Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card
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Oct 24, 2014 9:30 PMby ZyrusCrimson,I didn't see any details about the exact drivers that you can download from AMD, but yes I am convinced that some of them are firmware. I am not an expert, but I don't see how my MBP could have been fixed this way otherwise. As for the mac profiler, I dont know. I can't really go back to see the difference. All I know is that when I looked at the "about this mac" overview after booting using the shift+cmd+V hotkey, in only showed my integrated GPU. However, this is not very surprising. Now it shows my AMD Radeon card again.
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Oct 24, 2014 9:44 PMby ZyrusCrimson,Like getstu suggested, the AMD update changes the firmware. This is why it is possible. As for the logic board and the motherboard, they are the same thing. I believe that at least for most people here, the faulty GPU is the cause for the problems with the logic board.
Edit: As for the fix, let me know if it works for anyone else too!!
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Oct 24, 2014 9:56 PMby psound,Add yet another dejected Macbook Pro user to the ever growing list of those suffering this cursed GPU malfunction.
What's strange in my case is—after many blue and grey screens—when I'm able to log-in to my system and run gfxCardStatus, I'm only able to use the Discrete GPU. It never changes over to integrated GPU no matter how I configure things. Haven't seen anyone else mention this.
The Discrete GPU, when the system works, is slow dragging windows, the pointer flickers constantly, only one Resolution option is available in display settings.
All efforts at reinstalling the OS have failed midway through.
Only 3 years for a $2500+ defective laptop just isn't right. 20 years ago I sung Apple's praises and continued doing so all through the years when Macs weren't fashionable. Lord knows how much money my family has spent on Apple products—10s of thousands.
My faith in their products today however, is certainly at an all time low.
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Oct 24, 2014 10:02 PMby ZyrusCrimson,Ah, that really *****. if your integrated GPU is more useless than the discrete GPU, it seems like there is not much you can do. Somehow the issue is more severe for you. It is just so disappointing to see how Apple handles this situation. This thread already has over 1.7 million views!
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Oct 25, 2014 12:38 AMby MarcoEvil,Dear all,
I think that I have the same problem with my MBP 2011. The other day, I tried to connect him on my TV with thunderbolt and my Macbook was freezing every time.
I had to force to stop the machine with the power button. After the restart, the apple appeared and disappeard and the computer stay locked on a blank screen (sometimes with a black screen). I had to force the shut down again.
After many times, the computer starts correctly.
Looks like that all people here have the same problem.... maybe could you tell me what should I do in this case? Do you think that apple will finally do something for that problem?
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Oct 25, 2014 1:20 AMby blindsorceror,HHey Marco, I was having the exact same problem. Presented the same way and everything. A fix for now is using gfxCatdStatus. It's a program that monitors your graphics card. Download it here: https://gfx.io then set it to integrated only. You will not be able to plug it up to an external monitor, if you do it will force switch to the discrete processor and start messing up again. This fix won't last forever, but it'll hopefully get you by until a real fix is available.
You may need to close some programs like Gchrome If you have them, but they open just fine after you set it to integrated only.
it will appear on your bar beside the date and time as either an "I" or a "d". Just click it and set it to "integrated only". Should keep your system from shutting down.
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Oct 25, 2014 4:53 AMby frankATI,Yes I did but with lion which was the original software supplied when I purchased the Mac (command+option+r). When my MacBook Pro started screwing up I somehow managed to reinstall lion and everything worked for exactly 7 days. On the 8th it started all over again this time it was literally impossible to boot. As mentioned over and over again this is a HARDWARE problem. People are mentioning they install Yosemite and it works but I have very strong doubts about this issue. I'm sure that over time they will be back to square one which is GENUIS BAR Counter with your MacBook and a credit card.
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Oct 25, 2014 6:18 AMby pjplp,for the people can't turn on try this in my work:
- press crtl,alt,shift and button turn on in the same time for a little bit next i retreat the crtl, alt, shift keeping button turn on press, next i retreat this button and press again turn on;
my mac run, i can do all fewer things that pull the graphic!
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Oct 25, 2014 6:53 AMby briantho,I was told about this thread an hour ago.
A few weeks ago my early 2011 17" MacBookPro played up. Suddenly there were lots of colours on the screen for a few seconds and then it went very quiet. After a few minutes I got it going again and it worked for a few more days but then it just refused to power up. I took it to our local Apple shop and they told me they had seen this before and maybe it was something to do with the graphics card/mother board.
The machine is a few months out of the extended warranty (typical!) and they quoted about $800 for the repairs with minimal guarantees for the future. In the circumstances I've had to treat myself to a new, very top-of-the-range Macbook Pro for almost $4,000 including the extended warranty. I'd have preferred to continue with my 17" screen but I have no choice now that it has already started going wrong. I can no longer trust it. Very frustrating.
