Level 1

86 points

2011 Macbook Pro Logic Board Failure

I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro running 10.10.2. I have not had many issues with the computer since I have purchased it except the occasional blue/gray screen issue. While I would be using the computer as normal, the screen would randomly go blue or gray and I would have to force shut down the computer. However, after a force shut down and a reboot, this would usually solve the problem.

A few months back, this issue occurred again and the usual force shut down and reboot did not work this time. I ended up looking up some troubling shooting techniques online and ended up resetting the SMC and it seemed to do the trick. Now this is where my problem occurs. About a week ago, I was using the computer as normal, and the same issue happened. Again, this time the force shut down and reboot did not work. So I tried the SMC reset again but this time it did not solve the problem. So again, I went online for some trouble shooting techniques to see if I could solve this issue on my own. I had no luck this time around. I decided it was best to contact apple to see if this issue could be better assisted by them. I ended up spending multiple hours online with phone representatives working through various troubleshooting techniques (most of which I had already tried on my own) and could not get the computer to boot normally. It would simply boot into a gray screen with a apple logo with a loading bar beneath it, and then would slowly load until about half way, and then the screen would just go to the gray screen of death.

After many hours, they decided it was best to take it into an apple store to have them diagnose the problem. I scheduled an appointment at my near by apple store the following day and had them review my Macbook. After a few hardware tests, they determined that the problem was a logic board failure. They then proceeded to tell me that because my Macbook is early 2011, it is now considered 'vintage' and they are not able to work on such a computer. They then gave me Apple certified repair centers that were in my area to contact to repair this issue.

I ended up calling the repair centers that night to see how much this repair was going to cost and how long the process would take. After speaking with the repair centers, and explaining my issue, all of the conversations ended at the same point. I stated that I had a early 2011 Macbook Pro logic board failure and I would need to get it replaced and installed. Each and every single repair center stated that they are unable to perform this for two reasons. 1) It was a known issue that early 2011 Macbook Pro logic boards were faulty and 2) They do not make a practice of carrying or installing faulty parts.

Now this is where I began to get confused so I did some research online and came across this

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?start=13395&tstart=0

and this

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

I began to release that this problem occurred because Apple manufactured faulty logic boards, knew about it, and created an extended repair programme for this specific issue. Now you would think that this works out well, a repair programme extended for this specific issue, so whats the problem? This programme expired 12/31/2016. That's right, just a month after my laptop decided to break down.

I am writing this post because I have read through the other post and noticed that there are many others just like me that are experiencing the same issue just a month after the programme has ended. We should not be out of a laptop that we spent good money for expecting a premium product, just because our laptops decided to last just a bit longer than what Apple deemed was necessary for this problem. I made sure to keep this product in pristine condition throughout its life to make sure that I would get the most out of this product and it has, except for the one piece of hardware that Apple created faulty. Apple, you need to fix this issue, as myself and many others included are having this problem, and its not going away. Anyone else that is having this problem, please post and let me know if you were able to get this problem solved. In this day in age, it is very hard to be without a computer and this is a very long and frustrating process to go through in order to get my working computer back.

MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2011), OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), null

Posted on Feb 27, 2017 2:37 PM

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

141,301 points

Posted on Oct 27, 2017 9:37 AM

Install gfxCardStatus (https://gfx.io) and set it to "i" (integrated graphics only). It will allow your MBP to run on integrated graphics only, bypassing the discrete GPU which has the issues. This may allow your MBP to run normally, although it will have reduced graphics performance when permforming demanding graphics tasks. The alternative is replacing the logic board, which is not cost effective on a machine that old, unless gfx does not resolve the issue and you really want to keep this MBP.

There is an acknowledged bug in the current version of Cody Kreiger's Open-Source gfxcardstatus, and the developer has confessed he does not have time to fix it right now.

There is a fork off the main build by steveschow available that seems to fix that problem for current versions of MacOS such as ElCapitan and Sierra. He provides a finished .app for direct download -- you do not have to compile anything.

https://github.com/steveschow/gfxCardStatus/releases

Also note that if your Mac does not run long enough to allow gfxcardstatus to be added, this is not really practical.

In addition, Steve Schow writes that he has abandoned further development -- because there are better solutions available [for both the 2010 model and 2011 models]. In particular, the use of ArchLinux bootable CD to gain access to and re-write the EFI on the drive, and permanently disable the discrete graphics chip. This page and scroll down past the list to the blog:

Releases · steveschow/gfxCardStatus · GitHub

there are two similar procedure listed. I used the second from MacRumors as it seemed easier. I have made the Arch Linux bootable CD on another Mac, and tried this approach. I now have a perfectly-functioning MacBook Pro late 2011 15-in model with Discrete Graphics disabled. Runs just fine.

View in context

377 replies

Oct 1, 2017 6:21 PM in response to DZohan

we certainly dont need your permission or approval

I was not intending to provide my permission or approval. I was doing what I always do here -- provide some advice to people who are seeking it.

I honestly think you are wasting your time posting here, and I have said so more than once in simple declarative sentences.

This is because I feel bad that you are spending your time and energy here in this fashion... and nothing more.

Oct 1, 2017 7:30 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

"You assertion that the parts were inherently dysfunctional is something you invented." I cannot believe you said that. I take it you're joking right? Anyway I hope you get that job at Apple you are so desperately seeking.

There are many good things about Apple, but there are things they need to address.

Google "have Apple lost their way"

Oct 1, 2017 7:34 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

There is no express or implied warranty that because Apple fixed a few more that had problems, therefore you get free repairs for life. Apple extended the warranty period for an additional year and included those who had not paid for the extended Applecare warranty. Those computers made it well beyond that extended warranty period, and that is all you can expect.

We like to buy products that are warrantable: that is, someone could collect and get them repaired, so it costs the company money if the product is not of high quality. Another way of saying products that are reliable.

We sometimes also buy products with an express warranty: that provides a way to get mine fixed if it breaks.

But there is no guarantee that ANY product you buy will do anything in particular. That is why organizations like Consumer Reports are constantly testing products -- to report which products do what they reasonably should do, and which do it better or worse than others.

Oct 2, 2017 7:29 AM in response to DZohan

Why do you continue to rant against the two of us who are advising you what to do about your issue? Continuing to rant in this user-to-user community will not advance your cause nor get you a solution.

Once again, Apple is the only one who can help you with your issue. We users can not do anything about the issue. I have stated that I agree that a logic board should not fail within a year or two. I've stated that I agree about being angry if a logic board fails within a year or two. But what else do you want from me or Grant? We have provided the best advice we can, contact Apple.

And why the speculation that we are somehow compensated by or are working for Apple? Neither of us works for Apple, we are volunteering our time to help others experiencing technical issues. The TOU of these communities are very clear what these forums are for and what content is allowed. Bashing others who are trying to offer advice is not condoned by the TOU.

So my advice, I know it will fall on deaf ears, is to work with Apple regarding your issue.

ThomasD3

Level 1

46 points

Oct 2, 2017 7:51 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

I agree with Bob here: he didn't make the forum rules and he's putting time to keep the community clean.

We know that Apple doesn't help with this anymore and they'll censor any attempt by people to get organized, as this is not allowed by their platform.

The conclusion to draw from this thread is that their forum is not the right place for this specific discussion.

Klokento

Level 1

4 points

Oct 2, 2017 1:59 PM in response to Arepoli

Good evening apple. I can't believe my macbook pro has stopped working. It's an early 2011 macbook pro 15inch. I took my macbook pro once to apple like in 2014, because of the same issue this guys experienced. Guess what happened, you guys fixed it, which I appreciate so much but 1 week ago, the graphics issues came back. Now my computer is in a vegetative state. It turns on, but more than that?? Nothing else. Please apple, get this programme back again so you guys fix my computer. I just can't be affording hundreds of dollars on a piece of hardware every time it fails.

Oct 2, 2017 4:57 PM in response to andrewj44

andrewj44 wrote:

Who keeps deleting DZohan's comments? Not suggesting it's you, just asking the question.

The only people who can delete posts are the Hosts, who are Apple employees. They do so when the posts violate the terms of use to which we all agreed when we registered.

Oct 2, 2017 5:30 PM in response to ThomasD3

ThomasD3 wrote:

One can only guess if people organizing for some pro-apple event would get censored as well...

Apple is not preventing anyone from organizing. They're just not letting you do it in their forum. You are absolutely free to organize a petition, a protest or a knitting circle if you want.

And yes, they would do the same thing if you tried to start a petition to build a statue to Mr. Jobs.

Oct 2, 2017 5:39 PM in response to ThomasD3

ThomasD3 wrote:

so, am I free to post an URL to another forum, or even a google doc, where members of this thread can regroup and discuss freely?

Have you read the TOU? You can ask for technical assistance. You can not: "Do not post polls or petitions or links to same.". Here is the link for the TOU: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5952

This link also appears at the bottom of each page in this community.

ThomasD3

Level 1

46 points

Oct 2, 2017 5:42 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

That's why I talked about a forum: it's not a poll, nor a petition or anything similar.

It would be a gathering of the disgruntled; is that covered by the TOS?

Obviously, this thread is probably followed by the mods by now, so it would be nice if one would come here clarify things; the whole deity behavior is only passable for the keynote, here you can come chat with us 😀

Oct 2, 2017 5:47 PM in response to ThomasD3

ThomasD3 wrote:

That's why I talked about a forum: it's not a poll, nor a petition or anything similar.

It would be a gathering of the disgruntled; is that covered by the TOS?

Obviously, this thread is probably followed by the mods by now, so it would be nice if one would come here clarify things; the whole deity behavior is only passable for the keynote, here you can come chat with us 😀

Use the contact Apple link provided above several times and ask them if it would be allowed. Their servers their rules and interpretation. There is a Using Support Communities community.

Oct 2, 2017 6:04 PM in response to ThomasD3

I have met some of the folks who run Apple Support Communities. They are wonderful people!

But their expertise is in making these forums a great place for Users to post their issues and other Users to contribute toward solutions -- and to make that all happen with uncommon civility and grace.

The folks who run the forums do not pretend to have the same deep technical expertise about all the products discussed here on the forums as other users (taken as a group) could possibly have. And it is not their job to answer your queries.

Do you understand just HOW MANY different forums there are here? There are forums here for products that shipped before the turn of the Century!

Apple has supported these forums with servers and infrastructure and software and Community Support Personnel, including those who serve as Hosts, to bring together Apple Users with technical issues, and Readers who might be willing to voluntarily provide some guidance.

The Hosts are here to maintain order and enforce the Terms Of Use, which is intended to produce a set of forums with remarkable civility, where even novice Users will not feel threatened to participate in getting their technical questions answered. Hosts do not generally participate in technical or other discussions.

They are not likely to appear before you for an audience when you beckon them. They have serious work to do.

ThomasD3

Level 1

46 points

Oct 6, 2017 2:53 PM in response to bajabob

It seem like they prefer to lose customers than admit they made a mistake and that the product was crap. The repair program was a joke.

Image is everything; and it seems that 2011 owners are just an inconvenience to be ignored.

Oct 7, 2017 7:29 AM in response to Arepoli

I also have a macbook pro 2011 and was just told by Apple that my logic board failed. In my case the usb ports stopped working. I also tried resetting the SMC (and everything else that was suggested online). I was also told at Apple that they can't fix it and yadda yadda yadda. I'm just putting in my 2 cents so Apple can see that, yes, A LOT of us are ****** about this faulty logic board issue! C'mon Apple, stand by your products. And show us that you value your loyal Apple customers.....or you're going to lose us.

Rackham

Level 1

4 points

Oct 26, 2017 12:53 PM in response to Arepoli

Hello, bravo for your work and your effort for justice! I have the exactly same problem with an early 2011 MBP that have a known graphic motherboard failure as apple admit ! I just put my first post to complain and explain my problem and ask for guaranty extension and my post has not even be publish??? What's the problem??? Modérateur???? Regards

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2011 Macbook Pro Logic Board Failure