Q: Macbook Pro (15" early 2011) horizontal lines on screen and not booting...?

Same thing happened to me.

There is an issue with the graphics card of some macbook pro models.

The graphics card it attached to the logic board, so the entire logic board needs to be replaced.

Apple has agreed to replace the logic board for free up until February 27th, 2016 or 3 years after purchase of the laptop.

You do not need to be under apple care.

Here is the support page about this issue, the deadline is on the bottom: https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

Today is February 14thb therefore in 1 weeks time this policy will have expired.

I live in Canada and went to the genius bar. The guy said the logic board would need to be replaced at a cost of roughly $700.

Because of this policy I didn't have to pay for anything.

He said they would contact me in roughly 48 hours.

I will let you know what happens then.

I am having a similar issue.

What I did was apple replaced the video board and when I was in the shop and getting it back this is what showed up.

The said it's a RAM issue now, which I am not sure it is.

I looked over the top comments but they don't appear that they would fix the issue.

Can you guys help

This exact same thing has happened to me 2 days ago.  I have a macbook pro late 2011 model.

I reset the NVM Ram and then the SMC and finally got an actual blue screen of death. I'm going to see if I can get an appointment at the genius bar.

"The said it's a RAM issue now, which I am not sure it is"

No way that's a RAM issue, looks like the classic GPU issue, possible a cable issue or display issue. Take it back. Talk to a supervisor.

I can't find the original post that describes Option+Command+SPACE+R+P YES SPACE ALSO,

can you please re-explain? thanks

Not sure what your specific issue is, but here's that post:

Re: Macbook Pro (15" early 2011) horizontal lines on screen and not booting...?

down toward the bottom.

Are you aware of this recall?

//www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

"The program covers affected MacBook Pro models until December 31, 2016 or four years from its original date of sale, whichever provides longer coverage for you."

Hey Guys,

So I ran into the same issue last night and after reading through this entire post decided to give Apple a shot. Went into Genius Bar today with my fingers crossed - there were TWO other people sitting at the Genius Bar with the SAME EXACT ISSUE! They filled out a form, double checked that my laptop is eligible, and shipped it overnight to Texas to get a brand new Logics Board installed. Apparently, when this issue first came about, they would just replace the logics board with a refurbished identical copy. Since people kept coming back with the recurring problem, they have redesigned the board altogether and the problem should not persist. This is of course, what they told me, and not what I know from experience.

Seal308 - the factory replacement thing is good until December 31st, 2016, not only till February.

Nevertheless, the total expenses for this were $0.00

I get my laptop back on Wednesday/Thursday and will report then and let you guys know whats up, but apparently this is a wide known issue, and they've bit the bullet on it and replace the part with a smile on their face at no charge.

Fingers crossed...

Oh, P.S. - he mentioned that they might need to replace the optical hard drive as well, since they can't tell off the bat if its bad as well. Luckily I have everything backed up and do all my music recording onto an external. For anyone else that doesn't - this essentially means that you are shafted... Sorry...

Best.

Nick

This advice help me, since yesterday when I started the computer little verticals lines appears in the bottom lets say 1/3 of the screen, I follow the advice of holding left shift, control, option and on/off buttons together, turn my computer back on again, problem gone, I hope for ever

thanks

I have the same issue with my Macbook Pro 15-Inch Early 2011. My MBP boots with horizontal gray lines then freezes at a white or gray screen. Even had it hang with a solid blue screen several times. On my previous attempt to get the logic board replaced the Apple tech performed a magic trick and was able to get it to boot with no screen shenanigans. He then proceeded to tell me I was lucky because my machine was not included in the extended warranty program.

Unfortunately the magic Macintosh dust did not permanently resolve the issue and I am now back to a laptop that will not boot despite all the nifty Mac options. PRAM (with or w/out Space bar) .... SMC. The laptop has been down a few months because it will not get past post. I've resorted to my Windows machine .. hear that Apple? W I N D O W S!

Any tips for getting it replaced despite the Genius' telling me its not covered? Pretty frustrating to have the exact symptom as the cool kids but being told I can't sit at the table!

Add my 15" MacBook Pro (matte screen, extra graphic card) to the list

Late 2011 mode running 10.10x

Yesterday, I found it running fans during sleep.

stops at the boot point pictured with scan lines over logo

nothing worked, disconnecting battery overnight, pram & smc resets, even booting from an external drive or, recovery mode com+r,

for those worried about losing data - your system and data are likely fine - try mounting it on another Mac in target disk mode - or removing the hard drive and putting it in another Mac or external enclosure

wI'll see what Apple Store says about replacement and update

2011 MacBook pros have a video card issue that apple recognizes. I just brought mine into the store and they are replacing the entire logic board for free. Normally a $600 repair. Great stuff.

Must the laptop have been purchased directly from Apple? I bought mine via a reseller (Jigsaw24)

I actually have 2 late 2011 Macbook's and both have done the same thing. Reddish striped startup to login prompt. Once password entered the machine flakes to a greyed screen. Or restarts after funny graphic mess appears. :/

Bought these roughly 3 years ago.

Are these still covered by the http://www.apple.com/uk/support/macbookpro-videoissues/   ?