninstalled and reinstalled PSE10

    opend the organizer,and have a guess,the next crash.The last 2 weeks i was occupied savebooting ,diskrepairs,

    and restarting with the keys alt cmd p u:r all off no avail.So i sadly made the move to uninstall PSE completely

    including all i could find in the library.Happy enough now the crashes are gone but the split screen ,blue strips

    and a green Apple logo still remains,a saveboot always helps me for a day or two but that is not good enough.

     

    Funny,that all happens after the extendet warranty runs out, one can get evil thoughts here.

    Every carmaker with an issue like this one are calling there cars in for repairs on there cost Apple seems to be

    very slow in this regard they like hoarding money und forgetting from whom they got it.

     

     

                   Have all a nice day

  • by Jhay-ar,

    Jhay-ar Jhay-ar Apr 21, 2014 10:41 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apr 21, 2014 10:41 AM in response to abelliveau

    i wish apple is already close in fixing these issues.

  • by drombeck,

    drombeck drombeck Apr 21, 2014 12:01 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 21, 2014 12:01 PM in response to abelliveau

    And another one bites the dust.

     

    It turns on, chimes, shows apple logo and progress spinner. But then all I get is the grey screen.

     

    Booting in safe mode, everything is the same except I get blue and black vertical lines at the end. Booting in recovery nets a black screen. Trying to boot into my WIndows 8 bootcamp partition gets me only a black screen.

     

    Headed to the Apple Store this evening. If $310 can get me another two years of use, then I'll deal with it. But considering how prevalent the problem is, Apple should really be funding these repairs.

  • by Brassbox 55,

    Brassbox 55 Brassbox 55 Apr 21, 2014 12:18 PM in response to drombeck
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Apr 21, 2014 12:18 PM in response to drombeck

    Hi drombeck!

    Regarding your last sentence:Any idear how to make them.

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