abelliveau
Level 1 (9 points)

Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro (2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 memory) running OS 10.8.2.  It has two graphics components: an AMD Radeon HD 6750M and a built-in Intel HD Graphics 3000. Since I've had the computer, the screen would get a blue tint when the computer switched between them.

 

However, as of two days ago, the problem has become substantially more severe.  The computer was working fine, when all of a suddent the screen when completely blue.  I had to force restart the computer.  Since then, the screen has gone awry on numerous occassions - each time necessitating a hard reset.

 

I installed gfxCardStatus, and have discovered that the computer runs fine using the integrated card, but as soon as I switch to the discrete card - the screen goes .

 

I am just wondering what my options are (any input on any of these would be appreciated!):

 

1) Replace the logic board.  Would this necessarily fix the issue?

 

2) Is there any way to "fix" the graphics card? 

 

3) Keep using gfxCardStatus and only use the integrated graphics card.  This is definitely the easiest/cheapest option, but to have such a computer and not be able to use the graphics card seems like a real shame.

 

4) Is there any other alternative?

 


MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB memory

Posted on Feb 1, 2013 4:45 PM

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abelliveau

Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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  • by Mr. EMan,

    Mr. EMan Mr. EMan Oct 27, 2013 11:48 AM in response to eimerz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 11:48 AM in response to eimerz

    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)

    My issues started (and got fixed) with Snow Leopard.

  • by olenev,

    olenev olenev Oct 27, 2013 11:52 AM in response to eimerz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 11:52 AM in response to eimerz

    I have 2 systems on different HDDs.

    One is 10.8.6 and second is 10.8.5.

    They glitching both.

    I'm afraid to install Mavericks.

    So it's not a software problem.

  • by 1Speed,

    1Speed 1Speed Oct 27, 2013 11:52 AM in response to Mr. EMan
    Level 1 (40 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 11:52 AM in response to Mr. EMan

    What was your fix? I'm on Snow Leopard and my machine is dead.

  • by olenev,

    olenev olenev Oct 27, 2013 11:52 AM in response to olenev
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 11:52 AM in response to olenev

    Sorry, 10.6.8 and 10.8.5, of course.

  • by olenev,

    olenev olenev Oct 27, 2013 12:00 PM in response to 1Speed
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 12:00 PM in response to 1Speed

    Solution is the same. gFxCardStatus with internal-only video enabled.

    The version of gFxCardStatus MUST BE v. 2.2.1 or lower, because newer versions doesn't let you manually switch between video-chips.

    If you have problems with startup please read this topic with many solutions.

    I need sometimes 10 or more time to reset MacBook Pro before its starting properly.

    Sometimes "alt+cmd+P+R" shortcut helps (bun not from the first time), sometimes alt with choosing different startup disk. I don't have 100% solution.

  • by Mr. EMan,

    Mr. EMan Mr. EMan Oct 27, 2013 12:04 PM in response to 1Speed
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 12:04 PM in response to 1Speed

    New motherboard: $310+tax at the Apple store. Runs great, actually cooler than before. This is a hardware problem, most like the AMD card. That's the only way to fix it.

  • by tridecoder,

    tridecoder tridecoder Oct 27, 2013 12:09 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 12:09 PM in response to abelliveau

    Yesterday I went to the Genius guy in Madrid, and he told me it was the GPU. They asked me 430 € plus VAT to change the motherboard, since they don`t have notice about any problem with those MacBook Pro models. Everyone experiencing these GPU failures should go to an Apple Store, so they have evidende about this problem.

  • by eimerz,

    eimerz eimerz Oct 27, 2013 12:18 PM in response to Mr. EMan
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 12:18 PM in response to Mr. EMan

    how long did it take the Genius Bar to replace? Thinking of heading to London or Germany to have mine fixed (currently in Finland)

  • by kirschkuchen,

    kirschkuchen kirschkuchen Oct 27, 2013 12:46 PM in response to eimerz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 12:46 PM in response to eimerz

    Just adding my voice to the chorus. Same problem, MacBook Pro 2011 early. The only solution Apple offers so far is to replace the board for 480 €. I'm out of warranty and they seem to be out of goodwill. Not to mention that every step of this process is taking them an eternity. The service is really disappointing.

  • by 1Speed,

    1Speed 1Speed Oct 27, 2013 12:48 PM in response to olenev
    Level 1 (40 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 12:48 PM in response to olenev

    Tried most all solutions on this thread. Can no longer get machine to work. Genius bar wants to replace logic board. If I can't find a machine to borrow so I can finish my work, I'll get the repair.

     

    Genius bar rep is aware of the issue as he has the same machine yet has not experienced any issues. He couldn't give me any info about how long it would take for a replacement program to be implemented if Apple decided that thus issue warranted it.

  • by degger,

    degger degger Oct 27, 2013 1:58 PM in response to eimerz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 1:58 PM in response to eimerz

    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)

     

    Can't tell. I was on Mountain Lion when it happened and was not able to boot at all in the end; I wouldn't even have dared to try updating to Mavericks even if I had a halfway stable system...

  • by odarellmc,

    odarellmc odarellmc Oct 27, 2013 2:08 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 2:08 PM in response to abelliveau

    include me in the many who are experiencing with problem, it just started a couple of days ago, my computer froze while playing hi def or streaming video. I supposed anything in which the gpu would be switch on would cause the issue. given that these computers are just over two years old, im suprised that apple ket these units ship with these issues. granted its not the first time my mbp before this had a gpu issue and apple finally addmitted a year later that the cards were defected. I can let you this if apple leave with a 2500.00 paper weight, ill never buy another apple product again. and thats just the start of it. I took it to the apple store yesterday, when i asked about video the tech just acted as if he didnt heard me, i found it odd, now i know why.

  • by flshan,

    flshan flshan Oct 27, 2013 8:13 PM in response to odarellmc
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 8:13 PM in response to odarellmc

    (Early 2011 17")

    And there we go.... Just as expected. My 3rd GPU/logic board finally failed completely today. Same exact problem as the previous 2 boards and roughly 4-5 months after the last replacement.

    Board 3 has been a major pain as it was clearly not working properly from day 1. However it passed the apple hardware test and I couldn't consistently force it to crash so they refused to repair it within the new 90 day warranty.

    Board 2 passed the apple hardware test too but I was able to crash it consistently in the shop so they took it back and replaced it with Board 3.

    So as I've said before, the apple hardware test is worthless for this problem - so are the repairs you are getting. It's clear to me that they do not install new/fixed boards, but refurbished boards with the same problem.

    I am going to feel so stupid and scammed tomorrow when I buy a new MacBook.

  • by amcfln,

    amcfln amcfln Oct 27, 2013 8:27 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 8:27 PM in response to abelliveau

    this fault seems to be working out quite well for apple...everyone's buying new macbooks!

     

    i won't be.

  • by aspiderbot,

    aspiderbot aspiderbot Oct 27, 2013 8:46 PM in response to abelliveau
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2013 8:46 PM in response to abelliveau

    I'm also having this problem on my 15-inch, early 2011 MacBook Pro. I brought it in to the Genius Bar and they had me replace the hard drive for $160 and it didn't fix it at all. I'm out of warranty but so many people seem to have this problem. Apple should do something about this.

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