Q: 2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

Two months ago I had this problem - my AMD GPU failed on an early 2011 Macbook pro. I know this was the problem because hiding the AMD driver files allowed me to boot up using the integrated graphics card and recover my files.

I had the logic board replaced and now the same thing has happened again! Is this a persistent defect?

Today while using photoshop suddenly the screen went black, the hard disk silent. Thereafter any attempts at booting up result in a grey screen after the circular loading bar. Once again, hiding the AMD driver files allows me to boot using the integrated graphics card and recover my files.

I'm going to bring it back to the Apple service center and see what can be done.. I wish that Apple would recognize this problem!

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I can understand a manufacturing error being made. Happens to every manufacturer at some point in time. Even more so if he is producing very high volumes of products in different revisions year after year.

Car manufacturers have this happen for example and they call back defective units to repair them, at least thats what they do in Germany.

What I don't understand is, that Apple is replacing erroneous logic boards with boards that are prone to fail again with the same problem, but this time in a much smaller time frame within 90 days if you are lucky (no irony).

Which leads me to speculate: those replacement boards are of the same production line as the one originally in the MBP line in 2011 (I don't think Apple is manufacturing those boards today, do they?) and the boards develop the fault just by lying around as if the error depends on age of the PCB and the components.

In that case the only thing to do is stop those repairs until a solution has been found.

Again: this is pure speculation on my behalf.

Did anyone who has a 'new' replacement board that failed check for a manufacturing date?

I'd be really interesting to see a production date of an actual replacement board.

An Node,

reaching +650 pages, keep in mind that pretty much all questions been asked and most answers have been given, except for those only Apple can give.

I know it's a pain to go through all these pages but if you wonder about anything, there lies your answer somewhere.

no, Apple doesn't manufacture any new logic boards for the 2011 models so yes, they are all refurbished.

since they all pass their test, because the soldering problem is not detected, they get cleaned up and put in another computer.

because they got their hands on it for a cpu-gpu problem in the first place, they usually fail sooner than later.

so basically, they get to be put in another computer over and over, as crazy as it is.

but since it's usually not a free operation... you get my point.

only valuable and cheap solution without Apple is getting a reball.

other than that, paying for a logic board swap and trying to get a 'new' computer at some point, not before a fourth logic board replacement anyway.

or simply waiting for something good to happen, easier when having another computer to work with which is not everybody's case.

So I wrote about a single line that appeared horizontally across the very center of my Macbook pro purchased in 2011...

Now there are two. It just appeared minutes ago right under the first one.

The line is getting thicker.

Time to back up my stuff and go to apple, although I have a feeling I already know what they are going to say. It's awesome my AppleCare expired 2 months ago.

Just got off the phone with Apple Support. I told him everything I have gathered over the past few days, he was very empathetic and tried to be as helpful as he could. He seemed to be on my side with the problem, even though he didn't acknowledge the problem himself. I told him that I didn't want to send in my computer for inspection or repairs because I had read that the repairs weren't a permanent solution. He was shocked when I told him of reports where Apple said they couldn't do anything "because they have not received enough reports". He said that he would forward the problem to the higher level engineering team, which he did on the spot. I told him that my intention of calling was for him to submit one such report. He thanked me for taking the time to call and report on the problem. He said that he would be in touch about any developments, if any. At this point, I just want to hear an official statement from Apple saying that they have a permanent solution to this problem.

Please everyone, create a case at Expresslane and call your local Apple Support immediately.  Have them send in more reports like these. Apple can't stay silent forever. It's free to call them anyway, you're not really losing anything.

Great idea rennz!

We have 2,175,058 views here and 9,785 replies. If everyone involved here set up a case report it would be huge!

Yes, I know, it would be gigantic! That's why I urge EVERY SINGLE PERSON who has posted here to call Apple NOW.

I'm guessing that since I was at the genius bar tonight (Northwest suburbs of Chicago), that my case/ticket # on file, however, I will still followup with the ExpressLane site just to be sure. 

My genius employee shared some interesting info.  He said that approximately 30% of the 15" MBP were known to have graphic card problems.  Stated that Intel footed the cost for replacements and cooperated with Apple.  He also said that he was not aware of the 13" and 17" problems.  I showed him pictures from my iPhone (yes, I'm a gluttton for Apple products) of various colored stripes running through my 17" MBP screen, and explained the ongoing problems with accessing my desktop.  Of course, when he ran diagnostics, my machine passed.  He did mention the $310 flat rate repair, but and said that Apple would work with me if the logic board continued to fail....hmmmm. One can only hope. 

Hey Guys, Sad to say I'm now one of the Apple Customer affected by this.

I always tried to use the internal graphics card (with the gfx extension) since I was aware of this problem (never had it myself). Today I restarted because of an Update, forgot to force gfx to integrated graphics and BOOM... as soon as I ran something that switched to Discrete... no more mac.

I can't boot it anymore, it shows the Apple Logo and a progress bar...as soon as it reaches a small porcentage it goes all white-gray and nothing happens anymore.

I was able to boot it into single user mode (Command + S) and I will try to mount an external flashdrive at least to get some of my files before I send this to repair.

Yeah.  Looks like the same issue.

I got nowhere with Apple even after emailing Cook and all the other recommended steps. I was not offered a "flat fix" fee that some others have mentioned. Instead, I sent mine to ps3specialist.com and got it reballed for abou $275 after tax and shipping. It's been working perfectly for just over a week now. I highly recommend this option for anyone who is experiencing this issue.

Edgardito wrote:

 

Hey Guys, Sad to say I'm now one of the Apple Customer affected by this.

I always tried to use the internal graphics card (with the gfx extension) since I was aware of this problem (never had it myself). Today I restarted because of an Update, forgot to force gfx to integrated graphics and BOOM... as soon as I ran something that switched to Discrete... no more mac.

I can't boot it anymore, it shows the Apple Logo and a progress bar...as soon as it reaches a small porcentage it goes all white-gray and nothing happens anymore.

 

I was able to boot it into single user mode (Command + S) and I will try to mount an external flashdrive at least to get some of my files before I send this to repair.

Did you try a Safe Boot?

UPDATE to my issue. Still stuck with paper weight:

1. Went to Apple Store. The guy said to call Apple Care to see if they can cover my cost as my 3 year warranty ended just less than 2 months back.
2. Called Apple Care 1-800-275-2273
3. Hold for 5 minutes
4. Get transferred to technical support and on hold for 25 minutes
5. The support guy said cannot help as warranty ended
6. Told him about this forum and same issues for others
7. Get transferred to Senior support after 5 minutes hold
8. The Senior Support said the same thing, cannot help as warranty ended
9. He said if more people call just like me for same issue, Apple MAY help within 6 months
10. Gave additional external repair shop contacts
11. End of call

Yet another victim here.

Apple replaced my logic board once while I was still under Apple Care. Two months later the same problem appeared again with me being unable to boot at all. I got them to look at it and say they'd repair it because the new board was still under warranty. Not surprisingly, I got it back the next day with no repair work done and photos of evidence of "slight water damage" on a couple of the cables, thus voiding any obligation on Apple's part to repair anything.  Everybody, including the people at the "genius bar", knows that the cause is this overwhelmingly abundant GPU issue, but they are seemingly instructed to find any excuse not to repair these machines. Apple's former reputation for great customer care has been steadily declining in recent years and has now reached the point of no return, for me. I will no longer be purchasing Apple products. Hello Linux!

zymosan wrote:

 

I got nowhere with Apple even after emailing Cook and all the other recommended steps. I was not offered a "flat fix" fee that some others have mentioned. Instead, I sent mine to ps3specialist.com and got it reballed for abou $275 after tax and shipping. It's been working perfectly for just over a week now. I highly recommend this option for anyone who is experiencing this issue.

Emailing Tim Cook yields a standard reply, as the guy only cares about shareholders instead of users...