Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Mac will not boot using bootable usb or any other command startup option

HI,


I have been working on my laptop for the past 48 hours straight(almost). The problem is the OS X recovery. Back at the end of January I decided (dumb) to upgrade my MacBook Pro(late 2011 15") to High Sierra OS and from then on it went downhill. First I was able to log onto my Mac with no issues, then the lag started to kick in, next the computer would shut off on its own, afterwards I was able to use the command startups in order for me to gain access to my login screen. I would have to use different command startups every time until my Mac just had enough and now none of the command startups work at all! My last resort was to create a bootable USB drive from a MacBook Pro (early 2015 13") who is running the Sierra OS. The creation of the drive was successful, I plugged my USB drive in, the Mac recognized the drive from the startup manager, the progress bar loads about 75% of the way and Nothing! The screen either goes black and then flashes to grey and shuts off or the screen may turn blue or grey with lines forming horizontal across the screen. At one point I used to get the censor symbol in the middle of the screen during the boot process. I feel like I exhausted all options before I either have to take it to Apple. I am righting this post to see if I have maybe missed another option that could possibly save this disaster, but believe me when I tell you I have tried almost everything it is not an exaggeration, just a bunch of frustration. Thanks for any suggestions!

MacBook Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.6)

Posted on Mar 1, 2018 10:46 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 1, 2018 6:05 PM

This is a very common problem. The 15"/17" Macbook Pro from early 2011 to late 2013 are known to have issues with the graphics chip causing horizontal lines, and that's most likely what has happened to your Mac. The best way to break it to you is to say that you know have a very fancy looking door stopper.


I work at an electronics repair store where I repair Macbooks that has died from water damage or just died on their own. (I'm writing this on my Macbook Air that I bought cheaply because it was dead after the seller spilled water on it. Using my skills and the equipment at work I repaired it and is now fully functioning.) I often get 15/17 inch models that has the same issue as you. There's no permanent fix for it. Even if you did have skills and the $10 000 machine required to do the work, you can't even buy a new graphics chip anywhere. I've been on the phone with customers who have gotten angry when they figure out all that can be done is to throw their Mac away.


Even if you did go to Apple and paid $500-900 to replace the motherboard, they'd most likely give you a "refurbished" motherboard that will most likely have the same issue in a couple of months. Apple say "a small percentage" is affected, but I'd say most of the models I mentioned are affected. These things are dying like flies.

Similar questions

2 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 1, 2018 6:05 PM in response to Smittty33

This is a very common problem. The 15"/17" Macbook Pro from early 2011 to late 2013 are known to have issues with the graphics chip causing horizontal lines, and that's most likely what has happened to your Mac. The best way to break it to you is to say that you know have a very fancy looking door stopper.


I work at an electronics repair store where I repair Macbooks that has died from water damage or just died on their own. (I'm writing this on my Macbook Air that I bought cheaply because it was dead after the seller spilled water on it. Using my skills and the equipment at work I repaired it and is now fully functioning.) I often get 15/17 inch models that has the same issue as you. There's no permanent fix for it. Even if you did have skills and the $10 000 machine required to do the work, you can't even buy a new graphics chip anywhere. I've been on the phone with customers who have gotten angry when they figure out all that can be done is to throw their Mac away.


Even if you did go to Apple and paid $500-900 to replace the motherboard, they'd most likely give you a "refurbished" motherboard that will most likely have the same issue in a couple of months. Apple say "a small percentage" is affected, but I'd say most of the models I mentioned are affected. These things are dying like flies.

Mac will not boot using bootable usb or any other command startup option

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.