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

Close
abelliveau

Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

first Previous Page 347 of 891 last Next

  • by John P.,

    John P. John P. May 16, 2014 10:26 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 4 (1,161 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 16, 2014 10:26 AM in response to abelliveau

    Considering my logic board was replaced twice for this issue, I've resigned myself to a ticking clock on the current one in my machine. Very sad to see so many people affected. If mine fails again, I will just get another brand and cut my teeth on Windows full-time.

     

    Anecdotally, if history is any indicator, a friend of ours has one of the affected 2010 MBPs an the machine died 30 days outside of the repair extension window. Apple refused to extend it even by two weeks in her case so she opted to pay the depot repair fee. The machine still doesn't run right but after the 90 day warranty (expired), the flickering has started again.

  • by degger,

    degger degger May 16, 2014 10:30 AM in response to 23maps
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 10:30 AM in response to 23maps

    I have an external screen attached and have had a lot of freezes, blue and white screens and restarts and split screens for some weeks, but then I turned off graphics card switching in the energy settings and no crash since then (more than a week now, maybe I was just happy, but it works for the moment). I am using the machine for XCode programming at the moment, so nothing graphically demanding.

    Open Apple secrets 101: If you attach an external screen the system is always switching to the dGPU on these models because the internal GPU is not even connected to the DisplayPort...

  • by FrankeeD,

    FrankeeD FrankeeD May 16, 2014 10:35 AM in response to John P.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 10:35 AM in response to John P.

    My machine is also running fine on its 3rd motherboard, but I'm also thinking about what to do when it fails again. I'm fairly invested in Mac software, so I'll probably grab my son's 2012 MBP and use it. He's showed some interest in getting a Microsoft Surface 2. A year ago I would have discouraged him, but having watched Apple leave its customers with this problem dangling for the last 10 months or so, if my son's interested in moving to MS, Apple has left me with no arguments to oppose the move.

  • by jinfromgarland,

    jinfromgarland jinfromgarland May 16, 2014 10:40 AM in response to FrankeeD
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 10:40 AM in response to FrankeeD

    @Frankeed if it failed 3 times or more you can make a case for MBP replacement, thats what my friend did.

  • by Jhay-ar,

    Jhay-ar Jhay-ar May 16, 2014 10:40 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (8 points)
    May 16, 2014 10:40 AM in response to abelliveau

    iffff you smeeeeelll what Tim Cook is cookin'     lols

     

    but seriously... this is so frustrating...

  • by FrankeeD,

    FrankeeD FrankeeD May 16, 2014 10:46 AM in response to jinfromgarland
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 10:46 AM in response to jinfromgarland

    @jinfromgarland, making a case and getting something from Apple don't always go together . . .

  • by jhaile,

    jhaile jhaile May 16, 2014 11:07 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 11:07 AM in response to abelliveau

    Apple keeps deleting my posts that reference Hacker News saying that I am referencing a "poll or petition" which is absolutely not true.

     

    Is anyone else having trouble with their posts getting deleted?

  • by jinfromgarland,

    jinfromgarland jinfromgarland May 16, 2014 11:09 AM in response to jhaile
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 11:09 AM in response to jhaile

    yup, they are actually reading it.

  • by jinfromgarland,

    jinfromgarland jinfromgarland May 16, 2014 11:12 AM in response to FrankeeD
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 11:12 AM in response to FrankeeD

    @Frankeed, its in their policy if it died more than 3 times you can ask for the replacements. It worked for most people and because its going to die again even if you replace it again. I'm just saying you're in a good position to get a new MBP.

  • by Kirth_Gersen,

    Kirth_Gersen Kirth_Gersen May 16, 2014 11:42 AM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 11:42 AM in response to abelliveau

    it's sad , that the forum staff is downvoting the story on Slashdot...just now the item was orange, almost red, and now they internally went to the site and voted it down....disappearing

  • by Uillihans Dias,

    Uillihans Dias Uillihans Dias May 16, 2014 11:57 AM in response to degger
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 11:57 AM in response to degger

    I had all the same issue here blue screen, colorful lines going vertical and horizontal and then it would reboot after a 1000 re-starts. Like I said, it is working fine and I ran it thru final cut pro x, lightroom, photoshop and now issues so far. I knew Apple didn't give a rat *** about it, turning a blind eye to the problem so I ran out of options. It is working like it used to. Good luck and I hope Apple will own up to it.

  • by messenger131,

    messenger131 messenger131 May 16, 2014 1:16 PM in response to messenger131
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 1:16 PM in response to messenger131

    OK folks.  I just got my MBP back  from ps3Specialist.  I sent it off last Friday and just got it back today.  It is working flaulessly.  I have run several stress tests with no problems.  I can tell you that he is very resonable in price.  I recieved better and quicker support from him than I would have ever gotten from Apple.  No run around.  He understands what the issue is and fixes it with a one year warranty.  Just think what would happen if Apple had stepped up and taken care of the problem like ps3spicialist.  My advice.  If you can find a local or regional person that does "reballing", get it done.  It will get your MBP up and running.

     

    <Edited by Host>

  • by iceman600,

    iceman600 iceman600 May 16, 2014 1:04 PM in response to messenger131
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 1:04 PM in response to messenger131

    Good to hear ps3specialist did a good job

    Mine is still on the works. He just received it yesterday. Hoping to get it early next week.

  • by mattsf,

    mattsf mattsf May 16, 2014 6:00 PM in response to messenger131
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 16, 2014 6:00 PM in response to messenger131

    Same here! Sent my MBP to ps3specialist last week got it back today! So far so good. Everything is running perfect and back to normal.

     

    <Edited by Host>

  • by Bjoern Adamski,

    Bjoern Adamski Bjoern Adamski May 16, 2014 2:44 PM in response to mattsf
    Level 1 (9 points)
    May 16, 2014 2:44 PM in response to mattsf

    mattsf wrote:

     

    I have complete confidence ps3specialist fix the issue

     

    I hear you but is there also such service in Europe?

first Previous Page 347 of 891 last Next