Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card
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Jun 21, 2014 6:09 AMby l_e_c,Cook1e wrote:
This used to happen to me and I did as you said, waited ten minutes and all was good. But now I've given it extended periods of time and it's still freezing.
Sorry to ear that...
Good luck going go the "Genius" as DMC440 suggested. Keep us posted on what happens if you can.
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Jun 21, 2014 6:48 AMby dgmiller,All - Here is an update on my situation...
Last weekend I decided to send my MBP into Apple for the $300 LB repair. The tech support people were actually really good to talk to once I made it through customer relations. They assured me that this was the best possible solution for this, and that they would be with me throughout the process. So, yes, I decided to see how it goes and I figured I could provide updates to the rest of the user base for this and use it as a good experience for all.
1) After talking with them I did put the order in to have it fixed. I went to an authorized reseller (after talking with apple) and they said that it would be more expensive than $300.00 to fix. So I called back Apple and they apologized and said that I would have to send it via FedEx to get it repaired. Slightly frustrated for the hassle of having to go pick it back up, I called in and explained my frustration (please keep my other posts in mind on what I have previously followed). Customer Relations was able to give me $120 off of my repair cost (original quote after taxes, etc. was around $350). So right now my repair is around $230 (until I receive the final bill, it might have been less than the $350).
2) Monday I received my box in the mail. Upon my disbelieve they sent me an iPhone box by mistake. I called them up and asked for the right box to be sent. They apologized again and reassured me that they would send the correct box and I would have it by Wednesday. Sure enough it showed up. After getting home, I placed the broken laptop in the box and shipped it off around 5:00 PM Thursday.
3) Friday morning at around 1:00 AM I received notice that they received the product and that they would let me know when it was repaired and being sent back.
4) Saturday morning around 1:00 AM I received notice that it would be shipped back and I should receive the unit Saturday or Monday around Noon.
5) 8:30 AM Saturday morning the unit was back in my hands and I'm writing my update on the unit now. I will give Apple credit... aside from the wrong box. That repair process was FAST. They cleaned my machine (made it sparkle again) and repaired the issue at hand. There was not any questions about anything I had in the unit (replaced the original HHD with a fusion hybrid drive) and updated the memory. There was no question of either.
Anyway, I will keep updating to the lifespan of this repair and I, like so many others on here, believe that this is only a temporary fix that will fail after a certain amount of time. Please keep in mind that I am wanting to share my updates because I do believe Apple will take care of this in the long run. I fully believe that they will make this right, and that they will fix the overall issue through a recall, or some other means. So, I share my experience with you for information and to give you more facts about this to either sway you to p3specialist or to Apple. Each person will have a different situation, but so far, Apple has been very polite and willing to work with me throughout this process. I believe if this fails outside the warranty that they will make it right.
However, do not make a decision only on my experience. Please read the experiences of those others on here and make an informed decision on what is right for you. $350 for a repair is not cheap, especially if it might reoccur in another year or two.
Anyway, hope this information is useful for some of you.
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Jun 21, 2014 6:51 AMby dgmiller,MARSERdesigns -
I just got mine back too. It fired up like normal and photoshop is running normal. I have the graphics switcher thing installed and it's showing discrete (which it has to run that mode anyway since I'm connected to a 27" monitor).
That is weird that Photoshop caused that. I would call them up and see if they can help you fix that since they repaired your machine.
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Jun 22, 2014 5:15 AMby rcloud,You should call AppleCare support and log a case. They may pay the cost of repair because you are only just out of warranty. They did that for me. Also depends on where did you buy your MBP and where are you located right now. Good luck.
Does anyone has replace GPU board used more than 90 days without problem at all? My new replace GPU has 90 days warranty and I am worried it will break down again while I travel. So far i only heard all replacements went bad after days, weeks or months. I understand if those board were refurbished and could not last long. However, If they are new, they should last at least 2.5 years as our MBPs right?
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Jun 22, 2014 8:03 PMby topmannn,******UPDATE******* PROBLEM FIXED WITH NEW GPU
A couple months ago I had my GPU reballed and soldered by Khaled at ps3specialist. It didn't work, but Khaled offered to install a new GPU for no cost if I paid for the parts. The new Radeon GPU was only $30.00. He installed the new GPU a few days ago and now my laptop is working perfect!!! I suggest you guys go this route. Buy the new chip and send Khaled an email.
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Jun 22, 2014 9:06 PMby Pier11,benedictros wrote:
Seems like apple has ignored the problem long enough that this thread is dying down.
Either that or they are deleting posts at record speed.
Either way, it's So sad for us who were hoping for action.
As consumers we're almost powerless. Our only power is to choose wether to buy another Apple device in the future or not, and try to tell our friends and families about this.Apple has become a big corporation with a big ego thanks to the iPhone and iPad. Those 2 devices are roughly 70% of their revenue vs 10% for macs.
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Jun 22, 2014 10:32 PMby jmc53,topmannn wrote:
******UPDATE******* PROBLEM FIXED WITH NEW GPU
A couple months ago I had my GPU reballed and soldered by Khaled at ps3specialist. It didn't work, but Khaled offered to install a new GPU for no cost if I paid for the parts. The new Radeon GPU was only $30.00. He installed the new GPU a few days ago and now my laptop is working perfect!!! I suggest you guys go this route. Buy the new chip and send Khaled an email.
How long did the reball last you? Was the reball failure discovered before the macbook was shipped back to you? Is it better to skip the reball all together and just put in a new GPU?
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Jun 22, 2014 10:44 PMby fredrik1977,well, thanks to the new adobe licensing strategy i'm planning to move all hw&sw back to windows and choose a more reliable mobile workstation.
actually, the new MBP are just classy ultrabook, and are not suitable for heavy graphics and rendering usage, except for the top level model... but i don't trust no more to the dual gpu technology, too many issues not only on the 2011 model. Shame on apple also for the very bad idea to have the RAM solded to the logic board.
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Jun 22, 2014 11:00 PMby Vientran11,HI guys, Ijust want to give you an update on my status with this issue.
Apple have been amazing and very supportive with all of my products so far, and I must say this is noexception. Apple have offered to extend my warranty and replace my logic board for free. I'm very fortunate as I'm only 3 months out of mywarranty period but I think they saw that I purchase AppleCare with all of my products and this was just unfortunate timing.
I think the key with most issues like this is to actually call apple. I think it's a mistake to expect much from the guys working at the genius bars as they don't really have much say in the matter, it's not their fault. I have always gotten the best results from actually calling the main guys at apple...and furthermore I have always been courteous and respectful to the other person on the line. I think that is the best advice I can offer. Too often when things go wrong people usually come in with all guns blazing, it's important to remember that you're dealing with a real human being with real emotions and they can only handle so much in 1 day. Be nice, be calm, be respectful, be patient and understanding and listen to what they have to say. After they are done then explain your position (calmly) and point them to this thread if you have to, and never ever be condescending.
ANyway guys I hopethat this benefits you in some way and best of luck. Maybe I'm just lucky and I've only dealt with people that were in good moods at the time, but this is the best advice that I can offer. Good luck!
EDit: FYI I posted a few posts back under the username vien.tran but I can't seem to log back into that account so I made a new one.
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Jun 22, 2014 11:52 PMby topmannn,The reball didnt work the first time. After the first repair I took it home, reinstalled my hard drive, did some testing and it was having the same problems. I contact Khaled and told him what was going on . He said to replaced the GPU with a new one and that would most likely fix the problem. It worked. I should have just replaced the GPU from the beginning since it was so cheap!
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Jun 23, 2014 12:04 AMby PIRIZ,Hey all,
I have a 2011 15" MBP experiencing grey screen when attempting to boot and graphical glitches when it actually boots. I've been watching this thread for a while and decided I would take it to a retail store for repairs.
After showing the Genius the grey screen on boot problem, I showed him the graphical errors I caught with my phone. I also mentioned this thread and how many people have found it to be a problem with the GPU. He then went to speak to a manager and I was quoted a little above $300 a replacement Logic Board and repair to be paid when completed (sorry I don't have the exact amount). I was expecting somewhere around $800 since my bottom and side case has some pretty big dings.
I should get it back within a week. Only mentioning this here because it seems to be similar to the cost of reballing or reflowing the GPU and may be worth exploring.
