Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

I bought my first Mac in 1995 (I think that was the year) an old used powerbook that didn't do much. I also bought a used dot matrix printer and wow, it was fun teaching myself to use it. I had no idea even how to turn it on, but I figured  it out in time.  Then in 1998 I bought an iMac. Then another iMac, and then my PowerMac G4 in 2000. And lots of peripherals that were Mac compatible. I still have most of them. The power book I got rid of, but the other ones still work. I am still learning things about computers because I'm self taught and I always stand up for Apple, telling everyone it's the best and I would never buy a PC. I don't even know how to run a PC. But after this, I don't know what I will do. I am hoping by some miracle my MBP will fix itself, or magically I will be able to use my external monitor again, but have little hope of that. I love my MBP and would hate to give it up. I want a fix for it. Please Apple, find out what's wrong and fix it for your loyal customers. Don't leave us in the lurch.

My first mac was a 1993 610 pizza box and loved it and OS 7 too.

After 2 years of giving us the finger and trying to extract more monies, Apple has already left us in a lurch.  Past tense.  The damage is already done.  I'm done with Apple as well.

One thing Apple has demonstrated here with the 2011 macbook pro's is that these electronics products are considered commodity or throwaway products.   Apple has certainly made a believer out of me and this is the last time I will believe anything coming from them.

I had already been eyeing a few of the latest Asus Zenbook models.  Bought their 13-inch 3 lbs. zenbook ultrabook model a few years ago.  Really liked it but sold it quickly because the i7 cpu at that time was a bit enemic and the 4gb RAM was soldered (using good solder?) implying there was no room for expansion. Today they are faster, expandable, and perhaps lighter.

To those of you who have recently posted here that you have a "dead" MacBook Pro, make sure to call in to 1-800-SOS-APPLE and open a case with your serial number on record.  Going to an Apple Store and talking to a Genius should be your SECOND step.  Apple corporate needs to know first. Contacting executive relations is also a very good idea.  Ella70, please do this if you haven't already.

To others who have been bad-mouthing Apple and knocking heads with other posters, please make sure you've also created a case.  This is the ONLY path that will lead to Apple responding appropriately. Behave however you want, but please help the entire group by creating an official case.

I'm in the same boat as all of you, but with respect and good communications towards the Apple reps I've worked with I have had three repairs (past warranty period) at no cost and they regularly update me that this issue is actively being investigated.  Apple has a history of doing the right thing, but they need complete proof of a fair and complete SOLUTION.

I am new to the forum, and I too have a 15" 2011 MacBook Pro, my discreet graphics has now failed, using suggestions found on this thread I have been able to get the MBP running again.

Thank you everyone who has posted how to force the computer to use the integrated graphics, it has turned my paper weight to a limping, but functional computer.

I will be phoning 1-800-SOS-APPLE tomorrow

My problems just occurred about a month ago, and after the GPU failed, I found all these postings, frankly it has eroded my confidence in Apple, hopefully the phone call will restore that.

my first Apple was a Centris, and I have liked every Mac computer since, with the exception of this one(after it failed of course, before then it was a good computer), I am a bit nervous about making another big purchase from Apple. Hopefully this will not be the case after I have talked to someone.

Right, everyone needs to read this . . . .  just in case !!! Its something that might just actually some of you out rather than ranting as I have on this very thread.

My 2011 i7 17" macbook kept freezing when anything HD or graphic intense was attempted. Eventually I had to reinstall OSX's, even went back to Mountain Lion thinking Mavericks was the problem. Then one day it froze and never came back, its sat in a cupboard for weeks after reading this and many threads like it. I could not boot it in any manner at all or reinstall, nothing, just Grey Screen!

I assumed I was one of the many GPU victims.

In one last attempt today I messaged apple online chat, I was naughty and claimed I was and exception to the payment and spoke to a guy for free, he couldnt help and I got stubborn so he put me on to a senior tech advisor. My mac is WAY over warranty by the way!

. . . . . . . . . My macbook, is now working!?!?!?!?!

I'm not sure if it will go again but this guy has just fixed my mac by talking me through everything from PRAM and SMC (which I have tried many times) until he got me to do something I haven't done before. He got me to finally get my mac to boot in 'Single User' mode and reset things way above my expertise.

Now I'm not saying there is no issue with these GPUs, mine might fail one day? All i can say is I had a mac in the cupboard which is now working fine with no reballing or replacement work, which i was considering!

SO, If you have an issue and you think its this one (as I did) get down to the macstore or do what I did and get stubborn on the online support. I might just help you out!

SOLVED: My language may not be good, sorry!

MacBook Pro Late 2011 model (OS X 10.9.2 Maverick) - My MBP struggled a lot when i boot, the Apple logo is red/pink with stripes, and after that a grey screen or a blue screen with vertical stripes and stays still and the fans run full speed, over heating (centre part below where MacBook Pro text appears can't even touch) , NOTHING HAPPENED not even able to login for the past two months. The Mac people said that it is display adapter issue, must change logic board [The logic board cost $800 (Rs.~45,000/- in India)] . I have searched solutions and followed many threads and tried EVERYTHING (PRAM, safe mode, recovery, R, T, S, D, etc.,).  Finally (yesterday) I put my boot disk (that came with my MBP) and tried again blue screen appeared after few mins.  But something happened inside when the disk was running after that I removed the disk and tried to turn on with (shift) safe mode… Apple logo --> grey screen --> after 2-3 mins I could able to login YESTERDAY and my MBP works till now without any problem  I backed up my whole system 298GB to Time Machine … I don't know what happened but still works fine. 

SOLVED: My language may not be good, sorry!

MacBook Pro Late 2011 model (OS X 10.9.2 Maverick) - My MBP struggled a lot when i boot, the Apple logo is red/pink with stripes, and after that a grey screen or a blue screen with vertical stripes and stays still and the fans run full speed, over heating (centre part below where MacBook Pro text appears can't even touch) , NOTHING HAPPENED not even able to login for the past two months. The Mac people said that it is display adapter issue, must change logic board [The logic board cost $800 (Rs.~45,000/- in India)] . I have searched solutions and followed many threads and tried EVERYTHING (PRAM, safe mode, recovery, R, T, S, D, etc.,).  Finally (yesterday) I put my boot disk (that came with my MBP) and tried again blue screen appeared after few mins.  But something happened inside when the disk was running after that I removed the disk and tried to turn on with (shift) safe mode… Apple logo --> grey screen --> after 2-3 mins I could able to login YESTERDAY and my MBP works till now without any problem  I backed up my whole system 298GB to Time Machine … I don't know what happened but still works fine. 

Make no mistake, Ravi.  You still have problems as your mbp is still permanently crippled (graphically challenged). But you may have reached somewhat of a stable but limited state for now.  My experience tells me that at present your mbp is only using the cheaper slower integrated Intel graphics card which does not seem to have any problems.

However, the instant your mbp attempts to engage the heavier duty discreet AMD graphics card, your mbp and your life will change in a moment in time.

The trick now is to keep your mbp's training wheels on by refraining from graphics intensive activities e.g. external monitors, HD movies, gaming, serious Photoshoping, etc. (you know, the very things you purchased your mbp for) so your mbp can limp through the rest of its life as Apple's cash reserve continues to climb over the $100 billion mark.

You might try downloading the xfxCardStatus software tool (free) and set the parameters to "Integrated only" to try to keep the discreet AMD card from ever engaging.  You may have to reset this parm after each reboot.

BTW, I'm sure Apple thanks you for your willingness to downgrade your computing lifestyle for the foreseeable future, even though you paid premium money for a supposedly premium Macbook.  5 years from now, Apple is hoping none of this will matter and you would have forgotten how they ignored their own very serious manufacturing defects and thousands of their customers' cries for relief.

What I have done works and has done for a month now!

Before giving up and putting your mbp under the sink or shipping it off, first try my suggestion and refer to my post of Jul 3, 2014 5:56 AM

Yes, I know it's a bit crippled without the iGPU but it works without a hitch and I can get on with my daily stuff.

Living on a small island in SE Asia I don't have access to real support of any kind and have to make do.

One other thought for those who can't use external monitors or projectors. If it only uses the iGPU then how does a Macbook Air connect which only has an Intel Core i7? I've not tried connecting it yet but will in the near future and see what happens.

Thanks for the information CindyBruce.  I have not yet restarted or shutdown the system, I'll put it in sleep and close it when I go home.  I have downloaded xfxCardStatus software and installed as you have advised and tried to change 'Dynamic Switching' (it automatically selected) to 'Integrated only' but it says "you can't switch to Integrated only while the following item is running:  Finder" .. I have closed down all Finder but still appears the same text ".."  How can I change this, could you help me?  thanks a lot.

FYI I never play games and my main applications are InDesign, iMail, Word, Excel, Adobe PDF and Safari.  I rarely use Photoshop for simple editing photo.

And one more think should I downgrade Mavericks to Lion?  Would you suggest?

Hi just received a call from Apple! They still don't aknowledge the problem and offer no refund... Ah, I forgot, there's some progress, they have offered me to look into how much it will cost me to change my MPB logic board... Thanks Apple.

They are calling me back tomorrow, I think that I 'll get into a fit !

" BTW, I'm sure Apple thanks you for your willingness to downgrade your computing lifestyle for the foreseeable future, even though you paid premium money for a supposedly premium Macbook.  5 years from now, Apple is hoping none of this will matter and you would have forgotten how they ignored their own very serious manufacturing defects and thousands of their customers' cries for relief. "

You are harsh CindyBruce, when I had them on the phone they were extremely sad and sorry about what is happening.

Sorry to interfering simjak888, I read your reply to CindyBruce.  The apple support can only feel sad and say sorry but the problem won't go with their apology.  The owner (we) have to bear the amount $800 to replace their faulty manufacturing product/item.  We have paid $2200 for MBP and it lost only for 2-years, we can get a good laptop (not apple) $800-900 and the spares for others (HP, Dell, Lenova, etc.,) will not cost this much.  My warranty just got expired in April and the problem occurred in May.  I have read more forum most of them do not have warranty how can all afford this much amount? and so many of them having the Graphic card issue that means the product itself not good.  APPLE should do take necessary steps to their valuable customers to solve the issue.

I had my early 2011 15" Macbook Pro repaired just few days short of three months ago at an Apple authorized reseller / repair shop here in Finland (in the beginning of May)

They charged me over 600€ for replacing the logic board.

Today the same problems reappeared; my Mac would freeze with distorted image and refuse to boot up after forced shutdown (power switch held down until it would power off).

After the boot, at first the apple logo on startup would appear in blue tone with horizontal stripes over it, multiple times.

After a bit longer cooling off period (and booting a couple of times in recovery mode, running disk repair etc) I was finally able to boot into OS X again.

I'm taking my Mac back to the shop tomorrow, as it should be just within the ridiculously short 90 -day warranty they give to the repairs.

Even if they do swap the logic board again (and this time for free) I wouldn't place my bets on the problem not resurfacing yet again after some time.

Seeing that Apple still hasn't admitted to this design / manufacturing flaw, I guess this is just how they make their profit these days..

After struggling with my early 2011 MBP for months I've recently replaced it with an HP Envy. Better specs than the new MBP, 40% of the price, and a pleasure to use. Only thing left to do is replace my iPhone with something else and I will be rid of my apple products. Look forward to never having to deal with the useless bunch at Apple ever again.