Macbook Pro Graphics Card Issue.

Question

Macbook Pro Graphics Card Issue.

My Mac wont boot up at all, just boots into a white screen and shuts down while the fans are whizzing like crazy.I've tried resetting the PRAM and SMC to no avail.

Before my mac would shut down whenever I use any graphic demanding application watch a youtube video or streaming a movie in quicktime (Clearly a graphics card issue) . I've reported this to apple a year ago a few times and brought it in twice, Once to an authorised retailer in Limerick and another time to a Apple store in London. In the past few months this problem has become more frequent than before where before it would only do it once/twice a month now its doing it a few times a day and at this point you can probably understand my frustration. In limerick I was told there was nothing they could do about the problem but just bring it to an apple store which I happened to go to a few weeks later while I was in london.

In London I was told they would replace the motherboard, The macbook was with them for a few days for repairs but they could not reproduce the problem but could see what was happening since others have had the same problem with the same model. I'm wondering why wasnt my macbook replaced THEN when the issue was addressed many times over the phone with apple during the first few months of use and when I brang it into the store. Now my apple care has expired and I'm just left with a broken machine and wondering why wouldnt they replace it when I was under warrenty when there was an obvious issue that was addressed multiple times.

I'm completly dissapointed in Apple, and am on the brink of losing brand loyalty, I've bought numerous iPhones,iPods and iPads throughout the years and the amount of issues that have not been fixed with this Macbook is crazy.I have now college in september, I obviously cant afford to pay the 750 to get it replaced, ontop of thousands of euros in college fees which I can barely afford anyway.

I paid €2000 for this machine that I thought would last me through college but it seems not the case since my first year in college starts in september. Is there any possible way to fix this issue with my mac or is it complely fried?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Aug 3, 2013 7:08 AM

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Answer 1

ProteoMX

Level 1

15 points

Aug 3, 2013 7:15 AM in response to TomásOBuachalla

What model/year do you have?

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Answer 2

Aug 3, 2013 7:20 AM in response to ProteoMX

15 inch Late 2011, Core i7

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Answer 3

ProteoMX

Level 1

15 points

Aug 3, 2013 7:51 AM in response to TomásOBuachalla

The description of your problem matches a (now) common problem with 2011 models. I had the same discrete GPU problem myself, with my 15" 2.2 early 2011 MBP. You may want to read these threads for more information:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2768351

If you ever happen to be able boot your computer, you may want to disable the discrete GPU functionality described in the first thread. Another possible solution (but much more risky, and won't work if your computer is already damaged) is to change the thermal compound, I did this myself and was able to recover the radeon GPU. Take a look to this post:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2768351?answerId=22630561022#22630561022

Good luck.

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Answer 4

Sep 19, 2013 1:09 AM in response to TomásOBuachalla

Hundreds, if not thousands, of users are experiencing the same issue with early, late macbook pro 15, 17, myself included.

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Answer 5

Sep 19, 2013 1:59 AM in response to TomásOBuachalla

As you have reported the issue while the Apple Care was valid - you should still be able to get resolution.

If the Genius Bar will not help you - ask for the Store Manager and explain the problem and what you have already done before the Apple Care expired. Be firm and not blown-off by the store employees nor the Manager. Stand your ground on the issue.

Make sure the RAM is firmly seated.

Boot the Mac in Safe Mode - see if you can boot. Read this article - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564

"Safe Mode is the state into which you can start up your Mac by performing a Safe Boot. To perform a Safe Boot, press and hold the Shift key immediately after your Mac starts up. Continue holding down the Shift key until a gray Apple logo appears on the screen."

MJ

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Answer 6

Sep 19, 2013 2:02 AM in response to bastienvans

Actually, bastienvans, it seems as if the mass problems are more with the early 2011 15" MacBook Pros - I've seen few Late 2011 MBP users with GPU problems.

Clinton

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Answer 7

Sep 19, 2013 11:41 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

actually, you're wrong clinton. you must work for apple or something. you sure do post a lot on these threads describing this particular issue, all with the same "mine works fine" tripe. i have a late 2011 macbook pro with the exact same problems described in all of these threads. your opinion on the topic matters just as little as mine does.

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Answer 8

Tux_1011

Level 1

0 points

Nov 25, 2013 3:05 PM in response to TomásOBuachalla

Ok, so I sarted to experience the same problem last week and this is what I did to fix it.

First I want to explain why this Fix works so I don't look like a total jack***trying home remedies:

What heating your GPU does is that in case that your card overheated some connections may had become loose as your logic board expands, basic thermodynamics. The heat will cause the soldering material to melt releasing the GPU pins from contact with the logic board. The heat coming form the heat gun can help to reconnect these pins. If you over heated your GPU and your card fried then your only choice is to replace it, which I don't think is possible without you having to pay for a new motherboard since the GPU is attached to it from factory.

Here is the link to the tutorial.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti8LqIHMnlQ

Mac Released an announcement about a Faulty AMD GPU installed in some MacBook Pros and iMacs (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5167). The Problem is apparently generated due to overheating of the GPU, however, some users had complaint that even after a new Motherboard replacement the problem persisted few minutes after they booted the computer for the first time. Apple offered a free motherboard replacement for specific models and only for limited time; If your mac was out of the timeline or did not fit the specified description then you will "Only" had to pay $350. ***** Doesn't it? I mean we already pay a substantial amount of money for Mac products and yet they want more money, corporate greed?

So the problem starts when you suddenly experience a hang on the system, this may vary for some users, I forced Rebooting and BOOM!! there it was, a pinkish low resolution apple that only leaded me to a gray and sometimes blue screen. So I was like ok no problem my system just want attention and all I have to do is a PRAM rest. Well, nothing, went more deeper and did a BIOS reset and still nothing. Ok, I was ****** because I upgraded to a SSD few weeks ago and based on my experience this also maybe caused if you have bad Hard Drive. So started the computer in Target Disk Mode and booted it as an external drive from another mac, the computer worked just great. My Next step was research the problem and I found thousands of users having the same issue. I spent 24 hrs reading Mac Support Forums and other pages and I figured that if I remove all the ATI Files form System/Library/Extensions will actually force the computer to start in Low Resolution Mode (Google How To Start your mac as a Single User Mode and research how to use command line "rm" commands). Once you do this you will find that your main screen will behave as if it was your external monitor therefore you have absolutely no control of it trying to fix the resolution. After two days of intense research and troubleshooting I was able to have the computer working, low resolution but working, then I realized I can't do nothing at all, I mean I can't miss Family Guy episodes and this aint gonna help :|. So this video shows exactly what you need to do to make it work.

Tools Needed: All can be found at any RadioShack Local Stores

1. PHH00 & T4 Screw Drivers

2. Thermal Compound

3. Circuit Cleaner (Rubbing Alcohol Works)

4. Heat Gun ( Can found at any Hardware store)

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Answer 9

shiApple

Level 1

0 points

May 4, 2014 1:31 AM in response to TomásOBuachalla

Restart the PRAM then leave your macbook pro on until it overheats and turns off. Turn power on and immediately press command + alt + p + r before the grey screen till its chimes 3 times. It should take you to the standard screen. Download gfxcardstatus 2.3 and install. Go to system preferences > energy saver > de select 'automatically switch graphics cards'. Go to gfx card status and deselect 'dynamic switching' and select 'integrated graphics'. This should stop your graphics cards automatically switching since it is the discrete card with the issue. Really apple should come up with a fix to permanently turn off the discrete card - but this works for me for the time being - I can't really use the programs I bought this machine for properly though. which still defeats the purpose of have the expensive thing but atleast I can do word processing ...

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