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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Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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  • by clintonfrombirmingham,

    clintonfrombirmingham clintonfrombirmingham May 8, 2014 12:13 AM in response to Nick Talop
    Level 7 (30,009 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 8, 2014 12:13 AM in response to Nick Talop

    Nick Talop,

     

    I started using Macs in 1987 - my first was the 512Ke "Fat Mac." When this one dies after my AppleCare expires, I'll probably have it reballed and used for a 'second' machine since I recently purchased a high-end custom-built PC notebook. Apple just lost me on this one. My logic board was replaced on January 3, 2014, and I've had no problems since - but I'm expecting them!

     

    Did you tell the "Genius" that you followed the instructions posted online? Or in your user manual?

     

    Clinton

  • by DMC440,

    DMC440 DMC440 May 8, 2014 2:42 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 8, 2014 2:42 AM in response to abelliveau

    Now that my machine is beyond the point of no return I am steeling myself for a visit to the Genius Bar this weekend.  Before that though, I was wondering if any of the more technical folk on this thread can advise me as to how the Mac startup sequence works.  I'm a little mystified as to why the stripy display appears immediately upon start. It suggests the AMD GPU is initialised straight away which seems counterintuitive. Either that or the damage is more widespread and the integrated GPU is failing as well. Any thoughts?

  • by clintonfrombirmingham,

    clintonfrombirmingham clintonfrombirmingham May 8, 2014 2:49 AM in response to DMC440
    Level 7 (30,009 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 8, 2014 2:49 AM in response to DMC440

    DMC440,

     

    You're seeing the blue and black vertical lines because the Mac initiates a hardware test every time you boot. You can bypass this by starting the Apple Hardware Test on boot. The AHT will show no errors, however, and neither will Apple techs hardware test.

     

    It's a sad situation for all of us that have the defective soldering.

     

    Good luck to you.

     

    Clinton

  • by Clive Sweeting,

    Clive Sweeting Clive Sweeting May 8, 2014 3:20 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (40 points)
    May 8, 2014 3:20 AM in response to abelliveau

    Early 2011 MacBook Pro with 1Gb Radeon 6750M running OS X 10.6.8 failed this morning with no warning. Purchased late May 2011.

     

    The machine has been cared for meticulously, never dropped, dented, always carried in a padded bag, I don't play games so GPU hasn't been thrashed, however I do run twin screens most of the time, which I believe requires the Discrete GPU to kick in.

     

    Running gfxCardStus 2.1 and forcing Integrated graphics I can use it, but it's basically useless to me as I need 2 screens to work effectively.

     

    Particuarly worrying as I've recommended the 15" MBP to a lot of my clients. The combination of larger screen, i7 processors, easily replaceable battery, RAM and HDD, Snow Leopard support, the promise of Thunderbolt, etc. all made it a very compelling machine for professional users.

     

    90 day warranty on repairs? That's not god news.

  • by rplayer,

    rplayer rplayer May 8, 2014 7:27 AM in response to Clive Sweeting
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2014 7:27 AM in response to Clive Sweeting

    90 days is terrible, £300+ for new? logic board and only guarantee 3 months of life?

     

    Anyway macbook pro 8.2 i7 2.0GHz early 2011

     

    Still lying dead.

  • by aaronsaloman,

    aaronsaloman aaronsaloman May 8, 2014 12:13 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2014 12:13 PM in response to abelliveau

    Anyone have any experience with this place? http://www.ebay.com/itm/MACBOOK-PRO-LOGIC-BOARD-REPAIR-A1286-A1278-A1297-2008-20 09-2010-2011-2012-/131156536121

  • by DMC440,

    DMC440 DMC440 May 8, 2014 3:08 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 8, 2014 3:08 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

    Can't boot into AHT. Possibly not there.  I did reformat the drive a while back.  The stripes (blue, green, pink with little spots in the white - it changes on each attempt) appear as the machine chimes.  I can see the Apple through the fuzz, then the cog, then clear grey screen.  Then nothing more. Seems to halt at launchd.   I can hold Option and get a startup disk choice (through the stripes); I can even get into single user mode but it's unreadable.  I have started it in Target a Disk mode (with stripes) and booted another machine from it. All fun and games.

  • by iceman600,

    iceman600 iceman600 May 8, 2014 3:50 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2014 3:50 PM in response to abelliveau

    D3us how much do you charge for reballing?

  • by Alec j,

    Alec j Alec j May 8, 2014 6:40 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2014 6:40 PM in response to abelliveau

    Just adding my name to the list... Early 2011 MPB worked fine until today. Then blue screen. Tried basic resets and such .. Very disappointing.

  • by iceman600,

    iceman600 iceman600 May 8, 2014 6:45 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2014 6:45 PM in response to abelliveau

    Im done with this Apple S***t... Im gonna gamble and do the reballing. I need a reliable shop to do it. suggestion anyone? Im in the US btw.

  • by benedictros,

    benedictros benedictros May 8, 2014 7:14 PM in response to iceman600
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2014 7:14 PM in response to iceman600

    Search for ps3specialist . The link to his California based shop is here in this thread. There was a lot of debating between him and other users here Regarding the Apple issue, but his service seems good and with 1 year warranty. I would have had him fix mine a long time ago if I were in the US. Unfortunately I'm in the Philippines and can't find any reputable reballing service. (please let me know if anyone has suggestions).

     

    Be sure to do your research and read reviews / testimonies so you can make the right choice on your repair.  Good luck.

     

    On a side note.. I won't be buying any more laptops (if anything at all) from Apple. After jobs it seems like no one genuinely cares about their products anymore. It's all about the money now. Typical corporate BS.

  • by iceman600,

    iceman600 iceman600 May 8, 2014 7:22 PM in response to benedictros
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2014 7:22 PM in response to benedictros

    I cant find it...

  • by benedictros,

    benedictros benedictros May 9, 2014 9:20 AM in response to iceman600
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 9, 2014 9:20 AM in response to iceman600

    Here's ps3specialist

    *********

     

    Here's another one in uk

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/bga_repairs

     

    I know the UK one won't help you, but you can use it to compare services. Keep in mind I'm not affiliated with either of these shops. And i haven't had anything fixed by them. But others here have. Please reply here with your results so we have more avenues for repair etc. Might still send my mbp for repair when my cousins go abroad.

     

    <Edited by Host>

  • by iceman600,

    iceman600 iceman600 May 8, 2014 7:42 PM in response to benedictros
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2014 7:42 PM in response to benedictros

    Thanks i send him an email... I hope he respond as soon as possible.

     

    According to his website the turn around will be only 72 hours. So i can update you guys in here to what the result will be.

  • by messenger131,

    messenger131 messenger131 May 8, 2014 9:31 PM in response to iceman600
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2014 9:31 PM in response to iceman600

    I am sending mine to him tomorrow.  I really have a good feeling abou this.  I have had several email conversations with him and beleive that he is not attempting to sell anything.  Best warranty I have seen and a very resonable price.

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