Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

but THIS is the most probable cause for the problem for the failings GPU of our MBPs!

and please you all take a look to these links about tin whiskers and the fact that removing lead from the tin for soldering has re-introduced the problem!

http://www.maximintegrated.com/en/app-notes/index.mvp/id/5250

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2008/apr/03/research.engineering

http://www.tinwhisker.us/

http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/

Can anyone on this thread who opted to get a new logicboard from Apple actually confirm that it lasted for longer than 6 months or more?

HelgeCPT

I had my logic board replaced, under AppleCare, on January 3, 2014, so I've made it a bit over the six month mark. However... I'm expecting the same problem any day now (realistically).

Clinton

EDIT: I should mention that, were I not under warranty, I would have gone with reballing. I'm still under AppleCare, though, until March-April 2015.

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS Mavericks 10.9.4, 16GB Crucial RAM, Crucial M500 960GB SSD, 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display

"Can anyone on this thread who opted to get a new logicboard from Apple actually confirm that it lasted for longer than 6 months or more?"

I picked mine up on Monday after having the logic board replaced, within about 5 hours it failed again. I've taken it back in today to get repaired again with a new logic board. We will see how long the third logic board lasts. Thank god I'm not paying for this.  I was told today by the genius that if it goes in for repairs and continually fails after about 3 times they will just replace it.

micky_jay

I think your experience, and mine, just sum up the fact that replacing the logic board is a gamble. One that I wouldn't be willing to take if I had not had AppleCare. I've thrown everything at this machine that I could since I had the logic board replaced and it keeps chugging along - until it dies again

Clinton

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS Mavericks 10.9.4, 16GB Crucial RAM, Crucial M500 960GB SSD, 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display

clintonfrombirmingham

I originally had apple care but it expired in Feb this year. It was a battle dealing with Customer Relations to get them to do something with my MBP so they ended up authorizing a replacement free of charge. Luckily each time that logic board gets replaced I get a brand new 2 year warranty on it through the Australian consumer laws. I'm just waiting for it to keep failing and then have them give me a whole new MBP because it's failed so many times and they get sick of repairing it .

micky_jay

I don't know if you're aware but the US has some of the worst consumer rights laws on the books - with the UK probably ranking at the top and AU somewhere in the middle. You're fortunate to be in the middle!!! Much better consumer rights laws than the US!

Clinton

HelgeCPT wrote:

 

Can anyone on this thread who opted to get a new logicboard from Apple actually confirm that it lasted for longer than 6 months or more?

The first replacement lasted slightly longer than 3 months, the second replacement was a complete dud and didn't even boot up once and my third replacement has been working properly for 5 months now. Maybe I got lucky this time however the uncertainty is nerve wrecking: I always have to travel with 2 notebooks and keep additional data backups so I can at least continue working, albeit in a very limited fashion.

Hi,  I have the problem here in Japan too.

I have one question if any one had done this and could assist me.

Would it do anything to clean installation of OSX?

My MBP is running with gfxcardstatus now, entirely depending on it as dGPU is dead.

After OSX is removed for clean installation,  I am scared that it won't ever start again. 

Please advise if it is worth trying.

Thank you.

Please don't try, it's a totally waste of time

Danilo Ronchi

I would try if it can start again without gfxcardstatus.

<Link Edited By Host>

I will also put in my dime so to speak.

Bought my MBP in the States in 2011. It is the 2.2 ghz model with the effing AMD.

I always use SMC fan control when using more graphic demanding programs. Even with google earth!

Yesterday i saw the dreaded blue screen of death. I was able to reboot with the use of the spacebar while booting. So far i guess it uses the intel graphics.

So far so good.

I have read almost every word and article... i can only conclude that there is no other fix then "apple should fix this". These complaints already exist for more then a year.

The times that apple delivers premium product for a premium price are officially over. For a premium price like 2000 dollar one could expect the best....

At keynotes we see a crowd that is very enthusiastic. "And this macbook pro for just 1999 dollar" the crowd starts applauding "woooohooooooo"....

I was one of them. I have markings on my forehead from slapping myself.... but what is the alternative ? WINDOWS ? Slapping even more.... We are all being cheated out of our hard earned cash.

Apple can be proud of themselves to have joined the ranks of dell.

Apple should have fixed this already.

Yes Apple SHOULD fix this problem! However consideration should be given to the economics of business, and that bean counters effectively run companies.

Can Apple fix this issue without it costing them an absolute fortune? Probably not...

Does Apple think that ignoring this issue will cost them less then fixing it? Probably yes...

So those waiting for Apple to launch a recall program, sadly may have to wait a very long time.

Yes Apple SHOULD

 

should

 

Probably

 

think that

Probably yes...

 

may have to

So that's definite then?

"I was able to reboot with the use of the spacebar while booting. So far i guess it uses the intel graphics."

If this is true... for me could be enough to use my macbook with gfxcardstatus...

Anyway I need a new Mac... But I can't order another Mac... Macbook or iMac for fear to have some trouble again, and without the help of Apple itself to solve it. Too much money.