Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Paigoomein, thank you so much for the only proper and insightful response to my hypothetical questions and for seeing them for what they were.  My hope for mac users has been restored. 

Now back to the question that nobody answered.  Perhaps it's a bit more relevant today since more people just posted how the recommmened fix did not cure their gpu/bad screen/freeze problem.

One more time please.

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Imagine for a moment that Apple actually did not know what the problem was these past few years.  Would the situation be any different than what you see in these many threads and forums?

If they don't know, or never knew, they might have

1. A big client service/ aftermarket service issue

2. A big issue in the QA team

3. A big engineering issue.

Working in this field, everything is known even problems before release but sometimes for deadlines or requirement etc you need to take a measured risk, obviously Apple did a big mistake in the measures.

If they don't know, then the problem is bigger than a engineering issue or faulty gpu.

Thanks, Atheryl.

But would the situation look any different than what you see now in these many threads and forums?

Pardon me, but this question doesn't make sense.

We are on the official forum, where people get paid to handle and manage.

The right question is, how could it possible that is has never been escalated.

So to reply you, maybe, if no one did his job, maybe only few people in Apple know, and it will, then, looks exactly the same, you are right.

Now, about which one is more probable ....

My Friends

My macbook A1286 Late 2011 showed the same problems, this was the second time. For the first, I hung up and took the authorized warranty and technical support, call the machine and said, "do not have problems, passed the test"

But now the problem appeared, I went up to the authorized center and the technician was startled. and the diagnosis: Graphics Chip, will have to change the plate, put out of warranty (oh do not tell me, I'm so happy!)

In Brazil they charge me about $ 800.

I called Apple and explained in, after 40 min in the Call Center, came the advanced technical sector and the answer:

"Sir, your equipment is not eligible for the program RECALL, only for Macbook PRO MID 2010 '

Why?

  I'll do WHAT?

"Sir, look for a repair center authorized Apple, Have a great night"

PS: lucky or not this happened a few times, I hang up, wait a few minutes and voila, it works.

Recall await

Case Number: 636441298

Portuguese:

Amigos,

Meu macbook A1286 Late 2011, apresentou o mesmo problemas, essa foi a segunda vez. Pois na primeira, eu desliguei e levei na garantia e o suporte tecnico autorizado, ligou a maquina e disse: "nao tem problemas, passou pelo teste"

Mas agora o problema apareceu, fui ate o centro autorizada e o tecnico se assustou. e o diagnostico: Chip Graficos, tera que trocar a placa, porem saiu da garantia (oh nao me diga, estou tao feliz! )

No Brasil me cobram cerca de 800 dolares.

Liguei na Apple e expliquei, depois de 40 min no Call Center, veio o setor tecnico avancado e a resposta:

" senhor, seu equipamento nao é elegivel para o programa de RECALL, somente para os  Macbook PRO MID 2010"

Why?

Eu farei oque?

"senhor, procure um centro de reparo autorizado Apple, tenha uma otima noite"

PS: sorte ou nao isso aconteceu poucas vezes, eu desligo, espero uns minutos e pronto, funciona.

Aguardaremos Recall

Number Case: 636441298

Thanks, Atheryl.

It's not a matter of employees not doing their jobs or people getting paid to manage and handle issues.  Every business has its percentages of compentent and incompetent employees and even the most competent types are known to misdiagnose a problem from time to time.  Even world renowned doctors and scientists are known to make mistakes or misdiagnose.  And, good or bad, in the end all employees get paid where once in a while a few may be terminated from employment.

Anyway, this is my speculation of what's happening here.  It's the only reason that makes the most sense.

It's not about not competent people. It's about work done.

Every companies have policies and rules. I truly believe there is a ticket talk about this forum somewhere, just a key management did let it forget somewhere, but the job of pushing up regarding the activity on the task is not done .

It also don't deserve a contract end, it's just, there is two possibilities.

1. They don't deserve (my or our, depend where you put yourself) my confidence in their products/services because they are not able to correctly track issues (no matter if it's a process problem or a people problem)

2. They don't deserve my confidence because they just decide we are a part of the accepted % of fail product, and for something I had pay 100$ normally cost 1000$, I would say that's the game, but here ...

Anyway

Well, Atheryl, without doubt this is a major fiasco that could get better or significantly worse.  That part seems entirely up to Apple and so far they ain't lookin' so good.  Which leads me to believe they are just going to let its user base continue to take it in the shorts and Apple too will continue to take it in the shorts.

But either way, Apple with $100 billion in cash reserves will not lose any sleep over the matter as time has a way of healing some wounds.

We on the other hand are ill-affected in far greater ways with businesses and livelihoods at stake for some of us.

IMO, I find Apple's behavior regarding this longstanding issue absolutely reckless, atrocious, and actionable.

"carl wolf wrote:

"but THIS is the most probable cause for the problem for the failings GPU of our MBPs!..."
Here's a hint.  No, it is not.

A hint? this look like you have the answer... please enlight us!"

I'm not sure that I can enlight you, but the totality of the evidence presented by users - and several referenced documents - indicate otherwise.  Apple vendors have attached several billion electronic devices, using a lead-free soldering process.  Apparently, only several thousand graphics chips are affected.  You - and others - are now convinced that the problem is related to tin whiskers.  Please, show me how you came to that conclusion.  Most users have had failures after years of service, and others only after a few hours...and you believe that it's caused by the growth of tin whiskers.  Please enlighten me.  According to at least one of the referenced articles, "mechanical-loading" of a device attached using a lead-free soldering process increases the incidence of the growth of tin whiskers.  I'd like you to post your theory why this would occur, and I'll see if it meets with reality.  Regardless, in the MBP, more than one device is mechanically-loaded yet, only the graphics chip is affected.  Please, tell me why.

On a completely different note...several posters have commented on EU legislation, and how Apple has clearly violated the law.  If there was a shred of evidence of that, attorneys would have trolled for clients, and would have filed class action law suits.

Thank you, Carl.  IMO, just one more reason to suspect that Apple hasn't been forthright regarding this issue.

Yet, I'm amazed how despite all the evidence and fallout, people still want to believe whatever the mother ship tells them, even generating more "facts" to hopefully substantiate the original "facts".

I don't know if I'm right, but I don't believe he's saying that the problem isn't the GPU. He's arguing that the problem isn't the use of lead free solder, which I agree with. The "mothership" never said that the use of lead free solder was the problem. Sorry if I'm misinterpreting your or carl's posts.

Correct.  I consider the type of solder as generating more "facts" to help substantiate the original "facts" all of which appear to be nothing but a very expensive SWAG.

The leader solder is a Red Herring.

Carl is correct.

I neither inferred, nor meant to imply that Apple hasn't been forthright in any manner.  The growth of metallic whiskers is not a new phenomenon and, if you want to attach your flag to a straw man, be sure you have your facts straight.  Throughout this thread, I have encouraged those who are absolutely convinced that they are correct - and that Apple is wrong - to file a Small Claims suit, and plead your case.  I'm not sure how much this costs where you live, but in the state of California, it's about $10.  Attorneys are not allowed, and it's you, the plaintiff, the judge, and a bailiff - along with others getting their cases heard.  It's cheap, and informal.  Since there hasn't been a rash of posts similar to, "Oh boy, I won a judgment against Apple", I'm guessing people are more prone to arguing their cases in the court of public opinion, rather than in a real court.

I don't know what people would say to a Judge if their computers are failing two years or more after the manufacturer warranty, I think your advise will just cause people who follow it to loose an extra $10 in court fees and look very bad and greedy in front of a judge.