2011 Macbook Pro Logic Board Failure

Thanks.

Final clarification:

Download the gfxCardStatus, and then just open and run it? It will need

to do the whole restart thing, etc? Or do I need to specifically pick

something from the app to run the integrated graphics only?

Thanks and apologies for being dumb.

Yeah, I really think the external monitors are part of the advanced failure rate. If you're doing stage work, I doubt you are using ext monitors. Also only certain applications engage the discreet card, so it's very dependent on use scenarios. As for "immortal", three of my five (mine included) failed at 37 to 40 months old. A little short of immortality. The others began failing within the past year -- but still outside of the extended repair policy.

Apple has had a tough go with 3rd party GPU providers. Had similar issues with iMacs as well (thankfully under warranty...).

gfxcardstatus in an App, that can insert itself early-on in the startup process IF you can get it to run in the first place. It adds an icon to the Menubar and you control it from there. You want to set it to i = Integrated only. If this solves your main complaints, Merry Christmas.

If your computer never gets to the login screen or the desktop (what mine was doing) you can try the EFI-variable-fix using ArchLinux bootable. It is a little complicated to implement.

I do not think you get an External display as well with the EFI-variable-fix. You get a computer, instead of a doorstop.

I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro and unfortunately have the issues of faulty logic board today. Not only the Mac being expensive to buy but I’ve upgraded ram and installed a 500gb SSD a few months back. Under your consumer rights in the uk electrical goods have to be fit for purpose for up to 6 years after purchase. This is why Apple have moved the goal posts as they are no longer liable ,a lot of people do not realise that if your tv for instance breaks down after 12 months and within 6 years the company where you bought it must repair or replace as long as it’s not customer negligence and you have proof of purchase.As the early 2011 are over 6 years now they just kick us to one side, but Apple don’t take into account all the software and upgrades we purchase along the way too, they’re going to lose a lot of MacBook owners as I feel there are better machines out there now at a more reasonable price. To replace my Mac would cost around £2600 but with these issues and issues with new macs I’m considering saying goodbye to Apple laptops and if so I won’t be upgrading my iPhone 7 ,I’ll be turning to android which you can also get a lot more software at non extortionate prices. Apple could at least fix all 2011 MacBooks ,as they admitted using faulty logic boards ,however old they are it’s still a problem they chose to run with .

But you wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and put a fiesta engine in it would you ? I see your point in at least you have a working laptop instead of a door stop but I think it’s a sheep in wolfs clothing In doing this, just like the boy racers who put m3 badges on the back of a bmw 320d lol

Funny enough, I have had the same problem which also started back in Feb. I tried you tube to see if there was any way l can fix the issue. Nothing worked. I am also out the money I have paid for my MacBook pro. For the cost of it, might as well but a standard pc laptop as you can replace it every 2 years for the cost of a Mac that doesn't even last 6 years. I am very disappointed with Apple and will never buy another Apple product again due to this issue! Apple loses out in the end as many consumers will feel the same way.

andrewj44 wrote:

Contribute all you want but don't trivialise a serious issue that has caused major problems for people and cost them money. All you are doing is advertising the fact that you benefit from contributing.

Why is CSound1 describing his experience less valid than you or anyone else describing theirs? That his experience is different from yours does't "trivialize" yours. It does, however, put the lie to the earlier assertion that all devices in the range will have the same problem. I don't see that he ever said you don't have a problem.

Pretty much the only benefits one gets from contributing here are additional knowledge and occasional amusement.

that is has a flaw

THAT is speculation.

Not all units exhibited flaws, and Apple ran a test for which did, and which did not, and agreed to extend the warranty for units that exhibited defects during an extended warranty period. That extended warranty period, and your right to grouse about it, has ended.

we're demanding a solution

As stated,

2. Discussions of Apple policies or procedures or speculation on Apple decisions...

are not open to debate on THIS forum.

Try somewhere else.

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Did you try modifying the EFI variables to disable the discrete GPU, as I described above?

I did, and my 2011 15-in MacBook Pro is working again as an Integrated-Only machine (rather than a very large doorstop).

they would issue a comprehensive recall - no matter how old the car was

That is simply not true. Recalls are only required to be issued when the failure could lead to serious injury or death.

In other cases they issue Technical Service Bulletins, which direct the dealer to make changes on ONLY cars where the owner presents with an applicable complaint, and only within a limited period.

This issue in these MacBooks was handled a little more visibly than a (hidden) Technical Service Bulletin, but not nearly at the level of a Recall. If you had the problem within the three year period (then extended by an additional year) whether you purchased Applecare or not, the repair was covered.

If you you have that exact problem, and were not able to take advantage of the free repair, that is lamentable. I got mine tested the month before the program ended and it PASSED. A few months later, it stopped working properly. I was able to revive it, sans Discrete graphics chip, by procedures already posted on this thread.

The current value of your used MacBook is fairly low, so your actual damages (as a court would see it) are quite limited. I do not speak for Apple, Inc, but I believe Apple has done all they intend to do on this issue.

Apple DID take action to provide relief. Very specific relief to customers whose Macs developed certain problems, who presented them for evaluation or service (or had repairs done by others).

You are simply arguing "that was not enough!"

The laws around product liability, recalls, and perceived damages center on bodily injury and death. All other issues are covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Apple extended the warranty dramatically. I do not speak for Apple, Inc, but I believe Apple has done all they intend to do on this issue.

ThomasD3 wrote:

Maybe I am an idealist, but I expected honesty and responsibility and got neither.

I still don't see where Apple lied to you or didn't do what they said they were going to do.

However, you should contact Apple directly and make your concerns known. Posting here won't do that. I think the best way to handle something like this would by letter, the real kind on paper. Send one to Apple headquarters in California and one to Apple's European headquarters. A small amount of research should turn up the appropriate names and addresses.

They sold me a 'premium' product that was defective, then denied several times there was a widespread problem and pretty much every 'blame the user' variations. At no point they told me 'hey, we messed up'.

I went through a bunch of motherboards and we found there was a specific pattern that would destroy a 2011 very quickly (we were working on code doing GPU processing); I explained things in detail to Apple and by then it was 2016: at that time they started to look for solutions. I probably spoke with close to 10 different people and all wanted to help by were bound by internal policies. They even wanted to replace the 2011 by a different model since they understood from the data provided that the GPU work I was doing was destroying a 2011 quickly (without going in details, it made the gpu heat very fast but not the cpu, so cooling wouldn't kick in fast enough and it caused extreme thermal cycles)

So the case went to the HQ, and within 2 days, they assigned someone in the EU, since I was there, to look into it.

Someone, presumably from the North of the UK or Scotland given the accent, gave me a call and tried to convince me that numerous failures in the past don't mean an identical part will fail in the future which was complete nonsense; then he recommended that I get a new motherboard from them and then sell the computer to someone that just needs it to check email, etc.

I realized quickly I was dealing with a marketing/business guy that wasn't trying to solve anything but just get rid of this issue and close it.

So, yes, a few people lied to me at the beginning, but probably they didn't know better, and the last one definitely lied to me in full knowledge of the situation. All the ones I spoke with 'in the middle', were very nice.

I have exactly the same problem, last week my Macbook Pro early 2011 suddenly went to a black screen, after that it would freeze just after boot. At the Genius bar they ran a test that appointed video failure, the assistant explained that my product is considered vintage and there was nothing he could do, although he acknowledged it would have being accept on the repair program. Apart of my frustration to find out that my problem is part of a common known issue, I was really unhappy by the fact the genius recommended to go to a authorised apple service shop, 40 min driving (they did not answer the phone) which also denied the possibility of repair.

After read all the replies for this post and the many other forums about the related issue, I came to the conclusion that the problem is not an easy fix and that Apple was not able to deal properly as many users had repeated issues with the motherboard replacement. I was looking to buy a new product, as my profession demands high specs for cad and 3d softwares, and to give away my mbp to a family member, who at the moment is using a PC that is from 2009. By the way the pc cost me at the time £450 and just realised that it outperformed my mbp 2011, which costed me £1800 without counting the upgrades.

In brief, I just would like Apple to continue dealing with the problem and not just ignore by stating that it is now vintage. They could provide affordable solution that could be fair for both company and users. I was considering buying the new iMac Pro but now I am thinking twice as I might be in a similar situation in the near future. A PC can provide me with higher specs with half of the price and the possibility to replace the parts if necessary. Perhaps the combination of this issue, the high costs and the feeling of being ignored for owing an vintage product are causing me to loose interest in a brand that I always defended.

PS: I'll forward this direct to Apple however my intention here is to share my experience with other users.

Mike15macbook wrote:

I don’t mean to be smug BUT! Why the can’t Apple just (continue) to support their hardware products? And why 50k ideas but no real fix?

You'll have to ask Apple that question (Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple). Probably a decision influenced by economics, changing technology, and business.

I have no idea what "...why 50k ideas but no real fix?" means.

I wrote much earlier in this thread about that (having been involved with hardware manufacturing): there is nothing wrong with lead-free solder; it's simply that it has narrower temperature profile when soldering, the wetting doesn't follow the same patterns and it requires more flux to flow properly; there are a few other issues, such as whiskers, etc but they're a bit out of topic here.

Manufacturer started to become compliant with RoHS and WEEE directives, and many problems ensued; Apple is far from being the only one, there is a tremendous amount of Xbox units with exactly the same problem as the MBP 2011 and a lot of other electronics too.

Today, manufacturing with lead-free solder is reliable and all new computers are working reliably with lead-free solder.

Now, the 2011 is a bit of a special beast: you could reliable solder the 2011 with lead-free solder, but there two caveats:

- There is a story floating around that the pads inside the GPU have an issue due to the high temperatures; I don't know if it's true, I'd be surprised if it is because I would assume Apple would have asked ATI to do the repairs then.

- The 2011 runs horribly hot and has wide thermal cycles because it's a machine putting out more heat than a 2010 but with essentially the same cooling system. When you combine it with Apple's obsession with quiet and you can see that fans kick in only after the temperatures are getting very high; so the cooling system doesn't work enough at low speed and waits too long to go in high speed. There thermal cycles put stress on the joints and lead-free solder is less forgiving about this.

So, what you can take away from this is that you don't need to use lead free solder, you need to keep the machine cold; and this can be achieved by running the fans all the time at a higher speed, or by disabling the discrete GPU. If you do that, a fixed 2011 can last long.