Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Same problem, well-known by Apple. Early 2011 MBP 15".

I am now on my 4th logic board - the first one failed after nearly 3 years.

The second one after a week.

The third one gave intermittent signs after a couple of weeks and definitive failure after nearly 3 months.

The fourth one has just failed, after nearly a week.

The Apple Authorised Repairer is about 45 km from where I live, is friendly, quick, efficient and apparently competent, but I cannot afford this sort of repetitive failure, I have this machine for a purpose - intensive use, frequently mobile.

Having left MS Windows after lots of negative experiences (but in the end XP became stable and useable, so Microsoft pulled the plug on it - I have not been convinced by the successors either) I am not keen to go back to them, but how can I ever trust Apple again, despite their basically excellent software (glitches, sometimes severe, at least get solved after a while).

but here's my question, we all want our computers repaired, but if they're replacing the logic board with the same model of video card, how does that repair it?

Exactly. Note that the problem isn't with the GPU itself, but rather with the shoddy application of thermal paste in combination with the lead-free solder that attaches the GPU to the logic board.

So in theory, the real fix is to "reball" the GPU, i.e., pull it off the logic board, clean off all the excess thermal paste, remove the lead-free solder, and then reattach with proper paste and solder. Sounds like people in this forum have had varying (random?) levels of success sending their laptops to reballing shops.

In my case I paid Apple $350 to have my logic board replaced with one that no doubt has the same fundamental flaws as the original. I do not know the provenance of the replacement board, so for all I know it was from a heavily used trade-in that will fail on me tomorrow. Right now I am using a fan control program in order to try to keep the internal temp low and relatively constant.

Unless Apple makes some attempt to restore customer loyalty here, I am going to have to "think different" about dropping $2,000 on a pro laptop.

Indeed the replacement of a faulty board with a "new" one or a re-furbished one with the same characteristics is not a repair but a bit of time bought by Apple at OUR expense. The only valid repair is either that which apparently is available with some firms that replace the graphics chip and solder it properly, but then it should work but of course I suppose Apple would no longer recognise it if something else went wrong, and anyway why should we have to pay for their design or manufacturing error? As I have said, I am now on my 4th board and it started to act up after not even a full week. It's now working for non-graphics-intensive tasks but the fan running the whole of the time - how long do fans last if over-used?

I just did a reballing of a new graphics chip (manufactured in 2014) today, and so far so good. Good as new. Guess this is the best solution from what I have read. And much cheaper than paying for a new logic board that will fail again and again. Paid 150euros for this job.

But no matter what, the image that I had from Apple is now destroyed. Not because of the failure in itself, but for the attitude of ignoring and not saying absolutely anything.

Take care

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Pedrodfa wrote:

 

I just did a reballing of a new graphics chip (manufactured in 2014) today, and so far so good. Good as new. Guess this is the best solution from what I have read. And much cheaper than paying for a new logic board that will fail again and again. Paid 150euros for this job.

But no matter what, the image that I had from Apple is now destroyed. Not because of the failure in itself, but for the attitude of ignoring and not saying absolutely anything.

Take care

Hi Pedrodfa, same bad feelings here.

After 10 days of studing the "solutions" and the customers feedback I reckon that unofficial reballing + new GPU is the only way if you are in a hurry and need you MacBook de-bricked. I can afford waiting for the lawsuit to shake the tree: see what happens. Fortunately we have plenty of retinas at the office and home to keep on working and playing.

BTW, even not posting the link, you can address those in needs to the company you chose for the service.

Yes the thing is I need this mac to WORK. Can´t afford to be waiting for Apple´s response or to spend 600 euros for a "repair".

And honestly I doubt that they will be giving new computers to the people affected, but thats just a guess.

I have done the job in a shop called Senhor Computador, which is in Lisbon, Portugal. So for the portuguese folks I advise this shop.

Good luck!

Splendid for those of you who are in Portugal - does anyone know of someone in Belgium who can do a proper reballing with real old-fashioned solder without putting the logic board in the oven?

Nickiwi wrote:

 

Splendid for those of you who are in Portugal - does anyone know of someone in Belgium who can do a proper reballing with real old-fashioned solder without putting the logic board in the oven?

D3us is in Belgium, he will probably answer you if you ask for him, seems to be still keeping an eye on this thread as he posted last week.

Hi Harry did you laptop fan ran loud for you?

Hi noe_b, sometimes its loud, sometimes not. when its loud for a log time, the computer shuts down.

What happens with my MP the fans gets really loud and the laptop becomes unusable. I always thought it ran very hot. I have taken it to the Apple store 3 times they told me nothing is wrong. They mention to update to the new OS. But i am still having the same issues. Thanks for the reply back 4harry.

I took my 2011 MBP to an authorized Apple repair facility in August for this issue.  The machine was deemed out of warranty, so it cost me $700 to get it repaired.  I'd sure like Apple to refund at least some part of that.

noe_b wrote:

 

What happens with my MP the fans gets really loud and the laptop becomes unusable. I always thought it ran very hot.

Backup your Mac. Then erase it and reinstall OSX only. Test it in that configuration to see if it overheats when running without additional software.

That's what I did. I started fresh with no software. Just the software that comes with the Apple OS nothing else. I was using the mail app typing and replying back to emails and it starts. This has always been an issue. I even took a video from my iphone showing how the fan gets and how it stays that way.