Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

15', early 2011 MBP, with the 1GB AMD Graphics card joining in.

It first failed when watching Netflix on an external display (something I had done without problems for three years), and then it crashed. Couldn't boot up afyer resetting SMC/PRAM, nor in safe mode. It always hanged on a gray screen, the computer overheated and shut itself off after getting too hot.

I made it work for a couple of hours by entering single user mode and running fsck a couple of times. It then crashed again after a while, while I was using Chrome (No video, anything, just browsing).

Do reballs myself, but not from UK.

In the UK I can vote for tfixrepairs dot com.

They will take very good care of your baby.

@Dreyesbo Use the gfxCardStatus 2.2.1 to force integrated ... at least you will be able to use your laptop but no more external display .

By the way does anyone tried reball ? I'm thinking, even if apple make change, they might just put the exact same things isn't it ? Because I don't imagine them redo a factory line for a couple thousand pieces few years after product come out ... unless logic board are compatible between version in term of housing and then ...

Anyone know about logic board compatibilities ?

Thanks for the quick reply! I had just done so (though I installed gfxCardStatus 2.3, hope it isn't a problem?) and I got it working. Won't attempt to plugin external displays at the moment.

Similar situation here. Early 2011 MBPro. i7. Anti-glare Display. 8 weeks beyond AppleCare.

Flickered once & froze. Restarted it. Worked for a few hours. Flickered again. Dead. Gray Screen. Apple is doing a "favor" by offering a flat rate of $310 plus tax to repair it. Currently backing up the hard drive via firewire / separate computer, in case they are feeling frisky & try to replace that too.

I had the logic board replaced in December for a separate issue. I am not left to wonder if the original one would have given me the same issue. I'll continue to follow this thread to see if Apple will man up & do us right.

@Dreyesbo Put 2.2.1, 2.3 is not guaranteed to keep the Integrated only (as i read and seen)

Dreyesbo wrote:

 

(though I installed gfxCardStatus 2.3, hope it isn't a problem?)

v2.3 seems working for me as long as it stays on Integrated Only option (not tried with external display) but the only problem is that it keeps to switching automatically to different options (Discreat or Dynamic) every time an App requires a different GPU and have to quickly change it again manually.

I cannot find the way to keep the setting as default.

Been looking around the web and not real definitive solution seems to exixt to force gfx to keep the setting...

Use the 2.2.1 .... the issue you see is clearly stated as a problem of 2.3 .... I'm running two days now on integrated and 2.2.1 and use every of my apps.

For external ... no solution for now.

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-031040.htm

No. Intel® graphics products can output to one or two display devices at the same time. More than two display devices can be physically connected, but only two display devices can be used at any time.

I'm no sure but if I'm not mistaken, in my machine the v2.3 is working and it always keeps the integrated graphic card on.

Got to say though using the onboard GPU does wonder for battery life. But without the use of external display I am going to buy a Mac Mini as a desktop until Apple comes up with a acceptable solution or more cost effective fix. The cost of a Mac Mini is the same as the repair so I will have two functioning computers at least, albeit not fully.

nah, the 2.2.1 made everything even worst, screen went all crazy half black half with crazy lines

back to 2.3 but still cant keep the Integrated as default....bloody ****!!!

I'm having the same problem now w/ my 17" 2011 Macbookpro............. I'm not sure what to do. I can't believe Apple knows about this and the issue is widespread as it is. I just replaced my logic board on May, 2012 due to an accidental spill/was charged for a tier III repair $1200 which was of course my fault, although I thought the incurred costs was steep at the time. Little more than two years have passed, and now this.......... I did not pay extra for applecare since I figured I would just be careful from now on. This is pretty terrible of Apple to be ignoring this issue. My computer is useless at the moment and even if I get it repaired, it will obviously break down again.... I've signed the petition at change.org, as futile as that probably is.... In the meantime, I need to pay out of pocket I suppose. Perhaps I'll have to sell the computer after which since I know it is only a matter of time before it breaks again. I've been an Apple supporter for more than twenty years. Bought my mom a macbook air that has the infamous mouse problem as well where all mice will eventually die/act erradically due to the heat due to the thin design of at least that specific year/model. Apple refuses to acknowledge that defect as well. I'm really angry with this company anymore.

Update here:

so 2 weeks ago i shipped my macbook pro, late 2011 2.2ghz Core i7 off to "Group 8" - who are apple certified. I have apple care so this was for free - i believe i had the same problem as everyone else - stuck at grey screen - eventually booting to dark blue screen with dark vertical lines. According to my repair sheet from Group 8, the following parts were used in the repair: "MLB, 2.2GHZ, QUAD CORE i7". Would i be right to assume MLB stands for something like Mother-Logic Board? i don't know what it is.. and does this mean i have a new quad core i7? :S if my CPU died i guess i wouldn't be surprised.. it was the most intensively used part of my machine (i didn't game much - but was a regular PS user)

so..

it came back in exactly the same condition as i sent it, and i booted it up and its working fine - i'll be keeping an eye on the temps of this machine for the next few weeks - if past experience in this thread is going to ring true for me, then it could fail again in the near future.

About external displays and projectors>>>

A TIP THAT WORKS IN MY CASE AND MAYBE FOR YOU

When I need to use a projector (not a monitor) I connect it in the thunderbolt port (with VGA adapter) and then simple use the gfxcardstatus 2.3 and force to ONLY DISCRETE CARD, 80% of time it works perfectly. I gave 2 lectures (2 hour each one) for my students with no problem last week using my macbook pro and EPSON projector. Try use the discrete mode only when connecting a projector ... for external monitors such as TVs and LCDs screens I guess it won't work.

Try for yourselves and give us more feedbacks

carl wolf

would you mind explaining what the law means then?