Macbook pro A1286 display/graphic card issue

Question

Level 1

0 points

Macbook pro A1286 display/graphic card issue

Hello,

I have a macbook pro model no A1286 that started having issues a few days ago:

1) first symptome, in Chrome when using youtube or other flash/graphics intensive tools the imagine would break into 2, leaving the pointer movable, but nothing else worked, so restart was necessary. After installing Firefox, the issue continued, but with no reason. Finally, i upgraded to OS 10.8 and for some days it looked fine.

2) just a few hours ago, when starting the mac, the loading looked crazy, partly green, partly purple, and once the loader finished, it either gave me a white screen for minutes and then shut down, or simply shutdown after 1-2minutes.

Has anyone seen this issue before ? Any comments, suggestions ?

Thank you!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8), dispay, graphic card, ram issue

Posted on Dec 23, 2013 3:02 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Dec 23, 2013 3:08 AM in response to nairoh

There are actually quite a few MacBook Pro models with the "Model Number" of "A1286"... could you augment your description with the time of release (e.g., "15" late 2011")?

If it's a mid-2010 15" model, see -> http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4088?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US.

If that's not the correct model, call back.

Clinton

Reply

Answer 2

nairoh Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 23, 2013 3:25 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Hello, I have it starting July 2011, it'a 15" 8GB... But do not know the exact model. The flickering is quite strange. There are green vertical lines that apear from time to time, but usually the apple on the loading screen turns green/grey(normal) or purple on one side. I have one video that I can upload on youtube to give you an idea if it helps!

Thanks,

Dorian

Reply

Answer 3

Dec 23, 2013 3:34 AM in response to nairoh

OK, it's likely an Early or Late 2011 model, then. There is a long thread here -> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?tstart=210 - about problems with the 2011 (mostly, but not always, on the Early 2011 models) about problems with the discrete GPU (which would kick in whenever you launch Chrome).

Really the only thing that you can do is to take your machine into your local Apple Store or AASP and have them diagnose the problem and get an estimate for repair.

Just be aware that the problem usually just continues to get worse and that a logic board replacement doesn't always 'fix' the problem. Many users report going through 3-4 logic boards and still having the problem. The only 'real' solution seems to be having the GPU 'BGA reballed' - which isn't as expensive as a new logic board.

So have your machine diagnosed and if it comes up with a faulty GPU (which it probably will) think about having it reballed to actually fix the problem, rather than having the logic board replaced.

Good luck,

Clinton

Reply