Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Mine wouldn't run the AHT test - never opened up.

BUT it did fail a few of Apple's in store tests. Not sure which exactly, but the Genius did say. He'd been running the video test patterns test.

For the record I have seen this crash (simular ) occur on a 2011 MBP 17" using the same graphics card.

I have seen two instances where this problem was solved via a firmware patch that disabled the discrete graphics card permently.  The disabler completely defeats the purpose if you want to attach an external monitor.

Another more complex solution was an actual attempt to fix the graphics card.  This required a delicate reapplication of heatsink past on the graphics processor.  Seems like some chips have been poorly mated to their sinks in some instances.

- The 17" macbook pro 2011 introduced above was fixed by using the reapplication method using Arctic Silver thermal paste.  I DON'T suggest you try doing this unless you are familar with doing a complete tear down of a MacBook Pro.

more info on the AMD problem : 

http://www.marco.org/2011/09/20/heat-and-fan-issues-with-2011-15-inch-macbook-pr o

PCJ- wrote:

 

As of today I have run the Apple Hardware Test for over 8 hours with no problems found - that's rougthly 14 passes.

I wouldn't put any stock in that. That same test - or the more intense video-specific version that the repair technicians use - failed to notice the GPU problems I had in 2 diffent main logic boards, even though they both had problems.

Sorry, I posted the wrong year. Late 2011 iMac instead of 2012. Same AMD card family. Same issues as everyone else. This issue is not just related to MBP's.

i also have a broken early 2011 amd video card and al of the same issues,

but gfx card and relocating the driver files AMD* doesnt seem to change/help my situation.

my main fear is replacing the logic board and having the same isue in the furture.

or bying a new mbp retina and simulare problems role out after 2 years.

The Netherlands

27 10 2013

There is a Apple repair program in place for the iMacs already, chech to see if you qualify...

"Apple has launched a replacement program for the graphics card in some mid–2011 iMac configurations, reports 9to5Mac. According to a note sent to Apple Support employees, the AMD Radeon HD 6970 video cards in some 27-inch May 2011 iMacs have experienced issues, causing them to fail.

The affected iMacs contain serial numbers with the last four characters of DHJQ, DHJW, DL8Q, DNGH, DNJ9, DMW8, DPM1, DPM2, DPNV, DNY0, DRVP, DY6F, or F610. The errors have been previously noted on both the MacRumors forums and the Apple Supportforums.

Apple will replace the graphics card of affected iMacs with the aforementioned serial numbers at no cost for up to three years from the date that the computer was purchased, which makes early adopters eligible until May 2014.

Replacements can be initiated through AppleCare, the Genius Bar, or Apple Authorized Resellers and iMac users that paid to have the graphics card replaced are also eligible for a refund."

This post is regarding Macbook Pros, not iMacs... The fact that they did this for contemporary iMacs using similar video cards just makes it more obvious that they should do a recall

I was able to boot up and work and decided to let it sleep overnight rather than shutdown. Couldn't wake up in morning so did a series of hard restarts. Finally got it to boot up but it would freeze up whenever I tried to open an app and perform a function. After several more hard reboots, it won't boot up and is effectively dead.

Just suffered this problem today. Thought it was a new OS problem but.... Running on Intergrated Only and so far so good. I may force it to run on Discrete Only and not have my computer shut down until Apple actually fixes this. You guys think they'll be some kinda software update to help us??

conorfromvictoria wrote:

 

Another more complex solution was an actual attempt to fix the graphics card.  This required a delicate reapplication of heatsink past on the graphics processor.  Seems like some chips have been poorly mated to their sinks in some instances.

If reapplying the thermal paste helps, you don't have the problem this thread is devoted to. I've reapplied it twice now. It doesn't help.

Also, there is no "poor mating" to heat sinks. It's not rocket science. The heat sink is a flat metal plate held in place by philips screws with springs. And you can monitor the temperatures fairly easily. Don't make this sound more complicated than it is.

Reballing and reflowing does not help either, as previously stated. It can make things better for a short while, then it's back to square one, with progressively worsening failures.

elihidalgo wrote:

 

This post is regarding Macbook Pros, not iMacs... The fact that they did this for contemporary iMacs using similar video cards just makes it more obvious that they should do a recall

Yes, I understand that, the post was directed at ThyForsakenOne posting on the thread with the iMac.

Same problem here, I've got the logic board changed once already for this issue, but the new one suffer this issue too, after only 1 week of very small use.

The Genius guy told me, when he gave me the MacBook Pro back, that he encountered a graphical issue once, after 3 hours of 'stress test' with the new logic board. But  then he said that he did a SMC reset and after it ran for 5 hours of stress test without issue.

But one week later when I started using the discrete GPU more, the issue appeared, and I've entries in Console log saying:

27/10/2013 13:07:28,000 kernel[0]: GPU Hang State = 0x00000000

27/10/2013 13:07:28,000 kernel[0]: AMDTurksGraphicsAccelerator: ** Device in slot: SLOT--1 **

27/10/2013 13:07:28,000 kernel[0]: ** GPU ASIC Log Start **

27/10/2013 13:07:28,000 kernel[0]: 0x00006741

27/10/2013 13:07:28,000 kernel[0]: 0x00000091

and so on, with lot of lines with hexadecimal number following.

I found that switching between integrated and discrete increase the risk to make the issue appear. So indeed forcing integrated graphic only does help to avoid the issue.

I'll call the store tomorrow to have a new appointment asap and will insist for them to test the new logic board more intensively switching between the two GPU frequently and for a longer time to be sure to get a working one this time.

I really regret to have bought this model, it already have an issue with RAM and got the logic board changed already at the end of 2012, as no RAM where working at all. And then one year after that first change, it got a new logic board for this discrete GPU issue, and will have another one again because the new one is also defective. This will make 3 logic board change in less than 3 years!

Hopefully my MacBook Pro is under AppleCare until end of february 2014.

But now I'll really thinking about selling this unit once it's (really) repaired and get a new model. I'm fed up of all these logic board failures.

Final Note: I happen to be one of the unfortunate ones who purchased this machine to replace my previous, older MBP…which was experiencing graphics card failures, of all things. In that case, my model (3,1), as it turns out, was eligible for a free motherboard replacement. Ironically, however, I had ordered my brand new ‘early’ 2011 MBP in the morning, THEN discovered the ‘free motherboard replacement’ offer that very afternoon after I had already placed my order. I am NOT making the same mistake twice.

Ironically my 2,1 with ATI graphics also went bad but that is not covered by any replacement plan at all. Later the battery also blew up which Apple didn't care about at all as well.

got a question for everyone tho - does this happen across all versions of OS X? (cos mine just happen to act up after I updated to Mavericks)

eimerz wrote:

 

got a question for everyone tho - does this happen across all versions of OS X? (cos mine just happen to act up after I updated to Mavericks)

For me, it happened first in mountain lion, I spent 2 months without using it, and one day it booted, that was 2 weeks ago, I have been using it only with the integrated using GFXcardstatus and not letting it shut down. On tuesday I installed mavericks and everything is still the same (what I mean is that I can still use it but only with the integrated.)