MacBook Pro 2011 grey screen thin horizontal lines - GPU failure?

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MacBook Pro 2011 grey screen thin horizontal lines - GPU failure?

Hi, yesterday my 2011 MBP was working fine but this evening it suddenly will not boot! Instead I get a grey screen. 😢

I've tried a PRAM reset, but that hasn't helped. Recovery mode just displays a blue screen. Thin horizontal lines appear all over the screen.

Is this the dreaded 2011 MBP GPU failure? If so, does any one know if Apple will cover the costs of the GPU repair? If not, is it a job that's not too difficult/expensive to fix at home? (I live in the UK)

Many thanks,

Matt

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on May 12, 2015 12:24 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

May 12, 2015 12:30 PM in response to Mateus109

Is this the dreaded 2011 MBP GPU failure?

Quite possibly. Take it in for service:

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

Replacing a logic board is not a simple task.

Ciao.

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Answer 2

Mateus109 Author

Level 1

11 points

May 12, 2015 12:55 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thanks, I'll call in to the local Apple reseller and see what they say. Fingers-crossed it can be fixed for free.

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Answer 3

Mateus109 Author

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May 13, 2015 8:44 AM in response to Mateus109

Just a quick update in case anyone else has similar problems, the local Apple store confirmed the GPU failure and my MBP has been sent off for repair as part of Apple's hardware recall service.

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Answer 4

Mateus109 Author

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May 25, 2015 3:56 PM in response to Mateus109

Apple replaced the logic board and now everything seems fine... but it's not! After about 1 hours usage the Mac sounds three beeps and everything freezes! ***! 😢

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Answer 5

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

May 25, 2015 4:05 PM in response to Mateus109

Three beeps suggests a RAM problem. Take out the modules and clean the contacts and reinstall them. Make certain that they are well seated.

If no success, back to Apple. That should not happen with a logic board replacement.

Ciao.

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Answer 6

Mateus109 Author

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11 points

May 26, 2015 12:30 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I've discovered that if I press the back of the MBP towards the left, the back cover seems to give a little and then the beeping starts. Sometimes there's no beeping, the Mac just freezes.

I've reseated the RAM and done a PRAM reset. Still no luck.

I'll contact Apple.

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Answer 7

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

May 26, 2015 12:35 PM in response to Mateus109

Mateus109 wrote:

I'll contact Apple.

Good option. Good luck.

Ciao.

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Answer 8

Mateus109 Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 9, 2015 12:26 PM in response to Mateus109

OMG! 6 months after Apple replaced the logic board, the problem has just returned! *** Apple!! 😠

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mtmxt6nrm0a31pl/IMG_20151109_202028.jpg

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Answer 9

Ronald.L

Level 1

4 points

Jan 10, 2016 7:20 PM in response to Mateus109

Hi,

I took my Macbook pro 2011 (late) to the apple store for this GPU recall. ( They replace the "motherboard" and 2 days later I'm having exactly the same problem. Computer is overheating and shutdown automatically. This AMD Graphic card is a complete garbage. And replacing the motherboard "WILL Not solve this". It's a hardware malfunction, and If they replace the hardware "for the same hardware" having this problem is a matter of time. FRUSTRATING!. You pay prime! Not get prime!. Apple quality controls went downhill.

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Answer 10

Mateus109 Author

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11 points

Jan 11, 2016 1:03 AM in response to Ronald.L

I got the logicboard/motherboard replaced (for free) again a couple of weeks ago and my MBP is now working again, for now.... 😕

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Answer 11

Mateus109 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 17, 2016 11:04 AM in response to Mateus109

OMG, it's happening again! 😮 The logic board has been replaced twice already. This is getting ridiculous! Please could someone suggest a solution to this absurd situation as I'm getting rather fed up of sending my Mac off for repair. It's there anyone I can contact at Apple?

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