2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro (2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 memory) running OS 10.8.2. It has two graphics components: an AMD Radeon HD 6750M and a built-in Intel HD Graphics 3000. Since I've had the computer, the screen would get a blue tint when the computer switched between them.
However, as of two days ago, the problem has become substantially more severe. The computer was working fine, when all of a suddent the screen when completely blue. I had to force restart the computer. Since then, the screen has gone awry on numerous occassions - each time necessitating a hard reset.
I installed gfxCardStatus, and have discovered that the computer runs fine using the integrated card, but as soon as I switch to the discrete card - the screen goes .
I am just wondering what my options are (any input on any of these would be appreciated!):
1) Replace the logic board. Would this necessarily fix the issue?
2) Is there any way to "fix" the graphics card?
3) Keep using gfxCardStatus and only use the integrated graphics card. This is definitely the easiest/cheapest option, but to have such a computer and not be able to use the graphics card seems like a real shame.
4) Is there any other alternative?

Hey!
I ran into the exact same issue around the same time like you. I have a early 2011 MBP 15", and the same issue arose. First, my external monitor (and laptop monitor) screen shifted like in your first shot. It happened a couple of times, unplugging/plugging the external monitor would help solve it. I restarted the comp and it didn't happen.
Tomorrow, though, the screen started exhibiting worse issues like you described. Lock ups, screen tearing, graphics glitches etc. I tried to localize the problem to be a software one, but failed. Althought Windows was stable, it also started showing glitches, and eventually they started appearing on the recovery partition as well.
I sort of identified the issue to be with the discrete graphics, as switching to integrated didn't cause the problems.
I brought it into the service center, where they noticed my laptop heats up substantially more than they would expect. They ran a couple of tests, many of which failed because my laptop locked up.
They offered two procedures: one is to switch out the logic board, which is the usual path they would take, and the other one (cheaper) was to actually re-solder in the graphics chip. They said it was a bit detached and not soldered well to the board. Either as a result of falling damage (a slight fall happened, but a very long while ago and I never had issues after that - I slipped while the laptop was in my backpack) or heating over time, it got fuzzed up. I had them do the resoldering and the laptop worked fine for about 10 days, and now it's acting up again.
I'll go for the logic board solution, but if you find any solutions, let me know. If you're interested, I can ping in with the results of the procedure.

Similar Messages

2011 Macbook Pro and Discrete Graphics

Hi Everyone
I am writing to give an update on this issue. Just to recount... my MBP Early 2011 went into the white screen of death mode in mid-December. I had immediately taken it in for check up and diagnostics at a Apple Service Centre in Kolkata. After paying Rs. 2400/- they called me and confirmed the diagnostics, which I had already pointed out to them. After that I could not access the hard drive for almost 20 days, and later I managed to install the Snow Leopard that had shipped with the MBP when I bought it. In the meantime I had been reading each and every post that has got posted here, and somehow the restart with the 'twist' trick worked for me to install Mountain Lion.
But all this with disabled graphics and very low performance.
I contacted apple about a week and half back and the customer service rep. on the phone advised me to take the MBP to a nearest service centre and tell them the problem along with this forum. I told the rep. that this is now a know issue and thousands of people are suffering not just loss of money but faith in apple and more importantly productivity, as we use this computer for all our main work. The rep. was very helpful, and raised a case and encouraged me to go into the service provider.
Last week I took the MBP to the service provider in Hyderabad, RSG Infotech. The rep. there spoke the script that we usually hear: that they will have to check, they will have to run diagnostics, it will cost minimum amount to get it checked since its out of warranty etc. I patiently heard everything. Then I told him the specific issue, told him the history of this and also said that apple has told me to come there. I gave the case number to them and showed this community. Fortunately the MBP was going through a display hang where the safari browser kept on refreshing without anything, and the rep. saw it and said yes its a gpu issue. So, I asked him to contact apple and let me know. He called me up after two days and gave a quotation for Rs. 45000/- for changing the battery (for it had swilled-up), the magsafe port and the logic board. I told him to wait for my call.
I then contact apple on phone. The customer rep. was very patient and helpful. He said that there is an open case against my earlier call and he would transfer the call to his senior. The supervisor too listened to me and asked a few questions. She was again very polite and helpful, and asked for some time to get the hardware diagnostics from the service provider. After half an hour she called me back and said that the battery will be replaced free of charge. She asked for a day to respond to the logic board issue. Yesterday she called me and told that apple is going to take care of the other parts free of cost, and I would have to bear the cost of minimum service Rs. 1500/- I agreed to it. I also asked her what the warranty period of the replaced parts would be. She said that it would be 90 days and I could take the MBP back to the service provider if any problem occurs.
Now I am waiting for the call from the service provider. This whole process shows 2 things, first that apple is serious about its customer care, and second that they know about this issue but will only address it case by case. The whole picture seems to be that apple is ready to help but you need to go pass the first rung of customer care, and tell them specifically to raise this issue to higher ups in the hierarchy. Since we have been using apple products for a long time, and since the company can help us out reliably I thing everyone must contact apple on phone or through the service centres to get a case opened. Only then will apple understand the extent of this problem. I am not sure about the third party solutions of rebelling/reflowing in India. Since anything apple in India is a very highly priced product and they would charge you money only to have a look at it !
Will keep everyone posted on this

Hey!
I ran into the exact same issue around the same time like you. I have a early 2011 MBP 15", and the same issue arose. First, my external monitor (and laptop monitor) screen shifted like in your first shot. It happened a couple of times, unplugging/plugging the external monitor would help solve it. I restarted the comp and it didn't happen.
Tomorrow, though, the screen started exhibiting worse issues like you described. Lock ups, screen tearing, graphics glitches etc. I tried to localize the problem to be a software one, but failed. Althought Windows was stable, it also started showing glitches, and eventually they started appearing on the recovery partition as well.
I sort of identified the issue to be with the discrete graphics, as switching to integrated didn't cause the problems.
I brought it into the service center, where they noticed my laptop heats up substantially more than they would expect. They ran a couple of tests, many of which failed because my laptop locked up.
They offered two procedures: one is to switch out the logic board, which is the usual path they would take, and the other one (cheaper) was to actually re-solder in the graphics chip. They said it was a bit detached and not soldered well to the board. Either as a result of falling damage (a slight fall happened, but a very long while ago and I never had issues after that - I slipped while the laptop was in my backpack) or heating over time, it got fuzzed up. I had them do the resoldering and the laptop worked fine for about 10 days, and now it's acting up again.
I'll go for the logic board solution, but if you find any solutions, let me know. If you're interested, I can ping in with the results of the procedure.

HT201343 I just verified that i have an early 2011 Macbook Pro and the airplay icon does not appear. i also have a 2013 Macbook Pro which shows the airplay icon. do i need to enable airplay on my early 2011 or is there an update that is needed? Confuse

I just verified that i have an early 2011 Macbook Pro and the airplay icon does not appear. i also have a 2013 Macbook Pro which shows the airplay icon. do i need to enable airplay on my early 2011 or is there an update that is needed? Confused.

To check your model go to About This Mac (by clicking on the Apple icon, top left) and then select more info. If you wish to use mirroring you will need one from 2011 or later running OSX 10.8 or later. The alternative would be to use 3rd party software like Airparrot.
About AirPlay Mirroring in OS X

HT204291 i have a late 2011 macbook pro and i don't have the airplay icon on my menu. Everything is on the same network and i have a black mini apple Tv. it is either 2nd or 3rd generation. The airplay icon comes up in itunes it doesn't works with video j

i have a late 2011 macbook pro and i don't have the airplay icon on my menu. Everything is on the same network and i have a black mini apple Tv. it is either 2nd or 3rd generation. The airplay icon comes up in itunes it doesn't works with video just music. I want to mirror it on my apple tv. Will you please help me?

That's why, you will need to upgrade to 10.8

I have Late 2011 Macbook Pro and zxcv keys are not working?

I have late 2011 Macbook Pro and the zxcv keys are no longer working. Once I connect USB keyboard I can utilize these keys. Do anyone have solution?

How did you try to use Acitivty Monitor?
Open Activity Monitor, choose "All processes" from the list, and sort processes by CPU usage. More likely than not, there will be task using up good bit of CPU.
You could also try resetting SMC:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

13-inch, Late 2011 Macbook Pro and Thunderbold Display...

Hello Dear Users,
First I wish you have a nice new year with full of health, happiness and wealth, then i am asking my question:
I am using a 13-inch, Late 2011 MacBook Pro having
Processor 2,8 GHz Intel Core i7 2 cores+2 HTs
Memory 16 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB
Software OS X 10.9.1 (13B42)
specifications, setup with double Thunderbold Displays.
I sometimes feel that mac's display performance is marvelous and sometimes I feel like I am looking at an old school, blury screen. Is there anybody feels like I feel. I have doubts about screen performance. Well I searched on internet before to write but I could not express what I feel on google search for example. So, I am writing here what I feel. Sorry for my English if I could not express what I meant.
Thak you, and have a nice new year.....
Levent

I've been having the exact same issue, same monitor and same laptop. I spoke to a couple Apple techs on the phone and took my mbp to a genius bar last night, thinking it might be a video card issue since the blocks were also showing up on my macbook's screen. It of course failed to replicate at the store, even with a TB display hooked up.
After this I finally realized it was an issue with the monitor and not the laptop, since it only happened when they were connected (duh... I never checked with them disconnected)
I was able to make it go away temporarily by pushing the cables on the back of the display firmly in, but a few hours later I noticed a couple blocks popping up again.. however it wasn't as bad as before. Seems to me it must be some issue with the hardwired power/tb connetor.

Greastest possible performace with 2011 macbook pro and 2008 airport express

What setting create the fastest possible speeds with a airport express with a brand new 2011 macbook pro taking use of the 450 Mbits/s. For that, Apple changed their Airport card and also installed 3 antennas (instead of 2 before), something indispensabie to be able simultaneously to use 3 channels of 150 Mbits/s.

Your router is likely fine.
You should first update the Airport firmware for it, simply run the Airport and Software update.
See this
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3802
And then go to your System Preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP and for IPv6 turn : OFF
Reboot and see how that goes.
When you connect to the router it gives you a lease on a IP address, if your computer's time and date are off this could make the lease expire and you connect and then get disconnected. So check that, see if it holds.
Reset your SMC and NVRAM/PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
Go to your <home> /Library/Preferences and drag the
com.apple.systempreferences.plist
file to the desktop and reboot, it will be rebuilt, hit your Sytem Preferences and reset them.
drag the useless file on the desktop to the trash.

First Macbook Pro. Which Graphics Card?

I’m looking to buy my first Macbook Pro and have a question about graphics cards. I’m going to get a 15” Retina and was wondering what is the best graphics card to go with? Intel Iris Pro or nVidia I will primarily be using it for filmmaking purposes (editing, After Effects etc.) and also programming in Xcode and gaming. Any help would be awesome! Thanks!

By default the "Automatic Graphics Switching" is used to maximize battery life.
So unless anything 'graphics intensive' comes up then the Intel 3000 is used and the AMD 'sleeps'.
You can change the automatic switching in the Energy Saver Preferences http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4110
When choosing to always use the SMD then the System Profiler should show it.
Stefan

WIP: My adventures with 2011 MacBook Pro and Windows 8.1 including seconday HDD

So I've just lost about 3 days of my life trying to install Windows 8.1 (my preferred) operating system on a Late 2011 MacBook Pro.
I feel that I've learnt a lot and hopefully can share my experiences to speed a few of you along the process. This is my own experience please let me know if anything I have documented is not true and I will revise for completeness
What my initial goal was to have a dual HD set up with an SSD running both Mac OSX and Windows 8.1 (via Bootcamp) with a 2ndry HD in places of the optical (DVD) drive for shared storage.
I have tried all/some of the following:
Win 8.1 ISO from the MS site: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
USB created using Rufus for Bios and EFI boot
DVD created using Windows 8.1 (can't remember how)
Yosemite USB created using: Create a bootable installer for OS X Mavericks or Yosemite - Apple Support
There are 2 main options when installing Windows:
Bios
EFI
Both have different pros and cons, which Im going to try and document here:
Bios
Full driver support via Bootcamp download
Slower (mainly boot time, not by much though)
Not quite as "native" as some may prefer
Limited number of partitions??
EFI
Fast
Native
Does not support video driver properly (no dual screen)
Audio does not work (says Failed to start device)
Here are some random facts I know
Windows DVD will only boot from optical drive when connected internally. If plugged in via external USB it stops at black screen with flashing cursor and doesnt progress
Using 5HT-2a's method on Redit (see below) and the EFI install, I get the Cx0000005 cannot find source media error and cannot install
Hacking the Bootcamp tool to create a Windows 8 ISO with all the drivers works (see link below) but when using it in EFI it crashes repeatedly during install so you never can complete the process (I think this is due to the video drivers) and therefore can't run Bootcamp assistant thus get proper trackpad support
Using lion10's method (below) for tweaking a standard Mac partitioned HD I was able to get past the cannot install Windows error ("windows cannot be installed to this disk. the selected disk is of the GPT partition style") and install Windows using EFI
Best guides/links I have found:
lion10's method:The ultimate way to install Windows 8.x in (U)EFI mode on Apple systems
5HT-2a's method: http://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/2fy3be/by_popular_demand_my_better_than_boo tcamp_guide/
skipsizemore's method: Can't install Windows 8 x64 on late 2013 MBP with1TB SSD
Bootcamp drivers 2 versions depending on Mac:
Older Macs: Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5621
Newer Macs (most 2013+): Boot Camp Support Software 5.1.5640
Bootcamp Assistant Hack for USB creation on older Macs: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1680652There is an additional parameter required if you are using Yosemite during code signing (-deep I think, but cant remember)

What I ended up doing (so far)
I'm not 100% sure of the state of my disk when I got to where I ended up but I had previous completed the GDisk and DISKPART methods from 5HT-2a and lion10's methods. I was using a 128gb SSD
I then decided to start from the top (as I had previous installed Win 8.1 on the original HD using DVD)
So I ran the Yosemite installer (via USB) and used the partition tab in Disk Utility to repartition the disk into 2 partitions, 1 for OSX and 1 (ExFat/NTFS) for Windows
I then booted in Bios (Windows, not EFI) using the Windows 8.1 DVD using the DVD plugged in internally (wouldnt work using USB enclosure)
Installed Windows to the partition I created (probably the 4th one)
After Windows installed, ran the Bootcamp set up program
Reran Yosemite installer and installed Yosemite
Swapped out the optical drive for a larger HD (7200rpm) and formatted it with HFS+

Can not shut down late 2011 MacBook Pro and turn it back on again without the hard drive disappearing?

Ok, I have searched for months for an answer to this question to no avail, probably because no one has experienced it before. I am hoping however that you guys can help me figure this one out cause it is driving me nuts! Also, I am not entirely sure what section of the support I should put this under so if I stick it in the wrong place, I apologize.
Right now my problem is very simple. When I turn off my laptop, and then try to turn it back on, my internal hard drive disappears... and I get the blinking folder with a question mark on it. I have figured out something interesting however. I have an install disk with Ubuntu Linux on it. If I boot into that first, then RESTART the laptop, not shut down and turn back on, it reads the internal hard drive just fine and I can boot as if there is nothing wrong.
Second part to the problem... If I allow the laptop in either OSX or Windows to go to sleep (aka shut off the hard drive but the computer remains on), when I attempt to wake it up, I am greeted with the usual log in screen of whichever OS I am in, but is frozen and after a few seconds goes black and restarts the computer to find that... Surprise! The hard drive is gone
I have tried every trick in the book that I can think of, but can not seem to come up with a solution to the problem... I know when the problem happened and if anyone thinks that that will help them figure this out I will type everything I did up till, including the crash that caused this, and my attempted fixes, but I have class right now so only if you guys want it I will type all that out.
What I am currently running is:
2011 MacBook Pro 13in screen
4Gb of Ram
1TB internal Hard Drive
OSX 10.11.whatever the newest update is... just updated the other day again.
Windows 8.1 on BootCamp 5 (yea I know its not supposed to work but it does) again, fully updated
Ubuntu 13.10 (I think? Doesn't really matter, its just an install disk I use to boot the computer)
If there is anything else that you guys need me to provide, I can, just simply ask. I can provide as much info as is necessary.

Sorry it took me so long to write back, But unfortunately this didn't help my issue.
My uncle and I did a lot of tests on this computer and have narrowed down the location of the problem a little bit.
We tried to first reset the SMC and the NVRAM as suggested, but the only thing that did was make the fans run on full tilt for the first session after restarting it for some reason. After that we tried re installing OSX over the OSX that was already on the system (not removing any of the files). This also didn't do anything but make refit stop working. Then we moved onto the next task at hand by removing the hard drive entirely and booting it as an external drive from one of the USB ports... as long as you booted it with the options key held down, it worked perfectly fine. Then we put an alternative hard drive into the computer and installed OSX on that. This time there was no trouble booting anything up. Everything seemed to work flawlessly. So we made a backup of my original drive (OSX, Windows, and all) onto an external hard drive and tested booting to it via USB. That again worked perfectly fine and booted right up with no problems. So after that we formatted the original hard drive and reinstated OSX. We then proceeded to transfer all the old files from the backup onto this new installation and LOW AND BEHOLD..... we were back to square one with it refusing to recognize the hard drive again.
So this basically told us that there appears to be something either wrong with the hard drive, or something got really screwed up in the software along the lines and by me copying all my old files back over, I just ended up bringing the screwed up file back over with it! (despite not copying over any settings of any kind) So I am still extremely confused as to what is going wrong... did some boot sector possibly get screwed up may be?

I have a late 2011 macbook pro and it wont update the firmware to 2.7, it downloads the update then says its installing it but when i go back to software update it keeps coming up saying it needs to be updated

I have a late 2011 macbook pro running OSX Lion, and it wont update the firmware to 2.7, it downloads the update then says its installing it but when i go back to software update it keeps coming up saying it needs to be updated. Im wondering what can i do to stop this or get it to update.

Once it is downloaded you need to restart the computer if it does not restart automatically. When it next starts up you should note a progress bar appearing below the Apple logo. When done the computer will restart once more. The new firmware should now be installed.

I have a 2011 MacBook Pro and installed Mountain Lion recently and I want to uninstall it to my old software how do I do that?

Please help me out I really don't like the Mountain Lion software, the old one i had was much better and I can't seem to figure out how to get back to the one I use to have.

if you plan on doing an internet recovery install of your old os which is Lion - keep in mind that everything will be erased in your hard drive. your files are gone - unless you have made copies of them in another drive.
you will have to reinstall everything over again. if you're prepared to do that, then click on the link below to learn on how to start internet recovery since booting through your recovery partition will reinstall Mountaln Lion.
Force Lion to Start Internet Recovery.
Now, if you have a early 2011 Macbook Pro - then it came with Snow Leopard - use your install disk to reinstall.

I have a 2011 MacBook Pro and the battery has died what kind of battery do I need?

What kind or battery does my late model 2011 MacBook Pro need?

The one that your Apple Store or your Apple Authorized Service Provider will install. MBPs from 2010 on forward do not come with user-replaceable batteries and special tools are needed to remove the one within. Plus whatever one you get outside of the official channel will cost the same if new, so there is no sense in going solo on this.

Purchased a used Late 2011 Macbook Pro and cannot get find my Mac to work. What do I need to do?

So I purchased a used late 2011 Macbook Pro from a friend. I am trying to get the find my Mac app set up but it won't let me because I believe he still has it as one of his devices. I texted him a couple days ago to ask him to remove it, but it doesn't seem he has or is in any rush to do that. I was debating re-installing the entire OS to give myself a fresh start. Will this give me the ability to set my computer up on the find my Mac app or is it tied to something more than the hard drive/OS.

Esteban1015 wrote:
I actually think I will be upgrading the hard drive size. So to confirm, when I reinstall the OS on this new hard drive, I will be able to add this as my own device within the Find my Mac app?
Yes, after you zero out the drive.
Which os is installed?
Just out of curiousity, what happens on my friends end to this device?
It's your friends problem not yours. Your friend will have to get his "Find my Mac" app.

Macbook pro A1286 display/graphic card issue

Hello,
I have a macbook pro model no A1286 that started having issues a few days ago:
1) first symptome, in Chrome when using youtube or other flash/graphics intensive tools the imagine would break into 2, leaving the pointer movable, but nothing else worked, so restart was necessary. After installing Firefox, the issue continued, but with no reason. Finally, i upgraded to OS 10.8 and for some days it looked fine.
2) just a few hours ago, when starting the mac, the loading looked crazy, partly green, partly purple, and once the loader finished, it either gave me a white screen for minutes and then shut down, or simply shutdown after 1-2minutes.
Has anyone seen this issue before ? Any comments, suggestions ?
Thank you!

OK, it's likely an Early or Late 2011 model, then. There is a long thread here -> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4766577?tstart=210 - about problems with the 2011 (mostly, but not always, on the Early 2011 models) about problems with the discrete GPU (which would kick in whenever you launch Chrome).
Really the only thing that you can do is to take your machine into your local Apple Store or AASP and have them diagnose the problem and get an estimate for repair.
Just be aware that the problem usually just continues to get worse and that a logic board replacement doesn't always 'fix' the problem. Many users report going through 3-4 logic boards and still having the problem. The only 'real' solution seems to be having the GPU 'BGA reballed' - which isn't as expensive as a new logic board.
So have your machine diagnosed and if it comes up with a faulty GPU (which it probably will) think about having it reballed to actually fix the problem, rather than having the logic board replaced.
Good luck,
Clinton

2011 MacBook Pro and Discrete Graphics Card

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