GPU failure late 2011 MBP 17

Brought my late 2011 MBP 17" into local Apple store, where they diagnosed video failure of the AMD Graphics Processor Unit (GPU).

Good news, Apple will replace the logic board, since the GPU has failed under MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program for Video Issues.

Bad news, Apple is now saying that they put a new logic board in but only get horizontal and vertical lines on the display. They said it's either a bad logic board that they put in or the display is bad, which is not covered.

Does that sound right?

Mac mini, OS X Server, Macmini5,3, Late 2011, 500GB HD x2

Posted on Sep 4, 2016 12:00 PM

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5 replies

Oct 19, 2017 7:32 PM in response to Mac_slide

I find it incredible that anyone would find it acceptable for MacBooks to last 5 to 7 years! I saved up for a year to buy my 2011 17" MBP - and I spent over $3000 for it. I recently put an SSD in it and it was running better than ever . . . until a day ago. Now I have the vertical stripes and it will not boot. I brought it into an Apple Service center and they ran a hardware check and said it has a VST failure. And - Apple does not have parts, so nevermind trying to get them to cover it, I can't even pay them to have it fixed!


As for keeping them cool - mine always runs, (ran) hotter than ****, so how are you supposed to keep them cool?


Are there parts available from anyone besides Apple?


Very frustrated.

Oct 20, 2017 8:13 AM in response to a4738918

I've had the very similar problem with all my macs ad I've had a lot of them.

All you're gonna get is 5-7 years out of one if you use it hard daily.

The new MB Air and the likes may be different.


As for your's running hot, I've had a 15" do the same, even some 13" as well.

You can have it cleaned out and re-lubed every couple years... they can get dirty, and that plays a role.

Nov 5, 2016 5:06 AM in response to a4738918

I would second guess their replacement logicboards, who know how it was when the repair facilitie gets it. All they do is probably just do the reballing of the graphics chip and sends it on to the next repair/replacement. So if you got a replacement that was acutually from someone who had more than just the graphics card issue than I imagine you need another try at the logic board replacement. I had my original board changed, almost a year later it crapped out with restarting issues when using the computer intensively or just plugging a external monitor or just turning on the computer. They replaced the replacement just today, and even the replacement of the replacement still displayed the same problems. The tech has ruled out all off the other componants like RAM, Superdrive, Hard Drive, display panel, battery, keyboard, trackpad, expresscard port, and speakers. Only thing that can explain the random shutoff and restart and charging or non charging issues is the logicboard again or the magsafe port board. If its not the magsafe port then I stand by my theory that the replacement program has flaws where they are sending out refurbished boards that other problems than the graphics card solder joints and they arent fixing or testing those boards, just reball and send it out to the next person that needs it. My original board was pristine, and lightly used, the next guy that probably got my board was probably the lucky one, and I ended up getting some **** baord that someguy probably water damaged it and got it replaced under the recall and I got that board as a replacement. I sat there with my tech to say what are the chances of me actually getting hit with the same logicboard problems twice? And we concluded that its possible as it happens to other individuals where they kept coming in to have the logicboard replaced within the 90 days because of constand failure and most of the time from heavy use.

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GPU failure late 2011 MBP 17

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