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 odedias,

    odedias odedias Jun 19, 2014 12:52 PM in response to SpectralHuman
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 12:52 PM in response to SpectralHuman

    That's great to know! I'm considering his service, but I'm out of the USA, it's more tricky.

     

    I still wonder if Apple will step up here. I just got a NEW iPhone 5s to replace my failing iPhone 4s. I had AppleCare Plus that ended a few weeks ago, plus I had a lot of back-and-forth with Apple (including an unpleasant Apple Store experience) until the matter was resolved, but in the end they stepped up. I didn't even consider getting the new model, just wanted a working 4s.

     

    So Apple does pay attention and CAN do the right thing. I just hope it's sooner rather than later...

  • by jmc53,

    jmc53 jmc53 Jun 19, 2014 1:05 PM in response to SpectralHuman
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 1:05 PM in response to SpectralHuman

    I don't understand why some people are saying that reballing is a more permanent fix. Shouldn't a new logic board from Apple potentially last longer than a reballed GPU???


    I'm probably going to go with the reball and just sell the thing after.

  • by Tom Otvos,

    Tom Otvos Tom Otvos Jun 19, 2014 1:08 PM in response to jmc53
    Level 1 (25 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 1:08 PM in response to jmc53

    I believe it is because there is nothing wrong with the GPU itself, but the connections to the logic board. As many here have seen (myself included) a new logic board manufactured the same way as the old one has every chance of exhibiting the same issue sooner or later. I guess re-balling tries to fix the root problem which, if done correctly, ought to last longer.

  • by jmc53,

    jmc53 jmc53 Jun 20, 2014 10:28 AM in response to rridder
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 20, 2014 10:28 AM in response to rridder

    rridder wrote:

     

    rridder wrote:

     

    jmc53 wrote:

     

    Hey Calvinogood,

     

    Thanks for the prompt reply. I won't be paying Apple another dime!

     

    Is there a way to actually reach OSX, install gfx card status, and disable the discrete card?

     

    I can't get past the white/blue screen and crazy fans spinning on startup...

     

    Yes you can, I had the same problem.

     

    1. Let your macbook complete its failed bootup complete with whirring fans (when you have white screen).

    2. Go through boot login procedure blindly

    3. Wait appropriate time for login to complete

    4. Remove power adapter cable (this steps seems to force computer to default to integrated graphics)

    5. Hold down power button for five seconds to force power off.

    6. Press power button and reboot normally on integrated graphics.

     

    After that you can download and install gfxcardstatus. I've also removed my kext amd drivers from the usr/system/lib folder in this way it's not going to the discrete at all. I've been using after effects and photoshop on the integrated graphics now, it's runs a lot slower but a least i can work.

     

    Hope this will work for you.

    How do you complete step 2? I can't see anything? No idea where mouse is.

     

    No that's why you have to do it blindly, I had the same thing and was really happy and surprised it worked. Did you normally had a login screen directly or did you had multiple users where you first had to click on?

    My username start with "R", so then i type "R" followed by "enter" then my password and "enter" again. Then i waited a bit to be sure the boot sequence was complete and remove the cable and turn it off.

    I tried this but it didn't work

     

    I entered my password while the screen was still white and pressed "Enter". I had a direct login so the username should already be there, ready to go.

    After going through the process, unplugging, and rebooting, I am still left with the white screen.

     

    <Link Edited By Host>

  • by SpectralHuman,

    SpectralHuman SpectralHuman Jun 19, 2014 1:15 PM in response to jmc53
    Level 1 (21 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 19, 2014 1:15 PM in response to jmc53

    I've been researching this issue since February.  The defect has to do with the soldering on the GPU.  A new logic board most likely just fail in the same way the old one did.  A carefully done reball seems to be the best solution to this problem.

  • by jmc53,

    jmc53 jmc53 Jun 19, 2014 1:21 PM in response to SpectralHuman
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 1:21 PM in response to SpectralHuman

    Ok sounds good! I'm glad it worked out for you.

  • by kidNeutrino,

    kidNeutrino kidNeutrino Jun 19, 2014 1:47 PM in response to jmc53
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 1:47 PM in response to jmc53

    I will be on my third replacement logic board when I take this turkey in. The problem seems like it is speeding up. 1st Failure Dec2013, 2nd April 29, 2014, 3rd, June 16th, 2014...

  • by Evil8Beezle,

    Evil8Beezle Evil8Beezle Jun 19, 2014 2:02 PM in response to kidNeutrino
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 2:02 PM in response to kidNeutrino

    Who are people making the assumption that these Logic Boards are brand new?

     

    Do you really think that Apple has a massive box of these in storage for a 3 year old computer?

     

    THERE ARE MORE THAN LIKELY RECONDITIONED BOARDS (IF RECONDITIONED AT ALL!!!)

     

    Think like accountants people, there is no massive new supply...

  • by rridder,

    rridder rridder Jun 19, 2014 2:27 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 2:27 PM in response to abelliveau

    I'm going to wait this one out a bit, hopefully apple will listen to us and do something about it. If not I'm going to try the reballing as well.

  • by jmc53,

    jmc53 jmc53 Jun 19, 2014 2:35 PM in response to Evil8Beezle
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 2:35 PM in response to Evil8Beezle

    Evil8Beezle wrote:

     

    Who are people making the assumption that these Logic Boards are brand new?

     

    Do you really think that Apple has a massive box of these in storage for a 3 year old computer?

     

    THERE ARE MORE THAN LIKELY RECONDITIONED BOARDS (IF RECONDITIONED AT ALL!!!)

     

    Think like accountants people, there is no massive new supply...

    I didn't mean literally "brand new". I know Apple is using refurbished parts. You would still think it would last longer than the couple months people seem to be having after they get it replaced.

     

    I'm done with Apple though. Switching to Windows and Android or WP7 after this mess.

  • by Evil8Beezle,

    Evil8Beezle Evil8Beezle Jun 19, 2014 2:42 PM in response to jmc53
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 2:42 PM in response to jmc53

    jmc53 wrote:

     

    I don't understand why some people are saying that reballing is a more permanent fix. Shouldn't a new logic board from Apple potentially last longer than a reballed GPU???


    I'm probably going to go with the reball and just sell the thing after.

     

    Please refer back through a few dozen pages of this thread. (The fault is due to lead free solder).

     

    So a new/reconditioned Logic Board will fail again. And the older/more stressed the 2nd hand logic board, the quicker the failure!

     

    The ONLY real solution is a leaded solder reball of your GPU.

  • by paigoomein,

    paigoomein paigoomein Jun 19, 2014 2:57 PM in response to Evil8Beezle
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 2:57 PM in response to Evil8Beezle

    If that is the case, wouldn't the reball eventually have the same issue?  If I recall correctly, aren't most of the reballers are also using lead-free solder?

  • by D3us,

    D3us D3us Jun 19, 2014 3:16 PM in response to jmc53
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 3:16 PM in response to jmc53

    jmc53 wrote:

     

    I don't understand why some people are saying that reballing is a more permanent fix. Shouldn't a new logic board from Apple potentially last longer than a reballed GPU???


    I'm probably going to go with the reball and just sell the thing after.

    The problem is not the chip itself but the solder or soldering process used.

    Probably not all balls under the GPU got 100% liquid state meaning they were more "glued" instead of creating a really intermetallic bond.

    Means the copper and solder dissolved in to each other.

    The heat cycles let these "glued"  connections crack, they loose contact and your GPU fails.

     

    When Aplle replaces the pcb they use one with just the same bad soldering on it.

    Or they were referbished doing even a worse job making them often fail even faster...

  • by jmc53,

    jmc53 jmc53 Jun 19, 2014 3:18 PM in response to paigoomein
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 3:18 PM in response to paigoomein

    paigoomein wrote:

     

    If that is the case, wouldn't the reball eventually have the same issue?  If I recall correctly, aren't most of the reballers are also using lead-free solder?

     

    ps3specialist says this on pg. 313.

     

    ----------

    ps3specialists Apr 29, 2014 3:22 PM

    in response to jebedias


    "...most reballers use leaded solder and they try to convince people that its better, I use leadfree just like the manufacturer and its proven to have the best result , Of course leaded solder is cheaper and easier to work with because it has a lower melting point but I care more about how long my repair will last and in that leadfree solder is the better choice in addition to its main feature as an environmentally safe material."

    ----------


  • by D3us,

    D3us D3us Jun 19, 2014 3:19 PM in response to paigoomein
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 19, 2014 3:19 PM in response to paigoomein

    paigoomein wrote:

     

    If that is the case, wouldn't the reball eventually have the same issue?  If I recall correctly, aren't most of the reballers are also using lead-free solder?

    Most reballers, like me, use lead solder.

    On top of that I use a very good thermal paste but what is more important, apply it correctly.

    Resulting in better heat transfer letting your system run a few degreess cooler.

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